Convert RAR to TAR.BZ2
Free, fast and secure — convert RAR to TAR.BZ2 right in your browser.
Convert RAR to TAR.BZ2 for wider compatibility
Converting RAR to TAR.BZ2 gives you a more widely supported file that opens cleanly across more devices, apps and platforms — handy when RAR will not play nicely everywhere.
How to convert RAR to TAR.BZ2
- 1 Drop your RAR file into the converter above.
- 2 It is converted to TAR.BZ2 automatically — no settings to fiddle with.
- 3 Download your new TAR.BZ2 file instantly.
RAR vs TAR.BZ2
| Feature | RAR | TAR.BZ2 |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless | Lossless |
| MIME type | application/vnd.rar | application/x-bzip2 |
| Best for | Opening RAR downloads — converted to ZIP or 7z so anyone can extract them freely. | Archiving and distributing files on Unix systems when smaller size matters more than speed. |
About the formats
RAR archive
RAR is a proprietary archive format known for strong compression and reliable recovery records. It is easy to open everywhere but can only be created with WinRAR, so it is best converted to ZIP or 7z for sharing.
Strengths
- Strong compression
- Recovery records resist corruption
- Splits neatly into multi-part volumes
Limitations
- Proprietary — needs WinRAR to create
- Not freely redistributable
- Less universal than ZIP
Best for: Opening RAR downloads — converted to ZIP or 7z so anyone can extract them freely.
bzip2-compressed TAR archive
TAR.BZ2 is a TAR archive compressed with bzip2, which packs tighter than gzip in exchange for slower speed. It is common for source releases and archival on Unix-like systems.
Strengths
- Smaller files than TAR.GZ
- Preserves Unix permissions and structure
- Widely supported on Linux and macOS
Limitations
- Slower to compress and extract
- Not native to Windows
- Superseded by xz for new projects
Best for: Archiving and distributing files on Unix systems when smaller size matters more than speed.