Forum Discussion
7-Zip for mac alternatives for opening rar files
Has been years for using 7-Zip app on my Windows 10 PC. Recently switched to Mac but it can't open .rar file by default. I went to 7-zip official website but there is no binary for macOS. Currently, 7-Zip is only available for Windows and Linux. Does anyone know 7-Zip for mac alternatives as I can't use 7-Zip on Mac.
Thank you
7 Replies
- AsherBlazeIron Contributor
FossZip. The best 7-zip for Mac alternative I found recently. You can use it to easily open .rar file on Mac.
https://www.mobiledic.com/best-7-zip-alternative-for-mac
- XanksipkoIron Contributor
I’ve used Keka whenever I need to compress some large folders or unzip files quickly. It’s clean and gets the job done without a fuss. I appreciate how easy it is to use; just drag and drop, and boom—it’s ready. But there have been times when I needed to tweak the compression settings or deal with more complicated file formats, and that’s when I really started to wish I had 7-Zip or something more powerful.
As a good 7-zip for mac alternatives. While Keka is great for basic compression, it might not have all the advanced features that 7-Zip offers. For instance, with 7-Zip, you can set different compression levels and encryption options, making it super powerful, especially for handling sensitive files. Keka is straightforward, but if you need those deep customization options, you might miss them. 7-Zip has a file manager that makes it easy to browse and manage files directly. Keka, on the other hand, is more of a drag-and-drop tool and doesn’t come with a built-in file interface. So, if you're used to sorting through files within the app itself, Keka might feel a bit limiting.
This 7-zip for mac alternatives does support a wide range of formats, but it’s pretty much focused on what most people need. If you ever find yourself dealing with more obscure formats, you might run into issues. For example, if you need to unpack something like an .exe archive, Keka won’t do the trick. If you’re switching between different operating systems (like Windows or Linux), Keka won’t be your best friend because it’s exclusive to Mac. 7-Zip, on the other hand, is available across platforms (though its interface on non-Windows systems can be a bit clunky).
- ZaneHunterIron Contributor
Terminal, which comes with macOS, is definitely worth checking out. unzip and zip commands are built in, and the best part is, it is easy to get started! For the technically inclined, unzipping and compressing ZIP files from the command line is both efficient and fun, and it's a great way to get a deeper understanding of what's going on at the bottom of the system. You may be worried that it's not easy to get started with the commands, but don't worry, I'll tell you more about how to use this free 7-Zip for mac alternative .
Step 1: Press Command + Space, type Terminal, press Enter.Step 2: Find the file you want to zip or unzip in Finder, right-click the file, select Get Info, and write down the path.
Step 3: In Terminal, type "cd /Users/YourName/Desktop" (replace “YourName” with your username) and press Enter to make sure the path is updated to Desktop.
Step 4: Type "zip -r archive.rar" files and press Enter, wait for a few seconds, the compression will be completed. The compression will be completed.
Step 5: Check the generated “archive.zip” in Desktop of Finder.
Step 6: If you want to unzip the file, type in Terminal: cd /Users/YourName/Desktop and press Enter to switch to the directory where the file is located.
Step 7: Open Finder, go to Desktop and make sure the file is OK.
- ArloHuckIron Contributor
After reading what you've shared, I'd like to recommend ExtractMe, a useful online tool. ExtractMe is a handy tool for decompressing and compressing files. It supports many common file formats, such as ZIP, 7z, RAR, etc., which we come across every day, and it can deal with them easily.
The best thing about this 7-zip for mac alternatives is that you don't need to install any software to use ExtractMe, as long as you have internet access, you can open your browser and use it, so it is really zero installation and zero burden. Moreover, it is completely free, without any payment threshold. It's also extremely easy to operate, even for novice computer users who are not very skillful in operation, you can quickly get started and easily complete the task of compressing and decompressing files.
How to use this free 7-Zip alternative on M If you need to compress, click on the top of the compressed file click on the Select File button. In the Finder pop-up window, navigate to the file location, select the file, click open. When the upload is finished, click Compress and wait for a few seconds.
If you want to unzip the file tap Select File to upload the archive file. After uploading, the site shows a preview of the file contents. Tap Extract All Files to wait for processing, tap Download to save the decompressed files, and finally open Finder to enter the download folder to confirm the integrity of the files.
- TraceceaIron Contributor
B1 Free Archiver is actually a solid choice if you're looking for an 7-Zip for Mac alternatives, and I'll tell you why.
So, first off, the interface is super clean and straightforward. You just drag and drop files into the app, and it can handle a bunch of formats, including RAR, ZIP, and even some less common ones, which is pretty cool. It’s like a breath of fresh air compared to some of the more cluttered archiving tools out there.
From my experience, it works pretty smoothly. If you're just looking to unzip a RAR file, you just select it, hit extract! It integrates well with Finder, which means you can quickly extract files directly from a right-click menu, making it really convenient to use. If you're used to 7-Zip's simplicity and effectiveness, As the best 7-Zip for Mac alternative, B1 Free Archiver should feel pretty familiar and easy to use. Definitely worth giving it a shot!
- HunterBlazeIron Contributor
If you're looking for a good 7-zip for mac alternative to replace the existing decompression software, then The Unarchiver app is definitely worth checking out. It's an open source decompressor for macOS, and the best thing about it is that it's completely free. The format of the program is compatible with 7z, ZIP, RAR and in terms of settings, I personally recommend setting it as the default decompressor.
How to use 7-Zip for Mac alternative
1. Double-click the software and click File > Preferences in the menu bar. In the Archive Formats tab, check All Formats2. Find the file you want to unzip in the Finder, double-click the file, and the tool will unzip it to the current directory automatically.
3. If you don't have Default Unzip set, right click on the file and select Open > The Unarchiver to find the file you want to unzip, double click on it and select the format you want to unzip it in, the tool will unzip it automatically.
4. Check the unzipped file in the Finder to make sure it's complete.
After the setting is completed, you only need to double-click the compressed file in the Finder, and the system will automatically call the Unarchiver to open rar file on mac, which greatly improves the decompression efficiency and makes the process of file handling smoother and more convenient. It's worth noting that The Unarchiver only focuses on decompression at the moment, and doesn't have the ability to compress files.
- DeclanGrayIron Contributor
If you’re looking for 7-Zip for Mac alternatives and you're after something free, you’ve got a few solid options to consider. Here are some that I've come across and found pretty handy:
1. Keka: This one's a favorite among Mac users. It's super simple to use and supports a ton of formats, including .zip, .rar, .7z, and more. It’s got a clean interface, so you won’t feel like you’re wrestling with software. You just drag and drop files, and boom, you’re good to go. I’ve used Keka for compressing some large file folders, and it worked like a charm.
2. The Unarchiver: If you’re mainly looking to unzip files, this is pretty solid. It handles a wide variety of formats and integrates nicely with Finder. It’s not as robust if you want to create archives, but for just extracting stuff, it gets the job done effortlessly. I’ve pulled out some weird file types with it, and it never let me down.
3. iZip: This one’s got a nice balance of ease and features. You can create and unzip .zip files with no hassle and even integrate with cloud services like Dropbox. It's user-friendly, and I’ve found it handy for sharing Zip files when I’m working on projects with others.
Overall, about the 7-zip for mac alternatives, each of these has its own vibe and strengths, so it kinda depends on what you’re looking for. If you just need something to zip and unzip, Keka or The Unarchiver will probably cover your needs without any fuss.