Tools for opening archives such as ZIP, RAR, 7z and TAR, gathering files and folders into one archive, or protecting an archive with a password. First decide whether you need to open an archive or create one, and which format you need.
Good to know: Free-use terms vary by tool and plan. When a card lists no tool-specific limit, check quotas, watermarks and export terms on the official page.
7-Zip is a free, open-source archiver that creates and extracts 7z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP and other formats, and opens RAR and many more formats for extraction only. The Windows version has a graphical file manager with shell integration, while the Linux and macOS downloads are console versions. The official page says you do not need to register or pay, even in a company.
Open or Create Compressed Archives
Good to know: Requires desktop installation.
PeaZip is a free, open-source archiver with a graphical interface for Windows, macOS and Linux. It opens and extracts RAR, TAR, ZIP and many other archive types, and creates formats such as 7Z, ZIP, TAR and Zstandard; creating RAR files works only when WinRAR is installed on the computer. Portable packages need no installation. The site says the packages are currently not signed and publishes a SHA256 hash for each; on macOS you run one Terminal command after copying the app to remove its quarantine flag.
Open or Create Compressed Archives
The Unarchiver is a free macOS app from MacPaw that extracts RAR, ZIP, 7z, Tar, Gzip and many older archive formats, including encrypted and multi-volume RAR files. The official page lists extraction formats only and does not describe creating archives. It requires macOS 10.13 or later and states there are no in-app purchases for additional features.
Open or Create Compressed Archives
Good to know: Requires desktop installation.
Keka is a macOS file archiver: drop files onto its window or Dock icon to create 7Z, ZIP, TAR and other archives, or use it to extract RAR, ZIP, 7Z and many more formats. The official page describes AES-256 encryption for 7z files and older Zip 2.0 encryption for ZIP files, and lets you split large archives into pieces. You can download it from the website, or buy the same app from the Mac App Store to support development.
Open or Create Compressed Archives
Good to know: Requires desktop installation.
Try a small test archive first: create it, open it on the computer where it will be used, and check that the folder structure and file names, including accented or non-Latin ones, come out intact. Some tools open RAR files but cannot create them, or need another program to do so, so check the official format list for opening and creating separately.
Check which systems the tool runs on and whether it has a graphical window or only a command line, because some downloads are console programs. If you add a password, read on the official page which encryption method the tool uses, and send the password separately from the archive. Before opening an archive from someone you do not know, scan it with your security software.
Do I need extra software to open a ZIP file? Many computers can open ZIP files without extra software, but formats such as RAR or 7z usually need an archive tool. Check the supported formats and the operating system on the tool’s official page before you download it.
Can I open RAR files on a Mac? Some archive tools made for macOS can extract RAR files, and their official pages state the supported formats and the lowest macOS version. Check that version before you download, and remember that opening a format does not mean the same tool can create it.
This comparison is based on published official documentation. It is not a hands-on test or a quality ranking. Unknown features are not treated as verified.
| App name | Where will you use it? | Free output | No account needed | No watermark | Works offline | Batch processing | Content language | Good to know / Sources and review date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Zip | Desktop | Yes | Yes | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Sources and review date |
| PeaZip | Desktop | Yes | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Available features may vary by device and access method. Sources and review date |
| The Unarchiver | Desktop | Yes | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Sources and review date |
| Keka | Desktop | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Sources and review date |