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WinRAR alternatives · Utilities

Free alternatives to WinRAR

WinRAR has no free plan. 130 of the 186 other desktop utilities in this directory are free or have a free plan.

WinRAR is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT). 66 of them have no paid plan at all; the rest pair a free plan with paid ones.

130 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to WinRAR

  1. 7-Zip

    Free, open-source file archiver with the 7z format

    What is free: Everything. There is no paid plan.

    • 7-Zip is free. WinRAR starts at $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT).
    • 7-Zip has a free plan. WinRAR does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only WinRAR lists an Android app.
    • 7-Zip is open source, according to its own site.
    7-Zip vs WinRAR7-Zip pricing and details

  2. Keka

    File archiver for macOS and iOS with drag-and-drop compression

    What is free: The full macOS app is a free download from keka.io. The site says the Mac App Store copy is the same app, bought to support development, and tips are optional.

    • Keka starts at $3.99 one-time for the iOS app; $6.49 one-time on the Mac App Store. WinRAR starts at $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT).
    • Keka has a free plan. WinRAR does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Keka lists an iOS app.
    • Only WinRAR lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    Keka vs WinRARKeka pricing and details

  3. The Unarchiver

    Free Mac app that opens RAR, 7z, Zip and many older archives

    What is free: Everything. There is no paid plan.

    • The Unarchiver is free. WinRAR starts at $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT).
    • The Unarchiver has a free plan. WinRAR does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only WinRAR lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • WinRAR can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    The Unarchiver vs WinRARThe Unarchiver pricing and details

  4. Bandizip

    Archiver for Windows and Mac that opens 40+ formats including RAR

    What is free: Windows edition is free to download and use, with ads; paid editions remove them and add Professional-only features.

    • Bandizip starts at $0.99 per month (Mac, Bandizip 365); Windows Professional $30 one-time. WinRAR starts at $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT).
    • Bandizip has a free plan. WinRAR does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only WinRAR lists Linux and Android apps.
    • WinRAR can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Bandizip vs WinRARBandizip pricing and details

  5. PeaZip

    Free file archiver for Linux, macOS and Windows

    What is free: Everything. There is no paid plan.

    • PeaZip is free. WinRAR starts at $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT).
    • PeaZip has a free plan. WinRAR does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only WinRAR lists an Android app.
    • PeaZip is open source, according to its own site.
    PeaZip vs WinRARPeaZip pricing and details

  6. Commander One

    Dual-panel file manager and FTP client for Mac

    What is free: A free version exists, including in the Mac App Store; PRO features are an in-app purchase there.

    • Commander One starts at $29.99 one-time for PRO. WinRAR starts at $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT).
    • Commander One has a free plan. WinRAR does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only WinRAR lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Commander One also covers file management.
    Commander One pricing and details

  7. FreeCommander

    Dual-pane Windows file manager, free 32-bit and paid 64-bit

    What is free: 32-bit version is free without time limit for private users; commercial users may test it for 30 days.

    • FreeCommander starts at €10 one-time download of the 64-bit version, excluding VAT. WinRAR starts at $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT).
    • FreeCommander has a free plan. WinRAR does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only WinRAR lists Linux, macOS and Android apps.
    • FreeCommander also covers file management.
    FreeCommander pricing and details

  8. BetterDisplay

    Display scaling, brightness and DDC control for Mac

    What is free: Non-business users keep the free features after the trial: DDC brightness, volume and input control, software dimming, the resolution slider and basic virtual screens. The terms say there are no purchase pop-ups or ads.

    • BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply). WinRAR starts at $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT).
    • BetterDisplay has a free plan. WinRAR does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only WinRAR lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • BetterDisplay also covers menu bar app and display control.
    BetterDisplay pricing and details

  9. Shottr

    Small Mac screenshot tool with annotation, OCR and a ruler

    What is free: Free to use for as long as you want, with most features available. After 30 days the app starts asking you to consider upgrading. Commercial use requires a license.

    • Shottr starts at $12 one-time purchase (Basic Tier). WinRAR starts at $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT).
    • Shottr has a free plan. WinRAR does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only WinRAR lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Shottr also covers screenshots.
    Shottr pricing and details

  10. AlDente

    Charge limiter and battery care app for MacBooks

    What is free: AlDente Free includes the Charge Limiter and manual Discharge. It cannot control charging while the MacBook is asleep or shut down.

    • AlDente starts at $13.99 / year, or $24.99 one-time for a lifetime license. WinRAR starts at $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT).
    • AlDente has a free plan. WinRAR does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only WinRAR lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • AlDente also covers menu bar app and system monitor.
    AlDente pricing and details

  11. PhraseExpress

    Text expander and template manager with on-premise sharing

    What is free: Free for personal use on Windows and Mac; license reminders start after 30 days of professional use or use of commercial-edition features. The iPhone and iPad app is free.

    • PhraseExpress has a free plan. WinRAR does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only PhraseExpress lists an iOS app.
    • Only WinRAR lists Linux and Android apps.
    • PhraseExpress also covers templates, clipboard manager and text expansion.
    PhraseExpress pricing and details

  12. aText

    Low-cost text expander for macOS and Windows

    What is free: The Windows app is a free download with paid Premium features, and the buy page refers to a free version. The vendor's pages do not list what the free version leaves out.

    • aText starts at $4.99 for a one-year Personal license. WinRAR starts at $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT).
    • aText has a free plan. WinRAR does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only WinRAR lists Linux and Android apps.
    • aText also covers text expansion.
    aText pricing and details

118 more that are free or have a free plan

All 130 in one table

Common questions

Is there a free alternative to WinRAR?

Yes. 7-Zip, Keka, The Unarchiver, Bandizip, PeaZip, Commander One, FreeCommander, BetterDisplay and 122 more are free or have a free plan.

Does WinRAR have a free plan?

WinRAR has no free plan. WinRAR is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT).

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to WinRAR: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.