WinRAR alternatives: Comparing the best solutions

See the table for the 13 most important WinRAR alternatives and their specifications. It gives you a rough guide and information on compatibility of the programs, compression and extraction options and costs.

Please see the following sections for detailed information on the individual solutions.

7-Zip is freeware for zipping and unzipping files and has been around since 1999. In 2007, the program won SourceForge’s award as best open source project. The WinRAR alternative creates zip archives in the proprietary 7-Zip format, indicated by the file ending .7z. It is purely a container format with a modular and open structure. 7-Zip also allows users to zip and unzip files in the following file formats:

• .zip
• .bz2
• .tar
• .xz
• .wim
• .swm

7-Zip uses a powerful proprietary encryption algorithm to compress files, sacrificing compression speed for compression quality. The zipping program can also unzip archives with the endings .arj, .cpio, .lzh, .lha and .rar. It can also extract program archives like Microsoft Cabinet, Windows Installer files and application files.

If required, 7-Zip encryption can be used for individual files or entire directory structures. Depending on the level at which the encryption is applied, you may have to enter the decryption password to show the folder and file names of the archived elements.

PeaZip is also a free WinRAR alternative for zipping and unzipping files. It lets you edit, save and restore archive layouts, as well as apply various filters to the contents of the archives. You can also split or join archives and delete files securely. The program is available for various Windows 32 and 64 bit versions (XP or better) and for Linux. PeaZip Portable is a version that does not have to be installed on a computer – it can simply be launched from external storage media like USB flash drives.

You can use PeaZip to zip and unzip the following archives:

• .7z
• .arc
• .bz2
• .gz
• .paq
• .pea
• .quad
• .split
• .tar
• .upx
• .zip

The compression program can also unzip (only) archives in these formats: .ace, .arj, .bz, .cab, .chm, .cpio, ISO, Java, .lzh, .lha, .rar, .wim, .xpi, .taz.

This WinRAR alternative is available exclusively for macOS and Linux operating systems. The program is easy to operate and has an intuitive structure. You can use it to unzip many different file formats, but not to create any archives: It does not have its own compression format, so you have to use other programs to zip files. As it only unzips, The Unarchiver naturally does not offer any encryption options. You can extract the following files: .zip, .zipx, .rar, .7z, .tar, .gzip, .bz2, .lzma, .cab, .exe, .ffs, .xar, .rpm, .deb, .ar, .alzip, .warc, .nds.

IZArc2Go is a portable program for zipping and unzipping files. The freeware can be launched directly from data media like USB flash drives and external drives and is therefore perfect for business travellers who are always on the road. This WinRAR alternative can also protect files with Rijndael AES 256-bit encryption. The tool also supports functions like splitting archives and comment functions. The software also has an integrated decryption module for ZIP passwords. IZArc2Go only runs on Windows, and it zips and unzips the following formats: .7z, .arc, .arj, B64, .bh, .bin, .bz2, .c2d, .cab, .cdi, .cpio, .deb, .enc, .gca, .gz, .gza. .img, ISO, .jar, .tha, .lib, .lzh, .mdf, .mbf, .mim, .nrg, .pak, .pdi, .pk3, .rar, .rpm, .tar, .taz, .tbz, .tgz, .tz, .uue, .war, .xpi, .xxe, .yz1, .zip, .zoo.

Universal Extractor is freeware and, like the previous alternatives, also unzips various file types. However, unlike many other programs, the WinRAR alternative also unzips executable files. The software only runs in Windows and offers a simple user interface. However, Universal Extractor has not been updated for a few years, which is why it is not a like-for-like replacement for WinRAR or 7-Zip. While its developers say it can unzip all conventional archives, you have to choose other programs – in particular programs with regular updates – for particularly rare archives.

WinZip is one of the best-known tools for compressing and extracting files. This WinRAR alternative is available in standard and professional editions and runs on Windows and macOS operating systems. The Standard version of the program can now be downloaded for $8.50, the Professional version costs approx. $35 to download or about $50 on a CD.

WinZip offers AES 128 and 256-bit encryption and a configurable Microsoft Shell integration. It also supports arc archives and can write directly to DVD or CD if required. WinZip unzips all standard formats and zips .zip, .zipx and .lha files – depending on the software version. The software producer itself offers a detailed comparison between the standard and pro versions.

Bandizip is another good alternative to WinRAR, but not available free for Mac users (from approx. £17). The tool works under Windows and macOS, with the Windows version offering the same functions as the paid macOS version. Bandizip copies unzipped files directly to the target folder and supports unzipping of the following formats: .7z, .ace, .aes, .alz, .arj, .bh, .bin, .bz, .bz2, .cab, Compound(MSI), .egg, .gz, .img, ISO, .isz, .lha, .lz, .lzh, .lzma, .pma, .rar, .rar5, .sfx (.exe), .tar, .tbz, .tbz2, .tgz, .tlz, .txz, .udf, .wim, xpi, .xz, .zip, .zipx, .zpaq.

Bandizip encrypts files with the AES 256-bit standard, writing compressed archives in the following formats:

• .zip
• .7z(lzma2)
• .zipx(xz)
• .exe
• .tar
• .tgz
• .lzh(lh7)
• .ISO
• .gz, .xz

FreeArc is a free WinRAR alternative with its own format that offers a high file compression rate. The tool runs under Windows and Linux, produces self-extracting archives and works very quickly. Given its wide range of options and the fact that FreeArc can only zip and unzip its own eponymous .arc format, the program is aimed more at advanced users. Encryption is supported.

HaoZip is a free alternative to WinRAR that closely resembles the established original archival software. The tool can process a wide range of formats, has a search function and can produce virtual image files (version 3.0 and above). It can also encrypt data. The developer says that HaoZip unzips files 40 percent faster than other programs. The software is only available for Windows systems and is free of charge. HaoZip compresses and extracts the following formats: .zip, .rar, .7z, .tar, ISO, .cab, .dmg, .hfs, .arj, .gz, .gzip, .tgz, .tpz, .xar, .rpm, .bz2, .tbz2, .tbz, .deb, .cpio, .taz, .jar, .zpi, .lzma, .lzma86, .lzh, .lha, 001, .wim, .swm, .uue, .ace, .isz, .split, .xz.

ExtractNow is a free unzipper that allows users to unzip multiple archives simultaneously. The tool’s user interface is clear and simple and lets you process any number of files via drag-and-drop. ExtractNow only unzips files and therefore cannot group files in archives. The software is only available for Windows. ExtractNow supports the following formats, among others: .zip, .rar, .7z, ISO, .tar, .flv, .pe, .ace, .sit.

Zipeg unpacks ZIP files and some similar compression formats. The tool is free for macOS and Windows and has a drag-and-drop function. You can also add files using a classic button interface. Zipeg can only unzip files (not zip them) and is very easy to use. The streamlined alternative to WinRAR supports the following functions: .zip, .rar, .arj, .lha/.lzh, .7z, .tar, .gz, .tgz, .bz2, .cpio, .rpm, ISO, .chm, .cab, .ear, .war, .cbr, .cbz.

UltimateZip is a free alternative to WinRAR that can both zip and unzip files. The tool integrates directly in Windows, encrypts files and works with a wide range of antivirus programs. UltimateZip compresses and sends files in e-mails in just one step, supporting the following formats: .zip, .rar, .ace, .bh, .cab, .jar, .lha, .gzip, .tar, .bz2, .arc, .arj, .xxe, .uue.

WinAce is another WinRAR alternative. This tool zips and unzips files in all standard formats. WinAce is available for download as a free test version (Windows only) and a paid full version for €30. This WinRAR alternative can also encrypt packed files with password protection and features a restore function. WinAce zips and unzips the following formats:

• ace
• zip
• lha
• ms-cab
• jar

The tool can only extract archives in the following formats .rar, .arc, .arj, .gzip, .tar and .zoo.