{
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  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "@id": "https://www.nuanyue.com/software/the-unarchiver/#software",
  "name": "The Unarchiver",
  "description": "Unarchive many different kinds of archive files.",
  "url": "https://www.nuanyue.com/software/the-unarchiver/",
  "mainEntityOfPage": "https://www.nuanyue.com/software/the-unarchiver/",
  "operatingSystem": "macOS",
  "applicationCategory": "UtilitiesApplication",
  "publisher": {
    "name": "MacPaw Way Ltd",
    "url": "https://macpaw.com/"
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  "sameAs": [
    "https://theunarchiver.com/",
    "https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-unarchiver/id425424353?platform=mac"
  ],
  "softwareVersion": "4.3.9",
  "offers": {
    "@type": "Offer",
    "price": "0",
    "priceCurrency": "USD"
  },
  "nuanyue:record": {
    "schemaVersion": 1,
    "id": "software:the-unarchiver",
    "slug": "the-unarchiver",
    "name": "The Unarchiver",
    "type": "SoftwareApplication",
    "entityType": "file archiver",
    "description": "Unarchive many different kinds of archive files.",
    "shortDescription": "Unarchive many different kinds of archive files.",
    "answer": "The Unarchiver opens archive formats that macOS's built-in tooling will not, including RAR and RAR5, 7z, and a long tail of older and unusual formats such as StuffIt, DiskDoubler, LZH and Amiga disk images. It is free — the developer states it is \"free and always will be\", with no in-app purchases — and it extracts rather than creates archives. It requires macOS 10.13 or later and is developed by MacPaw Way Ltd. If you only ever handle Zip files, macOS already does that; The Unarchiver earns its place on the formats the system cannot read.",
    "page": "https://www.nuanyue.com/software/the-unarchiver/",
    "dataUrl": "https://www.nuanyue.com/data/software/the-unarchiver.json",
    "categories": [
      "file-management"
    ],
    "tags": [],
    "platform": [
      "macOS"
    ],
    "minOsVersion": "macOS 10.13",
    "architecture": [],
    "featured": false,
    "pricing": "free",
    "pricingDescription": "Free, with no paid tier and no in-app purchases.",
    "currentVersion": "4.3.9",
    "openSource": false,
    "website": "https://theunarchiver.com/",
    "documentation": "https://macpaw.com/support/the-unarchiver",
    "appStore": "https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-unarchiver/id425424353?platform=mac",
    "download": "https://dl.devmate.com/com.macpaw.site.theunarchiver/147/1742287964/TheUnarchiver-147.zip",
    "developer": {
      "name": "MacPaw Way Ltd",
      "website": "https://macpaw.com/"
    },
    "icon": "/apps/the-unarchiver.png",
    "features": [
      "Extracts RAR (including v5), 7z, Zip/Zipx, Tar, Gzip, Bzip2 and LZMA/XZ",
      "Opens older formats such as StuffIt, DiskDoubler, LZH, ARJ and ARC",
      "Unpacks ISO, BIN, MDF, NRG and CDI disc images",
      "Extracts some Windows .exe self-extracting archives and MSI packages",
      "Handles archives named with non-Latin characters",
      "Can be set as the default application for all archive types"
    ],
    "useCases": [
      "Opening a RAR or 7z archive that macOS's built-in tools reject",
      "Extracting older formats such as StuffIt, DiskDoubler or LZH",
      "Unpacking ISO, BIN or MDF disc images",
      "Setting a single default app so archives open without unknown-format alerts"
    ],
    "formats": [],
    "integrations": [],
    "pros": [
      {
        "text": "Free, with the developer stating it is 'free and always will be' and that there are no in-app purchases.",
        "status": "verified",
        "source": "official",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "text": "Supports a wide range of formats beyond macOS's built-in tools, including RAR and RAR5, 7z, and older formats such as StuffIt and DiskDoubler.",
        "status": "verified",
        "source": "official",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "text": "Reads archives whose names use non-Latin characters.",
        "status": "developer-stated",
        "source": "official",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ],
    "cons": [
      {
        "text": "It extracts archives but does not create them; the developer presents it only as an opener and extractor, so making archives needs a separate tool.",
        "status": "editorially-reviewed",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "text": "It is not open source, so the extraction engine cannot be inspected or built independently.",
        "status": "editorially-reviewed",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ],
    "whoIsItFor": [
      "Mac users who regularly receive archives in formats macOS cannot read",
      "People who want a free extractor with no in-app purchases"
    ],
    "notFor": [
      "Anyone who needs to create archives — The Unarchiver extracts but does not create them",
      "Users who need open-source software — the extraction engine is closed source"
    ],
    "limitations": [
      "It extracts but does not create archives",
      "It is not open source",
      "Some formats are only partially supported: StuffIt X has no JPEG compression support, Ace works only for pre-2.0 files, and ARJ has no multi-part support"
    ],
    "firstUse": {
      "installation": {
        "value": "Install free from the Mac App Store, or download the .dmg from theunarchiver.com and drag the app to Applications.",
        "status": "verified",
        "source": "official",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      "firstLaunch": {
        "value": "It is an extractor rather than a document app: you point archive files at it, and the developer's instructions are to use Finder's Get Info, set The Unarchiver under Open With, then click Change All.",
        "status": "developer-stated",
        "source": "official",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      "systemIntegration": {
        "value": "Can be set as the default application for archive types through Finder's Change All, after which archives open in it automatically.",
        "status": "developer-stated",
        "source": "official",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      "appleSilicon": {
        "value": true,
        "status": "developer-stated",
        "source": "app-store",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      }
    },
    "updates": [
      {
        "version": "4.3.9",
        "date": "2025-03-18",
        "summary": "Current release; the changelog lists minor bug and crash fixes.",
        "status": "verified",
        "source": "official"
      },
      {
        "version": "4.3.1",
        "date": "2021-04-26",
        "summary": "Added Apple M1 support, per the App Store changelog.",
        "status": "developer-stated",
        "source": "app-store"
      }
    ],
    "faq": [
      {
        "question": "Is The Unarchiver free?",
        "answer": "Yes. The developer states 'The Unarchiver for Mac is free. No in-apps for additional features,' and it is listed as free on the Mac App Store.",
        "status": "verified",
        "source": "official",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "question": "Which macOS version does it require?",
        "answer": "macOS 10.13 or later. The developer points users on earlier versions to MacPaw's archive of old releases.",
        "status": "verified",
        "source": "official",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "question": "Can The Unarchiver open RAR files?",
        "answer": "Yes. RAR support is described as full, including encryption and multi-volume archives, and covers both RAR4 and RAR5. It can also extract .exe self-extracting archives that use RAR.",
        "status": "verified",
        "source": "official",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "question": "Does The Unarchiver run on Apple Silicon?",
        "answer": "Yes. The App Store changelog for version 4.3.1 states 'Apple M1 support is here!'",
        "status": "developer-stated",
        "source": "app-store",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "question": "What is the latest version?",
        "answer": "4.3.9, dated 18 March 2025 on the developer's site.",
        "status": "verified",
        "source": "official",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ],
    "relationships": [
      {
        "target": "keka",
        "type": "alternative",
        "reason": "Both are Mac archive tools with broad format support; Keka also creates archives, is free from its own site and is not published as open source, while The Unarchiver only extracts and is closed source.",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "target": "betterzip",
        "type": "competitor",
        "reason": "BetterZip is a commercial archiver that opens, creates and edits archives, where The Unarchiver is a free extractor.",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "target": "handbrake",
        "type": "complements",
        "reason": "Both are free Mac utilities for handling files you did not create — HandBrake converts video, The Unarchiver extracts archives.",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "target": "vlc",
        "type": "complements",
        "reason": "Both open formats other tools reject without extra software — VLC for media files, The Unarchiver for archive formats.",
        "verifiedAt": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ],
    "sources": [
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        "id": "the-unarchiver:app-store",
        "type": "app_store",
        "url": "https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-unarchiver/id425424353?platform=mac",
        "title": "The Unarchiver on the Mac App Store",
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        "accessedAt": null
      },
      {
        "id": "the-unarchiver:official",
        "type": "official_website",
        "url": "https://theunarchiver.com/",
        "title": "The Unarchiver — official website",
        "trustLevel": "B",
        "accessedAt": null
      },
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        "id": "the-unarchiver:developer",
        "type": "developer",
        "url": "https://macpaw.com/",
        "title": "MacPaw Way Ltd — developer website",
        "trustLevel": "B",
        "accessedAt": null
      },
      {
        "id": "the-unarchiver:documentation",
        "type": "documentation",
        "url": "https://macpaw.com/support/the-unarchiver",
        "title": "The Unarchiver — documentation",
        "trustLevel": "C",
        "accessedAt": null
      }
    ],
    "claims": [
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}