Keka
File archiver for macOS
Keka — Official Website
Quick Take: Keka
Keka is the best free file archiver for macOS. It handles every archive format, creates clean cross-platform archives, supports encryption, and integrates with Finder. The free download from keka.io is all you need—the $4.99 App Store version is purely a tip jar. The only missing feature is in-archive browsing (BetterZip does this), but for creating and extracting archives, Keka is the clear choice. Install it on every new Mac.
Best For
- •Anyone who receives .7z or .rar files and can't open them on macOS
- •Developers who download .tar.gz releases from GitHub
- •Users who share files with Windows/Linux users and need clean archives
- •Security-conscious users who need encrypted archives
What is Keka?
Keka is a file archiver for macOS that creates and extracts compressed archives in formats macOS doesn't handle natively. You can double-click a .7z, .rar, .tar.gz, or .zip file and Keka extracts it. You can drag files onto Keka's dock icon and compress them into any format you need. macOS handles .zip files natively through Archive Utility, but that's where Apple's archive support ends. If someone sends you a .7z file (common in gaming and software distribution), a .rar file (still widely used despite being proprietary), or a password-protected archive, macOS's built-in tools can't open them. Keka fills this gap. Keka supports creation of 7z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, LZIP, DMG, ISO, BROTLI, ZSTD, LRZIP, AAR, and WIM archives. It extracts 7z, ZIP, ZIPX, RAR, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, LZIP, DMG, ISO, BROTLI, ZSTD, LRZIP, LZMA, EXE, CAB, WIM, MSI, PAX, JAR, WAR, IPA, XIP, APK, APPX, XPI, WPRESS, IS3, CPGZ, CPIO, CPT, and SPK. That's essentially every archive format you'll encounter in daily use. The app is free to download from the official website (keka.io) and costs $4.99 on the Mac App Store if you want to support the developer. Both versions are identical in functionality. Keka was created by aOne and has been a staple in the macOS ecosystem for over a decade. It's consistently recommended as the first archive utility to install on a new Mac. Keka is also the default extraction tool for many developers who deal with open-source software distributed as .tar.gz or .tar.xz files. While you can extract these via Terminal (`tar xzf file.tar.gz`), double-clicking in Finder is more convenient for occasional use. Keka makes itself the default handler for all archive formats, so extraction is always a double-click away.
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask kekaDeep Dive: Archive Formats on macOS — What You Need to Know
macOS's native archive support is surprisingly limited. Here's what each format offers and when to use it.
History & Background
Apple included Archive Utility in macOS since OS X 10.3, but it only handles ZIP. The lack of 7z and RAR support has never been addressed, creating a perpetual market for third-party archivers. Keka and The Unarchiver have filled this gap for over a decade.
How It Works
Keka uses the p7zip library (open-source port of 7-Zip) for 7z, ZIP, and TAR handling, and unrar for RAR extraction. These are well-tested, battle-hardened libraries. Keka wraps them in a macOS-native UI with Finder integration. The result is reliable extraction that handles edge cases (unicode filenames, symlinks, large files) correctly.
Ecosystem & Integrations
ZIP is universal but compresses poorly. 7z compresses best but requires 7-Zip/Keka to extract. RAR is proprietary but still common. TAR.GZ/TAR.XZ are standard in Unix/Linux. macOS users need a tool like Keka to handle all of these. On Windows, 7-Zip fills the same role. On Linux, these tools are built into the OS.
Future Development
Keka development focuses on macOS compatibility updates, new format support (as new formats emerge), and UI improvements. The archive utility category is mature—the core functionality hasn't changed in years. Keka's job is to keep working reliably on each new macOS release.
Key Features
Universal Format Support
Keka handles every common archive format. Create archives in 7z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, LZIP, DMG, ISO, BROTLI, ZSTD, LRZIP, AAR, and WIM. Extract from all of those plus RAR, ZIPX, EXE, CAB, WIM, MSI, PAX, JAR, WAR, IPA, XIP, APK, APPX, XPI, WPRESS, IS3, CPGZ, CPIO, CPT, and SPK. You won't encounter an archive format Keka can't handle in normal use.
Drag-and-Drop Compression
Drag files or folders onto Keka's dock icon and it creates a compressed archive. A dialog lets you choose the format, compression level, and whether to split the archive into volumes. For quick compression, keep Keka in your dock and drag files onto it—faster than right-clicking and navigating menus.
Password-Protected Archives
Create password-protected 7z and ZIP archives. Enter a password in Keka's compression dialog and the archive is encrypted with AES-256 encryption (for 7z) or standard ZIP encryption. This is useful for emailing sensitive files or storing encrypted backups.
Split Archives
Create split archives that break a large file into smaller volumes. Useful for uploading to services with file size limits, storing on multiple USB drives, or working around email attachment limits. You specify the volume size (100MB, 700MB, 1GB, etc.) and Keka creates numbered parts.
Finder Integration
Set Keka as the default archive handler and double-clicking any supported archive format opens it with Keka instead of Archive Utility. Keka extracts to the same directory as the archive (or a configurable location). There's also a Finder extension that adds 'Compress with Keka' to the right-click context menu.
Exclude macOS Metadata
When creating archives to share with Windows or Linux users, Keka can exclude macOS-specific files: .DS_Store, __MACOSX folders, resource forks, and extended attributes. This prevents the annoying situation where Windows users open your ZIP and find mysterious folders full of metadata they can't use.
Compression Level Control
For 7z and ZIP formats, Keka lets you choose compression level from 'Store' (no compression, fast) to 'Ultra' (maximum compression, slow). For most files, 'Normal' offers the best balance of size reduction and speed. 'Ultra' is worth the time for large files you'll store long-term.
Archive Preview
Before extracting, you can preview an archive's contents: file names, sizes, and directory structure. This helps verify you're extracting the right archive and gives you an idea of what's inside before it unpacks across your filesystem.
Who Should Use Keka?
1The Developer Downloading Open-Source Software
You download a .tar.gz release from GitHub. macOS can't extract it by double-clicking. With Keka set as default, you double-click the file and it extracts to the same directory. No Terminal, no commands—just Finder.
2The Gamer Downloading Mods
Game mods are often distributed as .7z or .rar files because they compress better than ZIP. macOS can't open either format natively. Keka handles both. Download, double-click, done.
3The Professional Sending Files to Windows Users
You need to send a folder of assets to a client who uses Windows. macOS's built-in 'Compress' creates a ZIP with .DS_Store files and __MACOSX folders that confuse Windows users. Keka creates a clean ZIP without macOS metadata. No more 'what are these weird files?' emails.
4The Security-Conscious User
You're sending sensitive documents via email and want to encrypt them. Drag the files onto Keka, choose 7z format with AES-256 encryption, set a password, and send the .7z file. The recipient uses Keka (or 7-Zip on Windows) to decrypt it with the password you share separately.
5The Backup Organizer
You're archiving old project folders for long-term storage. Keka's 7z format with Ultra compression reduces folder sizes by 60-80% compared to uncompressed. Split the archive into 4GB volumes for cloud storage services with file size limits.
How to Install Keka on Mac
Keka is available via Homebrew, direct download, or the Mac App Store.
Install via Homebrew
Run `brew install --cask keka` in Terminal. The free version installs to /Applications.
Set as Default Archive Handler
Open Keka, go to Preferences → General, and click 'Set Keka as default decompressor'. This makes Keka handle all archive formats when you double-click them in Finder.
Enable Finder Extension
Enable the Keka Finder extension in System Settings → Extensions → Finder to add 'Compress with Keka' to the right-click context menu.
Configure Extraction Location
In Preferences, choose where extracted files go: same directory as the archive (default), Desktop, Downloads, or a custom folder.
Pro Tips
- • The Homebrew version and the website version are free. The Mac App Store version ($4.99) is identical—it's a way to support the developer.
- • Enable 'Exclude macOS resources' in Preferences if you frequently share archives with Windows/Linux users.
- • Keep Keka in your dock for drag-and-drop compression.
Configuration Tips
Always Exclude macOS Metadata
In Preferences, enable 'Exclude Mac resource files from created archives'. This strips .DS_Store and __MACOSX from every archive you create. There's no reason to include them unless you're only sharing with other Mac users.
Use 7z for Maximum Compression
When archive size matters (backups, slow uploads), use 7z format with Ultra compression. 7z typically achieves 30-60% better compression than ZIP on text-heavy content. Use ZIP only when the recipient might not have a 7z extraction tool.
Set Default Format in Preferences
If you always create the same format (e.g., ZIP for sharing), set it as the default in Preferences. This saves a click every time you drag files onto Keka.
Add Keka to Dock for Quick Access
Keep Keka in your dock. Drag files onto the dock icon for instant compression. It's faster than right-clicking and navigating context menus.
Alternatives to Keka
macOS has several archive utility options:
The Unarchiver
The Unarchiver is extraction-only—it can't create archives. It's free and handles the same extraction formats as Keka. If you only need to extract (never create), The Unarchiver is simpler. If you need to create archives, Keka is the better choice.
Archive Utility (Built-in)
macOS's built-in Archive Utility handles ZIP files only. It can't open 7z, RAR, TAR.GZ, or any other format. It also embeds macOS metadata that confuses Windows users. Keka replaces it completely.
BetterZip
BetterZip ($24.95) is a premium archive manager with Quick Look preview, archive browsing without extraction, and Finder toolbar buttons. It's more polished than Keka but costs significantly more. Keka handles the same formats for free.
p7zip / 7-Zip (Terminal)
Install 7-Zip via Homebrew (`brew install p7zip`) for command-line archive handling. Best for scripting and automation. For GUI use, Keka is more convenient.
Pricing
Keka is free from the official website (keka.io) and via Homebrew. The Mac App Store version costs $4.99 and is functionally identical—the purchase is a way to support the developer. There are no premium features, no subscription, and no feature differences between free and paid versions.
Pros
- ✓Handles every archive format you'll encounter (7z, RAR, TAR, ZIP, and 20+ more)
- ✓Free from the official website and Homebrew
- ✓Creates clean archives without macOS metadata for cross-platform sharing
- ✓Password protection with AES-256 encryption for 7z
- ✓Split archive creation for large files
- ✓Finder integration with right-click compression
- ✓Drag-and-drop compression via dock icon
- ✓Actively maintained with regular updates
Cons
- ✗Can't create RAR archives (RAR creation is proprietary—only WinRAR can)
- ✗No built-in archive browser (can't navigate inside archives without extracting)
- ✗UI is functional but not pretty
- ✗Mac App Store version costs $4.99 for the same features as the free version
- ✗Extraction speed is slower than command-line tools for very large archives
Community & Development
Keka is developed by aOne and has been a macOS staple for over a decade. The project is partially open-source with source code available on GitHub, though the build process requires specific signing. The developer is responsive to macOS compatibility issues and updates Keka promptly for new macOS versions. Keka is one of the most recommended Mac utilities on Reddit (r/macapps), in 'best Mac apps' lists, and in developer setup guides. It has a loyal user base that consistently recommends it as the first utility to install on a new Mac.
Video Tutorials
Getting Started with Keka
More Tutorials
How to Install and Use Keka on macOS | Free File Compression & Extraction Tool
Easy Tech Steps • 89 views
How to EXTRACT Your .7z File on a Mac Computer using Keka | New
ComputerScienceVideos • 33.5K views
How to Highly Compress Files with Keka for macOS
EvilComp • 2.7K views
Frequently Asked Questions about Keka
Our Verdict
Keka is the best free file archiver for macOS. It handles every archive format, creates clean cross-platform archives, supports encryption, and integrates with Finder. The free download from keka.io is all you need—the $4.99 App Store version is purely a tip jar. The only missing feature is in-archive browsing (BetterZip does this), but for creating and extracting archives, Keka is the clear choice. Install it on every new Mac.
About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Related Technologies & Concepts
Related Topics
Sources & References
Key Verified Facts
- Keka is a macOS file archiver that supports extracting formats like 7Z, RAR, TAR, and compressing to 7Z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, and BZIP2.[cite-1]
- Keka is available on the Mac App Store for a small fee to support the developer, while remaining free to download directly from the official website.[cite-2]
- Keka provides a helper tool to set itself as the default application for archive formats on macOS, bypassing the native Apple Archive Utility.[cite-3]
- Keka supports setting default compression methods, splitting large archives into smaller volumes, and AES-256 password-protecting compressed files.[cite-4]
- Keka is an open-source project maintained by aonez, written primarily in Objective-C and Swift, and utilizes p7zip under the hood for compression tasks.[cite-5]
- 1Keka - the macOS file archiver
Accessed May 6, 2026
"Keka is a macOS file archiver that supports extracting formats like 7Z, RAR, TAR, and compressing to 7Z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, and BZIP2."
- 2Keka on the Mac App Store
Accessed May 6, 2026
"Keka is available on the Mac App Store for a small fee to support the developer, while remaining free to download directly from the official website."
- 3Keka Wiki: Default application
Accessed May 6, 2026
"Keka provides a helper tool to set itself as the default application for archive formats on macOS, bypassing the native Apple Archive Utility."
- 4Keka Wiki: Password Protection
Accessed May 6, 2026
"Keka supports setting default compression methods, splitting large archives into smaller volumes, and AES-256 password-protecting compressed files."
- 5GitHub - aonez/Keka: The macOS file archiver
Accessed May 6, 2026
"Keka is an open-source project maintained by aonez, written primarily in Objective-C and Swift, and utilizes p7zip under the hood for compression tasks."
- 6Keka Releases
Accessed May 6, 2026
"Keka's release notes detail continuous updates for macOS compatibility, including native support for Apple Silicon (M-series) chips to improve extraction speeds."
- 7How to open RAR, 7z, and other archive files on Mac
Accessed May 6, 2026
"macOS natively supports ZIP files via Archive Utility, but requires third-party applications like Keka to handle 7z and RAR files commonly found in software distribution."
- 8The best Mac apps to download for your new computer
Accessed May 6, 2026
"Keka is frequently recommended as an essential, lightweight utility for macOS users who frequently encounter varied compressed file formats."
- 9How to Extract RAR Files on Mac
Accessed May 6, 2026
"Keka's drag-and-drop interface allows users to extract RAR files simply by dropping them onto the dock icon, avoiding complex terminal commands."
- 10Compressing files and folders: which format?
Accessed May 6, 2026
"Benchmarks show that using Keka to compress files into 7z format yields significantly smaller file sizes compared to standard macOS ZIP compression, though it requires more CPU time."