packed.
$ packed --zstd --7z --aes256 --everything
One archive tool for everything: packed opens and creates ZIP, 7z, TAR and modern formats, extracts RAR too — and compresses as small as possible with the newest algorithms. Free for everyday use, for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Try it now — beta
The beta is out — for macOS, Windows and Linux. Lean, native, with signed in-app updates. The Rust core (ZIP incl. AES-256, TAR, gzip, bzip2, xz, zstd) is in place; the archive interface lands piece by piece as updates, changelog included. packed pro follows later.
// Beta means: the foundation today, opening and packing arrive as updates. If macOS says “damaged”, it’s only missing notarization — one line in Terminal fixes it: xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/packed.app
All versions & details on GitHub →One tool for every archive
// open, create, compress hard
A different program for every format? packed ends that: one window that understands every common archive — and uses the most modern algorithms when compressing, instead of stopping at ZIP from 1989.
// open
Opens practically everything
ZIP, 7z, TAR, gzip, bzip2, xz, zstd — and RAR too. Double-click, browse, pull out single files or extract everything. Password-protected archives included.
// create
Packs into open formats
Creates ZIP (with AES-256), 7z, TAR and the modern formats. RAR stays out — the format is proprietary and technically impossible to create; the open formats are the better choice anyway.
// compress
Newest algorithms
zstd (up to --ultra), LZMA2 and Brotli get more out than classic ZIP: smaller files in less time. One slider between “fast” and “as small as possible” — packed handles the rest.
// the LAN-SOLO way
Native & honest
No Electron bloat, no cloud, no telemetry: packed runs locally on your device. A lean app for macOS, Windows and Linux — and the core is openly documented.
// And since we keep it honest: what is technically impossible (creating RAR, “cracking” strong AES passwords) we don’t promise either.
Features
// planned for version 1.0
Open every format
ZIP, 7z, TAR, gzip, bzip2, xz, zstd, lz4 and RAR — extract or pull out single files, with a preview of the archive contents.
Create archives
Packs into ZIP, 7z, TAR and modern containers — with a choice of format and compression level right as you create.
Extreme compression
zstd, LZMA2 and Brotli instead of just Deflate: noticeably smaller archives. A slider from “fast” to “maximum” takes the parameter choice off your hands.
Encryption (AES-256)
Encrypt archives with AES-256 and open password-protected archives. Your password never leaves the device.
Batch processing & presetspro
Many files in one go, custom compression presets and multi-volume archives (splits) — for anyone who packs regularly.
Recover a passwordpro
Forgot the password to your own ZIP or RAR archive? packed pro tries dictionary and mask attacks. Honestly: for legacy ZipCrypto it usually works, strong AES-256 passwords stay mathematically out of reach.
Pricing
// free locally — pro to follow
Free
Open, create, compress
- Opens ZIP, 7z, TAR, gzip, bzip2, xz, zstd, RAR and more
- Creates ZIP, 7z, TAR and modern formats
- Newest algorithms (zstd, LZMA2, Brotli)
- AES-256 encryption & opening password-protected archives
- Native for macOS, Windows and Linux — no cloud, no telemetry
pro
For heavy packers and emergencies
- Everything in Free
- Password recovery for your own ZIP/RAR archives
- Batch processing & custom compression presets
- Multi-volume archives (splits) & self-extracting archives
- Priority updates
Free stays free — for good, no strings attached. packed pro: €12 a year, that’s €1 a month. Incl. VAT, billed yearly, cancel anytime.
// Honest as always: no tool can create RAR — the format is proprietary; packed extracts RAR and creates open formats. And password recovery finds weak and forgotten passwords via dictionary/mask — a strong AES-256 password is out of reach for us too. That’s part of the truth.