7-Zip vs WinRAR
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
WinRAR
Windows archive manager for RAR and ZIP files
Where they differ
- 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.
- WinRAR can be bought with a one-time purchase.
At a glance
| 7-Zip | WinRAR | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free trial |
| Starts at | Free | $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT) |
| Free plan | Free, open-source software. No registration or payment is needed on any computer, including one in a commercial organization. | None |
| Free trial | None listed | 40-day trial: the publisher says the program can be used free of charge for 40 days |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Android | ||
| Made by | Igor Pavlov | RARLAB (published by win.rar GmbH) |
| Price read from | 7-zip.org | rarlab.com |
| Checked | Oct 5, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 |
Who each one suits
7-Zip
- Windows users who need to open or create archives at no cost
- Compressing large folders into 7z archives with a high compression ratio
- Organizations, since the license allows use on commercial computers without registration
WinRAR
- Anyone who has to create RAR archives, not only open them
- Splitting large files into volumes with a recovery record for transfer or storage
- Organizations buying perpetual per-seat licenses at volume prices
Worth knowing
7-Zip
- The graphical app and File Manager are for Windows; the Linux and macOS downloads are console versions only.
- RAR archives can be unpacked but not created; RAR is listed under unpacking-only formats.
- Help comes through the forum, bug reports and feature request systems on the project's SourceForge page.
WinRAR
- The graphical app is for Windows only; RAR for Linux, macOS and FreeBSD is command line only.
- Only RAR and ZIP archives can be created. Other formats, including 7Z, TAR and ISO, can only be unpacked.
- It is a trial product: 40 days of free use, then a paid license. Prices exclude VAT and each computer needs its own license.
- RAR for Android is a separate app, free with ads and with a paid ad-free option.
Key features
7-Zip
- 7z format with LZMA and LZMA2
- Creates 7z archives using LZMA or LZMA2 compression. The format supports solid compression, Unicode file names and compressed archive headers.
- Wide format support
- Packs and unpacks 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP and WIM, and unpacks many more formats, including RAR, ISO, DMG, CAB, MSI, VHD and VMDK.
- AES-256 encryption
- Archives in the 7z and ZIP formats can be encrypted with AES-256.
- Windows shell integration and File Manager
- Integrates with the Windows shell and includes its own File Manager for browsing and working with archives.
- Command line version
- A command line version ships with the Windows release, and console builds are offered for Linux and macOS on x86 and ARM processors.
- Self-extracting archives
- Can create self-extracting archives in the 7z format.
WinRAR
- RAR and ZIP archives
- Creates RAR and ZIP archives and unpacks CAB, ARJ, LZH, TAR, GZ, UUE, BZ2, JAR, ISO, 7Z, XZ and Z files.
- AES 256-bit encryption
- Archives can be password protected with AES encryption using a 256-bit key, which the publisher says covers the archive's metadata as well.
- Recovery record and repair
- A recovery record and recovery volumes make it possible to reconstruct archives even after physical damage.
- Self-extracting and multivolume archives
- Creates self-extracting archives and splits archives into volumes. Both are part of the license, with no add-ons to buy.
- Wizard mode and command line
- A Wizard mode reaches the basic archiving functions through questions and answers, and a command line interface ships alongside the graphical one.
- Solid archiving
- The publisher says solid archiving raises the compression rate by 10-50%, especially when packing a large number of small files.
Plans
7-Zip
7-Zip$0
The complete archiver for Windows, plus console versions for Linux and macOS. Most of the code is under the GNU LGPL.
WinRAR
Single-user license$29
one-time purchase, excluding VAT
One license to use the RAR archiver on one computer. The publisher describes licenses as perpetual, with no subscription.
Multi-user, 2-9 users$21
per user or computer, one-time, excluding VAT
For 2 to 9 licenses. A license is needed for each computer or client workstation where RAR is installed, used or accessed.
Multi-user, 10-24 users$16
per user or computer, one-time, excluding VAT
Per-license price when buying 10 to 24 licenses.
Multi-user, 25-49 users$13
per user or computer, one-time, excluding VAT
Per-license price when buying 25 to 49 licenses.
Multi-user, 50-99 users$10
per user or computer, one-time, excluding VAT
Per-license price when buying 50 to 99 licenses.
Multi-user, 100-999 users$6 to $8
per user or computer, one-time, excluding VAT
$8 each for 100-199 licenses, $7 for 200-499 and $6 for 500-999. Larger orders go through the sales team.
Ways to pay less
7-Zip
No public discounts listed.
WinRAR
- Lifetime license
Perpetual license with no subscription
The publisher describes WinRAR's license model as perpetual and valid for a lifetime, and says licenses are valid for all language and platform versions.
