WinRAR alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave WinRAR: paid licence after the trial, unlike 7-Zip or PeaZip, and full GUI only on Windows. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces WinRAR, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. 7-Zip currently ranks first.
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Show all 3 alternativesThe best WinRAR alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best WinRAR alternative for most people
7-ZipFree and open source, with stronger 7z compression; it extracts RAR but can't create it.
Best WinRAR alternative for a free option
PeaZipFree, open source and cross-platform, opening RAR plus 200+ formats with a full GUI on Linux and Mac.
Best WinRAR alternative for open source
7-ZipFree and open source, with stronger 7z compression; it extracts RAR but can't create it.
Best WinRAR alternative for Mac
KekaFree Mac-native archiver that extracts RAR, for people who don't need to create RAR files.
Best WinRAR alternative for Windows
7-ZipFree and open source, with stronger 7z compression; it extracts RAR but can't create it.
Best WinRAR alternative for Linux
7-ZipFree and open source, with stronger 7z compression; it extracts RAR but can't create it.
WinRAR alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to WinRAR?
7-Zip ranks first right now. Free and open source, with stronger 7z compression; it extracts RAR but can't create it. PeaZip and Keka follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to WinRAR?
Yes. 7-Zip (open source), 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 WinRAR?
Yes: 7-Zip and PeaZip.
Which WinRAR alternatives work on Linux?
7-Zip and PeaZip run on Linux.
Why do people switch from WinRAR?
The complaints we hear most: paid licence after the trial, unlike 7-Zip or PeaZip; full GUI only on Windows; interface hasn't changed much in years.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces WinRAR, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.