A rotary-screw compressor is commonly used to replace a piston compressor where large volumes of high-pressure air are required. Typically they are used for larger industrial applications or for high-power tools that use air e.g. a jackhammer.

A characteristic of its motion is there is less pulsation or flow surge with a rotary-screw compressor compared with a piston model. This means they are smoother running, have less vibration and do not require spring suspension. However, many rotary screw compressors are placed on rubber mounts to dampen high-frequency vibrations, particularly compressors that have high rates of rotation.