Inspect before extracting
Browse an archive as a tree, search entries, and extract only the files or folders you need.
Better UnArchiver
Better UnArchiver is a native macOS archive utility for browsing, selective extraction, encrypted ZIP and 7z creation, and multilingual filenames from Windows. Download it now from the Mac App Store.
Feature tour
See every step
From recent tasks to settings and the Pro purchase experience, these are the main Better UnArchiver surfaces.
Recent tasks & overview
See tasks, destinations, and results as soon as an archive is added.
Preview & extract
Browse an archive, choose its contents, and set the destination before extracting.
Create an archive
Choose ZIP, 7z, or tar-family formats and tune compression and volumes.
Archive rescue
Diagnose a damaged archive read-only, then salvage readable entries into a brand-new archive.
Batch queue
Queue several archives, review their sources and destination, and process them together.
1 / 5
Local-firstArchive contents are processed locally by default; only support attachments you explicitly submit are uploaded.
RAR4 / RAR5RAR is extraction-only; RAR creation and recovery-record repair are not offered.
AES-256Create encrypted ZIP and 7z archives.
One clear workspace for archive work
Better UnArchiver is a native macOS utility: inspect contents before choosing a destination, then keep format, encryption, and volume settings in view while creating archives.
Multilingual filenames
Detect common GBK, Big5, Shift-JIS, and EUC-KR filename encodings, with a manual override when needed.
Large files, batches, and salvage
Stream tasks, assemble volumes, and run read-only diagnostics; salvage creates a new archive and never changes the original.
Use cases
From everyday extraction to difficult archives
Inspect before extracting
Browse an archive tree, search entries, and extract only what you need when a full unpack would be unnecessary.
Create a shareable archive
Choose ZIP, 7z, or a tar-family format, configure compression, AES-256, and split volumes, then produce an archive for colleagues or another system.
Diagnose difficult archives
For encrypted, split, or damaged entries, run a read-only check first, understand what is readable, then extract or create a rescue copy.
Boundaries
Know what each format can do
- RAR is extraction-only: the app does not create RAR or repair RAR recovery records; DMG support is limited read-only handling for common unencrypted images.
- ZIP and 7z support AES-256 creation; tar-family archives do not provide archive encryption, and third-party formats or variants may still differ in compatibility.
- Salvage writes readable entries into a new archive without changing the source, and cannot guarantee recovery from CRC errors, truncated content, or missing volumes.
Common formats and difficult edge cases
Handle encrypted archives, volume sets, destination policies, and damaged-entry reports. Path traversal and unsafe symbolic links are blocked.
- Encrypted and multi-volume RAR4 / RAR5 extraction
- ZIP, 7z, tar family, ISO, CAB, LHA, Z, ARJ, and read-only DMG
- Smart subfolders and sandboxed folder authorization
Clear control over format, encryption, and volumes
Create ZIP, 7z, and tar-family archives, choose a compression level, exclude system clutter, and enable AES-256 for ZIP or 7z.
- AES-256 for ZIP and 7z
- Multi-volume output with common size presets
- Windows compatibility options and clutter exclusion
Your archive contents stay on your Mac by default
Archive contents are processed locally by default. Passwords enter the current device's macOS Keychain only when you explicitly choose to save them and do not sync through iCloud; history and folder permissions stay local too.
- Path traversal and unsafe symbolic links are blocked
- Destination and disk-space checks run before extraction
- Damaged archives are diagnosed read-only; salvage writes a new archive
Capabilities and limits, stated plainly
These are the format capabilities in the current release.
| Format | Capability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RAR4 / RAR5 | Extract | Encrypted and multi-volume extraction; no RAR creation or recovery-record repair. |
| ZIP | Extract, create | Common encryption methods; AES-256 and split volumes when creating. |
| 7z | Extract, create | Encrypted read and write use the bundled 7-Zip component; AES-256 and split volumes are supported when creating. |
| tar / gz / bz2 / xz | Extract, create | Create tar, tar.gz, tar.bz2, and tar.xz; tar-family archives do not provide archive encryption. |
| ISO / Z / ARJ | Extract | Read-only formats; ARJ is handled by the bundled 7-Zip component. |
| CAB / LHA (LZH) | Extract | Read-only legacy formats; LHA and LZH are common names for the same archive family. |
| DMG | Read-only | Common unencrypted images only; use macOS mounting for encrypted or incompatible images. |
About RAR: Better UnArchiver uses UnRAR for RAR extraction. RAR creation is proprietary, and salvage does not repair RAR recovery records.
Available on the Mac App Store
Download Better UnArchiver from the Mac App Store; Apple handles purchases and restoration. macOS 14 or later · Apple silicon and Intel.
Pricing
Start free, unlock Pro with one purchase
The item, price, tax, and refund terms are controlled by the Mac App Store purchase screen.
Free
Free
No account required
- 20 successful tasks per calendar month
- Up to 100 MB per task
- Browsing, Quick Look, and integrity tests are not counted
- The same safety checks as Pro
Pro (one-time purchase)
One-time in-app purchase
Price shown on the Mac App Store purchase screen
- Removes the task-count and size limits shown for the current version
- Unlocks large files and advanced capabilities
- Managed by your Apple account and StoreKit
- Restore anytime from Settings
The free tier includes 20 tasks per month up to 100 MB each. A one-time Mac App Store purchase removes the task-count and size limits shown for the current version and unlocks Pro. Better UnArchiver is available on the Mac App Store, where Apple handles purchases and restoration. Website checkout and license services remain disabled, and the recovery portal stays closed.
Before you purchase
Know what to expect
Is there a subscription?
No. Pro is a one-time, non-consumable in-app purchase, not a monthly or annual subscription.
What are the Free limits?
Complete 20 successful tasks per calendar month, with up to 100 MB per task. Browsing, Quick Look, and integrity tests are not counted.
Pro purchase and restore
Buy or restore the Mac App Store Pro entitlement from Settings.
View on the Mac App Store