Keka is a native macOS file archiving utility built around drag-and-drop simplicity. Users drop files or folders onto the Keka window or dock icon to compress them into 7z, ZIP, TAR, DMG, ISO, and other formats, with optional AES-256 password encryption for sensitive data. It can also split large archives into smaller chunks for easier transfer or storage on removable media. On the extraction side, Keka handles more than 30 archive formats including RAR, WIM, and APK, so Mac users are not limited to whatever format a file happened to arrive in. The app is distributed free directly from the developer's website, with an optional paid copy available on the Mac App Store as a way to support development, and its core engine is open source on GitHub.
PeaZip is a free and open-source file archiving utility that can open and extract over 200 archive formats, including ZIP, RAR, 7Z, TAR, and GZ, and create archives in its own formats plus common ones like ZIP and 7Z. It ships as a portable, no-install option as well as a standard installer across Windows, Linux, macOS, and BSD. Beyond basic compression, PeaZip includes AES-256 encryption with optional two-factor authentication for password-protected archives, secure file deletion, checksum/hash verification, and archive splitting and joining for large files. Its GUI wraps several open-source compression backends (7-Zip, FreeArc, PAQ, and others) behind a single consistent interface, and it is licensed under LGPLv3.
- Genuinely native and lightweight compared to bundled Finder compression
- Free to use in full from the developer's own site
- Broad format support for both compressing and extracting
- Simple enough for non-technical users while still offering encryption options
- Completely free and open source with no ads or bundled software
- Supports an unusually wide range of archive formats in one tool
- Genuine AES-256 encryption and secure delete, not just basic zipping
- Portable version needs no installation or admin rights
- macOS only, so it is not an option for Windows or Linux users
- No cloud sync or team-sharing features built in
- Advanced automation (scripting, CLI batch jobs) is limited compared to command-line tools
- Interface looks dated compared to modern paid archivers
- Relies on wrapping several separate open-source compression engines, which can make behavior inconsistent between formats
- Documentation and support are community-driven rather than dedicated commercial support
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Keka
View all →Free, open-source file archiver supporting 200+ formats with strong encryption on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Fast, cross-platform archiver supporting 10+ compression formats and 40+ decompression formats.
Free Mac app that opens RAR, 7z, and dozens of other archive formats the built-in tool cannot.
Alternatives to PeaZip
View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataKeka offers a native, lightweight macOS‑only archiver that's free and simple, while PeaZip provides a cross‑platform, feature‑rich but dated UI solution.
Key differences
- •Platform support – Keka macOS only; PeaZip Windows, macOS, Linux.
- •Number of supported formats – PeaZip >200 formats; Keka ~30 formats.
- •Extra security tools – PeaZip adds secure deletion and optional two‑factor; Keka only AES‑256 encryption.
- •Portability – PeaZip offers a portable mode; Keka does not.
- •User interface – Keka has a modern native macOS UI; PeaZip’s UI is considered dated.
Pricing & value
Both are free to use; Keka offers optional paid App Store version, PeaZip is completely free.
Ease of use / learning curve
Keka provides a minimal, native macOS interface, whereas PeaZip’s UI is described as dated and less intuitive.
Features & depth
PeaZip supports >200 formats, secure delete, checksum tools, and portable mode; Keka supports fewer formats and fewer extra utilities.
Integrations & ecosystem
Neither product offers an API or built‑in cloud/team integrations.
Collaboration
Both lack collaboration or team‑sharing features.
Support
PeaZip lists community forums and GitHub support; Keka provides no specified support options.
Security & privacy
Both use AES‑256 encryption, but PeaZip adds secure deletion and optional two‑factor authentication.
Choose Keka if…
Mac‑only users who want a fast, native, simple archiver without extra security bells.
Choose PeaZip if…
Cross‑platform users needing many format options, portable use, and advanced security tools.
Common questions
Is there any cost to use either tool?
Both are free; Keka also offers an optional paid version on the Mac App Store, but full functionality is available for free.
Can I run the archiver on Windows or Linux?
Keka is macOS‑only; PeaZip runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Which tool provides stronger security features?
Both use AES‑256 encryption, but PeaZip adds secure deletion and optional two‑factor authentication, giving it a security edge.