RAR files are 1 of the most common annal formats. If you lot're unfamiliar with how to open a RAR file, or yous've got 1 recently, then this listing may assistance.

All ten of these RAR openers are piece of cake to apply, skilful at compressing files, and they are gratuitous or paid depending on the features yous're looking for.

i. WinZip

Home screen of WinZip

As its name implies, WinZip is typically used to open up ZIP files. Still, it also opens several other formats, including RAR, 7z, CAB, and ISO. With its simple interface, WinZip lets you open your RAR files instantly.

Forth with opening RAR and other compressed file types, WinZip lets you encrypt files using 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryption. As a bonus, users can as well resize pictures and add watermarks. You can also share or save your file instantly using electronic mail, clipboard, or deject storage services similar Dropbox or Google Bulldoze.

Y'all can download WinZip for free and utilize it for 21 days. Later on the trial flow, it'south only $29.95 for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Download: Winzip for Windows | Mac | Android | iOS | (Gratis)

2. WinRAR

WinRAR RAR Opener Windows

WinRAR is one of the well-nigh popular unarchiving software. It allows users to seamlessly extract all pop formats such as RAR, CAB, 7Z, and ZIP. In addition, the software supports 128-bit and 256-fleck AES encryption.

The UI is novice-friendly, and the big buttons make extracting archives a piece of cake. WinRAR also supports multi-volume athenaeum.

If yous're looking for an easy tool for opening RAR files that offers much more than, then check out WinRAR. You can download it for free and attempt it out for 40 days. If y'all determine to purchase, WinRAR is currently priced at $29 and is available for Windows.

Download: WinRAR (Free trial)

3. PeaZip

PeaZip RAR Opener Windows

PeaZip is a complimentary tool that supports major archive formats including 7Z, CAB, and XAR.

The PeaZip interface is as well piece of cake to use. Just open the awarding, browse for your RAR file, and either double-click to open it or click the Extract button to extract the files to a dissimilar location.

For a good free tool to open up RAR files and create your own, PeaZip is an excellent pick. It's likewise open-source and available for Windows and Linux.

Download: PeaZip for Windows | Linux | (Gratis)

4. seven-Zip

7-Zip RAR Opener Windows

After WinRAR, 7-Zip is the near popular utility for opening RAR files. An intuitive interface, with a minimalistic design, makes using this software a breeze.

In terms of usefulness, vii-Cypher supports all major archive formats and allows users to extract multi-volume files. This free software offers 256-chip AES encryption also. Currently, the program is only bachelor for Windows.

Download: 7-Zip (Gratuitous)

5. B1 Free Archiver

B1 Free Archiver RAR Opener Windows

B1 Free Archiver is the most modern-looking annal among the ones mentioned hither. It has support for its native B1 format compression forth with more 20 pop annal formats.

Users can also separate large archives into smaller sizes, create password-protected archives, and supports 256-bit AES encryption. The only drawback is that users tin but create B1 and Nil archives.

The software is available on all major platforms including, Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.

Download: B1 Free Archiver for Windows | Mac | Linux | Android | (Free)

6. The Unarchiver

Unarchiver screenshot
Paradigm Credit: The Unarchiver

Unarchiver has been effectually for a while. If you are a Mac user, you have probably heard of it. The interface is smooth and allows for easy navigation. Additionally, The Unarchiver supports more archive formats than Mac's native UnRAR utility.

Its standout features include the power to read not-Latin characters, and it's free for use. The Unarchiver also supports some lesser-known file formats such equally XAR, RPM, and Deb.

The Unarchiver is but available for Macintosh systems only.

Download: The Unarchiver (Free)

vii. IZArc

IZArc RAR opener

Loaded with features and light every bit a feather, IZArc is the holy grail for RAR archivers in underpowered computers. The features rival big players such every bit WinRAR, all while not taking a huge toll on system performance. The interface is clean and doesn't contain any fancy animations.

IZArc allows for disc spanning, creating cocky-extracting archives, and adding comments to an annal. In addition, it also contains the typical features i would await from a RAR opener, such every bit zip encryption, virus scanning, and creation of multi-volume archives.

IZArc is currently bachelor for Windows and iOS merely. And so, there's no Mac support.

Download: IZArc (Free)

8. Bandizip

Bandizip home screen

Bandizip is another feature-loaded RAR opener for both Windows and Mac users. It supports all modern pinch formats with a clean UI to make extraction a cakewalk. It supports more than than xxx formats including popular ones such as RAR, RAR5, Zilch, and 7Z.

While the software is initially free, there are lots of additional features that become bachelor on buy. These include an archive repairer and password recovery, amongst others. Every bit a bonus, Bandizip has a built-in password director and in that location are multiple reasons for using i.

Bandizip is bachelor for both Windows and Mac systems. The paid version costs $30 for a single-user license.

Download: Bandizip for Windows | Mac (Gratuitous, Pay for additional features)

Extract Now home screen

ExtractNow is by far the lightest archiving software amidst all. Information technology takes up just four.4MB of disk space later installation. A simple and intuitive user interface adds to the minimalist arroyo.

Information technology supports all major archive formats and allows you to extract multiple files in one go. The UI has multi-linguistic communication support as well. ExtractNow can also scan folders for archives and automatically extract them.

ExtractNow is gratuitous to use and is currently available on Windows only.

Download: ExtractNow (Free)

10. Ashampoo Zero Free

Ashampoo ZIP Free home screen

Another pop RAR opener, Ashampoo ZIP costless is a feature-packed software that is more than enough for all your archiving needs. It's unproblematic to use, thanks to its tile-based UI.

The archiver supports most all compression formats and allows users to create archives. It also supports 256-bit AES encryption and tin repair broken ZIP files.

Ashampoo ZIP Free is simply available for Windows. Users will need to provide their email in order to obtain the free license key.

Download: Ashampoo Goose egg Free

Go the RAR Opener That Fits Your Needs

Whatsoever of these programs, such as WinZip and WinRAR, or costless compression software, will work on Windows or any other operating system to extract RAR files.

While a couple of these applications are available for macOS and Android, check out these other options for opening RAR files if you lot own a Mac or boosted tools for extracting RAR files on Android.