What Is a Plain TAR File and How Does It Differ from TAR.GZ?
A plain TAR file bundles multiple files into a single archive without applying any compression. The file size of a TAR equals the sum of all contained files plus header metadata. TAR.GZ, TAR.BZ2, and TAR.XZ add a compression layer on top of the TAR bundle to reduce file size. Plain TAR files are less common for distribution because they offer no size reduction, but they appear in workflows where compression is handled separately or where speed matters more than space.
How Do You Extract a TAR File on Mac Without Terminal?
Drag the .tar file onto UnFox. The app reads the TAR header entries and displays the complete file tree with sizes. Click "Extract Here" to unpack alongside the archive, or choose a custom destination. UnFox validates available disk space before extraction begins and shows real time progress. No Terminal commands are needed.
TAR is one of nine TAR variants UnFox supports, including TAR.GZ, TAR.BZ2, TAR.XZ, TAR.LZ4, TAR.ZSTD, TAR.LZ, TAR.LZMA, and TAR.Z. all supported archive formats for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
UnFox provides file preview and progress tracking that the Terminal tar command does not offer. archive extraction features for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.