What is the best free program to open zip and rar files?

7-Zip is the best free program for zip, rar and 7z files on Windows. It is open source, has no ads and no nag screens. Windows can open plain .zip files by itself; you only need 7-Zip for rar, 7z or password protected archives. On Mac, The Unarchiver does the same job free.

Sites last checked 15 Oct 2026. How we test

Our pick

7-Zip

Our pick

Opens every archive type, free forever, no nagging.

Free Windows No ads · No trackers

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7-Zip homepage on a phone — 7-Zip on a phone, captured 15 Oct 2026

Also good

PeaZip

Good

Open source archiver with a friendlier look.

Free Windows, Mac, Linux No ads · No trackers

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The Unarchiver

Good

Opens rar, 7z and more on Mac.

Free Mac 1 ad network · 2 trackers

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WinRAR

Good

Works, but nags you to buy a license.

Paid Windows No ads · 2 trackers

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Good to know

Keep your archive tool updated. Old versions of popular unzippers have had serious security holes.

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