# Keka

Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026

File archiver for macOS

Category: System Utilities · Free · Open source · Replaces BetterZip ($25) · [Official website](https://www.keka.io)

## Install with Homebrew

`brew install --cask keka`

## Quick take

Keka remains the best everyday archive utility for macOS in August 2026: free website builds, paid MAS support option, broad formats, and a 1.6.x line actively fixed for Tahoe.

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?

As of August 2026, Keka’s current desktop release is **v1.6.7** (30 June 2026), a hot-fix after the active **1.6.x Tahoe cycle**. Highlights across 1.6.0–1.6.7 include a **Liquid Glass icon for macOS 26**, default-uncompressor fixes for **macOS 26.4+**, Tahoe UI fixes, updated 7ZZ/BSDTAR/XZ toolchains, and the 1.6.7 reversion of BSDTAR to 3.8.7 for **macOS 26.5.2** issues. The Mac App Store edition is about **$6.49** (plus optional tips); the website/Homebrew build remains free. **Keka for iOS** continues separately.

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.

## Features

- **Modern Format Toolchain.** Ongoing engine updates (7ZZ 26.x, XZ 5.8.x, LZIP/PLZIP, Brotli) keep extraction/compression current across 7z, zip, rar, tar, dmg, iso, zstd, brotli, and many package formats.
- **macOS Tahoe 26 Support & Liquid Icon.** The 1.6 series is the full Tahoe-ready line: Liquid icon on macOS 26+, fixes for setting Keka as default uncompressor on 26.4+, UI fixes, and 1.6.7’s BSDTAR pin for 26.5.2 stability.
- **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.

## How to Install Keka on Mac

Keka is available via Homebrew, direct download, or the Mac App Store.

1. **Install via Homebrew.** Run `brew install --cask keka` in Terminal. The free version installs to /Applications.
2. **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.
3. **Enable Finder Extension.** Enable the Keka Finder extension in System Settings → Extensions → Finder to add 'Compress with Keka' to the right-click context menu.
4. **Configure Extraction Location.** In Preferences, choose where extracted files go: same directory as the archive (default), Desktop, Downloads, or a custom folder.

## 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

## Deep 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.

## FAQ

### What is the latest Keka version on Mac?

v1.6.7 released 30 June 2026 from keka.io or the Mac App Store.

### Does Keka work on macOS Tahoe 26?

Yes. The 1.6.x line targets Tahoe (Liquid icon, default-handler fixes for 26.4+, UI fixes) and 1.6.7 addresses BSDTAR issues on macOS 26.5.2.

### How much does Keka cost?

Free from the website/Homebrew. Mac App Store version is about $6.49 one-time (region-dependent) to support development.

### Is Keka free?

Yes—from the official website (keka.io) and Homebrew. The Mac App Store version is $4.99 as a way to support the developer, but it's functionally identical.

### Can Keka create RAR files?

No. RAR creation requires a proprietary license owned by Alexander Roshal (WinRAR). No free tool can create RAR files. Keka can extract RAR but not create it. Use 7z instead—it compresses better anyway.

### What's the difference between Keka and The Unarchiver?

Keka creates and extracts archives. The Unarchiver only extracts. If you need to create compressed files, use Keka. If you only open archives others send you, either works.

### Does Keka support password-protected archives?

Yes. Keka creates password-protected 7z (AES-256) and ZIP archives. It also extracts password-protected archives in any supported format.

### Why does my ZIP file have weird folders when opened on Windows?

macOS adds .DS_Store files and __MACOSX folders to ZIP archives. Enable 'Exclude Mac resource files' in Keka's preferences to create clean archives.

### Can Keka preview archive contents?

Yes. You can view the file list and directory structure before extracting. However, Keka doesn't support browsing inside archives without extracting like BetterZip does.

### Does Keka work on Apple Silicon?

Yes. Keka runs natively on Apple Silicon Macs. This applies to current macOS releases (Sonoma, Sequoia, Tahoe) on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

### How do I split a large file into smaller parts?

Drag the file onto Keka, choose your format, and set a 'Split into volumes of' size (100MB, 1GB, etc.). Keka creates numbered parts that can be reassembled by extracting the first part.

### Can Keka compress better than ZIP?

Yes. Use 7z format for significantly better compression ratios. 7z with Ultra compression typically achieves 30-60% better compression than ZIP on the same files.

### Should I buy Keka from the App Store?

Only if you want to support the developer. The free website/Homebrew version has identical features. There's no difference in functionality.

## Sources

- [Keka GitHub Releases](https://github.com/aonez/Keka/releases)
- [Keka Mac App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/keka/id470158793)
- [Keka Official Site](https://www.keka.io/en/)
- [Keka Changelog](https://changelog.keka.io/)
- [Keka for iOS](https://ios.keka.io/)
- [FileHorse Keka](https://mac.filehorse.com/download-keka/)

## Related

- [Maccy](https://bundl.run/apps/maccy)
- [Stats](https://bundl.run/apps/stats)
- [SuperWhisper](https://bundl.run/apps/superwhisper)
- [MacWhisper](https://bundl.run/apps/macwhisper)
- [HyperWhisper](https://bundl.run/apps/hyperwhisper)
- [Aqua Voice](https://bundl.run/apps/aqua-voice)
- [Keka vs The Unarchiver](https://bundl.run/compare/keka-vs-the-unarchiver)
- [Free alternative to BetterZip](https://bundl.run/https:/)

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