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PowerArchiver
Reston, Virginia, United States
What it is
PowerArchiver creates, compresses, extracts and manages more than 60 archive formats, including ZIP, 7Z, RAR, TAR, ISO and CAB. It includes AES-256 encryption, split archives, archive repair and a proprietary lossless PA codec. The software is available for Windows and macOS. PowerArchiver Pro for Mac is a separate codebase with Finder integration and native drag-and-drop, while the Windows build supports Windows 7 through Windows 11 and Server 2008 R2 through Server 2025. Editions add different tools: Professional includes Outlook, Word and Excel add-ins, while Professional Toolbox adds a cloud browser for S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, Azure and Box, plus PACL command-line tools. Business and higher editions provide MSI installation, Group Policy support and silent deployment. Enterprise adds FIPS 140-2 validated encryption and lists HIPAA and DFARS support. The free edition is licensed only for non-commercial personal, student and nonprofit use. A 30-day trial unlocks every feature in the highest Toolbox edition. Paid plans include Business at $22.95, paid once and Professional at $34.95, paid once.
For and against
For
- Manages more than 60 archive formats.
- Supports AES-256 encryption and archive repair.
- Includes split archives and command-line tools.
- Higher editions offer deployment and IT controls.
- Available for Windows and macOS.
Against
- Free edition is restricted to non-commercial use.
- Mac version is a separate codebase.
- Paid editions start at $22.95, paid once.
- Trial lasts 30 days.
The verdict
PowerArchiver covers a broad set of archive formats, with edition-specific options for office integration, cloud browsing and IT deployment. The free license is limited to non-commercial use, while paid editions are listed as one-time purchases.
Who it suits
PowerArchiver may suit power users, IT teams and enterprises working with many archive formats. The free edition is limited to personal, student and nonprofit non-commercial use.
Plans and prices
PowerArchiver Free
personal use · students · non-profits · 60+ formats
Read 2 Oct 2026 · powerarchiver.com
Business
commercial use · 60+ formats · MSI deployment · volume discounts
Read 2 Oct 2026 · powerarchiver.com
Professional
OpenPGP · backup · Office add-ins · cloud
Read 2 Oct 2026 · powerarchiver.com
Professional Toolbox
PACL · Secure FTP client · Virtual ISO · burner
Read 2 Oct 2026 · powerarchiver.com
Enterprise
FIPS 140-2 · HIPAA · DFARS · centralized IT control
Read 2 Oct 2026 · powerarchiver.com
Enterprise Unlimited
organization-wide deployment · no seat counting · no site or country limits
Read 2 Oct 2026 · powerarchiver.com
On the record
- Automation
- Professional Toolbox includes PACL, the PowerArchiver command-line tool.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Cloud integrations
- Professional Toolbox includes a cloud browser for S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, Azure and Box.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Company history
- PowerArchiver was created in 1998 and is used in more than 150 countries with localization in more than 30 languages.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Compression codec
- The proprietary PA codec provides lossless compression and is described as reducing documents by 30–70%.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Core function
- PowerArchiver manages and compresses more than 60 archive formats, including ZIP, 7Z, RAR, TAR, ISO and CAB.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Customer profile
- The maker describes PowerArchiver as intended for power users, IT teams and enterprises.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Business and higher editions provide MSI installation, Group Policy support and silent deployment.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- AES-256 encryption is integrated into PowerArchiver archive operations.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Free edition limit
- PowerArchiver Free is the complete Business product but is licensed only for non-commercial personal, student and nonprofit use.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Mac product
- PowerArchiver Pro for Mac is a separate macOS codebase with Finder integration and native drag-and-drop.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Office integration
- Professional includes add-ins for Outlook, Word and Excel.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Security compliance
- Enterprise provides FIPS 140-2 validated encryption and lists HIPAA and DFARS support.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- Technical support is free for all users, while active PA Select customers receive priority engineering support with a one-business-day response commitment.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Trial
- The trial lasts 30 days and unlocks every feature in the highest Toolbox edition without watermarks or feature throttling.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- The Windows build supports Windows 7 through Windows 11 and Server 2008 R2 through Server 2025.powerarchiver.com · read 2 Oct 2026
