Can anyone suggest me an app for compress files to .rar format on Mac/Intel Monterey?

I now exclusively use Keka (.7z) but for some files I absolutely need to use the .rar format and, unfortunately, all the software I had on Sierra to compress in rar... no longer works.
Many thanks.

 

Last edited: Oct 11, 2025 at 7:47 PM

Hot take: just use the command line version. Always up to date, always fully compatible, always supports all features of the RAR format.

https://www.rarlab.com/download.htm

 

Thanks, I appreciated your suggestion, but I need a simpler app.

With a command line like that, I wouldn't know where to start; it's too complicated and I'd definitely mess up the files.

I find it scandalous that there isn't ant little app to do this...

 

Sometimes the correct answer is not the one you want. (the CLI version suggested is really the best answer).

Spoiler

The RAR format is proprietary/licensed. That means many GUI apps don’t include the compressor component (for legal/licensing reasons). Instead, they rely on an external rar executable which you need to install manually.
Even apps that advertise “full archive support” often only support extraction natively; for compression to RAR they act as a wrapper around the official rar tool (if you install it). Many older GUI RAR creators (like SimplyRAR) may break on newer macOS versions because they use deprecated APIs, or are not code-signed, or are not notarized.

Spoiler

Apps / Tools that Can Create RAR Archives via GUI (with External Helper or Plugin)
Most Mac archivers can extract .rar files, but creating them is trickier.
That’s because the RAR format is proprietary, and only the official rar command-line tool (from RARLab) can legally perform compression.
GUI apps that “support” RAR creation typically wrap around this command-line tool — meaning you’ll need to install it separately or let the app download it.

Below are GUI options known to work with RAR compression on macOS Monterey and newer (when properly configured):

BetterZip
How it works:
Can create and save RAR archives if you supply (or allow it to download) the external rar command-line tool.
Notes: Doesn’t ship with the licensed RAR compressor by default.

• • You’ll need to install rar manually (e.g. from RARLab) or let BetterZip handle it.
  • Website: macitbetter.com

FossZip
How it works:
Lets you select “RAR” as an output format when creating archives.

Lesser-known app — check compatibility with Monterey or newer.
May require Rosetta or ARM-native support depending on version.
Info: tunesbro.com/fosszip

️ SimplyRAR
How it works:
An older Mac app that provided full GUI support for creating and extracting RAR archives.

No longer actively maintained.
May not run properly on modern macOS (Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura).
Mirrors: Softonic page, MajorGeeks

iArchiver / Archiver
How it works:
Legacy universal archiver that supported converting and creating many formats, including RAR (in older versions).
Notes: Unclear if current versions still support RAR creation.
Likely requires the external rar CLI tool.
Info: Wikipedia – iArchiver
⚙️ Quick Setup Guide — Enabling RAR Compression on macOS

Download the official RAR tools

• Get the macOS version from:
• https://www.rarlab.com/download.htm
• (Look for “RAR 6.x for macOS” or similar — it’s a command-line package.)

Install the binariesExtract the downloaded .tar.gz file.
Copy the rar and unrar binaries into /usr/local/bin (or /opt/homebrew/bin on Apple Silicon).
You can also install via Homebrew if available: brew install rar
Confirm installation: rar should print the version info.
Tell your GUI app where to find itIn BetterZip: open Preferences → “Helpers” → select or install the RAR tool.
Other apps may have similar settings under “External Tools” or “Compression Formats.”
Create a test archiveSelect a small folder or file.
In your app, choose RAR as the archive type and save it.
Verify it creates a .rar file without errors.

So basically, you install the Command Line Tools version from Rarsoft. Then you set it up to hook into the GUI app you pick. The CLI version works mostly behind the scenes.

You can also install a version of Winrar into a Crossover bottle. Works perfect under Crossover v25 with a Windows 10 bottle. Installs in 2 clicks. I made a test archive.rar and it works fine. You just have to remember to save the files to your real Mac filesystem locations and not the virtualized Windows ones when you save it. Could be faster, but how often you really need this?

 

Last edited: Oct 12, 2025 at 1:10 AM

This one seems like it does it all with an actual GUI rather than just command line on MACos. Compresses and extracts multiple formats (including RAR) with a GUI.

 

Nope. still needs Rarsoft CLI tools installed.

 

Yeah, I mean sure... it's a gui.
Whats wrong with installing the CLI version of rarsoft and tell it what to do with a gui from some other developer?
Isn't that exactly what OP wants? A 100% compatible solution without having to type long commands?

 

He said he does not want to use the CLI tools. My first post says he can use many GUI based apps with the Rarsoft CLI installed as behind the scenes software. And he can just as easily run Winrar inside Crossover.

The reason why saying Peasoft is any different than the others with the same option is not correct, is because Peasoft is open source software. They cannot distribute their software as true open source licensing while packaging it with closed source software from Rar. They just integrate it and the user installs it themselves.

None of this is terribly difficult and you could have looked it up yourself. You didn't have to go all that far as it was already in my first reply.

 

Last edited: Oct 12, 2025 at 2:36 AM

I was using Peazip back in monterey days. It is a good open source project. Maybe It does the trick for those old rar folders you have.
https://github.com/peazip/PeaZip
https://peazip.github.io/

 

That's pretty much what we had to do on the pc side until winrar came along. Wonder why rarlab never made a "macrar" or "applerar". Seems like a no brainer since the command line version has way too many switches to keep track of on either platform.

 

I'm trying out the BetterZip + the external 'rar' folder solution (maybe I will try with Foss and Peazip too).

I've made a few initial compression attempts (the ratio compression seem good) now I need to check if the content is safe and reliable.

I hope so...

 

Last edited: Oct 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM

I would recommend running crc's on your stuff and including them with the archives if you really want it verified that your archives stay bit for bit accurate with the originals. RAR testing the archives after they are created is another good habit to get into as well. good luck!

 

I still don't get OPs intention.
So OP wants an open source solution to a closed source algorithm? Isn't that like saying I want Ardour to create Bitwig projects?

 

What is CRC and how do that?

 

You've seen the .sfv files included with R2R and sometimes a few other groups releases? Those are crc (cyclic redundancy checks) files. When you have the appropriate check tool on board your machine you can dbl click on those files to make certain that the value of the original file equates to the value of the file you have in your hand. The comparison of the crc check of the file in hand should MATCH the value indicated in the .sfv. It's for error correction. If you get a mismatched crc, you can tell instantly if that file is corrupted (or tampered with) in some way. The hash used by most release groups is CRC32 so you'll want to be able to check that hash type particularly.

Apparently MacOS has a checksum command built into it. I would think there is probably a GUI out there to take advantage of it similar to the RAR scenario above.

 

Last edited: Oct 12, 2025 at 11:48 PM

this is handy - The Unarchiver for mac, just google it

 

Unfortunately, I do understand your intention expressing concern about Mac utility programs. All one has to do is look at your other posts.

https://gprivate.com/6ip5d

 

Last edited: Oct 13, 2025 at 12:38 AM