Rufus Alternatives

Rufus formats USB drives and creates bootable USB sticks from ISO images, with BIOS/UEFI options and MS-DOS/FreeDOS support. Users appreciate its straightforward approach, though some seek alternatives that handle multiple ISOs or offer cross-platform compatibility.

Ventoy leads as the top-ranked alternative, allowing users to boot multiple ISO files from one USB without repeatedly reformatting - just copy new ISOs onto the drive. balenaEtcher appeals to users wanting a simple interface with verification steps, though some report struggles with Windows ISO boot disks. UNetbootin ranks highly as an open-source option with Windows, Mac, and Linux versions.

For specialized workflows, Popsicle can write one ISO image to multiple USB devices simultaneously with a simple click-driven workflow. These Rufus alternatives range from multiboot managers to straightforward image flashers, giving users flexibility in their bootable media creation approach.

filter to find the best alternatives

Open source options dominate the bootable USB space, with YUMI exFAT, WinDiskWriter, and WoeUSB all offering transparent, community-built tools. Linux users have native support through YUMI exFAT and WinDiskWriter, while WoeUSB focuses specifically on creating Windows installer USBs from Linux systems.

For portable workflows, YUMI exFAT, WinDiskWriter, and dd can run from USB without installation - perfect for technicians who need tools on the go. Users seeking ad-free experiences will find clean interfaces in YUMI exFAT, WoeUSB, and dd without promotional distractions. The command-line tool dd provides the most minimal approach for advanced users who prefer direct ISO writing without graphical interfaces.

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Alternatives list

  1. DiskMaker X icon

    DiskMaker X

     16 likes

    DiskMaker X (formerly Lion DiskMaker) is an application built with AppleScript that you can use with many versions of OS X/macOS to build a bootable drive from OS X/macOS installer program (the one you download from the App Store).

    12 DiskMaker X alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    DiskMaker X screenshot 1
     
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    4
    20
    Comments about DiskMaker X as an Alternative to Rufus
    Guest
    Negative
    7

    Rufus turns any CD Image to Bootable USB, while Diskmaker X works only with OS X disk images.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Only good to create OS X images - hence not an alternative as Rufus can create bootable USB from ANY image of ANY OS

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    only makes OS X bootable disks

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 4 comments
    Rufus Icon
    DiskMaker X icon

    • Some users think DiskMaker X is a great Rufus alternative, some don't.

    • DiskMaker X is Free and ProprietaryRufus is Free and Open Source
  2. WinUSB Maker Tool icon

    WinUSB Maker Tool

     Like

    This is a small utility tool that will help you format and create bootable flash drives for Windows 7/8. It can be useful if you want to create installation media from bootable ISOs and if you want to install Windows7/8 on a system that doesn't have a CD-ROM device installed.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    WinUSB Maker Tool screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    BurnAware icon
    BurnAware

    Enables writing files to CD, DVD, Blu-ray, BDXL, and M-Disc, supports boot, multisession, audio, and video discs, ISO creation, data backup, file recovery, spanning, command-line, and a stable multilingual interface for Windows s...

    https://www.burnaware.com
    Learn More
  6. SharpBoot icon

    SharpBoot

     4 likes

    SharpBoot is a small utility for creating multiboot ISO or USB. You just need to drag-n-drop some iso files inside, and it automatically adds description and category (for supported ISO files, not shown in the screenshot). It uses Syslinux for the menu and bootloader.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    SharpBoot screenshot 1
     
  7. Batch ISO Creator icon

    Batch ISO Creator

     3 likes

    Batch ISO Creator is a lightweight Windows utility that turns multiple folders into ISO images in a single click —no command line, no scripts, no bloat.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Batch ISO Creator screenshot 1
     
  8. USBWriter icon

    USBWriter

     3 likes

    USBWriter is tiny Windows tool that lets you write an image file directly to an USB drive. It requires no installation and depends on no bloated framework, it's just a little program that you may put on your desktop.

    42 USBWriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    USBWriter screenshot 1
     
  10. Kindd icon

    Kindd

     1 like

    A kindful dd gui written in qt quick :). Contribute to LinArcX/Kindd development by creating an account on GitHub.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Kindd screenshot 1
     
  12. EasyBoot icon

    EasyBoot

     6 likes

    EasyBoot makes creating a bootable CD or bootable DVD a straightforward process. Whether you want to make a MultiBoot CD that starts up in your language or you need bootable CDs with the company logo, EasyBoot meets your requirements.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    EasyBoot screenshot 1
     
  13. Caligula icon

    Caligula

     Like

    A user-friendly, lightweight TUI wrapper for the dd command written in Rust that performs easy disk imaging and ISO burning with only a single command with graphs and rich confirmation dialogs.

    48 Caligula alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    • Nix Package Manager
    • Homebrew
    Screenshot of the Caligula TUI verifying a disk
     

  14. NIMMI

     3 likes

    NIMMI, Nehul's ISO MultiBoot Manager and Installer, is an ISO installer-manager for Pen-Drive,USB Hard-Drive.It is very easy to use.And also is has been published under GNU license.

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
    |
    1
    Comments about NIMMI as an Alternative to Rufus
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Its simpler and faster than any other alternative

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Rufus Icon
    • NIMMI is Free Personal and ProprietaryRufus is Free and Open Source
  15. TekDT USB Creator icon

    TekDT USB Creator

     Like

    TekDT USB Creator is an automatic Windows installation USB/Hard drive creation free software. Help you install Windows for your computer as quickly, simply and as easily as possible.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    TekDT USB Creator screenshot 1
     
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