# Archive tools for Mac

> Open RAR, 7z and other archives, and create compressed files.

From dockpicks (https://dockpicks.com/), a hand-picked, independent directory of Mac apps. Web page: https://dockpicks.com/archive-tools/

Group: Essentials. 4 apps, listed best first. Prices are the vendor's wording, checked October 2026, and can change.

Built into macOS: Archive Utility (Finder Compress). macOS handles Zip files out of the box: Control-click and choose Compress to make a .zip, or double-click a .zip to expand it. Apple only documents Zip for this, so if you are sent RAR, 7z or other formats, install a free unarchiver. Paid tools are only worth it if you regularly create or browse inside archives.

## 1. The Unarchiver

Free app that opens almost any archive format

- Price: Free
- Pricing model: Free. No payment needed for the full app.
- Usable without paying: Yes
- Open source: No
- Developer: MacPaw Way Ltd
- Website: https://theunarchiver.com/
- Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-unarchiver/id425424353
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/archive-tools/#the-unarchiver

Extracts a wide range of archive formats, including RAR, 7z, Zipx, Tar, Gzip, XZ, CAB, ISO and split files, plus many older formats like StuffIt. It only extracts; it does not create archives.

Our take: Install this on a new Mac and you will rarely need anything else for opening archives. It cannot create archives, so pair it with Keka if you need 7z or encrypted files.

## 2. Keka

Free archiver that creates 7z, Zip and more

- Price: Free; $6.49 on the Mac App Store
- Pricing model: Free. No payment needed for the full app.
- Usable without paying: Yes
- Open source: No
- Developer: aONe
- Website: https://www.keka.io/en/
- Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/keka/id470158793
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/archive-tools/#keka

Creates archives in formats including 7z, Zip, Tar, Gzip, XZ, ZSTD, DMG and ISO, with AES-256 encryption for 7z and archive splitting. It extracts over 30 formats, including RAR.

Our take: The best free choice if you also need to make archives, especially password-protected ones. The App Store copy is the same app and a way to support the developer.

## 3. BetterZip

Paid archiver for browsing and editing archives

- Price: $35 one-time
- Pricing model: Paid. A one-time purchase. A free trial may exist.
- Usable without paying: No
- Open source: No
- Developer: MacItBetter
- Website: https://macitbetter.com/
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/archive-tools/#betterzip

Creates, opens and edits archives in over 30 formats, letting you preview and extract individual files without unpacking everything. It adds Finder and Quick Look integration, presets and automation.

Our take: For people who work with archives daily and want to look inside or modify them without extracting. Overkill if you just open the odd RAR file.

## 4. Archiver

Open, preview and create archives on recent macOS

- Price: Not confirmed here; see the vendor site
- Pricing model: Paid. A one-time purchase. A free trial may exist.
- Usable without paying: No
- Open source: No
- Developer: Mapache Softworks GmbH
- Website: https://archiverapp.com/
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/archive-tools/#archiver

Opens RAR, Zip, 7z and dozens of other formats, previews contents without extracting, and creates archives with AES-256 encryption.

Our take: A modern-looking alternative to BetterZip. The current version requires macOS 26, so it is not an option on older Macs.