StuffIt vs. Zip

Comparing Archive Formats.
Smith Micro is the developer of the StuffIt X archive format (.sitx) as well as the publisher of the StuffIt line of compression products. Compression is at the heart of the StuffIt brand, and the StuffIt line of products create both StuffIt X (.sitx) and Zip (.zip) archives to provide you with greater flexibility when distributing, or backing up your files.

StuffIt X archives are typically smaller than Zip-compressed archives of the same data, making StuffIt X the format of choice when file size matters. The more data you compress, the more StuffIt technology will pay off, compressing most large files up to 20% smaller than Zip. StuffIt X has optimized image, MP3 and PDF compressors that offer better compression than the Zip format can provide. StuffIt X has optimized compressors for the new Open XML document format used by Microsoft Office 2007/2008. StuffIt X can even recompress Zip archives for greater space savings.

StuffIt can compress your files up to 98% of their original size, so they fly across the Internet or networks faster, and arrive at their destinations sooner. And, you can get more data onto your hard drive or removable media such as CDs, DVDs, or older floppies. When smaller is better, use StuffIt X.

With StuffIt X, you'll not only create and send the smallest archives, but you'll ensure that the integrity of your data is intact and readable to the recipient. The StuffIt X file format (.sitx) protects file attribute information for both PC and Mac files, and because it's Unicode compliant, files that are named with non-roman and 2-byte characters will be successfully preserved when you expand them. Your data is important, so why trust it with any other compression utility? Just StuffIt.

Here are some features of the StuffIt X archive format that aren't available in Zip:

• Compress JPEG 30% on average with no loss of quality
• Compress all Microsoft Office 2007 Open XML documents
• Recompress .zip files for extra savings
• Optimized compression for PDF documents
• Optimized 24-bit image compression
• Optimized compression for MP3 files
• 512-bit RC4 Encryption
• Variable compression ratios to maximize compression or speed.
• Greater compression than zip on standard compression tests.
• Unicode and two-byte language support to assure broad international support.
• FREE Expander "client" for Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and Solaris with a large installed base on Mac and Windows. StuffIt Expander is freeware not shareware like many of its competitors.

Comparing the Applications.
Below is a chart comparing the features of the StuffIt applications for Windows with those of WinZip

- Compression FAQs -

- Windows StuffIt Products -

- Macintosh StuffIt Products -