If you want to duplicate the contents of a DVD onto another DVD disc or a computer hard drive, you'll need a piece of DVD copy software. However, with so many options available online, it can be overwhelming to choose the right software for your needs. In this article, we'll explore some popular free DVD copy software options and discuss how to choose the right one for your needs.
Review of Best 10 Free DVD Copy Software
1. MacX DVD Ripper Free
Supported OS: Windows (11/10/8/7), Mac (macOS 10.6 and later)
MacX DVD Ripper Mac Free is a free DVD copy software for Mac users. It is designed to help you rip and convert DVDs including copy-protected DVDs to digital formats for playback on various devices, including iPhone, iPad, Android, and others.
Features:
MacX DVD Ripper Free offers a range of features that make it a useful tool for DVD copy, ripping and conversion. Some of the features include:
- Copy any type of DVD: This software can rip and convert any type of DVD, including those encrypted with region code, CSS, RCE, UOPs, and other copy protection schemes.
- Support for various output formats: MacX DVD Ripper Free can convert DVD content into a range of digital formats, including ISO, VIDEO_TS, MP4, MKV, MOV, M4V, MP3, AAC, AC3, and others.
- Preset profiles: The software comes with preset profiles for various devices, including Apple devices, Android devices, and others.
- Advanced editing features: MacX DVD Ripper Free allows you to edit and customize your DVD content before conversion. You can crop, trim, add subtitles, and adjust the audio and video settings.
- Fast ripping speed: The software is designed to rip and convert DVD content at a fast speed without compromising on the quality of the output. The two primary technologies that contribute to this are hardware acceleration and the High-Quality Engine.
In terms of performance, MacX DVD Ripper Free is a reliable and efficient software for DVD copying and ripping. It is easy to use, and the interface is user-friendly, even for those who are not tech-savvy.
The ripping speed of the software is impressive, and it can rip a full-length DVD in just a few minutes. The output quality is also excellent, and the DVD copy software can preserve the original quality of the DVD content.
Drawback:
One of the drawbacks of MacX DVD Ripper Free is that it is only available for Mac users. However, the software is compatible with the latest macOS version, including macOS Ventura.
How to copy DVD with MacX DVD Ripper Free
Step 1. Download and install MacX DVD Ripper Free on your Mac.
Step 2. Insert the DVD you want to copy into your DVD drive.
Step 3. Launch MacX DVD Ripper and click "DVD" button to load the DVD. This free DVD copy software will automatically scan and analyze the DVD and select the main movie title.
Step 4. Choose the output format. You can select from a range of output formats or choose a preset profile for your device.
Step 5 . Hit "RUN" button to start the ripping process. The software will begin to copy the DVD content onto your computer in the selected output format.
2. Disk Utility
Supported OS: Mac
Disk Utility is a built-in tool on macOS that offers a range of disk-related functions. While Disk Utility is not a dedicated DVD copy software, it can be used to create disk images of DVDs, which essentially creates a copy of the DVD. This disk image is essentially a virtual copy of the DVD that is stored on the Mac's hard drive. Once the disk image is created, users can access it just like a physical DVD. They can watch movies, view files, and perform any other action that they would with a regular DVD. Since it is already included on Macs, it's a convenient option for Mac users.
Features:
- Disk Utility can create disk images of CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. This can be done by selecting the "New Image" option in the File menu, choosing the disc to be copied, selecting the desired output format, and choosing a save location.
- Disk Utility can also burn disk images to CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. This can be done by selecting the "Burn" option in the File menu, choosing the disk image to be burned, selecting the desired burning speed and number of copies, and clicking "Burn".
- Disk Utility can erase rewritable CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs, allowing them to be used again.
- Disk Utility can also partition disks, dividing them into multiple volumes with separate file systems.
Drawback:
However, there are also some limitations to using Disk Utility as a DVD copy software.
Firstly, it can only create a disk image of a DVD, so users cannot make a physical copy of the DVD onto a blank disc.
Additionally, it does not have the ability to bypass copy protection on DVDs, so it cannot copy DVDs that have been protected with digital rights management (DRM) or other encryption methods.
3. DVD Shrink
Supported OS: Windows
DVD Shrink is a free DVD copy and compression software for Windows that has been around for many years. It's designed to help users create backup copies of their DVDs and also reduce the size of DVD content so that it can fit on a single-layer DVD disc.
Features:
- Copy CSS-protected DVDs: DVD Shrink features a DeCSS decryption algorithm, enabling it to handle DVDs protected by Content Scramble System (CSS).
- Advanced compression settings: DVD Shrink allows users to choose the amount of compression they want to apply to their DVD content. This is particularly useful when trying to fit large DVD content onto a single-layer DVD disc. This DVD copy software also offers a "Deep Analysis" option that analyzes the DVD content and adjusts the compression settings accordingly to maintain the quality of the output.
- Output formats: DVD Shrink allows exporting ISO image files and DVD folders.
DVD Shrink has a simple and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. DVD Shrink's performance is generally considered to be fast and efficient, especially when compared to other DVD compression and backup software at the time of its release. Its compressed domain video processing technology allowed for faster transcoding and better performance, as only part of the video stream is decoded and scraped. However, this DVD copy program's speed and efficiency can vary depending on the size and complexity of the DVD being compressed, as well as the user's computer hardware and settings.
Drawback:
DVD Shrink hasn't been updated for several years, which means this DVD copier may not work well with new operating systems and newer DVDs. Users may encounter issues when trying to backup certain DVDs. The backward DVD decryption tech cannot support you to cope with the more and more complicated DVD DRM encryption tech. So you may need to find a DVD Shrink alternative to handle newly released titles.
One additional limitation of DVD Shrink is that it has a restricted export function, as it can only export VIDEO_TS and ISO files. Exporting to VIDEO_TS and ISO files is great if you're planning to burn your compressed movie onto a DVD disc. But if you want to play the compressed movie on a device that doesn't support VIDEO_TS or ISO files, you will need to convert the exported file to a different format.
4. Handbrake
Supported OS: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Handbrake is a popular free open-source video transcoder software that also doubles as a DVD copy software. The software is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users. HandBrake works with popular video formats including MP4, MKV, and WebM. It can also work with a wide range of codecs, including x264, x265, and VP9, among others. This makes it possible to copy DVDs to a wide range of devices and platforms, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles.
Features:
- Copy a DVD disc, ISO file, or DVD folder to MP4, MKV, or WebM format. This makes it easy to back up your DVD collection and watch your favorite movies on any device that supports these video formats.
- Create digital backups of Blu-ray collection.
- Convert a wide range of video formats to MP4, MKV, or WebM.
- Handbrake offers premade presets for various devices, such as Apple TV, iPhone, and Android, so users can quickly and easily optimize their videos for their preferred device.
- In addition to the premade presets, Handbrake allows users to create custom presets with advanced settings. This gives users complete control over the encoding process and allows them to fine-tune the video output to their specific needs. Handbrake's advanced settings include options for adjusting the video codec, bitrate, resolution, and more.
- Finally, Handbrake supports hardware acceleration. This is especially useful for users who frequently convert large video files or copy DVDs and Blu-rays.
Drawback:
Handbrake is a popular and powerful DVD copy software that offers a variety of useful features for users. However, there are a few downsides to this program that are worth noting.
One of the main disadvantages is that it does not include decryption features, so users will need to use another program to remove any copy protection on their DVDs. People usually install libdvdcss to work with HandBrake. However, this solution can be troublesome for Mac users running El Capitan or later versions of macOS. Moreover, this solution may not work with newer DVDs that employ more advanced copy protection schemes.
Additionally, it does not support copying DVDs to ISO files or folder structures, which may be a deal-breaker for some users.
In addition to its decryption and output limitations, Handbrake has a few other downsides. For instance, the user interface can be a bit daunting for beginners, and there is a learning curve to understanding all of the program's settings and options. Moreover, the program can be slow when encoding videos, particularly on older or less powerful hardware.
How to use Handbrake to copy DVD to MP4 on Mac
Step 1. Install HandBrake. Visit the HandBrake website (https://handbrake.fr/) and download the latest version of HandBrake for macOS. Open the downloaded file and drag the HandBrake application into your Applications folder to install it.
Step 2. Insert the DVD you want to copy into your Mac's DVD drive.
Step 3. Launch HandBrake from your Applications folder or by searching for it in Spotlight. In HandBrake, click on the "Open Source" button in the top left corner. Choose your DVD drive from the list of available sources.
HandBrake offers various presets for different devices and output formats. You can choose a preset or configure your own settings depending on your needs. The default format is MP4 H264. You can also select ripping DVDs to MKV or WebM.
Step 4. Click the "Start" button in the top left corner to begin the copying process after you select a destination folder for your resulting DVD rips.
Step 5. HandBrake will start copying the DVD to your specified destination. The time it takes will depend on the size of the DVD and the settings you've chosen. Once the copying process is complete, eject the original DVD from your Mac's DVD drive.
5. MakeMKV
Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Linux
MakeMKV is an excellent free DVD copy software that is easy to use, fast, and reliable. It is a great option for users who want to create high-quality backup copies of their DVDs quickly and easily. It is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
The user interface is straightforward and easy to use, even for those who are new to DVD copying. The program allows users to select specific titles, audio tracks, and subtitle to copy.
The program can convert your DVD to MKV as fast as your drive can read data. Users can quickly create backup copies of their DVDs without having to wait for hours. This is particularly useful for users who have a large DVD collection to copy.
Features:
- MakeMKV can copy DVDs including some copy-protected DVDs to MKV.
- MakeMKV can also decrypt Blu-ray discs protected with latest versions of AACS and BD+.
Drawback:
One downside of MakeMKV is that it only supports one output format, which is MKV. This means that users who want to convert their DVD files to other formats will need to use additional software.
Another potential downside of MakeMKV is that it does not include any compression options, which means that the output file size can be quite large.
How to free copy DVDs to MKV using MakeMKV?
Step 1. Insert the DVD you want to rip into your computer's DVD drive. Open MakeMKV from your applications or programs list.
Step 2. MakeMKV will automatically detect the DVD in your DVD drive. In the main interface, you will see the DVD listed as the source.
Step 3. Choose titles to rip.
MakeMKV will list all the available titles (chapters) on the DVD. These titles correspond to different sections or episodes on the DVD. By default, this top free dvd backup software will select all titles. You can uncheck titles you don't want to rip or select only the titles you want to keep. Additionally, you can choose audio and subtitle tracks for each title from the dropdown menus next to them.
Step 4. Click the "MakeMKV" button to start the ripping process. MakeMKV will begin extracting the selected titles from the DVD and saving them as MKV files on your computer.
Step 5. Once the ripping process is complete, you can access the ripped MKV files in the folder you specified earlier. Eject your DVD disc from your laptop. Then the whole DVD copy job is done.
6. WinX DVD Ripper
Supported OS: Windows, Mac
If you're looking for a free DVD copy software that can copy copy-protected DVDs on its own, you can try WinX DVD Ripper. This is a powerful and versatile DVD copy software that allows users to copy and convert homemade and commercial DVD movies to various digital formats. It is designed with a user-friendly interface and offers a wide range of features that make it an ideal choice for both novice and advanced users.
Features:
- It can copy DVD movies to a variety of digital formats, including MP4, H.264, AVI, WMV, MOV, and MPEG. Users can choose the output format and preset that best suits their needs, and the software will automatically optimize the output quality based on the selected preset.
- It can copy DVD movies to ISO images and DVD folders to make a 1:1 copy.
- The software utilizes advanced hardware acceleration technology to deliver fast and efficient DVD copying and conversion. This means that users can copy and convert DVDs quickly and with minimal impact on their system's performance.
- It allows users to adjust video and audio settings, such as bitrate, resolution, and frame rate.
- It offers basic video editing tools. Users can crop, trim, merge video files, and add subtitles.
Drawback:
This is a perfect option if you want to make a digital copy of your DVDs. If you need to copy DVD to DVD, you need additional tool.
7. IQmango Free DVD Copy Software
Supported OS: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 2003
It's never been the only one, but it always had a reputation for making the free DVD copy process painless, being fast and efficient, and packing powerful feature to make users free rip, copy, and burn DVDs on Windows 8 and lower.
The user interface of IQmango Free DVD Copy is simple and easy to use. The main window displays all the options and features that the software offers. Users can easily navigate through the software and select the options they want to use. The interface is intuitive, and users can make copies of their DVDs without any difficulty.
Features:
- 1:1 copy DVD to a blank DVD disc. It's a great option for users who want to back up their DVD collection or create duplicates for friends and family.
- Copy DVD to DVD folder on their computer. This feature is useful for users who want to keep a digital copy of their DVD collection.
- Rip DVD to video files in DIVX AVI and MP4 formats so that users can enjoy their favorite DVDs on mobiles.
- Burn DVD from DVD folder. This is particularly handy for users who have a collection of DVD folders on their computer and want to create a physical copy.
- Custom audio, video, and subtitles settings to meet their specific needs and preferences.
Drawback:
The IQmango Free DVD Copy software is a versatile tool for copying, ripping, and burning DVDs. However, there are a couple of limitations to the software that users should be aware of.
One of the drawbacks of the software is that it is not compatible with systems newer than Windows 8. This can be a problem for users who have upgraded to newer versions of Windows, such as Windows 10 and Windows 11, as they may not be able to use the software on their computer.
Another limitation of the IQmango Free DVD Copy software is that it can only convert DVD to DIVX AVI and MP4 formats. While these formats are commonly used for playing videos on mobile devices and computers, users who require other formats may need to look for an alternative software solution.
8. BurnAware Free
Supported OS: Windows 32-bit
BurnAware Free is primarily a disc burning software that can create and burn CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. While it does not have all the features of a dedicated DVD copy software, it can still be used to make a backup copy of a DVD disc.
Features:
- Copy discs: BurnAware Free can copy discs to ISO images.
- Burn various types of discs: BurnAware Free can burn data discs, bootable discs, audio discs, and video discs.
- Create ISO and other disc images: BurnAware Free can create ISO and other disc images from files and folders.
- Erase and verify discs.
- Customizable settings: BurnAware Free allows you to customize various settings such as the burning speed, number of copies, and the disc label.
- Multilingual support: BurnAware Free is available in multiple languages, making it easy for users around the world to use the software.
Drawback:
While BurnAware Free can be used to copy DVDs, it does not have the advanced features of other dedicated DVD copy software. For example, it cannot decrypt copy-protected DVDs, which means that it may not work with some commercial DVDs. Additionally, BurnAware Free doesn't support direct copying from disc to disc.
9. ImgBurn
Supported OS: Windows
ImgBurn is a free and lightweight optical disc authoring software that can work as a DVD copy software. It offers a range of features for copying DVDs, including creating ISO image files and writing ISO files to a disc.
Features:
- ImgBurn allows users to create image files from CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. These images can then be saved in a range of formats, including ISO, BIN, and IMG.
- ImgBurn can burn image files to discs in a range of formats, including CD, DVD, and Blu-ray.
- ImgBurn includes a verify feature that checks the data on the disc after it has been burned. This feature ensures that the data on the disc is the same as the original image file and is useful for creating accurate backups.
- The Build mode in ImgBurn allows users to create custom disc layouts. This feature is useful for creating data discs, audio CDs, and video DVDs with custom menus.
- ImgBurn includes a range of advanced settings for users who want more control over the burning process. These settings include options for buffer size, layer break position, and booktype settings.
- ImgBurn supports multiple languages, making it accessible to users around the world.
Drawback:
One of the limitations of ImgBurn is that it cannot copy DVDs directly without first creating an image file. It also lacks the ability to decrypt copy-protected DVDs, so users need to use a separate program to remove encryption before copying the DVD with ImgBurn. It's worth noting that the version of the installer distributed directly from imgburn.com contains OpenCandy. Furthermore, some users may find the interface somewhat outdated compared to newer software options.
10. Freemake Video Converter
Supported OS: Windows
Freemake Video Converter can be used as a DVD copy program. It provides a range of features that enable users to copy, rip and burn DVDs. It can convert DVDs to a range of different formats. Its interface is user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy for beginners to get started.
Features:
- Freemake Video Converter supports conversion of videos between a large number of formats including MP4, AVI, MKV, WMV, MPEG, FLV, 3GP, DVD, Blu-ray, and more.
- Freemake Video Converter also supports conversion of audio files and images between various formats.
- Freemake Video Converter allows users to burn videos to DVD and Blu-ray discs. The software supports a range of video formats and users can customize their DVD menus and subtitles.
- Freemake Video Converter offers basic video editing features such as trimming, cropping, adding subtitles, and watermarking. Users can also adjust the video brightness, contrast, and saturation.
- Download Videos: Freemake Video Converter has a built-in downloader that can download videos from popular video sharing sites.
Drawback:
There are some drawbacks to using Freemake Video Converter as a DVD copy software. One of the main limitations is that it can only copy non-encrypted DVDs. This means that users will need to use a separate program to decrypt any copy-protected DVDs before using Freemake Video Converter to copy them.
Additionally, the company tries very hard to persuade users to pay for its premium version. The free version comes with certain limitations such as watermarked videos, limited video conversion options, and slower processing speeds. Freemake encourages users to upgrade to the premium version to remove these limitations and gain access to additional features. The company uses various tactics to encourage users to pay, such as offering pop-up windows and reminders to upgrade, promoting premium features prominently on the user interface, and limiting the functionality of the free version.
How to Choose the Right Free DVD Copy Software
Choosing the right free DVD copy software can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available online. Here are some factors to consider and tips to help you select the right software for your needs.
A. Factors to consider:
- Compatibility: Make sure that the software is compatible with your operating system and the type of DVD you want to copy.
- Features: Look for software that has the features you need, such as DVD ripping, copying, or burning, and supports the file formats you want.
- Ease of use: Choose software that is easy to use and doesn't require advanced technical knowledge.
- Speed: Consider the speed of the software and how long it takes to copy or rip a DVD.
- Safety: Check that the software is safe to use and doesn't contain viruses or malware.
- Reviews: Read user reviews and ratings of the software to get an idea of its performance and reliability.
B. Tips for selecting the right software:
- Test different software: Try out different software options to find the one that works best for you.
- Prioritize features: Prioritize the features that are most important to you, such as DVD ripping, copying, or burning.
- Choose software from reputable sources: Download software from reputable sources, such as the official website or trusted download sites.
- Check for updates: Make sure to check for updates regularly to ensure that the software is up-to-date and working properly.
In conclusion, free DVD copy software is a valuable tool for preserving and watching your DVD collection on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. With so many options available online, it's important to choose the right software that meets your needs and is safe to use. Consider factors such as compatibility, features, ease of use, speed, safety, and user reviews when selecting the right software for you. By following these tips, you can find the perfect free DVD copy software for your needs and enjoy your DVD collection in the digital age.
Notice: We only advocate copying DVDs under the concept of Fair Use and don't encourage any illegal reproduction or distribution of copyrighted content. Please abide by the local DVD copyright law before doing it.
Bella has been working with DVD digitization for over 12 years. She writes articles about everything related to DVD, from disc drive, DVD copyright protection, physical structure, burning and backup tips. The unceasing passion of DVD movies helps her build a rich DVD library and ensure a practical solution to address almost all possible DVD issues. Bella is also a crazy fan for Apple products.
