Tutorial·2024-03-27·3 min read

Gzip vs Zip for SQL Dumps: Which One Should You Use?

Gzip is standard for database dumps. Zip is fine too, but here’s what to expect.

Most dump tools output gzip because it’s fast and stream-friendly. Zip is more common for multi-file bundles.

Recommendation

Use .sql.gz for big dumps. It compresses well and is easy to stream or split after decompress.

Related: How to Split a mysqldump File Into Smaller Parts.

Split .sql.gz files

Drop the compressed dump and split it in your browser.

Yes. It decompresses and splits automatically.

Corrupted dumps cause import errors and random failures. Here’s how to recover what you can.

Split dumps must be imported in the right order. Here’s the safest sequence.

Create dumps that are easier to import: options, size tips, and safer workflows.

Both methods work, but each is better for different import tools and limits.