# WinRAR

> Windows archive manager for RAR and ZIP files

WinRAR is an archive manager for Windows from RARLAB, published by win.rar GmbH. It creates RAR and ZIP archives, unpacks a dozen other formats, and adds AES 256-bit encryption, multivolume and self-extracting archives, and recovery records that can repair damaged files. It is sold as a perpetual per-computer license after a 40-day trial, with command-line RAR for Linux, macOS and FreeBSD and a separate RAR app for Android.

- **Category:** Desktop Utilities
- **Made by:** RARLAB (published by win.rar GmbH)
- **Website:** https://www.rarlab.com
- **Runs on:** Windows, Linux, macOS, Android
- **Facts last checked:** Oct 6, 2026

## Pricing

WinRAR is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $29 one-time, single-user license (excluding VAT).

- **Pricing model:** Free trial
- **Free plan:** None.
- **Free trial:** 40-day trial: the publisher says the program can be used free of charge for 40 days.

| Plan | Price | What you get |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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. |

Read from https://www.rarlab.com/shop2rarlab-index.php?prod=winrar on Oct 6, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with WinRAR before buying.

## Ways to pay less

- **Perpetual license with no subscription** (Lifetime license): 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. Source: https://www.win-rar.com/products-winrar.html

## Key features

- **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.

## Good for

- 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

- 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.

**Tags:** File compression, One-time purchase

## Alternatives

- [7-Zip](https://toolgpa.com/tools/7-zip): Free, open-source file archiver with the 7z format. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/7-zip-vs-winrar)
- [Keka](https://toolgpa.com/tools/keka): File archiver for macOS and iOS with drag-and-drop compression. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/keka-vs-winrar)
- [The Unarchiver](https://toolgpa.com/tools/the-unarchiver): Free Mac app that opens RAR, 7z, Zip and many older archives. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/the-unarchiver-vs-winrar)

## Sources

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 6, 2026:

- https://www.rarlab.com/
- https://www.rarlab.com/shop2rarlab-index.php?prod=winrar
- https://www.rarlab.com/shoprarlab.php
- https://www.rarlab.com/rar_archiver.htm
- https://www.rarlab.com/download.htm
- https://www.win-rar.com/features.html
- https://www.win-rar.com/products-winrar.html
- https://www.win-rar.com/rar-linux-mac.html
- https://www.win-rar.com/rar-for-android.html

Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/winrar
Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).