TAR vs XZ TAR: Which Should You Use?

Side-by-side comparison of TAR and XZ TAR archive formats — features, pros, cons, and conversion options.

Quick Answer

TAR is best for Unix/Linux file archival (typically combined with gzip or bzip2). XZ TAR is best for Software package distribution requiring maximum compression.

Quick Verdict

TAR Best for Unix/Linux file archival (typically combined with gzip or bzip2)

✓ Preserves Unix file permissions
✓ No compression overhead
✓ Simple concatenation format
✗ No built-in compression

Convert TAR to XZ TAR →

XZ TAR Best for Software package distribution requiring maximum compression

✓ Excellent compression ratio
✓ Multi-threaded compression
✓ Preserves Unix permissions
✗ Slowest to compress

Convert XZ TAR to TAR →

Specs Comparison

Side-by-side technical comparison of TAR and XZ TAR

Feature	TAR	XZ TAR
Category	Archive	Archive
Year Introduced	1979	2009
MIME Type	application/x-tar	application/x-xz
Extensions	.tar	.tar.xz, .txz
Algorithm	None (archive only)	LZMA2
Max Compression	None (tar only)	Excellent
Encryption	✗	✗
Splitting	✗	✗
Solid Archive	✗	✓

Pros & Cons

TAR

Pros

✓ Preserves Unix file permissions
✓ No compression overhead
✓ Simple concatenation format

Cons

✗ No built-in compression
✗ No random access
✗ Large file size without compression layer

XZ TAR

Pros

✓ Excellent compression ratio
✓ Multi-threaded compression
✓ Preserves Unix permissions

Cons

✗ Slowest to compress
✗ Highest memory usage
✗ Less compatible than gzip

When to Use Each

Choose TAR when...

You need files optimized for Unix/Linux file archival (typically combined with gzip or bzip2)
Preserves Unix file permissions
No compression overhead

Choose XZ TAR when...

You need files optimized for Software package distribution requiring maximum compression
Excellent compression ratio
Multi-threaded compression

How to Convert

Convert between TAR and XZ TAR for free on ChangeThisFile

Convert TAR to XZ TAR Server-side conversion — auto-deleted after processing Convert XZ TAR to TAR Server-side conversion — auto-deleted after processing

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between TAR and XZ TAR?

TAR is best for Unix/Linux file archival (typically combined with gzip or bzip2), while XZ TAR is best for Software package distribution requiring maximum compression. Both are archive formats but they differ in compression, compatibility, and intended use cases.

Is TAR or XZ TAR better for archive?

It depends on your use case. TAR is better for Unix/Linux file archival (typically combined with gzip or bzip2). XZ TAR is better for Software package distribution requiring maximum compression. Consider your specific requirements when choosing between them.

How do I convert TAR to XZ TAR?

Go to the TAR to XZ TAR converter on ChangeThisFile. Upload your file and the conversion processes on the server, then auto-deletes. It's free with no signup required.

Can I convert XZ TAR to TAR?

Yes. ChangeThisFile supports XZ TAR to TAR conversion. Upload your file for server-side conversion — files are auto-deleted after processing.

Which is smaller, TAR or XZ TAR?

File size varies depending on the content, compression method, and quality settings of each format. In general, lossy formats produce smaller files than lossless ones. Test with your specific files to compare actual sizes.

Does TAR support solid archive?

No, TAR does not support solid archive, whereas XZ TAR does. This may be an important factor depending on your use case.

Is TAR or XZ TAR free to use?

Both TAR and XZ TAR are supported file formats that are free to use. You can convert between them for free on ChangeThisFile — server-side conversions are free with no signup required.

Which format is newer, TAR or XZ TAR?

XZ TAR is newer — it was introduced in 2009, while TAR dates back to 1979. Newer formats often offer better compression and features, but older formats tend to have wider compatibility.