RAR vs Gzipped TAR: Which Should You Use?

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

Quick Answer

RAR is best for File distribution with error recovery. Gzipped TAR is best for General-purpose Linux/Unix file archival and distribution.

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 Gzipped TAR →

Gzipped TAR Best for General-purpose Linux/Unix file archival and distribution

✓ Fast compression and decompression
✓ Universal Unix/Linux support
✓ Preserves file permissions
✗ Lower compression than bzip2 or xz

Specs Comparison

Side-by-side technical comparison of RAR and Gzipped TAR

Feature	RAR	Gzipped TAR
Category	Archive	Archive
Year Introduced	1993	1992
MIME Type	application/x-rar-compressed	application/gzip
Extensions	.rar	.tar.gz, .tgz
Algorithm	RAR5 (proprietary)	DEFLATE (LZ77 + Huffman)
Max Compression	Very good	Good
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

Gzipped TAR

Pros

✓ Fast compression and decompression
✓ Universal Unix/Linux support
✓ Preserves file permissions

Cons

✗ Lower compression than bzip2 or xz
✗ No random access
✗ No encryption

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 Gzipped TAR when...

You need files optimized for General-purpose Linux/Unix file archival and distribution
Fast compression and decompression
Universal Unix/Linux support

How to Convert

Convert between RAR and Gzipped TAR for free on ChangeThisFile

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between RAR and Gzipped TAR?

RAR is best for File distribution with error recovery, while Gzipped TAR is best for General-purpose Linux/Unix file archival and distribution. Both are archive formats but they differ in compression, compatibility, and intended use cases.

Is RAR or Gzipped TAR better for archive?

It depends on your use case. RAR is better for File distribution with error recovery. Gzipped TAR is better for General-purpose Linux/Unix file archival and distribution. Consider your specific requirements when choosing between them.

How do I convert RAR to Gzipped TAR?

Go to the RAR to Gzipped 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 Gzipped TAR to RAR?

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

Which is smaller, RAR or Gzipped 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 Gzipped TAR does not. This may be important depending on your use case.

Is RAR or Gzipped TAR free to use?

Both RAR and Gzipped 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 Gzipped TAR?

RAR is newer — it was introduced in 1993, while Gzipped TAR dates back to 1992. Newer formats often offer better compression and features, but older formats tend to have wider compatibility.