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The Keka Insider’s Guide

Everything we know about Keka in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.

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ToolGPAOctober 2026

Keka

The Insider’s Guide

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

Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from Keka’s own pages.

Made by aONe · checked Oct 6, 2026 · toolgpa.com

3.0GPA

Contents

  1. 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
  2. 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
  3. 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
  4. 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
  5. 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
  6. 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
  7. 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it

ToolGPA put this guide together from Keka’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Keka’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.

Part 01 · Overview

Welcome

What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first

3.0

GPA, above 84 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade

Keka is a file archiver for macOS, with a separate app for iPhone and iPad. Files dropped on its Dock icon or window are compressed into formats such as 7Z, ZIP, TAR and ZSTD, and it extracts those plus RAR and many others. Archives can be password-protected and split into pieces. The macOS app is free from the developer's website; the Mac App Store copy is the same app sold to support development.

To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Keka, taken from its own pages and our grades.

No store rating on record, but there's nothing to set up: drop files on the Dock icon and they're compressed without the app even opening.
From our grade for ease of use
  1. 1

    Best for zipping and unzipping on a Mac by drag and drop

    There's nothing for Windows, Linux or Android.

  2. 2

    What it costs

    Paid plans start at $3.99 one-time for the iOS app; $6.49 one-time on the Mac App Store.

  3. 3

    There is a free plan

    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.

  4. 4

    It runs on 2 platforms

    macOS and iOS.

  5. 5

    Drag-and-drop compression

    Files and folders dropped on the Dock icon or the Keka window are compressed, so the app does not need to be opened first.

  6. 6

    Wide format support

    Creates 7Z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, LZIP, DMG, ISO, BROTLI, ZSTD, LRZIP, AAR and WIM archives, and extracts those plus RAR, ZIPX, LZMA, EXE, CAB, MSI and more.

  7. 7

    Password protection

    Sets a password on an archive, using AES-256 encryption for 7z files and the legacy Zip 2.0 encryption for Zip files.

  8. 8

    A 3.0 GPA, above 84 of 94

    That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.

  9. 9

    Your call

    It depends on the utility: a converter or a calculator is an afternoon.

Keka at a glance

Pricing
Free plan, from $3.99 one-time for the iOS app; $6.49 one-time on the Mac App Store
Free plan
Yes
Free trial
None stated
Runs on
macOS, iOS
Made by
aONe, since 2009
Category
Desktop Utilities
Our grade
3.0 GPA, very good

The report card

Best for zipping and unzipping on a Mac by drag and drop

Keka is a Mac archiver: drop files on its Dock icon and get a 7Z or ZIP, with a password or split into parts. The Mac app is free from keka.io, but it can't create RAR files, needs a separate helper to become your default extractor, and the iPhone and iPad app is a separate $3.99. There's nothing for Windows, Linux or Android.

ToolGPA report cardKekaGraded Oct 10, 2026
SubjectGradeComment
Value for moneyAThe full Mac app is a free download from keka.io, nothing held back. The Mac App Store copy is the same app at $6.49, there to support development, and the iPhone and iPad app is $3.99 once.
Free plan and trialAThe website download is the whole macOS app with every format and setting, and tips are optional. Only the iOS app and the Mac App Store copy cost anything.
FeaturesCArchives are its one job: it makes 7Z, ZIP, TAR, ZSTD, DMG and ISO, opens those plus RAR, ZIPX, CAB and MSI, sets AES-256 passwords and splits big files. It's a smaller job than most utilities here, and it can't create a RAR.
Ease of useBNo store rating on record, but there's nothing to set up: drop files on the Dock icon and they're compressed without the app even opening. Making Keka your default for extracting needs a separate helper download.
Platforms and integrationsCMac, iPhone and iPad, so one family of devices. No Windows, Linux or Android version and no integrations listed. Legacy builds go back to Mac OS X 10.4.
Grade point averageVery good, out of 4.03.0

An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.

Who Keka is for

  • Fits if you make 7Z or ZIP archives on a Mac and don't want to pay for it
  • Works for older Macs, since legacy builds go back to Mac OS X 10.4

Who it is not for

  • Skip it if you're on Windows, Linux or Android, as it's Apple devices only
  • Not for you if you need to create RAR files, because it only extracts them
  • Watch out: the iPhone and iPad app is a separate $3.99, and the Mac App Store copy costs $6.49 for the app that's free on keka.io
  • Watch out: making Keka your default for extracting needs a separate helper download

Good to know

Good for

  • Mac users who want to create 7Z or ZIP archives by drag and drop
  • Sending password-protected or split archives
  • Older Macs: legacy builds go back to Mac OS X 10.4

Worth knowing

  • There is no Windows, Linux or Android version: Keka is for macOS and, as a separate purchase, iOS and iPadOS.
  • The website download is free, but the Mac App Store copy costs $6.49 and the iOS app $3.99 (US prices).
  • RAR archives can be extracted, but RAR is not on the list of formats Keka creates.
  • Setting Keka as the default extraction app needs a separate helper download.

Part 02 · Pricing

What it costs

Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved

$3.99 one-time

To start. There is a free plan too

Keka has a free plan. Paid plans start at $3.99 one-time for the iOS app; $6.49 one-time on the Mac App Store.

The full Mac app is a free download from keka.io, nothing held back.
From our grade for value for money

  • Website download

    $0

    The full macOS app from keka.io for Mac OS X 10.10 or newer. Tips through PayPal or GitHub Sponsors are optional.

  • Keka for iOS

    $3.99

    one-time purchase (US App Store)

    The iPhone and iPad app, which creates 7Z, ZIP, TAR, ZSTD, GZIP and BZIP2 archives and extracts many more. Requires iOS 15.5 or later.

  • Mac App Store

    $6.49

    one-time purchase (US Mac App Store)

    The same macOS app as the website version, updated through the App Store. Its in-app purchases are tips that add no features.

The free plan

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.

Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 6, 2026.

What the app costs elsewhere

Each country’s App Store price for the app, against $6.49 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.

CountryPrice thereIn dollarsAgainst the US
Canada$8.99$6.32about the same
Philippines₱ 399.00$6.35about the same
Australia$9.99$6.977% more
Turkey₺349,99$7.1210% more
South AfricaR129.99$7.8621% more
United Kingdom£5.99$7.9222% more
BrazilR$ 39,90$7.9723% more
Mexico$149.00$8.1926% more

Part 03 · Features

What it does

Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it

2

Places it runs: macOS and iOS

File archiver for macOS and iOS with drag-and-drop compression. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: works offline, file compression.

It's a smaller job than most utilities here, and it can't create a RAR.
From our grade for features
Drag-and-drop compression
Files and folders dropped on the Dock icon or the Keka window are compressed, so the app does not need to be opened first.
Wide format support
Creates 7Z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, LZIP, DMG, ISO, BROTLI, ZSTD, LRZIP, AAR and WIM archives, and extracts those plus RAR, ZIPX, LZMA, EXE, CAB, MSI and more.
Password protection
Sets a password on an archive, using AES-256 encryption for 7z files and the legacy Zip 2.0 encryption for Zip files.
Split archives
Splits an archive into pieces when it is too large for email or a server. The pieces expand back into the original file.
Keka for iOS
A separate iPhone and iPad app compresses, extracts and browses archives, previews their contents and can be reached from other apps through Share Actions.
Legacy versions
Older builds stay on the website for Macs that cannot run the current release, going back to a version for Mac OS X 10.4.

Where it runs

  • macOS
  • iOS

What it works with

Its own pages name no integrations.

Keka is made by aONe, and has been around since 2009.

Part 04 · Standing

Where it stands

Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own

84/94

Other desktop utilities it is graded above

Keka's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 84 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 8.

It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 49 of 94) and worst on features (C, above 1).

Each grade against the category

Every bar is all 95 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. Keka’s own letter is outlined.

  • AValue for moneyAbove 24 of 94
  • AFree plan and trialAbove 49 of 94
  • CFeaturesAbove 1 of 94
  • BEase of useAbove 33 of 94
  • CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 65 of 94

Keep it, or make your own?

Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.

Your call

It depends on the utility: a converter or a calculator is an afternoon.

You could make the core of Keka for yourself: file compression. What you would give up is listed below. Whether that is worth the price is your call. At $3.99, paid once, it costs less than the weekend it would take to replace, which is the argument for keeping it.

What you could make

  • File compression: an app builder makes this well.

What you could not

  • Apps for macOS and iOS that stay in step with each other.

What this rests on. Keka’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.

Part 05 · Alternatives

The alternatives

The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side

The Unarchiver, 7-Zip and WinRAR

The 3 tools Keka is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.

  • 2.8GPA

    The Unarchiver

    Free

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

    • Only Keka lists an iOS app.
    Keka and The Unarchiver compared in full
  • 3.0GPA

    7-Zip

    Free

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

    • Only Keka lists an iOS app.
    • Only 7-Zip lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • 7-Zip is open source, according to its own site.
    Keka and 7-Zip compared in full
  • 2.8GPA

    WinRAR

    Free trial · from $29 one-time

    Windows archive manager for RAR and ZIP files.

    • 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 and WinRAR compared in full

Part 06 · Questions

Quick answers

The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two

11

Questions, each answered in a line or two

The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.

Is Keka free?

Keka has a free plan. The full macOS app is a free download from keka.io.

How much does Keka cost?

Keka lists 3 plans. Website download: $0.

What platforms does Keka work on?

Keka is available on macOS and iOS.

Does Keka have an Android app?

No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Keka is listed for macOS and iOS.

Does Keka have a Windows app?

No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Keka is listed for macOS and iOS.

Is Keka open source?

Keka is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.

Does Keka work offline?

Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.

Who makes Keka?

Keka is made by aONe. It dates from 2009.

What are the alternatives to Keka?

The closest alternatives to Keka in our directory are The Unarchiver, 7-Zip and WinRAR.

How does Keka compare with other desktop utilities?

Keka's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 84 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 8.

Could I make my own version of Keka?

It depends on the utility: a converter or a calculator is an afternoon.

Where this guide comes from

The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Keka’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Keka's own pages on 6 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-03-21.

Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by aONe. Prices change, so check keka.io before you buy.

Part 07 · About

About ToolGPA

Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it

3,189

Tools graded, in 94 categories

ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.

Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.

  • 3,189

    tools graded

  • 94

    categories

  • 426

    price changes on record

  • 579

    apps priced in 12 countries

What else is on toolgpa.com

Scan for the live page

Prices and grades as they are today

Quoting this guide?

Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:

ToolGPA, "Keka: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/keka

Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?

Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/keka/guide

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See our other guides

The best-graded desktop utilities after Keka, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.

ToolGPA

Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.

Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›

Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Keka’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Keka is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by aONe. Prices and plans change: check keka.io before you buy.