listme.name
Sign in

Comparison · File archivers

The Unarchiver vs WinRAR: which is better in 2026?

The UnarchivervsWinRAR

WinRAR ranks higher in our list of file archivers (#4 against #5, score 84.5 against 83.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.

Choose The Unarchiver if you want

Mac users who mainly open archives sent to them.

A free extractor for Mac that opens RAR and dozens of other formats, including RPM and DEB packages. It only extracts archives, so use Keka when you need to create them.

Choose WinRAR if you want

Windows users who create RAR archives and pay.

The established commercial choice for creating RAR archives on Windows, with Unicode file name support and interfaces in more than 40 languages. It is a paid license, so people who only extract files can use 7-Zip for free.

The main differences

  • Only WinRAR runs on Windows.
  • Only The Unarchiver runs on macOS.
  • The Unarchiver can be used for free; WinRAR requires payment.

Side by side

The UnarchiverWinRAR
Score83.084.5
Rank in list#5 of 7#4 of 7
PriceFreeFree for Mac; the vendor says it will stay freePaidPaid commercial license sold by the vendor
Free to useYesNo
Open sourceNoNo
PlatformsmacOSmacOSWindowsWindows
Made byNot statedwin.rar GmbH
FormatsRAR, ZIP, 7z, TAR, RPM, DEBRAR, ZIP and many others
Best forMac users who mainly open archives sent to themWindows users who create RAR archives and pay
Strengths
  • Free for Mac, and the vendor says it will stay free
  • Opens RAR and dozens of other formats
  • Creates and opens RAR and ZIP archives
  • Available in more than 40 languages
Limits
  • Extracts archives but does not create them
  • Runs on macOS only
  • Paid commercial license, not open source
  • Positioned for Windows on its own site
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about The Unarchiver vs WinRAR

Is WinRAR better than The Unarchiver?
WinRAR ranks higher in our list of file archivers (#4 against #5, score 84.5 against 83.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. The Unarchiver is best for: mac users who mainly open archives sent to them. WinRAR is best for: windows users who create RAR archives and pay.
Which is cheaper, The Unarchiver or WinRAR?
The Unarchiver: Free for Mac; the vendor says it will stay free. WinRAR: Paid commercial license sold by the vendor.
Do The Unarchiver and WinRAR run on the same platforms?
The Unarchiver supports macOS. WinRAR supports Windows.