zlib-ng/minizip-ng logo

zlib-ng/minizip-ng

Free

Fork of the popular zip manipulation library found in the zlib distribution.

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source

About zlib-ng/minizip-ng

minizip-ng is a zip manipulation library written in C that is supported on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Developed and maintained by Nathan Moinvaziri, it is a modern fork of the original minizip library found in the zlib distribution. The library has been refactored and rewritten for improved maintainability and readability, with a compatibility layer for existing minizip consumers. Features include creating and extracting zip archives, support for ZIP64 for large files, multiple compression methods (Zlib, BZIP2, LZMA, PPMD, XZ, ZSTD), password protection via Traditional PKWARE and WinZip AES encryption, buffered streaming for I/O performance, and NTFS timestamp support.

Key Features

Creating and extracting zip archives
Adding and removing entries from zip archives
Read and write raw zip entry data
Reading and writing zip archives from memory
Support for large files with ZIP64 extension
Zlib, BZIP2, LZMA, PPMD, XZ and ZSTD compression methods
Password protection through Traditional PKWARE and WinZip AES encryption
Buffered streaming for improved I/O performance
NTFS timestamps support
Compatibility layer for original minizip library

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Open source and free to use
  • Actively maintained with regular updates
  • Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • Backward compatible with original minizip API
  • Supports a wide range of compression algorithms
  • Includes strong AES encryption for password protection

Best For

Building command-line zip tools and utilitiesIntegrating zip functionality into desktop or server applicationsCreating backup and archival softwarePackaging software distributions

FAQ

What is the history of minizip-ng?
Originally developed by Gilles Vollant in 1998, minizip was included in the zlib distribution starting in version 1.1.2. This fork (minizip-ng) was created to add new features and bug fixes that were not being addressed in the original. The code has been largely refactored and rewritten for improved maintainability and readability.
Who maintains minizip-ng?
Nathan Moinvaziri is the developer and maintainer.
What compression methods are supported?
Zlib, BZIP2, LZMA, PPMD, XZ, and ZSTD.
What encryption methods are available?
Traditional PKWARE encryption and WinZip AES encryption.
Is it compatible with the original minizip?
Yes, a compatibility layer is provided for consumers of the original minizip library.