Linux · Accessories
Ark
Ark is KDE's graphical archive manager for creating, extracting and browsing many archive formats.
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Latest version
- 26.04.3 (July 2, 2026)
- Developer
- KDE
- Installs
- 4,995 (Flathub, 30 days)
What is Ark?
Ark has been part of the KDE desktop for years, offering a simple Qt‑based UI to handle tar, zip, rar, 7z and other common formats. It is maintained by the KDE community and receives regular updates, the latest being version 26.04.3. The tool is mature enough for everyday use and integrates well with other KDE applications.
The program targets users who need a straightforward way to manage archives without resorting to command‑line tools. It works well for both casual users moving files between systems and power users who need quick previews or batch extraction. Ark’s interface feels familiar to Windows archive utilities, but it follows KDE’s design language, which may feel lighter on resources than some heavyweight Windows counterparts.
Compared with 7‑Zip, WinRAR or WinZip, Ark provides similar core features—creating, extracting, and viewing archives—while staying fully open source. It lacks some commercial polish like built‑in password management, but it makes up for that with tight desktop integration, drag‑and‑drop support, and the ability to preview archive contents without extracting them.
Best for: Linux users who want a KDE‑styled, all‑in‑one graphical archive manager.
Key features of Ark
- Supports tar, gzip, bzip2, zip, rar, 7z and many other formats
- Create, extract, and modify archives from a single UI
- File preview inside archives without extraction
- Drag‑and‑drop integration with KDE file manager
- Batch extraction and compression
- Context‑menu actions in Dolphin and other file managers
- Command‑line wrapper (ark) for quick operations
Pros
- Fully open source and free
- Handles a wide range of archive types
- Integrates with KDE desktop and file manager
- Simple, clean interface with preview capability
Cons
- Limited advanced features such as strong encryption management
- UI may feel unfamiliar to non‑KDE users
- Rarely updated on non‑KDE desktops
Windows programs Ark replaces
7-Zip
IZArc
PeaZip
WinAce
WinZipHow to install Ark on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.kde.arkTips for Windows users
Most Windows tools you used—7‑Zip, WinRAR, WinZip—support the same formats that Ark handles, so you can open existing archives directly. Use the right‑click menu in Dolphin to "Extract Here" or "Create Archive" just as you would in Windows Explorer. Keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+N for a new archive and Ctrl+E for extraction are similar to other Linux archive utilities, helping you keep a familiar workflow.
Recent releases
- 26.04.3 —
- 26.04.2 —
- 26.04.1 —
- 26.04.0 —
Ark: frequently asked questions
Can Ark open RAR files without installing additional software?
Yes, Ark can read RAR archives out of the box, though creating RAR files may require the unrar package.
How do I extract only selected files from an archive?
Open the archive, select the files you need, then click the Extract button or press Ctrl+E.
Is there a command‑line alternative to Ark?
The 'ark' command provides a simple CLI wrapper that can open the graphical interface for a given archive.
Does Ark support password‑protected archives?
It can open password‑protected zip and 7z files; you will be prompted for the password when you try to extract.
Updated