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7-Zip alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave 7-Zip: graphical app is Windows-only, and dated, bare-bones interface. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces 7-Zip, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. PeaZip currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1PeaZip logoPeaZipOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux5 of 566.5
2WinRAR logoWinRARPaidNoWindows, Android5 of 562.6
3Keka logoKekaFreeNomacOS, iOS4 of 459.6
  1. PeaZip logo

    1. PeaZipTop pick

    Best for: People who want one free, cross-platform archiver with encryption and scripting extras

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from 7-Zip

    Uses the same engine but adds a full GUI on Linux and macOS plus extra encryption options.

    Pros

    • Same full GUI on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Opens 200+ archive formats
    • Password-plus-keyfile encryption and hashing tools
    • Exports GUI tasks as command-line scripts

    Cons

    • Can't create RAR archives without WinRAR installed
    • Interface is crowded compared with 7-Zip or Keka
    • Release packages aren't code-signed
    Visit PeaZip Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is PeaZip a good 7-Zip alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    LGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Supported formats
    200+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026peazip.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Two-factor encryption
    Password + keyfile
    Checked Oct 25, 2026peazip.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Portable version
    Linux, macOS, Windows
    Checked Oct 25, 2026peazip.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Data collection
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026peazip.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
  2. WinRAR logo

    2. WinRAR

    Best for: People and businesses who need to create RAR archives or use recovery records

    PaidWindows, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from 7-Zip

    Creates RAR archives and adds recovery records, with a more polished Windows interface.

    Pros

    • Only mainstream tool that creates RAR archives
    • Recovery records can repair damaged archives
    • Perpetual licence rather than a subscription
    • Command-line versions for macOS, Linux and FreeBSD

    Cons

    • Paid licence after the trial, unlike 7-Zip or PeaZip
    • Full GUI only on Windows
    • Interface hasn't changed much in years
    Visit WinRAR Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is WinRAR a good 7-Zip alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Users
    Over 500 million (vendor claim)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026win-rar.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Languages
    40+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026win-rar.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Windows support
    Windows 11 and 10
    Checked Oct 25, 2026win-rar.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Command-line versions
    macOS, Linux, FreeBSD
    Checked Oct 25, 2026win-rar.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Android
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026win-rar.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Keka logo

    3. Keka

    Best for: Mac users who want a simple drag-and-drop archiver that handles 7z and RAR

    FreemacOS, iOS

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from 7-Zip

    Mac-native archiver for people moving from Windows who want 7z support with a proper GUI.

    Pros

    • Simple drag-and-drop workflow from the Dock
    • Extracts RAR, 7z, ZIPX and many other formats
    • Free on the website, same build on the App Store
    • Supports split archives and AES-256 for 7z

    Cons

    • Mac and iOS only
    • Needs a separate helper to become the default extractor
    • No in-app browsing of archive contents
    Visit Keka Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Keka a good 7-Zip alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Encryption
    AES-256 for 7z
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keka.io(opens source in a new tab)
    App Store version
    Same app as website build
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keka.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Extracts RAR
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keka.io(opens source in a new tab)
    System requirement
    Mac OS X 10.10 or newer
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keka.io(opens source in a new tab)

The best 7-Zip alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

PeaZip logo

Best 7-Zip alternative for most people

PeaZip

Uses the same engine but adds a full GUI on Linux and macOS plus extra encryption options.

Keka logo

Best 7-Zip alternative for a free option

Keka

Mac-native archiver for people moving from Windows who want 7z support with a proper GUI.

PeaZip logo

Best 7-Zip alternative for open source

PeaZip

Uses the same engine but adds a full GUI on Linux and macOS plus extra encryption options.

PeaZip logo

Best 7-Zip alternative for Mac

PeaZip

Uses the same engine but adds a full GUI on Linux and macOS plus extra encryption options.

WinRAR logo

Best 7-Zip alternative for Windows

WinRAR

Creates RAR archives and adds recovery records, with a more polished Windows interface.

PeaZip logo

Best 7-Zip alternative for Linux

PeaZip

Uses the same engine but adds a full GUI on Linux and macOS plus extra encryption options.

7-Zip alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to 7-Zip?

PeaZip ranks first right now. Uses the same engine but adds a full GUI on Linux and macOS plus extra encryption options. WinRAR and Keka follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to 7-Zip?

Yes. PeaZip (open source) and Keka (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to 7-Zip?

Yes: PeaZip.

Which 7-Zip alternatives work on Linux?

PeaZip runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from 7-Zip?

The complaints we hear most: graphical app is Windows-only; dated, bare-bones interface; can extract RAR but can't create it.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces 7-Zip, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.