Best Apps to Open RAR Files: Complete Guide for Windows, Mac, and Linux

RAR files are compressed archives. You need special software to open them. The best apps are WinRAR (paid, official), 7-Zip (free, Windows), The Unarchiver (free, Mac), and Keka (free, Mac). On Linux, use the Archive Manager or command-line tools. Most work immediately without complicated setup.

What Are RAR Files and Why Do You Need Special Apps?

RAR stands for Roshal Archive. Someone compressed files using RAR compression to make them smaller. Your regular file explorer won’t recognize them, so you need dedicated software.

Think of it like this: a RAR file is a locked box. The special apps are the keys that unlock it.

When you download something from the internet, creators often use RAR because it:

• Makes files much smaller
• Keeps multiple files organized together
• Sometimes splits large files into parts (like part1.rar, part2.rar)
• Protects files with passwords when needed

Without the right app, you just see a strange file icon. With it, you extract the contents in seconds.

Best Apps for Windows

WinRAR: The Official Choice

WinRAR is the original software that created RAR compression. It’s the most reliable option.

What you get:

• Opens all RAR versions
• Creates your own RAR files
• Works with ZIP and other formats too
• Simple, familiar interface
• 40-day trial (continues working after, just asks you to buy)

How to use it:

1. Download from winrar.com
2. Install normally
3. Right-click any RAR file
4. Choose “Extract” or “Extract Here”
5. Files appear instantly

Cost: Around 29 USD for lifetime license

Best for: People who work with RAR files regularly or want the official tool

7-Zip: Free and Powerful

7-Zip is completely free and open source. Most people choose this because it costs nothing and works perfectly.

Why people love it:

• Costs nothing
• Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Opens RAR, ZIP, 7Z, TAR, and dozens more
• Very fast extraction
• Creates your own compressed files
• No ads or annoying popups

How to use it:

1. Download from 7-zip.org
2. Run the installer
3. Right-click RAR file
4. Select “7-Zip” then “Extract to folder”
5. Done

Best for: Anyone who wants free, reliable software with no limitations

WinZip: The Traditional Option

WinZip has worked since the 1990s. Many people trust it because it’s been around forever.

Details:

• Opens RAR, ZIP, and most archive types
• Cloud integration for online file handling
• Automatic email sending of extracted files
• User-friendly for beginners
• Subscription model (not a one-time purchase)

Cost: Monthly subscription required

Best for: Users who already use WinZip for other tasks or want extra cloud features

Best Apps for Mac

The Unarchiver: Mac’s Best Free Option

The Unarchiver is built specifically for Mac. It integrates perfectly with the Mac experience.

Key features:

• Completely free
• Opens 40+ archive formats including RAR
• Works in background without showing windows
• Customizable extraction location
• Sets itself as default for all archive types

Installation:

1. Open App Store
2. Search “The Unarchiver”
3. Click Install
4. Double-click any RAR file afterward

Best for: Mac users who want simplicity and nothing extra

Keka: Modern Mac Solution

Keka is newer and designed for modern Mac users. It feels native to Mac.

What it offers:

• Free version with basic features
• Paid version with advanced options
• Beautiful, clean interface
• Drag-and-drop extraction
• Password protected archives work smoothly
• Preview files before extracting

How it works:

1. Download from keka.io
2. Drag RAR file onto Keka window
3. Choose where to save
4. Files extract to that location

Best for: Mac users who like modern, attractive software

Stuffit Expander: Legacy Option

Older Mac users might remember Stuffit. It still works for RAR files.

Reality check:

• Not updated frequently
• Works fine for basic extraction
• Fewer features than alternatives
• Only choose this if you already have it

Best Apps for Linux

Archive Manager: The Built-In Solution

Most Linux distributions include Archive Manager by default. It’s already on your system.

What to know:

• Usually pre-installed
• Opens from file manager with right-click
• Handles RAR, ZIP, TAR, and others
• No installation needed
• Very basic but reliable

How to extract:

1. Open file manager
2. Right-click RAR file
3. Choose “Open With” or “Extract Here”
4. Select Archive Manager
5. Choose destination folder

Best for: Linux users who prefer keeping things simple

Command Line Tools (Advanced)

Linux experts often use the terminal with unar or unrar commands.

Basic usage:

unar filename.rar

This extracts everything to the current folder.

When to use this:

• You’re comfortable with terminal
• Working with many files at once
• Automating extraction in scripts
• You need advanced options

Get unar with: sudo apt-get install unar on Ubuntu or Debian systems

RAR Opening Apps

App	Cost	Windows	Mac	Linux	Ease	File Types
WinRAR	29 USD	Yes	No	No	Easy	Many
7-Zip	Free	Yes	Yes	Yes	Easy	Many
The Unarchiver	Free	No	Yes	No	Very Easy	40+
Keka	Free/Paid	No	Yes	No	Very Easy	Many
Archive Manager	Free	No	No	Yes	Easy	Many
WinZip	Subscription	Yes	Yes	No	Easy	Many

Step-by-Step: Extract Your First RAR File

On Windows with 7-Zip

1. Download 7-Zip from 7-zip.org
2. Click the installer file
3. Choose installation location
4. Wait for it to finish
5. Find your RAR file
6. Right-click it
7. Hover over “7-Zip”
8. Click “Extract to folder”
9. New folder appears with your files
10. Open and use them normally

On Mac with The Unarchiver

1. Open App Store
2. Search for “The Unarchiver”
3. Click “Get” then “Install”
4. Wait for installation
5. Find your RAR file in Finder
6. Double-click it
7. Choose where to save (popup appears)
8. Files extract automatically
9. Check your chosen location

On Linux with Archive Manager

1. Open file manager
2. Navigate to your RAR file
3. Right-click it
4. Select “Open With” or “Extract”
5. Click Archive Manager
6. Choose destination folder
7. Click extract
8. Files appear in that folder

Handling Special Situations

Multi-Part RAR Files

Sometimes you download part1.rar, part2.rar, part3.rar.

Here’s what to do:

Put all parts in the same folder. Open the first part (part1.rar) with your extraction app. The software automatically uses all parts. You don’t need to do anything special.

The app handles the rest.

Password Protected RAR Files

Someone compressed the file with a password.

How to handle it:

1. Try opening normally
2. App asks for password
3. Type the correct password
4. Extraction happens immediately

Important: If you don’t know the password, you cannot open it. There’s no way around this. No app can bypass password protection.

Corrupted RAR Files

Sometimes downloads fail or files get damaged.

Signs of corruption:

• App says “cannot open file”
• Extraction stops halfway
• Files look incomplete

What to try:

• Download the file again
• Check if you downloaded completely
• Try a different app (sometimes helps)
• Ask whoever sent it to resend it

Most corrupted files just need to be downloaded again.

RAR Files That Won’t Extract

Your app opens it but extraction fails.

Common causes:

• Not enough space on your drive
• File permissions prevent writing
• Windows antivirus blocked it
• Actual file corruption

Solutions:

• Check your hard drive has space (RAR files expand when extracted)
• Try extracting to a different location
• Temporarily disable antivirus
• Download again
• Try a different app

Security Considerations

Safe Downloading Practices

RAR files themselves are safe. But downloading from untrusted sources is risky.

Stay safe:

• Download from known, reputable websites
• Check file sizes match what was promised
• Use antivirus software
• Scan extracted files if concerned
• Don’t extract files from unknown senders

Trusted Sources

• Official software websites
• Major download sites like SourceForge
• Reputable file sharing services
• People you trust directly

RAR is just a compression format, like ZIP. It doesn’t cause problems by itself.

Choosing the Right App for You

If You Use Windows

Choose 7-Zip first. It’s free, works perfectly, and asks for nothing in return. Only buy WinRAR if you need to create RAR files regularly.

If You Use Mac

Use The Unarchiver. It’s simple, free, and feels like Mac software. Try Keka if you want something with more features.

If You Use Linux

Use Archive Manager that comes with your system. Only go to command-line tools if you’re technical and need special options.

If You Use Multiple Operating Systems

7-Zip works on Windows and Mac. The Unarchiver works on Mac. This is why many people choose different apps for different systems instead of one universal option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open RAR files without special software?

No. You need dedicated software. Your computer doesn’t natively understand RAR format. You must install one of these apps first. There are no exceptions to this.

Is it safe to download RAR opening apps?

Yes, the apps listed here are safe. Download only from official websites: 7-zip.org, winrar.com, keka.io, or your system’s official app store. Never download from random sites offering “faster downloads.”

What if RAR files won’t open in any app?

First, make sure the file downloaded completely. Try downloading again. Then try a different app. If it still fails, the file is likely corrupted. Ask whoever sent it to resend it. Sometimes older RAR files don’t work with newer apps, but this is rare.

Do I need to buy software or are free options good enough?

Free options are completely sufficient for opening RAR files. 7-Zip, The Unarchiver, and built-in tools work as well as paid software. Only pay if you need to create RAR files regularly or want premium features you’ll actually use.

Can RAR files contain viruses?

RAR files themselves don’t contain viruses. They’re just compressed containers. But files inside them could be harmful. Always scan extracted files with antivirus if they’re from untrusted sources. Keep your antivirus updated.

Conclusion

Opening RAR files is straightforward once you have the right software. Most users need nothing more than free options.

For Windows: Download 7-Zip. It’s free, reliable, and takes two minutes to install.

For Mac: Use The Unarchiver from the App Store. Same advantages as 7-Zip.

For Linux: Use the Archive Manager already on your system.

If you work with RAR files constantly and create them often, WinRAR is worth buying. Otherwise, free options give you everything necessary.

The extraction process itself is simple: right-click, choose extract, done. Your files appear immediately in a new folder. No technical knowledge required.

Have a RAR file sitting in your downloads? Open it right now using these steps. It takes less than five minutes from download to use. You’ll realize you’ve been overthinking this. RAR files aren’t complicated. They’re just compressed containers that need the right key to open.