Why handle archives client-side?

Standard online compression utilities require you to upload your archives or folders to their servers. If you are handling confidential business documents, software source code, database dumps, or family photos, uploading them poses a serious security risk.

A client-side tool solves this. It utilizes WebAssembly or JavaScript libraries directly in your browser to pack or extract the files. The data never travels across the network — it is fast, completely private, and free from artificial upload size limits.

ZIP vs. TAR.GZ: Which format should you use?

  • ZIP files: The most universally compatible format. Supported out of the box on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Best for documents, assets, and files you plan to share with others.
  • TAR.GZ files (tarballs): The standard archive format in Linux and Unix environments. It combines files into one archive (TAR) and compresses it (GZ). Great for code codebases, backup scripts, and developer tools.

Step-by-step: How to compress files or folders

  1. Open the Archive Tool. Head to the ZIP & TAR.GZ Compressor and Extractor.
  2. Select "Compress Mode" on the tool's interface toggle.
  3. Choose your desired format. Select either ZIP or TAR.GZ.
  4. Drag and drop files/folders into the drop zone, or click to choose them from your device.
  5. Click "Generate Archive". The utility will process your files on-device and trigger a browser download for the output file.

Step-by-step: How to extract an archive

  1. Select "Extract Mode" on the interface toggle.
  2. Upload your ZIP or TAR.GZ file. You can drop it directly into the dashboard.
  3. Review the file tree. The tool lists the directory layout and files inside the archive before you save them.
  4. Save your files. You can download individual files from the list or click Download All to export everything in one click.
Speed Tip: Because the files are processed entirely in memory on your computer, large archives compile or extract at the speed of your hard drive and CPU. There is no waiting for uploads or network throttling.

Are my documents safe?

Yes. The ZIP & TAR.GZ tool on LightDarkTools runs entirely client-side. The files you drop into the webpage are processed inside a sandboxed browser script. No contents, file names, or metadata are sent to external servers.