RAR vs TAR: Which Should You Use?

Side-by-side comparison of RAR and TAR archive formats — features, pros, cons, and conversion options.

Quick Answer

RAR is best for File distribution with error recovery. TAR is best for Unix/Linux file archival (typically combined with gzip or bzip2).

Quick Verdict

RAR Best for File distribution with error recovery

✓ Good compression ratio
✓ Recovery records for damaged archives
✓ Volume splitting
✗ Proprietary format

Convert RAR to TAR →

TAR Best for Unix/Linux file archival (typically combined with gzip or bzip2)

✓ Preserves Unix file permissions
✓ No compression overhead
✓ Simple concatenation format
✗ No built-in compression

Specs Comparison

Side-by-side technical comparison of RAR and TAR

Feature	RAR	TAR
Category	Archive	Archive
Year Introduced	1993	1979
MIME Type	application/x-rar-compressed	application/x-tar
Extensions	.rar	.tar
Algorithm	RAR5 (proprietary)	None (archive only)
Max Compression	Very good	None (tar only)
Encryption	✓	✗
Splitting	✓	✗
Solid Archive	✓	✗

Pros & Cons

RAR

Pros

✓ Good compression ratio
✓ Recovery records for damaged archives
✓ Volume splitting

Cons

✗ Proprietary format
✗ Requires WinRAR license
✗ Not natively supported on most OS

TAR

Pros

✓ Preserves Unix file permissions
✓ No compression overhead
✓ Simple concatenation format

Cons

✗ No built-in compression
✗ No random access
✗ Large file size without compression layer

When to Use Each

Choose RAR when...

You need files optimized for File distribution with error recovery
Good compression ratio
Recovery records for damaged archives

Choose TAR when...

You need files optimized for Unix/Linux file archival (typically combined with gzip or bzip2)
Preserves Unix file permissions
No compression overhead

How to Convert

Convert between RAR and TAR for free on ChangeThisFile

Convert RAR to TAR Server-side conversion — auto-deleted after processing

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between RAR and TAR?

RAR is best for File distribution with error recovery, while TAR is best for Unix/Linux file archival (typically combined with gzip or bzip2). Both are archive formats but they differ in compression, compatibility, and intended use cases.

Is RAR or TAR better for archive?

It depends on your use case. RAR is better for File distribution with error recovery. TAR is better for Unix/Linux file archival (typically combined with gzip or bzip2). Consider your specific requirements when choosing between them.

How do I convert RAR to TAR?

Go to the RAR to TAR converter on ChangeThisFile. Upload your file and the conversion processes on the server, then auto-deletes. It's free with no signup required.

Can I convert TAR to RAR?

Direct conversion from TAR to RAR is not currently supported. Check the conversion pages for available routes using intermediate formats.

Which is smaller, RAR or TAR?

File size varies depending on the content, compression method, and quality settings of each format. In general, lossy formats produce smaller files than lossless ones. Test with your specific files to compare actual sizes.

Does RAR support encryption?

Yes, RAR supports encryption, but TAR does not. This may be important depending on your use case.

Is RAR or TAR free to use?

Both RAR and TAR are supported file formats that are free to use. You can convert between them for free on ChangeThisFile — server-side conversions are free with no signup required.

Which format is newer, RAR or TAR?

RAR is newer — it was introduced in 1993, while TAR dates back to 1979. Newer formats often offer better compression and features, but older formats tend to have wider compatibility.