PKWARE PKZip
Encryption software
Confidentiality software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
Take the quiz to check if PKWARE PKZip and its alternatives fit your requirements.
$29.92 per copy
Free Trial
Free version unavailable
Small
Medium
Large
- Banking and insurance
- Healthcare and life sciences
- Energy and utilities
What is PKWARE PKZip
PKWARE PKZip is an enterprise file compression and encryption product used to package, encrypt, and securely transfer files and folders. It targets IT, security, and operations teams that need to protect data in motion and at rest while maintaining compatibility with common archive formats. The product combines ZIP-based archiving with strong encryption options and policy controls for how encrypted archives are created and shared. It is typically deployed for secure file exchange workflows, automated batch jobs, and endpoint-to-partner data transfers.
Strong file-level encryption options
PKZip supports encrypting individual archives to protect files at rest and during transfer. It is commonly used to apply encryption without requiring changes to upstream business applications that generate the files. This file-centric approach fits workflows where data must be packaged and protected before being sent to external parties.
Broad ZIP workflow compatibility
PKZip is built around widely used ZIP packaging, which helps when exchanging data with partners and heterogeneous environments. Teams can standardize on a common archive container for bundling multiple files, preserving directory structure, and reducing transfer size. This can simplify operational handoffs compared with solutions that require proprietary client applications for basic access.
Automation and batch processing fit
PKZip is often used in scripted and scheduled processes to compress and encrypt files as part of ETL, reporting, or partner file delivery. This supports repeatable controls for how archives are created and protected in operational pipelines. It can be easier to integrate into existing file-transfer tooling than platforms focused primarily on application-layer tokenization or privacy engineering.
Limited rights management controls
Encrypted ZIP archives protect confidentiality, but they typically do not provide persistent usage controls after decryption (for example, view-only, revoke access, or detailed document-level policy enforcement). Organizations needing ongoing control and auditing of document use may require additional digital rights management capabilities. This can be a gap versus products designed for persistent protection and policy enforcement on content.
Key distribution is operationally hard
File encryption requires secure distribution and lifecycle management of passwords/keys/certificates between senders and recipients. In partner ecosystems, this can create support overhead and risk if recipients mishandle credentials or reuse weak passwords. Centralized key management and governance may require complementary enterprise tooling and process controls.
Not a full privacy platform
PKZip focuses on packaging and encrypting files rather than discovering sensitive data, enforcing data minimization, or applying field-level protection inside applications and databases. It does not replace platforms that provide tokenization, format-preserving protection, or privacy controls across structured data stores. For broader confidentiality programs, it is typically one component within a larger security architecture.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| PKZIP (per-copy license — Desktop & listed PKZIP variants) | $29.92 per copy (USD) | PKZIP product shown on PKWARE Store with "Price per copy: $29.92". Product page and store list multiple PKZIP variants (Windows Desktop, DOS, Server variants for Windows, Solaris SPARC/x86, AIX, Linux, IBM i / z/OS). Server/enterprise and platform-specific licensing options are offered but not priced on the store; contact sales for volume/enterprise pricing and specific server/platform SKUs. |
Seller details
PKWARE, Inc.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
1986
Private
https://www.pkware.com/
https://x.com/pkware
https://www.linkedin.com/company/pkware/
