Chances are you'll come across a compressed file sooner or later. While ZIP is a common format that Windows can extract on its own, the also-popular RAR usually requires dedicated software.
While you can easily extract RAR archives with desktop software, sometimes you don't want to or can't install anything. That's where online RAR extractors come in.
1. B1 Online Archiver
This straightforward website supports dozens of archive formats. Click the big blue button to upload a file, then wait for it to upload and extract. You'll then see a list of files inside the archive. Click one to download it and ignore the ones you don't need---it's that simple.
B1 automatically deletes your files shortly after you leave. If you want to delete them immediately, you can click the link below the list to do so.
With our 3MB test file, it only took a moment for it to upload and make the contents available for download. The site is clean and features no ads or annoying popups, making it a great choice.
2. Archive Extractor
Like B1, Archive Extractor supports tons of archive formats, so it's good for more than just RAR files. In addition to regular uploading, this tool lets you connect your Google Drive or Dropbox account to import files. It also supports adding files from a URL.
After you upload and extract, you can select any of the files inside to download them individually. If you'd like, Archive Extractor also supports saving everything as a ZIP. This allows you to keep the contents together but in a more common format.
This service includes one non-intrusive ad on the page. Its privacy policy states that it deletes all data within 12 hours of you uploading it.
3. Unzip-Online
This tool is more limited than the others. It only supports ZIP, RAR, 7Z, and TAR formats. It has a maximum file size of 200MB, and features more ads than some of the other sites. However, the site assures users that it deletes all files within 24 hours.
Select and upload your RAR file, and you'll see a list of files inside you can download. That's about it for this one. As the site's privacy policy and information pages haven't seen an update in years, it's probably safe to say this site isn't actively maintained anymore.
4. Convert.Files
This tool allows you to convert RAR archives to other formats, such as ZIP, TAR, and 7Z. However, it has several drawbacks. The page is loaded with ads, including a video ad, overlay ad while the file converts, and ad links that look like legitimate buttons.
Additionally, it took longer to convert files with this than using Archive Extractor to download all contents as a ZIP. We recommend staying away from this site.
5. Funzip
Most people probably wouldn't describe opening RAR archives as fun, but Funzip at least makes it painless. The site is simple and lets you drag files or click to browse to one. Upload and extraction is almost instant, and it presents you with a list of all files inside.
Notably, Funzip supports files up to 400MB. However, the site doesn't list anything about how long it keeps files, which might worry some.
6. CloudConvert
CloudConvert is a well-known tool that lets you convert pretty much any file type to another. Upload a RAR archive to it, and CloudConvert will let you extract the contents as well as convert it to 7Z, TAR, and ZIP formats. Unfortunately, the extraction process only supports downloading as a ZIP file.
It's a polished tool, allowing you to upload files as well as add them from a URL or cloud storage. You can also enable notifications, which is useful for longer jobs. And CloudConvert can also save converted files right into your cloud storage.
CloudConvert deletes your files automatically after 24 hours if you don't do so manually. With no ads, the only concern is the limited amount of usage per day if you need to open RAR files online often.
7. WOBZIP
WOBZIP is yet another online RAR extractor. It doesn't stand out in any particular way except in a negative one: it didn't work in our testing. Thus, we can't recommend you use it.
Which Online RAR Extractor Is the Best?
These similar tools start to blend together after a while. Let's review the major drawbacks of each service:
- B1 Online Archiver: No major problems.
- Archive Extractor: No issues.
- Unzip-online: Likely abandoned.
- Convert.Files: Loaded with ads, and slower than the others.
- Funzip: No deletion policy listed.
- CloudConvert: Doesn't let you download individual file contents.
- WOBZIP: Failed to work in our test.
Based on this, B1 Online Archiver and Archive Extractor are the top two contenders. And due to its slightly better feature set...
Archive Extractor is the best online RAR extractor you'll find.
Though it has one ad while B1 has none, Archive Extractor has a few extra features that place it above B1. The ability to download everything as a ZIP file or grab individual files is great. Having the option to link cloud storage accounts or import RAR files from a URL is handy as well.
B1 Online Archiver is still solid, so give it a try if you don't like Archive Extractor. And if you're only interested in converting RAR files to ZIP, CloudConvert is a great choice.
There's one truth we've learned from this: you definitely don't need to pay for commercial tools like WinRAR to extract RAR files. Check out the best free file extraction tools for Windows if online options don't cut it.