1. BurnAware (Windows)
Highlights:
- Supports CD, DVD, Blu-ray burning (including M-Disc, BDXL) for data, audio, video, bootable discs
- Very user-friendly interface, clearly organized for typical tasks.
- Free edition available with many features; paid editions add extras. Things to note:
- The free version may lack some advanced features (e.g., full Blu-ray “extras”) compared to premium versions.
- Always download from official site to avoid unwanted add-ons.
2. Burn v5.5 Multilingual Portable
Highlights:
- Really versatile: can burn many image formats (ISO, BIN/CUE, NRG etc), build discs from folders, verify discs, and supports CD/DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-ray.
- Lightweight, advanced options for power users (e.g., book-type setting, layer break for double-layer DVDs). Things to note:
- Interface is a bit dated and may present a learning curve for beginners
- Some installers have bundled ad-ware or unwanted extras—so use caution.
- While still functional, development updates are sparse, so future compatibility (especially newer drives or OS versions) might be less certain.
3. CDBurnerXP (Windows)
Highlights:
- Free application capable of burning CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, HD-DVD; creating burning ISOs, bootable discs.
- Supports audio CDs (MP3/WAV/FLAC etc), data discs, and includes verification after burn. Things to note:
- Some versions bundled optional software or ad-ware during install—choose custom install carefully.
- While feature-rich, UI may feel less modern; and some users report issues with very large files or newer disc formats.
4. AnyBurn (Windows)
Highlights:
- A lightweight yet full-featured tool for burning, ripping, converting image files, plus creating bootable USB drives.
- Free to use, easy to pick up—good for users who want simplicity + decent features. Things to note:
- As of now, Windows only (no native macOS/Linux versions).
- Doesn’t offer same depth of editing or media-conversion features as some full-multimedia suites.
5. Nero Burning ROM (Windows)
Highlights:
- A longstanding commercial solution with a wide range of features: burn/copy data, audio enhancement, Blu-ray support, encryption data protection.
- Good for users who want a polished, full-suite tool with support extras. Things to note:
- It’s a paid/licensed product (vs some free alternatives).
- Might be overkill for simple burning tasks; also, newer versions may require more system resources.
- As with any commercial software, check for compatibility with your optical drive and OS.
