Keka

Name: Keka
Brand: Keka

A simple, strong macOS file archiver for compressing, encrypting, and extracting archives.

softwareArchivers & Compressionmac-archiverfile-compressionencryption

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Our Verdict

Best for

Mac users who want a free, native, drag-and-drop archiver that also handles encryption and RAR extraction.

Skip if

You need cross-platform support or heavy scripting/automation around archive creation.

What is Keka?

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.

SpecificationsAI-estimated

deploymentDesktop App

open source✅ Yes

api available❌ No

Key Features of Keka

Compresses files and folders into 7z, ZIP, TAR, DMG, ISO and other formats via simple drag-and-drop.

Encrypts archives with AES-256 password protection to keep sensitive files secure in transit.

Extracts more than 30 archive formats, including RAR, WIM, and APK, without needing separate tools.

Splits large archives into smaller volumes for easier upload or storage on limited-capacity media.

Runs as a lightweight, native macOS app with a minimal, distraction-free interface.

Offers a free direct download alongside an optional paid Mac App Store version to support the developer.

Keeps its core compression engine open source, letting technical users inspect or contribute to the code.

Use Cases for Keka

Sending password-protected files

Compress and AES-256 encrypt sensitive documents into a single archive before emailing or uploading them.

Opening Windows-created archives

Extract RAR or 7z files a Windows colleague sent, without installing a separate unarchiver.

Shrinking large project folders

Compress design or code project folders down for faster transfer or backup storage.

Splitting files for upload limits

Break a large archive into smaller parts to fit under a cloud service or email attachment size cap.

Pros & Cons of Keka

Pros

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

Cons

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Keka really free?

Yes, Keka can be downloaded free of charge directly from keka.io. A paid Mac App Store version exists mainly as an optional way to support the developer.

Does Keka support RAR extraction?

Yes, Keka can extract RAR archives along with more than 30 other formats, though RAR creation is not supported since RAR is a proprietary format.

Can I password-protect an archive with Keka?

Yes, Keka supports AES-256 encryption when creating 7z or ZIP archives, letting you set a password on the file.

Is Keka available for Windows?

No, Keka is built specifically for macOS and has no Windows or Linux version.

Pricing Overview

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Freemium

Detailed plans are not listed. Visit the official website for pricing information.

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