Files vs NanaZip
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Files is an open‑source file manager built for Windows, offering a tabbed interface and dual‑pane layout to boost productivity. It lets you browse local folders, connect to cloud drives, FTP servers, and work directly inside Git repositories. The app includes a command palette, omnibar, tagging, and customizable appearance options such as folder backgrounds, making file navigation fast and personalized. It is free, community‑driven, and integrates with services like Google Drive.
NanaZip is an open-source file archiver forked from 7-Zip and rebuilt for the modern Windows experience, adding native dark mode, Mica window effects, and clean Windows 11 context-menu integration. It supports the same broad set of archive formats as 7-Zip plus additional codecs like Zstandard, Brotli, and LZ4, all packaged through MSIX for clean installs and automatic updates.
- Free and open‑source
- Highly customizable UI
- Native Windows performance
- Built‑in cloud and Git support
- Completely free and open source
- Modern Windows 11 look and context-menu integration
- Broader codec support than stock 7-Zip
- Clean MSIX install with automatic updates via Microsoft Store
- Windows‑only, no macOS or Linux version
- Limited mobile presence compared to desktop features
- Occasional UI glitches with custom themes
- Windows only, no macOS or Linux version
- Smaller community than the original 7-Zip project
- Some advanced UI features assume a recent Windows 11 build
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Files
View all →Alternatives to NanaZip
View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataFiles is a free, open‑source Windows file manager with tabs, dual‑pane, cloud and Git features; NanaZip is a free, open‑source Windows archiver with modern UI and extensive compression codecs. Choose Files for file navigation, choose NanaZip for archive creation/extraction.
Key differences
- •Files manages folders and files with tabs, dual‑pane view, cloud (Google Drive) and Git integration; NanaZip focuses on compressing/extracting archives.
- •Files offers a customizable UI and theme support; NanaZip provides Windows 11 dark mode, Mica effects, and MSIX packaging.
- •Files includes built‑in cloud and Git support; NanaZip integrates with Windows 11 context menu and supports many checksum algorithms.
- •Files is deployed as a mobile app (though primarily desktop); NanaZip is a desktop‑only MSIX app.
- •Support for Files is via email; NanaZip support is through GitHub issues.
Pricing & value
Both are free and open‑source, offering comparable monetary value.
Ease of use / learning curve
NanaZip integrates into Windows 11 context menu, requiring minimal learning; Files’ tabbed/dual‑pane UI may need adjustment.
Features & depth
Files provides file browsing, cloud, Git, tagging, and layout presets; NanaZip is limited to compression/decompression.
Integrations & ecosystem
Files integrates with Google Drive and Git; NanaZip only integrates with Windows 11 Explorer and WinGet.
Collaboration
Files’ Git support enables collaborative version control; NanaZip has no collaboration features.
Support
NanaZip offers GitHub issue tracking; Files only lists email support, which may be less responsive.
Security & privacy
NanaZip includes built‑in hash verification and security hardening (Control Flow Guard, CET); Files does not specify such measures.
Choose Files if…
Windows users needing advanced file navigation, cloud/Git integration, and UI customization.
Choose NanaZip if…
Windows 10/11 users who need a modern, secure archiver with broad codec support.
Common questions
Are either tool paid or require a subscription?
Both Files and NanaZip are free and open‑source.
Which tool supports version control for files?
Files includes built‑in Git support for committing, branching, and viewing repository status.
Does either product offer security features like hash verification?
NanaZip verifies archive integrity with MD5, SHA‑256, BLAKE3, and XXH64 and includes security hardening; Files does not mention such features.



