Ark
Ark is KDE’s graphical utility for creating, browsing, extracting, and modifying compressed files and archives.
What Ark is
Ark is KDE’s graphical utility for creating, browsing, extracting, and modifying compressed files and archives. It supports formats including tar, gzip, bzip2, zip, rar, 7z, xz, rpm, cab, deb, xar, AppImage, and CD-ROM images. You can preview file contents without extracting them, and use archive encryption, split archives, and command-line tools. Ark is available for Linux and Windows. On Linux, KDE lists installation through AppStream stores, distribution package managers, and Flathub; the KDE page also offers a Windows nightly installer for testing. The software is free, with no plan limits stated, and its license is GPL-2.0+. KDE links users to the Ark Handbook, UserBase Wiki, and KDE Forum for help, as well as a bug-reporting page and the source code. KDE describes itself as an international community developing free and open-source software, represented in legal and financial matters by KDE e.V., a registered nonprofit in Germany.
Good
- Creates, extracts, browses, and modifies archives.
- Previews contents without extracting files.
- Supports a broad range of archive formats.
- Includes encryption, split archives, and command-line tools.
- Free, with no plan limits stated.
Watch out
- Windows availability is listed as a nightly installer for testing.
- The listed platforms are Linux and Windows.
Who it suits
Ark suits Linux or Windows users who want a graphical way to manage archives and preview contents before extracting them. It may also suit users who need encryption, split archives, or command-line tools.
Verdict
Ark covers common archive tasks alongside previewing, encryption, and split archives. Check the Windows nightly installer’s testing status if you plan to use it on Windows.
Plans and prices
From Ark's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Ark | Free | Free desktop application · no plan limits stated |
The facts
Each one read from Ark's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Archive operations
- Ark can browse, extract, create, and modify archives.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Issue reporting
- KDE provides a link to report Ark bugs.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Legal entity
- KDE says its community is represented in legal and financial matters by KDE e.V., a registered nonprofit in Germany.checked 5 Oct 2026
- License
- The KDE Ark page identifies its license as GPL-2.0+.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Preview
- Ark can preview file contents without extracting them.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Ark is a graphical utility for compressing and decompressing files and archives.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Source code
- KDE provides a link to browse Ark's source code.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- KDE links to the Ark Handbook, UserBase Wiki, and KDE Forum for help.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Supported formats
- The site lists tar, gzip, bzip2, rar, zip, and CD-ROM images, and its features list also includes 7z.checked 5 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Linux installation
- KDE offers Linux installation through AppStream application stores, distribution package managers, and Flathub.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Windows availability
- The KDE Ark page lists Windows as another platform and provides a Windows nightly installer for testing.checked 5 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- KDE describes itself as an international community developing free and open-source software.checked 5 Oct 2026
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- 1
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Zstandard
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