WinRAR
WinRAR Licensing Explained
WinRAR is commercial software distributed under an evaluation model, not a free program, though it keeps working after the trial ends.
Get an archive tool for your computer
Download the installer and start opening RAR, ZIP and 7z archives in a few minutes.
Is WinRAR free?
Not technically. WinRAR is licensed, paid software. What makes it unusual is that its evaluation period does not have a hard cutoff that disables the program: after the trial period, WinRAR continues to open and let you use it, but it periodically displays a reminder screen asking you to purchase a license. Many people run it this way indefinitely, though doing so isn't compliant with the license terms.
How the evaluation period works
- A new installation starts a defined evaluation window during which the reminder is less frequent or absent.
- After that window, a purchase-reminder ('nag') screen appears when you launch WinRAR or perform certain actions.
- All core features — extracting, compressing, encrypting, splitting — remain available during and after the evaluation period.
Purchasing a license
Licenses are purchased directly through RARLAB, generally per computer, with different tiers for personal/home use versus business use. Business licensing typically scales by number of seats and can include volume discounts, but exact current pricing should always be checked on RARLAB's own site since it changes over time — we intentionally don't quote figures that could go stale.
If you'd rather not pay
Because the evaluation period never forces a hard stop, some users simply keep using the unlicensed reminder version, but that isn't the intended use of the license. If cost is the deciding factor, free and open-source alternatives like 7-Zip are worth considering — see WinRAR alternatives and WinRAR vs. 7-Zip for a direct comparison.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does the trial expire and lock the program? | No — it keeps functioning, with a periodic reminder screen |
| Are features limited during the trial? | No — the evaluation version has the same features as a licensed one |
| Is there a free-forever edition? | No — licensing is the intended long-term model |
| Are there business/volume licenses? | Yes, offered directly through RARLAB |
Download and try it yourself
Install the archive tool and apply the steps from this guide on your own files.
Frequently asked questions
Does WinRAR stop working if I never buy a license?
It keeps functioning after the evaluation period, showing a periodic reminder screen, rather than shutting off entirely.
Is there a legitimate free version of WinRAR?
No. There isn't a separate free edition; all copies run under the same evaluation model. Free alternatives like 7-Zip exist if you want a genuinely free tool.
How much does a WinRAR license cost?
Pricing is set by RARLAB and can change, so check their official site for current rates rather than relying on secondhand figures.
Can businesses license WinRAR for multiple computers?
Yes, RARLAB offers licensing tiers intended for business and multi-seat use.
Related guides
- WinRAR AlternativesIf you want to stop paying for or evaluating WinRAR, several free and paid programs can open and create archives instead. Here is what each one does and does not do.
- WinRAR vs 7-ZipWinRAR and 7-Zip are the two archive tools people ask about most on Windows. Here is how they actually differ, feature by feature.
- WinRAR Download Guide for WindowsWinRAR is only distributed as a program you install; getting it safely means downloading from RARLAB's official site and confirming the installer is genuine before you run it.
- How to Use WinRAROnce WinRAR is installed, its core tasks — extracting, compressing, protecting, and testing archives — all take just a few clicks.
WinRAR is a trademark of its respective owner. RareExplorer is an independent resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by RARLAB or win.rar GmbH. Read our editorial policy to see how this page was researched.