PowerArchiver
PowerArchiver is an archive utility for creating, compressing, extracting, and managing more than 60 formats, including ZIP, 7Z, RAR, TAR, ISO, and CAB.
What PowerArchiver is
PowerArchiver is an archive utility for creating, compressing, extracting, and managing more than 60 formats, including ZIP, 7Z, RAR, TAR, ISO, and CAB. It supports AES-256 encryption, split archives, archive repair, and a proprietary lossless PA codec; the codec is described as reducing documents by 30–70%. 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 edition supports Windows 7 through Windows 11 and several Windows Server versions. Editions add different tools: Professional includes Outlook, Word, and Excel add-ins; Professional Toolbox adds a cloud browser for S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, Azure, and Box, as well as PACL command-line tools. Business and higher editions provide MSI installation, Group Policy support, and silent deployment. Enterprise includes FIPS 140-2 validated encryption and lists HIPAA and DFARS support. A 30-day trial unlocks the highest Toolbox edition's features. The free edition is limited to non-commercial personal, student, and nonprofit use.
Good
- Handles more than 60 archive formats
- Includes AES-256 archive encryption
- Supports split archives and archive repair
- 30-day trial unlocks the highest Toolbox edition
Watch out
- Free edition is restricted to non-commercial use
- Professional and higher tools vary by edition
Who it suits
PowerArchiver is aimed at power users, IT teams, and enterprises. Its editions range from non-commercial personal use to organization-wide deployment.
Verdict
PowerArchiver covers a broad set of archive formats, with encryption and repair features. Check the edition limits and included tools against your personal, business, or deployment needs.
Plans and prices
From PowerArchiver's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| PowerArchiver Free | Free | personal use · students · non-profits · 60+ formats · non-commercial · no expiration |
| Business | $22.95, paid once | commercial use · 60+ formats · MSI deployment · volume discounts · per-seat · perpetual |
| Professional | $34.95, paid once | OpenPGP · backup · Office add-ins · cloud · FTP · per-seat · perpetual |
| Professional Toolbox | $49.95, paid once | PACL · Secure FTP client · Virtual ISO · burner · cloud browser · per-seat · perpetual |
| Enterprise | $59.95, paid once | FIPS 140-2 · HIPAA · DFARS · centralized IT control · audit logging · per-seat · perpetual · volume discounts |
| Enterprise Unlimited | $4,995, paid once | organization-wide deployment · no seat counting · no site or country limits · flat-fee site license |
The facts
Each one read from PowerArchiver's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Automation
- Professional Toolbox includes PACL, the PowerArchiver command-line tool.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Cloud integrations
- Professional Toolbox includes a cloud browser for S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, Azure and Box.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Compression codec
- The proprietary PA codec provides lossless compression and is described as reducing documents by 30–70%.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Core function
- PowerArchiver manages and compresses more than 60 archive formats, including ZIP, 7Z, RAR, TAR, ISO and CAB.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Customer profile
- The maker describes PowerArchiver as intended for power users, IT teams and enterprises.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Business and higher editions provide MSI installation, Group Policy support and silent deployment.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- AES-256 encryption is integrated into PowerArchiver archive operations.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Office integration
- Professional includes add-ins for Outlook, Word and Excel.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Security compliance
- Enterprise provides FIPS 140-2 validated encryption and lists HIPAA and DFARS support.checked 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.checked 2 Oct 2026
The company
- Company history
- PowerArchiver was created in 1998 and is used in more than 150 countries with localization in more than 30 languages.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1998checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Reston, Virginia, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free edition limit
- PowerArchiver Free is the complete Business product but is licensed only for non-commercial personal, student and nonprofit use.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Trial
- The trial lasts 30 days and unlocks every feature in the highest Toolbox edition without watermarks or feature throttling.checked 2 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Mac product
- PowerArchiver Pro for Mac is a separate macOS codebase with Finder integration and native drag-and-drop.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- The Windows build supports Windows 7 through Windows 11 and Server 2008 R2 through Server 2025.checked 2 Oct 2026
