The Unarchiver vs WinRAR

The Unarchiver

• Mac users who need to open RAR, 7z and other archive formats
• Opening old archives in formats such as StuffIt or DiskDoubler
• Archives whose file names use non-Latin characters

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

The Unarchiver

• It only extracts: the site lists the formats it can open and describes no way to create archives.
• The app is for macOS 10.13 or later. Windows and Linux get only the unar and lsar command-line tools, with no graphical app.
• Some formats are partly supported: StuffIt X is partial, Ace 2.0 and later is unsupported, and multi-part ARJ archives do not work.
• Version 4.3.9 added product usage analytics and a survey invitation, according to the App Store release notes.

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.

The Unarchiver

Common archive formats

Lists full support for Zip, Zipx, RAR, 7z, Tar, Gzip, Bzip2, LZMA and XZ, plus CAB, MSI, NSIS installers and common disc images such as ISO and BIN.

Encrypted and multi-volume archives

Opens RAR archives with encryption and multiple volumes and Zip archives with AES encryption, and can join split files named .001, .002.

Older and unusual formats

Unpacks formats such as StuffIt, DiskDoubler, LZH, ARJ and ARC, and Linux packages such as RPM and Deb. Support for some, including StuffIt X and Ace, is partial.

Filename encoding detection

Tries to detect and handle the filename encoding used inside an archive, so files named in non-Latin characters are not garbled.

Default app for archives

Can be set as the default app for archive files through Finder's Get Info window, after which archives open with it automatically.

unar and lsar command-line tools

The same unarchiving code is offered as two command-line tools, unar and lsar, which run on macOS, Windows and Linux.

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.

The Unarchiver

• The Unarchiver$0

  The complete app for macOS 10.13 or later, with every supported format included and no in-app purchases.

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.

The Unarchiver

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.