There are times that you will need to compress big files into smaller ones so that you can send them through email in your Macintosh. In reverse, you also need to decompress or unzip files in Mac in order to use those big files. In PC, most Windows based platforms have their own unzipping/decompressing program built in. In Mac, you need programs to unzip files. Fortunately, if there are compressing and decompressing software in PC, there are also this kind of program for Mac. The zipping/unzipping program in Mac, as well as in PC, are usually free and can do the job. The battle for being the best will come down to the compressing ratio and the format it supports.
10. RAR for Mac
WinRAR is one of the popular software that can work in Windows based devices as well as with Macintosh. The RAR for Mac was created by the developer of RAR and it can be used for free. There is also a paid software version. This software can unzip files in the usual formats such as RAR, ZIP and JAR. The RAR for Mac is capable to archive big file size. This software is easy to use with its quick start feature. One of the cons of this software is that you need to purchase the license to fully utilize the compression tools.
9. Stuffit Expander
For Mac users, this software is a household name. Many Mac users know Stuffit Expander as decoder and expander utility. This software is supporting more than 30 archiving formats such as .rar, .zip and so on. This software is capable of decompressing archives that are encrypted with AES 256 and 512-bit protection. One of best feature of this software is its drag and drop functionality. One of the cons of this program is that it needs to install so many components and it only decompress/unzip files in Mac.
8. UnRarX
The UnRarX is a free unzipping tool for Mac and is similar to WinRAR. This software is easy to use. You just drag and drop the compressed file to the interface. This is one of the advantages of this program. If you need free means of unzipping a .rar file, this one can do the job. If you have older version of Mac, you can still use this program. The main disadvantage of this software is that it do not compress files or in creating .rar archives.
7. iZip
The iZip for Mac is your practical means of unzipping as well as zipping or compressing various archiving file format such as .zip, .rar and .zipx files. The .zipx file format is ambiguous for the OS X operating system of Mac, but iZip can handle this ambiguity with relative ease. The program works by treating the archive files as disk and not as compressed files and hence, user can browse the files that are compressed through the Finder. Aside from the advantages stated above, the files you unzipped/zipped can be shared online at files.com. However, this program only supports few archiving formats and there is no preview.
6. RAR Expander
The RAR Expander, from the name, works to unzipped .rar files. Archiving formats in .rar is pretty common and this software can do the decompressing of .rar files with ease. You simply open the archived files with this and RAR Expander will do the rest for you. This program is very simple to use and it can extract multi part archive files, aside from single ones. However, this program only works for .rar files and it does not restore the corrupted files.
5. SimplyRAR
The SimplyRAR program helps the user to unzip files in Mac as well as in zipping files. It works simply and easily and you can right click the archive files to unzip and zip it. This program is free and when you use it, there is a log of the outcome of the unzipping/zipping. However, the developer of this program is not in the business anymore and hence, if you want or seeking support, you will have hard time contacting the developer.
4. WinAce
WinAce for Mac is one of the good unzipping applications you can use especially if you are acquainted with the use of file compression/decompression software and then needs something unique other than the common feature in WinZip or other popular file archiving applications. However, this application is not recommended for casual archiving applications or even for newbie.
3. Zipeg
The Zipeg for Mac is ideal for Mac users doing decompression of files on regular basis especially those graphical/image files. It works nicely in unzipping files and it is free – no need to purchase license. The key feature of Zipeg is the preview function that permits users to view the files to be decompressed before unzipping it. Another great feature of this program is that it supports a wide variety of archiving formats such as .zip, .rar, WINRAR, .arj, .lha/.lzh, 7z, .tar, .gz, .tgz, .bzip2, .rpm, .cpio, .iso and many more.
2. 7zip
This program is an open source one in which it can operate in various operating systems like in Macintosh. This program zips and unzips various archiving file formats such as .zip, .rar and .7z. This program has great compression ratio and you can customize the compression tools. Moreover, 7zip is free it is easy to use. The interface is pretty simple and even newbie in archiving/compressing works in Mac can do the job.
1. NCH Express Zip
The NCH Express Zip offers free and paid compression services for Mac users. If you need basic compression tools – in which you just have to extract files or in archiving files, the free version of NCH Express Zip can do the job. The paid version of the software costs about $30 in the market and it can extracts most of the archiving file formats. This program has also great help and customer support to go along with compression features.
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