WinZip, WinRAR matches the competition with 256-bit password encryption available. However, the program is always speedy when you need to unzip a file and is easily the best RAR extractor. RAR always has a faster compression rate than ZIP when using WinRAR, but its overall compression rate is slower than WinZip or 7-Zip. With WinRAR, you can compress and create either a RAR or ZIP file, and the program automatically helps you to select the best compression method for your file.īased on the type of file and compression you need, tests have shown WinRAR to compress up to 40% of the original file in RAR format. They also have a physical version on CD available for $9.99 per order.Ĭompression rate and file size, compression method The software comes with a 40-day trial and is available in over 50 languages. But it only compresses in RAR or ZIP.Įach WinRAR license costs $29.99 plus $4.35 for the maintenance package, and both are lifetime purchases. WinRAR can decompress a wide range of common formats, including RAR, ARJ, LZH, GZip, UUE, CAB, TAR, ISO, Z, 7-Zip, and BZIP2. The key difference between the two is that WinRAR has a graphic interface, whereas RAR can only run directly from the command line. But they offer software called RAR for Mac and Linux. WinRAR only works on the Windows platform – XP and later, including 11.

Winzip open rar files