WinZip gives you the ability to compress any group of files quickly, and then burn them to a disk or email them directly from the app. Through its intuitive interface, WinZip makes these features accessible to users of all skill levels, and it runs quickly and smoothly.

Pros

Excellent interface: Even if you've never used a program like this before, you'll have no problem finding your way around in WinZip. The main screen lays out your options clearly, and to add files to an archive, you can just drag and drop them in. The archive is zipped automatically, and a little bar graph at the top shows you how much space the files take up zipped versus unzipped.

Password protection: If you opt to ZIP and email all at once, you can also choose the Encrypt option and include password protection on one or all of your files. This is a handy addition, and a nice way to safeguard important documents and sensitive communications.

Cons

Not free: While you can use WinZip for free during the 45-day trial period, you will eventually have to purchase a license for $29.95 if you want to continue using it indefinitely.

Bottom Line

WinZip delivers exactly what it promises. It's not packed with features, but the features it does have are exactly the ones you're looking for in an app of this type. And since it's free to try for an extended period, there's no reason not to check it out to see if it will work for you.

Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of WinZip Mac 5.0

File sharing app that makes it simple to manage, protect and share files across email and the cloud. With direct support for Dropbox and Google Drive, powerful file protection and a legendary Zip engine. WinZip Mac 3 integrates with the Mac OS X Quick Look tool, enabling you to browse the contents of a Zip file before it is unzipped. With support for Zip, Zipx, RAR, LHA, 7Z, JAR, and WAR formats, WinZip makes it easy to open any compressed file you receive, regardless of the platform it was created on. With WinZip apps for Mac, iPad and iPhone, WinZip makes it safe and easy to share files on all your favorite Apple devices.

What's new in this version:

With an enhanced interface designed for Retina displays, the new WinZip Mac 5 boosts productivity by making it even easier to accomplish all your file sharing tasks:

   New! Easily share links to files in the cloud: WinZip Mac 5 automatically generates a link when you upload your Zip file to a cloud service that can be easily pasted into other apps, such as Skype, for quick sharing