10 Best Free WinRAR Alternatives

The most beneficial software ever created is WinRAR. You may quickly exchange files that are smaller because this tool enables compression and decompression. WinRAR is essentially a commercial software, even if it offers a sample version. The finest free WinRAR alternatives are worth considering if you require software with compress-decompress functionality but discover that WinRAR doesn’t suit your needs.

Different apps to help compress and decompress files without spending a dime have been created by a number of developers. Unfortunately, selecting the finest one might be difficult because they all look nice and have great functions. You might download frauds that don’t function as you expected if you’re not picky enough. Check out these WinRAR alternatives now rather than waiting for it to happen to you!

Alternatives to WinRAR That Are Best For Free

Finding the best WinRAR alternatives doesn’t require you to be a computer whiz. The top 10 free WinRAR substitutes that are compatible with your PC are listed below. You may readily download and utilise these tools because they are free. Make your selection from the list below by scrolling farther!

1. 7-Zip

File compression and decompression are made simple by the cross-platform software 7-Zip. You may download this open-source software for free, and it gives you a lot of options when utilising the software . You may trust this application to handle any archives because it is designed to create and open archives, just as WinRAR. It’s intriguing to see that 7-Zip is said to provide 10% better compression than competing apps.

Using this tool, you can get up to 70% compression when you compress a folder to the 7z format. The program’s own system format that permits simpler compression is called 7z. Thankfully, various platforms and software now support this format. What more can the software accomplish? The fact is that it can unzip compressed folders in a number of formats.

A great replacement that offers many conveniences is 7-Zip. As little as 1MB makes up the majority of the software. Furthermore, it uses system resources rather than importing external files that make your machine slower. If you’re seeking for a free alternative to WinRAR for Mac OS, 7-Zip has also created Keka, which is the official 7-Zip for Mac.

2. PeaZip

Another great application to replace WinRAR is PeaZip. Even though the programme is totally free, it has useful functions that will help you manage your files and folders. Additionally, for a better experience, users are permitted to handle their files effectively. Mac users must find other solutions because the application only supports Windows and Linux.

To open and produce compressed files, PeaZip offers simple yet practical functionality. A password manager that enables you to create a master password for all files is one of the nicest things this software has to offer. Additionally, it has compression capabilities that let you open more than 150 different file formats and add compressed versions of them to your file. 7Z, ARC, and BZip2 are a some of the supported file types.

PeaZip performs admirably in terms of both file size and speed. Older laptops and desktops can run this software because it only takes up 10MB of storage space. Despite not being the quickest application, WinRAR can be successfully replaced by this one. Additional reading: Best Free WinZip Alternatives.

3. B1 Free Archiver

B1 Free Archiver is undoubtedly the tool for you if you’re seeking for a powerful one with straightforward features. A few operating systems, including Windows and Linux, are supported by this free software. You can download this app to your mobile device because it functions well on Android as well. It is appealing because B1 Free Archiver supports both online and offline archivers for maximum convenience.

When you can’t download the application onto your PC, the online archiver comes in handy. It helps to open the archiver in your browser, add the files or directories, and then download the compressed version. To avoid installing harmful adware, uncheck the add-on instals if you wish to download the software.

Many ZIP formats, including 7z, rar, jar, b1, and many more, are supported by B1 Free Archiver. Although some users think it’s too simple, this software has a straightforward interface that even beginners can use. B1 Free Archiver, however, is a reliable replacement for WinRAR if you don’t like the way it appears.

4. ExtractNow

Dedicated Windows users can use ExtractNow to replace WinRAR. You should check your Windows version before downloading this software as it is specifically made for Windows 98 and later. There is no premium version of the tool; it is entirely free. To compress and decompress files and folders, nevertheless, it works quite well.

ExtractNow is a fantastic option for new users thanks to its clear, simple, and intuitive layout. Despite some of them being incompatible with this software, it supports most common ZIP formats. You only need to drag and drop the files, and the tool will handle the rest, to compress a file. A different option is to right-click the file in Explorer and select ExtractNow.

There are a lot of positive things to learn from this curriculum. It not only has a variety of capabilities but also supports a number of ZIP formats. You can, for example, choose a default folder where all extracted files will be saved. Alternately, you can choose the course by hand.

5. Hamster Zip Archiver

One of the greatest free alternatives to WinRAR for Windows systems is Hamster Zip Archiver. You won’t have to spend a lot of time learning how to use this application because the free software has an easy-to-use interface and a straightforward design. Even though Hamster Zip Archiver is free, it offers a tonne of options to enhance your compress-decompress experience.

Only a few ZIP formats are supported by this archiver as compared to other apps. It has restrictions when creating new archives and can only handle 7z and ZIP files. You may still open a variety of formats using the software, though.

Language problems are another shortcoming of this application. The installer, according to some users, uses Russian rather than English, which makes the installation procedure difficult. All things considered, Hamster Zip Archiver is a wonderful software to download, especially if you don’t want to pay money for WinRAR.

6. Bandizip

Are you seeking for a free tool that doesn’t include any spyware or adware? One of the best WinRAR replacements is Bandizip, which you should download. This tool enables you to check files for viruses before opening them, assuring file security and preventing computer infection. In order to perform faster, especially on a high-end computer, the software also supports multi-core compression.

Bandizip has a user-friendly interface that provides a good learning experience for new users. The majority of compression formats, such as rar, zip, 7z, and zipx, are also supported. The software was created exclusively for Windows, more specifically Windows 7 and later. What about the element of security? As it employs the safest encryption algorithms, Bandizip is dependable and secure.

Despite being free, Bandizip has a tonne of features, such preview contents. By just right-clicking on the files, you can use this capability to preview compressed contents. You can guarantee the security of your PC by not requiring extraction. Along with that, it supports a variety of languages, including Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian.

7. Zipware

Zipware greatly simplifies and streamlines your compress-decompress process. A few features that this fantastic application delivers make this software more useful than you could imagine. All the settings you might possibly need are available on its vivid, vibrant buttons. The fact that this tool is entirely free to download and use astounds me. Zipware is quite simple to use, as learners will discover.

Zipware offers a virus scan feature similar to Bandizip. You can keep your computer healthy and avoid getting infected with viruses with the highlight function. Given that it was created exclusively for the Windows operating system, this software is sort of good news for Windows users. A Windows XP operating system or newer must be installed on your machine.

Rar, rar5, and 7zip are just a few of the popular archiving formats supported by Zipware. Additionally, it supports tar and gzip, two Linux archive formats. The software is made to run quickly and reliably, enabling you to manage big archives with ease. With files as small as 3.0MB, Zipware is thankfully rather lightweight.

8. Ashampoo Zip

Ashampoo Zip is a contender if you’re seeking for a WinRAR substitute. The more than 60 various formats supported by this compression application to produce and extract archives, including arc, rar, zip, xpi, and many others, make it both lightweight and powerful. With multicore capability for quicker processes, the software is recognised for its quick and dependable performance. Fortunately, both novice and experienced users can use the ZIP engine.

It not only provides customary functionality like opening and making archives, but it also enables you to make self-extracting files. An uncommon function in a free software , it aids in the repair of corrupted archives. The latest version has cloud browsers that make it simple to transfer files to numerous cloud services, including Dropbox, One Drive, and Google Drive.

The Ashampoo Zip preview function is another another incredible feature. It works for the first five archive files and enables previewing of files without extracting them to the computer. Fast speed, 4K display support, and no additional software are further standout qualities. In conclusion, Ashampoo Zip is a fantastic tool for handling compression.

9. BreeZip

BreeZip is a pretty good substitute for WinRAR if you’re working with popular archive types. Popular formats including tar, gzip, rar, zip, and 7zip are supported by this compression software . The utility can easily extract archive files for you.

To enhance your compress-decompress experience, BreeZip has a wealth of functions. In addition to creating and accessing archive files, it also has other features including file browsing, viewing, and extraction. Breezip has a password feature that enables you to make password-protected archives, which will help to safeguard the security of your files.

10. Quick Zip

You also have Quick Zip on the list, which is not the least. Though completely free, this WinRAR substitute offers powerful and quick performance. A few archive formats are supported, including zip, rar, and 7zip. The software has a multi-pane interface that makes it simple to view files, directories, and properties. Many thanks to the Help section, which helps new users.

Furthermore, Speedy Zip has a drag-and-compress function that provides quick compression. Additionally, you can click a button to define the compression levels, add comments, or carry out other tasks. This top-rated free WinRAR replacement is capable of handling default values with ease.