Fast compression software

[The Mercurian]

So I'm zipping up a 16GB folder in Finder and its taking an age. Quick look at Activity Monitor and sure enough Finder is only using one core to zip. Jesus wept. Can anyone suggest a reliable multicore (i.e. fast !) compression app and even better if has encryption options ?

 

[GGJstudios]

I just compressed a 14+GB folder in just under 10 minutes using Finder. Is that what you consider "an age"? Or is it going much slower than that for you?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

I just compressed a 14+GB folder in just under 10 minutes using Finder. Is that what you consider "an age"? Or is it going much slower than that for you?

Compression algorithms really depend on the file type that is being compressed, and the number of files.

 

[GGJstudios]

Compression algorithms really depend on the file type that is being compressed, and the number of files.

My test was 3,011 mp3 files.

 

[maflynn]

Try 7zip There's a link for OS X near the bottom of the page.

I use this for windows, its a really fast compression utility that typically performs better then many other products (better meaning faster and smaller files).

 

[MacTCE]

Stuffit has some excellent archiving software.
Stuffit Deluxe

 

[gnasher729]

Compression algorithms really depend on the file type that is being compressed, and the number of files.

For .mp3 files, the compression is usually "identical copy".

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

For .mp3 files, the compression is usually "identical copy".

That's because MP3's are already heavily compressed.

My test was 3,011 mp3 files.

See above. You won't get much more compression out of them, using ZIP, which is why it was fast.