Share this article
Improve this guide
Rufus Alternative: 5 Best Picks for Windows, macOS, and Linux
5 min. read
Published onOctober 2, 2024
published onOctober 2, 2024
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
The best Rufus alternative should easily create bootable USB drives or flash OS images.Rufusis a popular tool for such tasks. Still, it may not always meet your needs, especially if you require additional features like cross-platform compatibility or a more user-friendly interface.
Fortunately, there are several alternatives. After testing more than 25 tools, I’ve narrowed it down to the top five options. Eager to know which ones made it to my list?
Let’s get into it!
5 Best Rufus Alternatives
Here are the picks!
BalenaEtcher– Best Overall App
BalenaEtcher is a popular Rufus alternative that offers a simple way tocreate bootable USBdrives. One of its most unique features is itscross-platform support.Unlike Rufus, which only supports Windows, it also runs onmacOSandLinux.
Additionally, Etcher simplifies the process, allowing users to flash OS images with just a few clicks. All you need to do is toselect Flash from file/URL> select Target > Flash.
This tool also allows you to flash up to16 drives simultaneously. It’s important for big projects like installing operating systems on many devices or cloning drives to save time and effort.
You canuse it for freeand access all its features on thefirst 10 devices. However, you’ll have to pay if you connect more. The subscription options are$159 per month (Prototype), $329 per month (Pilot), $1,439 per month (Production),andcustom (Enterprise).
Pros:
Cons:
Get BalenaEtcher
UNetbootin– Best Open-Source Alternative
UNetbootinprovides an easy way to create bootable USB driveswithout needing CDs. You can install various Linux distributions and system utilities effortlessly.
It works onWindows, macOS,andLinux. Itsuser-friendly interfaceis designed for those who may not be highly technical, while itsopen-source natureensures regular updates and improvements.
Another key feature isdownloading and installing Linux distributions directly. Users can choose from various Linux versions right from the app.
Pros:
Cons:
Get UNetbootin
USBImager– Best User-Friendly Tool
USBImager is alightweightandsimplealternative to Rufus. It’s focused on creating bootableUSB drivesquickly. Itsminimalistic designmakes it easy for users to write image files to USB drives without any unnecessary features.
Unlike some other options, USBImager is known for being lightweight andrequiring minimal system resources, making it perfect for older or less powerful machines.
Moreover, it’s cross-platform, working onWindows, macOS,andLinux, and it’sopen-source. However, it doesn’t offer as many advanced features as some alternatives.
Pros:
Cons:
Get USBImager
Win32 Disk Imager– Best for Windows Users
Win32 Disk Imageris another powerful Rufus alternative designed specifically for Windows. It can writeraw disk image files (.img)to a removable storage device like a USB drive or SD card. It’s frequently used to create backups and clone USB drives, making it a reliable tool for data protection and OS deployment.
One standout feature is its ability toread data from devices. This allows you to create exact replicas of your bootable USB drives or SD cards. It’s useful forbacking up disk imagesthat you may want to restore later. Additionally, it supports various formats, includingISO, IMG,andZIP files.
Another notable feature is its minimalistic UI, making iteasy to use. Itslightweight designalso ensures it won’t take too much system memory or processing power.
Pros:
Cons:
Get Win32 Disk Imager
Universal USB Installer– Best Free Option
Universal USB Installer is a free bootable USB creator that supportsLinuxandWindows. It’seasy to set up, making it simple to select your preferred Linux distribution, choose theISO file, and create a bootable USB drive. This simplicity makes Universal USB Installer an excellent Rufus alternative for those new to creating bootable media.
It also includes abuilt-in USB formattingfeature that lets you clear the storage on your drive after installation.
Pros:
Cons:
Get Universal USB Installer
How I Chose the Best Rufus Alternative
I considered several key features to cover a wide range of needs. Below are the main factors I focused on:
Choosing the best Rufus alternative depends on your needs and the features you’re looking for. I included various options, whether you prioritize cross-platform compatibility, simplicity, or additional functionalities like multi-boot or persistent storage. Each tool has its strengths, so you’ll find the perfect match for creating bootable drives.
More about the topics:apps
Selma Citakovic
Content Editor
Selma is a tech fan and editor at Windows Report. She is also an experienced writer with a focus on cybersecurity, troubleshooting hardware and operating systems, gaming, and all things Windows.
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Selma Citakovic
Content Editor
Selma is a tech fan and editor at Windows Report. She is also an experienced writer with a focus on cybersecurity and all things Windows related.
