The Unarchiver
Free Mac app that opens RAR, 7z, and dozens of other archive formats the built-in tool cannot.
Alternatives
Choose Bandizip if…
- you need to create ZIP or 7Z archives
- you work on Windows as well as macOS
- you regularly handle multi‑volume or >4 GB archives
- you want faster compression with multi‑core processing
- you require a portable version for locked‑down machines
Choose 7‑Zip if…
- you need to create 7z archives with up to 30% better
- you automate archiving with a full‑featured command‑line
- you require AES‑256 encrypted archives for secure sharing
- you work on Windows or Linux and need a native GUI
Choose Keka if…
- you need to create encrypted 7z or ZIP archives
- you want to split a large archive into smaller volumes
- you prefer a native macOS app with an open‑source
- you require both compression and extraction in one tool
Choose PeaZip if…
- you work on Windows, macOS, or Linux
- you need to create ZIP or 7z archives
- you require built‑in AES‑256 encryption
- you prefer a portable version that needs no install
How to Decide
The Unarchiver is a free macOS‑only utility that specializes in extracting a wide range of archive formats, from RAR and 7z to legacy StuffIt and Zoo files, and is used by Mac users who need to open archives beyond the built‑in Finder tool. The alternatives split into a few clear camps: Bandizip leans on multi‑core compression and a paid Professional edition for archive repair and malware scanning; 7‑Zip is completely free and open‑source with a focus on high‑ratio compression and command‑line automation; PeaZip stands out for supporting over 200 formats, offering AES‑256 encryption with secure‑delete and a portable mode; Keka is a native macOS app that combines fast compression, AES‑256 encryption and volume splitting while remaining free with an optional paid App Store version.
When weighing replacements for The Unarchiver, the most decisive factors are (1) the breadth of format support—especially whether the tool can both extract and create archives you need; (2) platform integration—does it register as the default handler in Finder or provide Explorer context‑menu shortcuts on your OS; (3) licensing and cost model—free, freemium, or paid professional features; (4) native macOS support versus cross‑platform availability; and (5) open‑source versus closed‑source code, which can affect trust in security features like encryption and community support.
All Alternatives
“Bandizip offers macOS extraction for a wide range of formats, matching The Unarchiver's core purpose.”
“7‑Zip’s mac build can unpack many of the same archives, providing a free open‑source alternative.”
“Keka extracts the same formats on macOS and also compresses, making it a direct mac utility alternative.”
“PeaZip is a free, cross‑platform app that handles the same archive types on macOS as The Unarchiver.”
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