---
title: WinRAR
canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/winrar/
category: File Compression Software
points: 66
rank: 8 of 10
facts_checked: 2026-10-09
---

# WinRAR

Paid archiver for RAR and ZIP with AES-256, recovery records and a 40-day trial.

66 points out of 100. #8 of 10 file compression programs. Vendor: win.rar GmbH. Website: https://www.win-rar.com/

- A single-user licence costs 29.95 euros before VAT; the shop shows euros only [1].
- WinRAR is free to use for 40 days, then a licence is required [2][3].
- It creates RAR and ZIP archives and opens 7-Zip, ISO, CAB, TAR, GZip and more [4][5].
- Encryption is AES-256, and an option hides file names [6].
- The Windows download is x64 only; Linux and macOS get command-line RAR builds [7].

Verdict: WinRAR suits people who need RAR archives with recovery records, repair and volumes [4][8][9]. A 29.95 euro licence is perpetual, but the trial ends after 40 days [1][2][3]. The catch: it creates only RAR and ZIP archives, is not open source, and has no Windows ARM64 build [4][5][7]. Best for: People who need to create RAR archives with repair data.

## Points

| Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formats | Archive types you can create | ZIP, RAR | 4/12 | WinRAR creates archives in two formats, RAR and ZIP [4]. |
| Formats | Archive types you can open | RAR, 7z, ISO, CAB | 8/8 | Features page lists RAR, ZIP, CAB, ARJ, LZH, TAR, GZip, UUE, ISO, BZIP2, Z and 7-Zip [5]. |
| Protection | AES-256 encryption | Yes | 12/12 | Encryption FAQ says WinRAR uses AES-256 bit encryption; features page repeats it [5][6]. |
| Protection | Hides file names | Yes | 7/7 | The Encrypt file names option encrypts headers, so the file list cannot be viewed without the password [6]. |
| Protection | Repair of damaged archives | Yes | 5/5 | RAR archives can carry a recovery record, and the Repair command works on them [4][9]. |
| Protection | Open source | No | 0/5 | The licence is proprietary try-before-you-buy; only the UnRAR source is offered for download [10][12]. |
| Tools | Split into volumes | Yes | 6/6 | The Split to volumes field sets the volume size, for example 700m [8]. |
| Tools | Self-extracting archives | Yes | 3/3 | The page says RAR supports self-extracting archives that can be extracted without external programs [4]. |
| Tools | Command line | Yes | 5/5 | The WinRAR download is listed as graphical and command line; the Windows package includes Rar.exe [7][11]. |
| Tools | File Explorer menu | Yes | 5/5 | Release notes list support for Windows 11 Explorer context menus [9]. |
| Tools | Portable version | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on the vendor's download or features pages [5][7]. |
| Systems | Systems | macOS, Linux | 6/6 | Download page offers command-line RAR builds for Linux x64 and macOS [7]. |
| Systems | Windows on ARM | No | 0/3 | Download page lists only a WinRAR x64 build for Windows [7]. |
| Price | Free to use without a time limit | No | 0/8 | Free for 40 days; a purchased licence is required afterwards [2][3]. |
| Price | Cost for the first year | $33.50/yr | 5/12 | Single-user licence, 29.95 euros excluding VAT, as shown in the shop; perpetual [1][3]. Converted at €1 = $1.1186 [13]. |

## Plans

| Plan | Price | Per month (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| WinRAR licence | EUR 29.95 (excl. VAT) [1][3] | - |

The shop shows euros only and says prices exclude VAT [1]. The vendor says licences are perpetual; staying updated needs a separate 12-month Support & Maintenance Package with no price shown [3].

## Strengths

- Perpetual licence at 29.95 euros before VAT for one user [1][3].
- Adds recovery records and has a Repair command for RAR5 archives [4][9].
- Encrypt-file-names option hides the archive's file list [6].
- Splits archives into volumes of a size you choose [8].

## Limits

- Not free after the 40-day trial [2][3].
- Creates only RAR and ZIP archives [4].
- Windows build is x64 only; no x86 or ARM64 download is listed [7].
- Linux and macOS builds are command-line only [7].

## Vendor claims (not scored)

- WinRAR says it automatically selects the best compression method, and that creating smaller archives often makes it faster than the competition [5].

## Sources

1. [Buy WinRAR](https://www.rarlab.com/shop2rarlab.php?prod=winrar), RARLAB, accessed 2026-10-09
2. [WinRAR EULA page](https://www.win-rar.com/where-can-find-winrar-eula.html), win.rar GmbH, accessed 2026-10-09
3. [Are WinRAR Licenses Perpetual or is there a Subscription?](https://www.win-rar.com/license-perpetual-subscription.html), win.rar GmbH, accessed 2026-10-09
4. [RAR vs ZIP](https://www.win-rar.com/rar-vs-zip.html), win.rar GmbH, accessed 2026-10-09
5. [WinRAR features](https://www.win-rar.com/features.html), win.rar GmbH, accessed 2026-10-09
6. [WinRAR encryption FAQ](https://www.win-rar.com/encryption-faq.html), win.rar GmbH, accessed 2026-10-09
7. [RARLAB downloads](https://www.rarlab.com/download.htm), RARLAB, accessed 2026-10-09
8. [How can I split files into Multivolume RAR Archives?](https://www.win-rar.com/split-files-archive.html), win.rar GmbH, accessed 2026-10-09
9. [WinRAR release notes](https://www.win-rar.com/whatsnew.html), win.rar GmbH, accessed 2026-10-09
10. [RARLAB products](https://www.rarlab.com/rar_add.htm), RARLAB, accessed 2026-10-09
11. [Command Line vs Shell Mode in WinRAR and RAR](https://www.win-rar.com/cmd-shell-mode.html), win.rar GmbH, accessed 2026-10-09
12. [RARLAB licence](https://www.rarlab.com/license.htm), RARLAB, accessed 2026-10-09
13. [Euro foreign exchange reference rates: US dollar](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/policy_and_exchange_rates/euro_reference_exchange_rates/html/eurofxref-graph-usd.en.html), European Central Bank, accessed 2026-10-08