Overview: A PST file can grow large after years of storing emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, and other Outlook data. A large file can make it harder to manage, move, or back up your mailbox.
You can split a large PST file into smaller parts to make the data easier to manage. This also helps when you want to separate old emails, divide data by date, or create smaller files for backup.
Many tools can split PST files. In this article, we compare the top 3 PST splitter tools based on their split options, large file support, ease of use, and key features.
Top 3 PST Splitter Tools - Comparison Table
Tool | Best For | Split Options | Multiple PST Files | Folder Preservation |
SysTools PST Splitter | Large and multiple PST files | Size, Date, Year, Folder, Email ID, Category, Subject, Sender | Yes | Yes |
Stellar Splitter for Outlook | Splitting PST by size and date | Size, Date, Email ID, Folder | Yes | Yes |
Kernel for PST Split | Large and password-protected PST files | Size, Date, Email ID, Folder | Yes | Yes |
1. SysTools PST Splitter - Best for Flexible PST Splitting with Business Level Filters
SysTools PST Splitter is a dedicated solution for users who need to divide large PST files into smaller parts.
It supports different ways to split mailbox data, so you can choose an option based on how you want to organize the output files. You can split PST data by size, date, year, folder, email ID, category, subject, or sender.
The tool can also work with healthy and corrupted PST files and supports both ANSI and Unicode PST files. It keeps the folder structure and important email details in the resulting files.
This makes it useful for users who have a large mailbox or need more control over how the data is divided.
Key Features:
Split large PST files into smaller files
Split PST by size
Split PST by date
Split PST by year
Split PST by folder
Split PST by email ID
Split PST by category
Split PST by subject
Split PST by sender
Support ANSI and Unicode PST files
Add single or multiple PST folders
Keep folder structure and email details
Work with large PST files
Support healthy and corrupted PST files
Why Choose SysTools?
The main benefit is the number of ways available to divide the mailbox.
For example, if you want to separate emails from different years, you can use the year option. If the main problem is file size, you can divide the data based on size. You can also select specific folders or email-related details when needed.
If you want to learn more about handling several large files, this guide on how to split PST file into smaller parts in bulk can also help.
Best For:
Users, IT teams, and organizations that need different ways to divide large PST files and manage mailbox data in smaller parts.
2. Stellar Splitter for Outlook – Best for Size and Date Options
Stellar Splitter for Outlook is designed to divide large PST files into smaller files. It provides options to split data by size, date, email ID, and selected folders. It can also process multiple PST files through a batch option.
The software supports several Outlook versions and can keep the original mailbox structure in the resulting files.
It can be useful when the main goal is to reduce the size of a
large PST or separate mailbox data using a date range.
Key Features
Split large PST files
Split by size
Split by date
Split by email ID
Select specific folders
Process multiple PST files
Keep mailbox structure
Support large PST files
Create batch files
Generate a process report
Why Choose Stellar Splitter for Outlook?
The tool provides several common ways to divide a mailbox. Users can select a size, date range, email ID, or folder based on their needs.
It is also designed for users who need to work with more than one large PST file.
Best For:
Users who mainly need to split large PST files by size, date, email ID, or selected folders.
3. Kernel for PST Split – Best for Password-Protected PST Files
Kernel for PST Split is another option for dividing large PST files into smaller files.
It provides options to split PST data by file size, date range, and sender email ID. It also supports password-protected PST files and offers folder-based options.
The tool can also search for PST files on the system, which can help when the exact file location is not known.
Key Features:
Split large PST files
Split by size
Split by date
Split by sender
Work with password-protected PST files
Find PST files automatically
Select specific folders
Create separate files for folders
Support large PST files
Why Choose Kernel for PST Split?
Kernel can be useful when the PST file is protected with a password or when you want to separate specific folders.
Its date and size options also make it suitable for users who want to divide a large mailbox into smaller files.
Best For:
Users who need to split large or password-protected PST files using size, date, sender, or folder options.
What Should You Look for in a PST Splitter Tool?
Before choosing a PST splitter, check the features that match your requirement.
1. Different Split Options
A useful tool should give you more than one way to divide the mailbox. Size, date, year, folder, and sender options can help you handle different types of PST data.
2. Large PST Support
If your mailbox contains years of emails and attachments, choose a tool that can handle large PST files without making the task difficult.
3. Multiple File Support
If you have several PST files, support for multiple files can save time compared with processing each file separately.
4. Folder Structure
Check whether the tool keeps the original folders in the new files. This makes it easier to find emails after the split.
5. Email Details
Important details such as sender, recipient, subject, date, and attachments should remain with the emails after splitting.
6. Easy Process
The steps should be simple. You should be able to add the PST, select a split option, choose a save location, and start the process without complicated settings.
Which PST Splitter Should You Choose?
Different tools can fit different needs.
Choose SysTools PST Splitter if:
Multiple ways to divide mailbox data are required.
Splitting based on size, date, year, folder, sender, or other details is needed.
Large PST files need to be handled.
Multiple mailbox folders need to be processed.
Keeping the original folder arrangement is important.
ANSI or Unicode PST files need to be supported.
Both healthy and corrupted files need to be processed.
Choose Stellar Splitter for Outlook if:
Size- or date-based splitting is the main requirement.
Email ID or folder-level selection is needed.
Several PST files need to be processed.
Batch processing can help save time.
Large mailboxes need to be divided into smaller files.
Choose Kernel for PST Split if:
The PST file is password-protected.
Data needs to be organized by sender or date.
Specific folders need to be separated.
Finding PST files on the computer is required.
A large mailbox needs to be divided into smaller parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a PST splitter?
It divides a large Outlook PST file into smaller PST files. The split can usually be based on options such as size, date, folder, or other mailbox details.
2. Why should I split a large PST file?
Splitting a large mailbox can make it easier to store, move, back up, and manage. Smaller files can also make it easier to separate old and recent email data.
3. Can I split PST by size?
Yes. PST splitting tools can divide a large mailbox into smaller files based on the size you select.
4. Can I split PST by date?
Yes. Some tools let you select a date or date range and create separate PST files based on that period.
5. Can I split multiple PST files?
Yes. Some PST splitter tools support more than one file, which can save time when you have several large mailboxes.
6. Will my folder structure remain after splitting?
Ans. Tools that support folder preservation can keep the original mailbox folders in the resulting PST files. Always check this feature before processing important data.
7. Can a PST splitter work with large files?
Yes. SysTools Split PST tool is designed to work with large mailbox files and divide them into smaller parts.
8. Can I split a PST file without Outlook?
Ans. All the above tools can work without requiring the Outlook application. Check the system requirements of the tool before starting the process.
Conclusion
A large PST file can be hard to manage when it contains years of emails and attachments. Splitting it into smaller files makes it easier to store, move, and back up the data. SysTools PST Splitter is the preferred choice for reducing large PST files. It gives you different options to split the data by size, date, year, folder, sender, and other details. It also helps keep the mailbox data and folder structure organized. Before you start, keep a copy of the original PST file and choose the split option that fits your needs. This makes the process simple and helps you manage your PST files more easily.
