Why Pay for an alternative to 7Zip?

I use 7-Zip, but will give this one a try. I like simple interface, similar to 7-Zip and even simpler archive creation (less options to choose, which is a plus for casual users). I like that they added a simple guide to thier help file about each archive type and what it is best suited for (what type of data). There is even a little historical info about each archive format. Program also suggests best archive type to use based on selected files and rough estimate on final archive size. Before I just used .7z for personal use and .zip for sending files, but now I might consider other formats for personal use based on data type. I didn't do actual speed and compression testings, but will give it a try based on initial impressions. Promotional license is lifetime with updates and valid for commercial use also (says so in readme.txt that came with download). So you can at least secure your license in time.

Didn't expect "install behavior" (reboot to finish) , that's always a bad sign for me.

Sure enough, battling firewall and process rules.

Here's the deal. Sure I can get it to behave. BUT...
Since about 1996 when I ran a bbs, I Have COLLECTED Archivers. they all live in my path c:\z ALL OF EM. 7z, zip, rar, ace, arj, ani, msi, xul, jar, *.* whatever unpacker or SMALL util, it is, it gets installed to c:\z and that's in the environment path. THEN I Have ztree who also live in that path. (it's a habbit I had since DOS + Xtree Gold, turns out in the windows 7 days there's a plethora of good reasons to have things outside of Program Files (x86)) There's not many archives who can't be opened but I still do run into them occasionally.

I don't like the redundant questions over and over associations -- with paths this isn't an issue. Put this in the SETTINGS is my constructive comment for this program.

With other archive software, I can UNZIP and we are installed, in the path and ready for commands

The interface I must have not got all the firewall settings right since it never fully loaded the graphics. (Using PrivateFirewall 7 here) I could let it just go everywhere into registry, web and updates, but all the others I don't allow it.
I had a black band on the top, in fairness, the nausea when it said we needed to reboot after going through all my associations OVER AND OVER made me not test further (could removed all restrictions on the program.) I am going to chock this "personal fail" up to me being to harsh on certain program behavior. Others may tolerate programs that act like this, and so I shall not say anything BAD. not a peep, as this program would be quite useful for other people, just not me and my style.

removed successfully.
Stay frosty ;o)

A solution with out a problem? A slow solution at that. 7-zip is free, and full 64-bit, and does what needs to be done. Helpful too that 7-zip handles java and *.exe files.

Needs something else. Turn to WinRAR.

This compressor does noting new, or nothing better that existing tools. Why?

Sorry guys, got things a bit mixed up. Should have said that files were compressed to ZIP not RAR and I've discovered that in order to get BulkZip to start the compression process that you have to physically select the files (Edit > Select All). WinRar had a slightly higher compression ratio but not by very much and (feeling stupid because of my last comment) BulkZip IS FASTER. Sorry for the confusion, wasn't paying attention to what I was doing/saying. Going to the vet to see if he can cure my foot in mouth.

Ok, decided to give this a try and have to say I'm far from impressed with the results. I chose test this against Winrar and here are my results:
1529 JPG files, file size 1.46 GB, normal compression to .rar

System info - Win 8.1 8 core AMD CPU, 64Gb RAM

Winrar took just 4min 21 secs
BulkZip (now running for nearly 10 mins) is still processing the files. I opened Task manager and curiously is showed no CPU usage, 58.9 memory usage and 0 disk and network usage meaning that it simply isn't working.

Also tried on smaller Word document and exactly the same happened. Uninstalling and reinstalling didn't resolve the issue ... Uninstalled, binned and sticking with WinRar.

Quote from the maker's site ( http://www.bulkzip.com/en/ ):

" BulkZip is free to download and free for unrestricted use for private users, yet business and organizational users are subject to a 21-day trial. "

Advantage(s) over e.g. 7-Zip???

It needs .NET Framework 4.0 and it will download it if necessary.

Claims a restart is required after installation and registration.

Opens up to a very minimal interface; claims it can compress multimedia video and so decided to test on MP4 file.
Its estimates of compression were way better than the actual result, 1% reduction.
Obtained similar results with IZarc even at extreme compression setting of today's programe.
PDF compression showed similar results.

When saving no prompt was offered as to the name of the archive nor where to store it and in my experience it called everything Archive and stored in the same directory as the original file.
Compression of a number of files, multimedia, PDF and image again created with the name Archive. When this was opened in another compression program all these files reported the same file size, this has never happened before with any other compressed archive.

The lack of control of the output files name and area of storage is offputting in my opinion and the fact that another two compression programs reported incorrect file size caused some concern.

To compete against freeware programs it needs more functions to make it worth buying.

W10, 64-bit. I did a very quick and simple test - compressing a 7.2 Mb text file. Using the "extreme" ZIP compression setting, BulkZip got it down to 2.85 Mb. Then with 7z, which compressed it to 1.92 Mb. There was no noticeable speed difference. In other words, BulkZip seems no better than it was last time it was offered on GOTD.

It's so nice and refreshing to see:
"Please note: both private and commercial usage are allowed!"
A true rarity. Thank-you BulkZip.

Teacher Michael