Frequently asked questions
Short answers with links to the longer sections of the review.
Questions
Is Keka really free?
Yes. The download from keka.io is the complete app with no limits. The Mac App Store copy costs $6.49 and is identical; buying it supports the developer. Donations are optional.
Can Keka open RAR files?
Yes, every RAR version including RAR5 and password-protected archives, using the bundled UnRAR library. It cannot create RAR files; no free tool can, because of the RAR license.
Which formats can it create?
7z, Zip, Tar, Gzip, Bzip2, XZ, Lzip, LZ4, Brotli, Zstandard, LRZIP, Apple Archive, Snappy, WIM, DMG and ISO, plus the tar combinations.
Does it encrypt archives?
Yes. AES-256 for 7z (with optional hidden file names) and for Zip, plus legacy Zip 2.0 encryption for maximum compatibility.
Can it split a large archive?
Yes, into volumes of any size you choose. Parts are rejoined automatically on extraction when they sit in one folder.
What macOS version does it need?
macOS 10.10 Yosemite or newer, on Intel and Apple silicon. Version 1.6.8 is current.
Is it safe? Who makes it?
It is open source on GitHub, signed and notarized by Apple, made by an independent developer known as aONe since 2009. It sends nothing over the network except its own update check.
How do I make Keka the default for archives?
Preferences › Extraction › Set as default. App Store users install the free KekaExternalHelper first because of sandboxing.
Why do Windows users see a __MACOSX folder?
That is Mac metadata. Turn on the option to exclude Mac resource forks and .DS_Store files in Keka’s preferences before compressing.
Can I look inside an archive without extracting?
No. Keka extracts whole archives. BetterZip and similar paid tools offer browsing.
Is there a Windows or Linux version?
No. Keka is macOS only, with a separate iOS app. On other systems use 7-Zip, which reads everything Keka produces.
Is this site affiliated with Keka?
No. Unpack Report is independent and receives no compensation from the developer. See the disclaimer and editorial policy.