File RollerLinux
vs
7-ZipWindows
File Roller as a Linux alternative to 7-Zip
Updated
Our verdict
File Roller is a decent replacement for 7-Zip if you primarily use GUI interactions and common formats like ZIP, TAR, GZ, and XZ. It handles basic compression tasks well and integrates smoothly with GNOME Files. However, it lacks native high-ratio compression tuning and advanced features like splitting archives or scripting via CLI. Power users who rely on 7-Zip's .7z format efficiency or command-line automation will find it limiting. For casual use and standard formats, especially in a desktop environment, File Roller works fine.
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 44.7 (June 22, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Supports reading and writing ZIP, TAR, GZ, and XZ archives
- Can open and view archive contents without extracting
- Integrates with the file manager (GNOME Files)
- Supports password protection for ZIP files
- Uses standard backends like tar, gzip, and 7z when available
What is different
- No built-in support for creating .7z archives unless p7zip is installed and configured
- Limited control over compression levels and methods compared to 7-Zip
- No native archive splitting or joining functionality
- GUI-focused; lacks a direct command-line interface for scripting
- Fewer format options and less fine-grained control in compression settings
Opening your 7-Zip files
File Roller can open .7z files if the p7zip backend is installed on the system. Without p7zip, it cannot read or extract from .7z archives. Creating .7z files is not supported directly in File Roller's interface, even with p7zip present. Exporting to ZIP, TAR.GZ, TAR.XZ, and similar formats works reliably. Compatibility depends on system-level tools, not File Roller itself.
Switching from 7-Zip to File Roller, step by step
- Install p7zip and p7zip-plugins (or equivalent) for .7z support
- Open File Roller and verify .7z files can be extracted
- Use GNOME Files to right-click and extract or compress via File Roller
- Create ZIP or TAR-based archives directly in the GUI
- For automation, use command-line tools like 7z or tar alongside File Roller
- Set File Roller as default handler for archive types in your file manager
Key features of File Roller
- Open and extract common archive formats (zip, tar, gzip, bzip2, xz)
- Create new archives in zip, tar, and compressed tar formats
- Add files to existing archives
- View archive contents without extraction
- Password-protect zip files
- Integrates with GNOME Files (Nautilus)
- Supports drag-and-drop from file manager
- Can use command-line backends like tar, gzip, 7z
How to install File Roller on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.gnome.FileRollersudo apt install file-rollersudo apt install file-rollersudo dnf install file-rollersudo pacman -S file-rollersudo zypper install file-rollerFrequently asked questions
Can File Roller create .7z files?
No, not directly. It can extract them if p7zip is installed, but creating .7z archives requires using the command line or another tool.
Does File Roller support password-protected .7z files?
It can open password-protected .7z files if p7zip is available, but creating encrypted .7z files isn't supported in the GUI.
Is File Roller good for scripting and automation?
No. It has no built-in CLI. Use 7z, tar, or gzip directly in scripts instead.
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