The REA archive format
Format REA
Compression is not enough. An archive must remain useful.
REA lets you browse an archive before opening it, restore only what you need and automatically check the result. Available on Mac, Linux, Android, iOS and Windows, the format balances speed, size, control and safety.
REA Archiver 0.6.7 · REA Format 0.5.0
New archives use REA 0.5.0. Encryption also protects names, sizes, dates and hashes; browsing requires the password or key. Encrypted archive headers are authenticated. Reading 0.4 archives remains supported; older tools cannot read 0.5. CLI export with --format-version 0.4.0 retains the privacy limits of 0.4. Optional Ed25519 signatures are available in the CLI and require a trusted public key.
What REA adds
An archive designed for the moment it must be used.
Find without extracting everything
Browse the tree, sizes and dates to see what the archive contains before restoring it.
Restore only what matters
Recover one specific file or folder without extracting everything else.
Verify automatically
REA checks that restored files match what was originally archived.
Restore with care
Items that could write outside the chosen folder are blocked.
Protect your data
A password or separate key protects the contents and helps detect changes.
Preserve older Mac files
REA keeps the useful characteristics of Mac OS Classic files when they are archived and restored.
Use cases
From an active folder to a reference archive.
REA is especially useful when finding, controlling and restoring matter as much as saving space.
Projects and deliverables
Bundle a tree, verify its integrity and restore only one version, media asset or document.
Database backups
Compress large SQL exports quickly with contained memory use that preserves server resources.
Cross-system transfer
Keep folder organisation and useful information when moving from one system to another.
Mac OS Classic heritage
Preserve older Mac projects with their characteristics so they can be found and faithfully restored.
Measured results
Four data profiles with measured advantages.
The first three profiles show averages from three tests. The SQL backup test uses one run per format. Data is described only by volume and compressibility.
Mixed data · 34.7 MiB
REA offers a strong balance here: smaller and about 3× faster to create than ZIP, with extraction in the same range as 7z and RAR.
| Format | Archive | Compression | Extraction | Peak memory C/E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REA | 17.1 MiB | 0.454 s | 0.663 s | 11.3 / 9.2 MiB |
| ZIP | 19.2 MiB | 1.341 s | 0.733 s | 4.3 / 3.0 MiB |
| 7z | 11.8 MiB | 3.169 s | 0.650 s | 370.7 / 51.8 MiB |
| RAR | 16.2 MiB | 0.757 s | 0.671 s | 133.9 / 49.8 MiB |
Low-compressibility data · 291.6 MiB
When every format saves little space, REA favours speed and contained memory: about 5.3× faster than ZIP to create in this test.
| Format | Archive | Compression | Extraction | Peak memory C/E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REA | 269.5 MiB | 1.490 s | 1.264 s | 9.3 / 7.2 MiB |
| ZIP | 269.2 MiB | 7.937 s | 2.363 s | 2.4 / 2.6 MiB |
| 7z | 264.2 MiB | 7.979 s | 0.697 s | 1.5 GiB / 576.5 MiB |
| RAR | 267.1 MiB | 9.029 s | 1.176 s | 304.4 / 75.0 MiB |
Highly compressible data · 843.9 MiB
REA creates the archive fastest and clearly beats ZIP on size. 7z and RAR compress further, at a higher time and memory cost.
| Format | Archive | Compression | Extraction | Peak memory C/E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REA | 157.1 MiB | 5.126 s | 3.623 s | 7.8 / 7.4 MiB |
| ZIP | 203.8 MiB | 19.914 s | 6.010 s | 1.7 / 2.4 MiB |
| 7z | 85.4 MiB | 53.454 s | 1.329 s | 2.3 GiB / 940.0 MiB |
| RAR | 99.9 MiB | 15.031 s | 1.433 s | 292.0 / 43.0 MiB |
58 MariaDB .sql dumps · 116.0 GB
REA produces an 8.31 GB archive, 23.94% smaller than GZIP and ZIP. Compression takes 4.48 minutes, reaches 411.45 MiB/s and keeps peak memory at 13.30 MiB.
| Format | Archive | Compression | Throughput | Peak memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REA | 8.31 GB | 4.48 min | 411.45 MiB/s | 13.30 MiB |
| ZIP | 10.93 GB | 16.65 min | 110.77 MiB/s | 10.83 MiB |
| GZIP | 10.93 GB | 17.67 min | 104.40 MiB/s | 10.84 MiB |
Historical REA 0.4 measurements, separate from the current 0.5 format. These measurements illustrate specific conditions. Times depend on storage, tools and data. GZIP appears only in the SQL backup test, where it was measured directly.
Choose for the job
REA alongside established formats.
The best archive is not always the smallest. This table summarises format design; exact capabilities may vary by software and options.
| Format | Strength | Restore one item | Verification | Protection | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REA | Balance of speed, control and safe restoration | Yes | Automatic | Password or key | Mac, Linux, Android, iOS and Windows |
| ZIP | Universal compatibility | Yes | Basic check | Depends on the software | Security depends on the software used |
| GZIP | Simplicity, especially on servers | Not when used alone | Basic check | Not built in | Often paired with TAR to group files |
| 7z | Very strong size reduction | Variable | Built in | Yes | Can require more time and memory |
| RAR | Compression and advanced features | Variable | Built in | Yes | Specialised tool ecosystem |
Designed to last
Archives made to remain useful.
REA combines browsing, control and selective restoration to make your files easy to reuse over time.
You keep a clear view of the contents and restore exactly what you need, when you need it.
Useful today. Verifiable tomorrow.
REA aims for a simple outcome: know what you keep, verify it and restore only what you need.