Icon of program: WinRAR

WinRAR for Mac

  • Free
  • In English
  • V7
  • 2.7
  • (79)
Swati Mishra
Swati MishraUpdated last year

Popular compression software for macOS

WinRAR is a popular archiver that you can download on your macOS computer. The software is quite versatile and can compress, package, and backup files stored on your PC. With its help, you can reduce the size of folders so that they’re easy to share over email and other sites that have a size restriction in place. In addition to this, WinRAR for Mac lets users encrypt data and create new RAR files. It also offers a free 40-day trial period.

As a compression software program, the WinRAR download works well on all types of files, including movies, photographs, music, documents, and more. However, the macOS version of the software doesn’t have a user interface and features a command-line design. Owing to this, a lot of beginners consider it difficult to use. For such users, archiver applications like WinZip, The Unarchiver, UnRarX, and iShrink could be better options. 

What is WinRAR, and do I need it?

WinRAR download is a compression software program that works fast to create archives. These archives don’t take too much space, so users can easily transfer them via email or other sites. It also saves transfer time and prevents users from wasting too much bandwidth. When it comes to creating archives, WinRAR is quite efficient and offers various advanced features. 

What can users expect from the interface?

If you look at WinRAR Windows 10, you’ll notice a simple interface with various options that let you archive, open, and backup files. Unfortunately, the interface hasn’t been included in the app’s macOS version. Instead, users have to work with a command-line design that requires users to have prior knowledge of how the software works. 

The absence of a graphical interface makes it difficult for beginners to get accustomed to the program. However, once they learn a few commands, they’re able to use WinRAR’s available features exceptionally well.  All operations that need to be performed take place on a Terminal window and with set commands and corresponding values. 

What are the features of WinRAR?

When you download WinRAR for macOS, you get access to a utility tool that is quite efficient at compressing files. Once you run the program from the Terminal windows, it automatically identifies the type of multimedia file you wish to archive and then selects the best archiving method. In addition to this, the software works very fast and can extract and compress files quickly.

For users who often send sensitive information over the web, the WinRAR download comes with an encryption feature. It boasts 128-bit encryption and signature authentication technology that protects your data from any unauthorized action. Furthermore, WinRAR lets users split compressed files into different volumes so that users can quickly save them on multiple drives. 

How do I use WinRAR for Mac?

Considering that WinRAR for MAC doesn’t offer a user interface but a command-line design, users may face trouble using the tool. Nevertheless, learning a few commands can help them access the tool’s many features without much hassle. For instance, to create a RAR file, users have to click on Applications, followed by Utilities, and then Terminal. 

From here, users must change the path to the folder containing the files they wish to compress. The command would be - rar a .rar. Once you hit enter, the software will compress the files in the source folder to the archive defined by the user. To extract files, users need to click on Terminal and choose the file they wish to extract. From there they need to send the command - unrar rar. 

While Windows users enjoy WinRAR’s ability to extract files from a range of formats like XZ, ARJ, ISO, TAR, CAB, and Z, among others. This functionality isn’t yet available for Mac OS computers. As of now, the software can only extract and compress RAR and ZIP files.

Does WinRAR offer customer support?

WinRAR is available in two languages: English and German. The offering of both languages gives it access to a much larger audience base. In case you end up facing any issues when using the program, you can write to the company via email and expect to receive a response within 48 hours. Furthermore, the company also has a detailed FAQs page for users to find answers to almost all queries that they might have. 

Is WinRAR for free?

As shareware, WinRAR comes with a free 40-day trial period, during which you can test the program without paying anything upfront. In fact, the program doesn’t even ask you to share your credit card or debit card details. Users who do purchase the license have an option to mix versions so that they have access to a tool that meets all their needs. 

Another great aspect about WinRAR is that after the 40-day trial ends, users only get a prompt to make the payment. Even if they don’t, they can continue using WinRAR for MAC free of cost. Nevertheless, organizations and enterprises can save time and avoid getting unnecessary prompts by purchasing the app’s license. 

Version 7.00 Beta 4 update

WinRAR’s latest version comes with minor changes that contribute to a smoother user experience. Headlining these is a fixed version of the “exhaustive search” archiving mode paired with the placing of extracted files to the current folder instead of the disk root when the command “WinRAR x arcname.rar \” is run. However, users must take note that the timestamps of files extracted from UDF .iso archives don’t include the offset of the time zones yet.

Should I download WinRAR?

WinRAR is powerful compression software that can help you decrease the size of large files so you can easily send them over the web. In addition to this, the tool comes with 128-bit encryption that lets you protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. It also comes with a useful feature that lets you compress multiple files into different folders.

You can further enjoy the free 40-day trial period before committing 100%. There is a perpetual license available, as well as free feature upgrades. The program promises fast compression and extraction capabilities. The only drawback about the program is that it doesn’t have a user interface and works with a command-line design, making it difficult for beginners.  

  • Pros

    • Lets users compress and backup files
    • Option to encrypt sensitive data
    • Works well on all types of files
  • Cons

    • Doesn’t have a user interface
 0/1

App specs

Also available in other platforms

Program available in other languages


Icon of program: WinRAR

WinRAR for Mac

  • Free
  • In English
  • V7
  • 2.7
  • (79)

User reviews about WinRAR

by The Dhruvinator

This is fricking fake, Softonic bundles adware with their apps.

by Anonymous

review2. It's much faster than GUI version. It's also much more stable AND does checksums etc, which is more robust and useful than what some other programs do, like simplyrar (which does not support password protected files, as far as I've read, and is not developed anymore).

by Anonymous

stop scaring other users - it's absolutely stable, 100% functional program. It supports volume splitting, password protection - everything ! What people do not understand here, is that iPhone etc is not all there is to Mac, and if you are used to absolute simplicity of dragging something into app folder, then clicking it and it works - it does not mean that everyone else "does not belong to 21st century", it simply means that you are not as computer-savvy as you probably like to think.Anyway, for those who would like to know how to use this, here are very simple instructions:

by Anonymous

Good for Pentium II Celeron users !!. Some guys are having problems ???Well, to use this program you need to buy a Windows PC with Pentium-II celeron processor and 2GB hard disk. And please dont forget to go to DOS class room and learn bit of DOS too.Whats wrong guys? Command line execution... in 21st century???You dont need a Mac, u r fit for DOs - if u want this program. Thats it. Pros: Good For guys who work on DOS or Windows 3.1.1 on a Pentium II Celeron Cons: Not Fit for Mac users!!!

by Anonymous

Dennis Hodges is a moron.... Dennis Hodges is a moron...It's a command line utility only usable in the Terminal Application.But it can easily be added to BetterZip as a 'Helper' Pros: Works perfectly! Cons: None.

by Anonymous

Doesn't work!. I downloaded this software this morning and can't get it to run. I'm no IT wizard but I assumed it would open and run like most software does on my Mac. It didn't. Very disappointed. Pros: I have not seen any Cons: It doesn't work

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Laws concerning the use of this software vary from country to country. We do not encourage or condone the use of this program if it is in violation of these laws.
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Your review for WinRAR
Softonic

In Softonic we scan all the files hosted on our platform to assess and avoid any potential harm for your device. Our team performs checks each time a new file is uploaded and periodically reviews files to confirm or update their status. This comprehensive process allows us to set a status for any downloadable file as follows:

Clean

It’s extremely likely that this software program is clean.

What does this mean?

We have scanned the file and URLs associated with this software program in more than 50 of the world's leading antivirus services; no possible threat has been detected.

Warning

This software program is potentially malicious or may contain unwanted bundled software.

Why is the software program still available?

Based on our scan system, we have determined that these flags are possibly false positives.

What is a false positive?

It means a benign program is wrongfully flagged as malicious due to an overly broad detection signature or algorithm used in an antivirus program.

We’d like to highlight that from time to time, we may miss a potentially malicious software program. To continue promising you a malware-free catalog of programs and apps, our team has integrated a Report Software feature in every catalog page that loops your feedback back to us.

Flag any particular issues you may encounter and Softonic will address those concerns as soon as possible.