# Online ZIP Compressor - Zip Files and Folders, With Password

> Free online ZIP tool: pack files or a whole folder into one zip, pick a compression level and optionally protect it with AES-256, all inside your browser.

- URL: https://qilingtools.com/en/zip
- Category: Productivity (https://qilingtools.com/en/office)
- Tags: [Compression](https://qilingtools.com/en/tags/compress), [Productivity](https://qilingtools.com/en/tags/office)
- Last updated: 2026-10-26
- Price: Free, no sign-up
- Privacy: Runs locally in the browser; files are never uploaded

Pack loose files or an entire folder into a single zip for email, chat or upload. Choose a compression level, add a password if you need one. Zipping happens in your browser — nothing is uploaded to a server.

## How to use

1. Click "Add files" or "Add folder", or drag a folder straight in
2. Set the zip file name and compression level; type a password to encrypt it
3. Click "Create ZIP" and download the result

## Features

- Whole folders, with subdirectories preserved
- Compression from store-only to maximum
- AES-256 or legacy ZipCrypto encryption
- Local zipping, no file count or size limit

## FAQ

### Can I zip a whole folder?

Yes. Use "Add folder" or drop a folder onto the dashed area — files are added with their relative paths. Turn off "Keep folder structure" if you want everything flat in the zip root.

### AES-256 or ZipCrypto?

Prefer AES-256: it is the only genuinely secure encryption in the zip format. The catch is that Windows Explorer and macOS Finder cannot open AES zips, so the recipient needs 7-Zip, WinRAR or Keka. Pick ZipCrypto only when it must open with the built-in unzip — it is weak and keeps out casual snooping at best.

### Which compression level should I use?

Photos, video, MP3 and files that are already compressed (zip, docx) barely shrink — "Store only" is fastest and about the same size. Text, code, logs and CSV compress a lot, so use "Normal" or "Maximum". Maximum is noticeably slower and usually saves only a few more percent.

### Is there a size limit?

No hard limit. Files are streamed through the compressor, so multi-gigabyte inputs work; the real ceiling is your machine's memory. Nothing leaves your computer.

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