Nowadays, we seldom see people write down notes in class, at work or anywhere else. This is because everyone greatly relies on their computer for these things in the same way that we use the Internet to gather information and top quality contents. Because of this, there are some instances wherein we want to save time and just download and upload documents compiled in one entire file. The only way to make this possible is by using various types of MAC Zip utility. If you still haven’t installed any into your MAC computer, take a look at the options you have and decide which one to get later on.
10. iZip
WinZip Mac 7 New WinZip for Mac offers simple zipping and unzipping right from its new Files pane! Enjoy one-click access, multiple viewing layouts, drag-and-drop functionality, support for 12+ compression formats and easy file management! Zip and unzip files instantly with WinZip’s.
The iZip is one of the best zip utilities you can use of your MAC computer. This one is very easy to use and makes it possible to both zip and unzip a number of different files all at the same time. Other than this, it is also compatible for different types of document formats as long as they are supported by Apple. This tool is also absolutely free of charge and safe to use. iZip is also very popular and a lot of MAC users have already downloaded it because it’s very easy to use, does not cost anything and is also very reliable to say the least.
9. The Unarchiver
The Unarchiver is a default, pre-installed file compression utility that works for MAC OS X. What’s great about the Unarchiver is the fact that it also supports a number of different formats. When compared with the Windows ZIP option that only accommodates a limited range of options, this one would definitely stand out from them all. However, it is important to note that the Unarchiver is a read only application so if you want more features, you need to install more tools as well.
8. Archiver
The opposite of the Unarchiver is basically the Archiver. This one in particular is not free and comes with prettier and more advanced features. At $19, you can get a number of supports for various types of formats and contents and you can also incorporate passwords to your archives so that other people wouldn’t be able to access it. It is a must to remember your password though because if you forget it, you wouldn’t be able to open your files and you might even have to download and reinstall the entire tool just to be able to get the documents that you need.
7. Compress Files
On the other hand, the Compress Files is a more direct type of option you have when it comes to a MAC zip function. This option costs $15 but limits your options to only a few supported file formats. This is why if you are looking for a more direct and what you need is what you get kind of file compressor, then this is the one that should get. On the other hand, if you are looking for advanced features, forget about this one. Netflix for mac.
6. BetterZip
BetterZip is another competitive option you have when it comes to compressing and decompressing files of different formats. This one costs $20 but its advanced features and tools make it totally worth it. Unlike other types of Zip utilities, this one in particular makes it possible for you to not only compress and decompress a large number of files you can also do this with different formats all at the same time. Although considered to be a little pricey, it is also said that you can never really go wrong with this Zip tool in particular.
5. YemuZip
If you want to stick to free options for Zip utilities, make sure to try the YemuZip that is especially designed for use among MAC users. This one in particular is not only great because it’s free, it’s great because it easily archives your files without incorporating unnecessary texts to the filenames you use. This way, you would be able to easily organize your documents in minutes.
4. UnRarX
If you wish to decompress files you’ve archived and compressed in the past, make sure that you consider using the UnRarX. This one in particular is free and quite competitive but on the downside, this application is quite unfriendly especially among first-time users. But this option can temporarily suffice your needs for a Zip utility but not exactly something you can use for a long time.
It supports 13 Eastern and Western languages and can help identify the text and image files to preserve the format so that the relative position can be maintained.In addition, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese languages support a vertical identification function. PageManager has OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for identification. Pagemaker for mac. File and image information can be stored on Google Drive, Evernote, and other cloud drive platforms.♦ Built-in Simple Text RecognitionPresto! Vertical or horizontal text can be rendered with excellent accuracy.
3. Keka
Keka is another great option you have for a Zip utility if you are using a MAC OS X. This one is absolutely free and boasts of a user-friendly interface you will easily fall in love with. Another great thing to note about Keka is the fact that it supports a number of different file formats like Zip, Tar, Gzip, 7z, DMG, ISO and so much more. Also, it supports a number of extraction formats including RAR, 7z, CAB, PAX, ACE, PPC and more.
2. Entropy
Entropy is a powerful option for archiving files through the use of your MAC. This tool supports a maximum of 30 different formats both for archiving and extraction and also makes it possible to create, extract, preview, modify, encrypt and convert documents with just a few clicks. This tool is also supported by the AppleDouble metadata and comes with a number of options for keyword shortcuts and more.
1. iPack
The iPack is a full-featured compressed archiving and non-archiving tool designed for MAC. For a minimal cost of $1.99, you will already be able to get a hold of a wide range of features you wouldn’t get anywhere else. If you’re worried about the support you can get from this kind of software, forget about it because this one supports all types of files that MAC also supports. What’s more, it allows for editing and updating of documents even without extracting anything from an entire Zipped file.
So you tried to open a .rar file you downloaded on the Internet, or received from a colleague/friend via email. Then you get a weird error on your Mac, because the file couldn’t be opened.
It’s really disappointing. I’ve been there many times, since I use my MacBook Pro to communicate with others who are probably on a PC. In fact, I also ran into the same problem when I switched from PC to Mac a few years ago.
Luckily, I managed to fix it with an amazing app called The Unarchiver, the best RAR extractor app for Mac. Plus, it’s still free. Meanwhile, I also tested dozens of other applications on my Mac, and filtered those that are 100% free and easy to use and you can read more below.
NEW UPDATE
Hi there, Thanks for reading this article. It’s been two years since I first published this post. Things have changed a lot when it comes to unrar apps for Mac. I was hoping Apple macOS could add this feature to its built-in Archive Utility app, unfortunately, it seems that Apple macOS team doesn’t plan to do this. My MacBook Pro is now with the latest 10.13 High Sierra, and I have to rely on third-party apps to extract RAR files.
As for the best rar extractor app for Mac, the recommendation stays the same — The Unarchiver. It’s still free to download and use. However, it’s worth noting that the app has been acquired by MacPaw (the maker of CleanMyMac, an awesome Mac cleaning app) and is now part of the MacPaw family. You can read more from this press release.
Also, I just found a more powerful app called BetterZip 4 — which allows Mac users to not only extract many types of archives, but you can also use it to create archives or preview content of an archive without extracting. Those additional features are not available in The Unarchiver or Archive Utility. I recommend BetterZip to those of you who often need to handle a different kind of files on a PC and Mac. Note: BetterZip isn’t freeware ($24.95 for the paid version), but a free trial is offered. You can get BetterZip 4 from Setapp here.
What about the other apps listed below? I tried to check them now and then, just to make sure they’re usable and the information is accurate. But I find it so time-consuming because every year or so Apple releases a new version of macOS (to date, it’s High Sierra 10.13.2), those apps that fail to be updated often can’t run or malfunction. Therefore, I’d discourage you to check them out unless you are interested. That said, I’ll try my best to keep the content on this post as fresh as possible.
What is an RAR File?
RAR is a compressed file short for Roshal Archive; it’s a proprietary file format developed by Eugene Roshal, a genius software engineer. Simply put, a .rar file is like a big data container that holds a set of individual files and folders inside.
Why use RAR? Because it reduces the size of your files and folders while keeping all the content 100% intact. With a RAR, it’s much easier to store on removable media or transferred over the Internet.
According to this comparison image provided by Compression Ratings, RAR files achieve much higher compression, especially on multimedia files. They are also easier to split or to recover once corrupted than other alternatives like ZIP or 7Zip files.
How to Open an RAR Archive on Mac?
Unlike other archive files, for example, a ZIP archive can be directly created or extracted by using the default function on Mac (here’s a tutorial), a RAR file can only be opened using third-party software…which, unfortunately, Apple hasn’t built into the Archive Utility, yet.
That’s why there are plenty of third-party applications available on the Internet that claim to be able to do that. Some are dated, while some require you to pay.
![Zip Utility For Mac Zip Utility For Mac](https://0zed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Open-Zip-Files-on-Mac.jpg)
Thanks to those smart, yet kind developers, we have quite a lot of free options to get the job done without taking a penny out of the pocket. I’ve tested many and here are the 10 best free apps that still work.
10 Free RAR Extractor Apps That Work on Mac
Note: Some of the apps below are open source, and the authors accept donations. If you find the one you use is really awesome, kindly show your appreciation. Hundreds of hours were spent to make that product work well.
1. The Unarchiver
The Unarchiver is my favorite. Like the name indicates, it unpacks almost any archive instantly without launching the app. The app is very powerful, even does what the built-in Archive Utility can’t — extracts RAR archives. It also supports handling filenames in foreign character sets.
2. B1 Free Archiever
Another great open source app, the B1 Free Archiver serves as an all-in-one program for managing file archives. As you can see from the screenshot above, this tool allows you to create, open and extract archives. It opens .rar, .zip, and 35 other file formats. Besides Mac, there are also versions for Windows, Linux, and Android.
3. UnRarX
UnRarX is a simple utility designed to expand .rar files and restore corrupted or missing archives with .par and .par2 files. It has an extraction function as well. To do this, simply open the program, drag your archive files into the interface, and UnRarX will unpack the content to the specified destination.
4. StuffIt Expander Mac
StuffIt Expander for Mac allows you to uncompress both Zip and RAR archives. I found the app very easy to use. Once the program is installed, you should see an icon (as shown on the top of the above screenshot). Click on it. Next select the file, specify the destination to store your extracted files, and you’re done.
5. MacPar deLuxe
Another great tool that can open RAR files, and do a lot beyond! Originally developed to recover missing or corrupted information by processing “par” and “par2” files, MacPAR deLuxe is able to unpack the data with its built-in unrar engine. If you are a Macintosh user who frequently downloads or uploads binary files, then most likely you’ll love this utility program. You can get it from its official site here.
6. iZip for Mac
iZip is another powerful yet effective tool built from the ground up for Mac users to compress/decompress, secure, and share files easily. It supports all kinds of archive formats including RAR, ZIP, ZIPX, TAR, and 7ZIP. To unzip a file, just drag and drop it into the software main interface. Another window will pop up with the extracted files. Super fast!
7. RAR Extractor Free
RAR Extractor Free is an app that specializes in extracting Rar, Zip, Tar, 7-zip, Gzip, Bzip2 files conveniently and safely. Once you download and launch the app, you’ll see a pop-up window that asks you to specify an “unarchive” location. To load your files, you’ll need to move to the top left and click “Open.”
7 Zip Utility For Mac
8. SimplyRAR (Mac)
SimplyRAR is another awesome archiving app for Mac OS. As its name suggests, SimplyRAR is a simple to use program that makes archiving and unarchiving files a breeze. Open it by dropping the file into the application, choosing a compression method, and pulling the trigger. The downside of the app is that it will be difficult to get support from the developer, as it appears they’re no longer in business.
9. RAR Expander
RAR Expander (Mac) is a clean GUI utility for creating and expanding RAR archives. It supports single, multi-part or password-protected archives. It also features AppleScript support and includes example scripts to help you handle multiple archives at once.
10. Zipeg
Zipeg is also handy yet free. What I really like is its ability to preview an entire file before extracting it. It also supports password protected and multipart files. Note: To open the software, you’ll need to install the legacy Java SE 6 runtime (see this Apple support article).
What’s Your Favorite UnRAR Tool?
Free Zip Utility For Mac
Does the recommended one help you extract or unzip your RAR files? Or do you find a better unarchiver app for Mac than the ones listed above? Let me know by leaving a quick comment below.