Top 10+ Alternatives for WinRAR in 2025
Top 10+ WinRAR Alternatives in 2025
Let’s be honest, almost everyone has used or at least heard of WinRAR. It’s reliable and has been around for ages, but sometimes you need a fresh option—maybe something free, faster, or with extra features. No matter your reason, there’s a world of WinRAR alternatives out there, both for Windows, Mac, and even Linux users.
We’ve put together a user-friendly list of the top 10+ alternatives for WinRAR, tried and loved by people everywhere in 2025. Feel free to try them out and find your new favorite compression tool!
1. 7-Zip
7-Zip is probably the most popular free alternative to WinRAR. It’s open-source, has a super simple interface, and supports lots of formats, including its own 7z format, which often gives better compression than ZIP or RAR.
- Completely free and open-source
- Supports many formats (7z, ZIP, RAR, TAR, GZ, and more)
- High compression ratio, especially in 7z format
- Easy right-click menu integration
- No ads or bloatware
2. PeaZip
PeaZip is another excellent free tool that supports a massive number of archive formats. Its modern interface makes it attractive for new users, and it comes packed with extra features like password management and file hashing.
- Free and open-source
- Stylish and user-friendly interface
- Over 180 archive types supported
- Strong AES encryption
- Portable version available
3. Bandizip
Bandizip has gained tons of fans for being speedy and lightweight. It’s a great free WinRAR alternative that never nags you with ads. The modern interface and multi-core compression support make it a solid choice.
- Fast and efficient compression/decompression
- Supports major formats (ZIP, 7Z, RAR, TAR, etc.)
- Clean and modern look
- Drag-and-drop functionality
- No ads or unnecessary extras
4. The Unarchiver
The Unarchiver is the go-to choice for Mac users seeking a WinRAR alternative. It’s lightweight, free, and opens just about any kind of archive file you can imagine.
- Completely free for Mac users
- Handles RAR, ZIP, 7z, Tar, and more
- Simple, automatic file extraction
- Easily handles old archive formats
5. Zipware
Zipware is a Windows-only tool known for its easy, intuitive interface and strong malware scanning on archive files. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants security combined with simplicity.
- Simple and modern user interface
- Makes archives easily with drag-and-drop
- Built-in virus and malware scanner
- Support for all the key archive formats
6. B1 Free Archiver
B1 Free Archiver works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and even has a web version. It has a clean design, is simple to use, and supports most of the common archive types.
- Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Web)
- Supports most popular formats, including RAR
- Strong encryption features
- Sleek, easy-to-navigate interface
B1 Free Archiver Official Site
7. Ashampoo ZIP Free
Ashampoo ZIP Free is another user-friendly alternative for Windows with a modern interface and handy features, including cloud integration for storing your files online.
- Modern, touch-friendly interface (great for Windows tablets)
- Support for over 30 file formats
- Cloud backup integration (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.)
- Strong AES encryption for secure archives
Ashampoo ZIP Free Official Site
8. IZArc
IZArc is a free archive utility for Windows with a traditional interface and lots of features for opening, creating, and converting between many different formats.
- Supports over 50 archive types
- Simple drag-and-drop operations
- Repair corrupt ZIP files
- Easy conversion between archive formats
9. Zipeg
Zipeg is all about simplicity and easy previewing of files before extraction, making it a nice lightweight choice—especially for those who just want to peek inside archives without fuss.
- Free, works on both Windows and Mac
- Open-source with easy interface
- Automatic file preview before extraction
- Supports most common archive formats
10. ExtractNow
ExtractNow focuses on one thing: extracting several archives at once. If you often deal with big batches of ZIP or RAR files, this is a time-saver.
- Batch extraction for multiple archives
- Supports all main archive types (ZIP, RAR, 7z, etc.)
- Simple drag-and-drop interface
- Automatic removal of extracted archives (optional)
Bonus: Keka (for Mac)
Keka is a beloved Mac alternative for WinRAR users. It features a beautiful macOS-style interface and supports encrypted archives with ease.
- Best-in-class design for Mac users
- Supports ZIP, 7z, TAR, GZIP, and more
- Strong encryption for privacy
- Drag-and-drop simplicity
Why Try a WinRAR Alternative?
Whether you need more features or just want to avoid WinRAR’s “trial version” message, these alternatives have you covered. Many of them are totally free, work faster, or support even more formats.
Ready to switch up your file compression game? Download a few of these WinRAR alternatives, see which one feels right, and enjoy zipping and unzipping without limitations in 2025!
