Did you receive a RAR file on your Mac, but do not know how to open it? Apple doesn’t provide an inbuilt utility to extract RAR file format. So if you are looking for excellent RAR file extractors for your Mac then go through the below list to select the one best suited for your requirements.
What is a RAR archive file
Just like a Zip file or .zip file, RAR is also a compressed file containing many individual files and folders inside. RAR helps reduce size of files and folders considerably along with keeping the content fully intact, makes it easier to store on external storages or to transfer files and folders over the internet easily.
The real advantage of RAR compression compared to Zip file is, firstly it can achieve a much higher compression ratio and secondly unlike zip files when corrupted much easier to recover the data.
9 Best RAR Extractors for Mac
Since Apple doesn’t natively support .RAR file decompression, we have provided a list of free RAR file extractors below which you can consider for your Mac.
1. The Unarchiver
Top of the list we have The Unarchiver which is a powerful file extractor supporting almost all file types. You can unzip any format file without launching the app from the file itself, including RAR archive format on your Mac.
It is absolutely free to use and can be installed very quickly. This is the number one one pick for the RAR file opener for Mac.
Features –
- Free & exclusive for Mac.
- Supports many archive formats.
- Can read foreign characters.
- Quick and efficient extractor.
2. B1 Free Archiver
B1 Free Archiver is another simple and fast RAR file Extractor for Mac which is an open source tool and absolutely free to use. It is a very reliable tool to install, implementing all safety standards, and supports almost all popular archive formats including RAR.
Its user-friendly interface is simple to navigate and it is cross platform compatible.
Features –
- Open source & Free to use.
- Cross platform compatible.
- Simple and friendly user interface.
- Supports most popular archive formats.
3. RAR Extractor – Unarchiver
RAR Extractor – Unarchiver is another excellent free RAR file Extractor for Mac which supports almost all archive formats including RAR format. It is a very fast, safe and convenient utility with a simple user interface. This RAR file reader for Mac utility is Apple notarized and supports most macOS versions.
Features –
- Absolutely free utility.
- Supports many archive formats.
- Very fast, safe and convenient tool.
- Can decompress in the batches.
4. StuffIt Expander 16
Another reliable and popular RAR Extractor for Mac is StuffIt, with over 30 years of experience in uncompress and decompress archive files. It’s simple and easy to use interface is breeze and is also very fast to extract files. It is an absolutely free tool available on the Mac App Store.
Features –
- Free tool available on Mac App Store.
- Supports most archive formats.
- Quick and hassle free utility.
- Supports most macOS versions.
5. WinZip for Mac
WinZip has been around for a long time and it is a highly popular compress file extractor mostly for zip format but it also supports many other archive formats including RAR.
It is also cross platform compatible and supports a strong AES encryption to protect files. This quick and reliable tool also supports cloud sharing options.
Features –
- Most popular and Free compress extractor.
- Supports many other compressed formats.
- Reliable and Quick utility.
- Extensive feature list.
6. RAR Extractor and Expander
Another free RAR extractor for the list we have RAR Extractor & Expander available for free on Mac App Store. It supports the right context service menu for added convenience. You can decompress most of the archive formats including RAR. The interface is easy and simple to use.
Features –
- Free utility available on Mac App Store.
- Supports most archive formats.
- Right context service menu is supported.
- Easy and simple to use.
7. MacPar deLuxe
MacPAR deLuxe stands as a renowned utility for Mac users, providing a seamless solution for handling and repairing split archives, particularly in the popular PAR and PAR2 formats. This software offers a user-friendly interface, enabling users to effortlessly combine, verify, and repair damaged or incomplete files often encountered in downloaded archives.
Its versatility and ability to reconstruct files make it an invaluable tool for ensuring data integrity and completeness in downloaded archives on Mac systems.
Features –
- Absolutely free & exclusive to Mac.
- Simple and quick utility.
- Supports upload & download binary contents.
- All versions of macOS are supported.
8. iZip for Mac
iZip for Mac is another reliable RAR Extractor of Mac which is absolutely free so it helps zip, unzip and unRAR files on your Mac. It also supports all major modern archive formats, including fully encrypted archives. You can also securely share your archives with AES-256 encryption.
Features –
- Free extraction utility.
- Supports all major archive formats.
- Can compress and decompress files.
- Cross platform compatible.
9. BandiZip 365: Archiver
Finally on the list we have BandiZip 365: Archiver which supports more than 30+ archive formats including RAR makes it one of the best RAR file Extractor for Mac. It is an All-inclusive tool providing extensive features like for every requirement.
It supports all major macOS versions, and comes with a one month free trial version to check before making a purchase.
Features –
- Free All-in-One Archiver for Mac.
- Supports 30+ archive formats.
- Supports compression & Decompression.
- Supports all latest macOS versions.
Frequently Asked Questions –
Q1. How do I unpack a RAR file on Mac?
The native Archive utility on Mac doesn’t not support RAR archive file format, thus you need to get third-party software to unpack a RAR file on your Mac. Go through the list given above and select the one best suited for your needs and requirements.
Q2. What program opens .RAR files on Mac?
Unfortunately, the built-in Archive utility on Mac does not support .RAR archive format. To open .RAR files on your Mac, you need to download and install a third-party RAR extractor like The Unarchiver from the Mac App Store. Read the blog for detailed information about the free third-party RAR Extractor for Mac and pick your choice according to your preferences.
Q3. Will WinRAR work on Mac?
WinRAR has been a very popular compression and decompression software for Windows PC for a very long time now, but it only supports the Command Line version for Mac. You can use WinRAR on your Mac with a list of commands provided on its official website.
Q4. How do I extract RAR files from Windows to Mac for free?
There are plenty of third-party safe and secure softwares available to extract RAR files supporting cross platforms like B1 Free Archiver, which is available for both Windows and Mac.
But if you are looking for the best RAR Extractor exclusively for Mac then The Unarchiver is a great choice for its ease of use and efficiency.
Conclusion
Everytime you try to open a .RAR file on your Mac, it shows an unsupported file format since the native Archiver doesn’t support the archive format. Forcing you to look for an alternative free RAR Extractor for your Mac which is highly secure and efficient.
So go through the provided list above of all the best free RAR Extractor for Mac, and pick the one best suiting your needs and requirements.
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