6 Best Free AnyDVD Alternatives for Decrypting DVDs [2026 Latest]
Summary: RedFox AnyDVD is no longer available, so users need to consider alternatives in two main categories: background decryption tools and all-in-one disc rippers. DVDFab All-In-One is a comprehensive AnyDVD alternative that combines disc decryption, ripping, and conversion, with support for outputs such as MKV, MP4, and ISO. Meanwhile, DVDFab Passkey and Xreveal are among the closest replacements for AnyDVD, removing supported DVD, Blu-ray, and UHD protections in the background.
Table of Contents
What Happened to AnyDVD?
AnyDVD was originally developed by SlySoft, which shut down in 2016 due to regulatory pressures. Shortly after, the software was revived under a new brand, RedFox, operating out of Belize. To keep using it, users had to buy a lifetime license or switch to an annual subscription.
By June 2024, the official RedFox website went offline, and AnyDVD and other related tools were no longer accessible. No statement has been issued, but forum discussions on platforms like Reddit point to the possibility that the service has been shut down for good.
With the sudden disappearance of the website, unclear licensing, and no official updates, many users have started looking for more dependable AnyDVD alternatives that still offer active support and long-term maintenance.
6 Best & Free AnyDVD Alternatives [Windows/Mac/Linux]
While AnyDVD HD was once a go-to tool for decrypting discs, many users now face issues such as website downtime, compatibility problems, and errors like IFOProperties 6. Below, I've rounded up the 6 best free AnyDVD alternatives available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, with key features and operating steps, to help you choose the one that fits your DVD/Blu-ray ripping needs.
Top 1: DVDFab [All-around AnyDVD Alternative]
DVDFab is a software company with over 20 years of experience developing DVD, Blu-ray, and UHD copying, ripping, and creation solutions. Unlike AnyDVD, DVDFab does not expose a decrypted disc to every Windows program; it completes the selected backup or conversion inside its own software.
💡 RedFox AnyDVD is available only for DVD and Blu-ray decryption, but the DVDFab Ripper module allows you to rip copy-protected DVDs, Blu-rays, and UHDs into more than 1000 video or audio formats. The Copy module lets you create 1:1 or compressed disc backups. The Creator module lets you create personalized discs using free menu templates.
- Rip, copy, and create 2D or 3D DVD, Blu-ray, and UHD discs, folders, or ISO files
- Handle supported protections including RC, RCE, APS, UOPs, ARccOS, RipGuard, and fake playlists
- Receive updates for newly released DVDs, Blu-rays, and UHDs
- Process multiple DVD, Blu-ray, and UHD tasks in batches
- Convert DVDs and Blu-rays using more than 1000 video and audio profiles
- Cut, crop, rotate, adjust speed, and add text, images, or subtitles with the built-in editor
Operating Systems:
Free Download Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7
Free Download macOS 10.13 - 15.x
Feedback of DVDFab
The figure shows that DVDFab enjoys strong approval from its user base, with the overwhelming majority expressing satisfaction. Over 90% of reviewers have rated DVDFab positively, indicating that most users find the software reliable and worthwhile. This high percentage of positive feedback demonstrates DVDFab's popularity and the trust it has earned among its users.
——Source data from Trustpilot
Disc enthusiasts and power users who need a suite for ripping, copying, and burning DVDs and Blu-ray discs. It also suits users managing large physical libraries who need flexible output formats and AI-assisted upscaling.
Top 2: Passkey for DVD [Direct Background-Decryption Alternative to AnyDVD]
Similar to AnyDVD, DVDFab Passkey is a Windows background decryption utility. Once a supported disc is inserted, Passkey removes compatible restrictions and lets media players or disc-copying programs access the decrypted content. Passkey All-In-One currently combines five products covering commercial DVDs, Blu-rays, UHD discs, Blu-ray Recorder media, and 4K Recorder media.
- Remove supported DVD protections such as CSS, CPPM, APS, and UOPs
- Access supported DVDs from different regions
- Support DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW media
- Provide real-time background decryption without manual processing
DVDFab Passkey follows a background-decryption process similar to AnyDVD. A 30-day trial is available for users who want to test the paid functions.
Choose DVDFab Passkey when another Windows program needs direct access to a supported decrypted disc.
Choose DVDFab All-In-One when you need to copy, compress, convert, or author disc content inside one application.
Windows users who require background disc decryption without video conversion or editing and want to use the decrypted source with programs such as DVDFab or ImgBurn.
Top 3: MakeMKV [One-Format-Output AnyDVD Alternative]
MakeMKV can serve as an AnyDVD alternative when you want to back up encrypted DVDs or Blu-rays as MKV files. It can handle supported disc protections while preserving the original video, audio tracks, subtitles, chapters, and metadata without re-encoding.
Unlike AnyDVD, it is not a background decryption driver and does not provide ISO copying or a wide choice of output formats. Its public beta is time-limited, and installing the latest available build renews the beta period.
Operating Systems: Windows XP or later, macOS, and Linux
Features:
- Read supported DVD and Blu-ray discs
- Preserve the original video and audio streams without transcoding
- Select individual titles, audio tracks, subtitles, and chapters
- Produce widely supported MKV files
Cons:
- Output MKV files are usually large
- It cannot output MP4, AVI, WMV, MP3, or ISO files
- The public beta expires after 60 days and must be renewed with a current build
Users who want source-quality DVD or Blu-ray backups in MKV format with minimal setup, including those building Plex or Jellyfin media libraries.
Top 4: HandBrake [Open-Source AnyDVD Alternative]
HandBrake is an open-source video transcoder that converts accessible video sources into formats such as MP4, MKV, and WebM. It can open unprotected DVDs and Blu-rays, but its official documentation states that it does not defeat or circumvent copy protection. It is therefore a transcoder rather than a direct replacement for AnyDVD.
Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, and Linux
Features:
- Convert accessible DVD and Blu-ray sources to MP4, MKV, or WebM
- Encode video with H.264, H.265, AV1, and other supported codecs
- Apply cropping, deinterlacing, denoising, subtitle, audio, and chapter settings
- Use supported Intel, NVIDIA, AMD, Apple, and ARM hardware encoders
Cons:
- It does not remove DVD, Blu-ray, or UHD copy protection
- It does not operate as a background decryption driver
- Video output is re-encoded and may lose quality at low bitrate or quality settings
Users who want to compress, convert, or customize an unprotected source or a disc backup created with a separate decryption tool.
Top 5: VLC [Free AnyDVD Alternative]
VLC is a free media player and conversion program rather than a direct AnyDVD replacement. It supports unprotected DVDs and may access some CSS-protected DVDs when paired with the separate libdvdcss library. Its Convert/Save feature can export accessible content to a digital media file, but it does not provide system-wide background decryption or reliable support for commercial Blu-rays.
Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, and Linux
Features:
- Free and open source, with no output watermark
- Play unprotected DVDs and many local media formats
- Access some CSS-protected DVDs when paired with libdvdcss
- Convert accessible media through the Convert/Save function
Cons:
- It cannot create ISO images or complete disc-folder backups
- It does not run as a background disc-decryption driver
- It does not include a dedicated video editor or disc-title manager
- Libbluray alone cannot open most commercial AACS- or BD+-protected Blu-rays
Users who need free playback or basic conversion for an unprotected or otherwise accessible DVD source.
Top 6: Xreveal [Closest Independent Background Replacement]
Xreveal is a direct alternative to AnyDVD for Windows because it runs in the background and removes supported DVD, Blu-ray, and UHD restrictions when a disc is inserted. Compatible media players, ripping programs, and copying tools can then access the processed disc without first saving a decrypted copy to the hard drive.
Xreveal can also remove supported region codes and user-operation restrictions and back up discs as ISO files or folders. The free edition can process DVDs and open some Blu-ray or UHD discs with available keys and plugins, while Xreveal Pro provides broader online key and protection support.
Operating System: Windows only
Features:
- Run in the background and decrypt supported discs on the fly
- Process DVDs, Blu-rays, and UHD discs based on available keys
- Remove supported region restrictions and playback limitations
- Back up a decrypted disc as an ISO file or folder
- Work with compatible third-party playback and backup programs
Cons:
- It is available only for Windows
- The free edition may require a separately supplied
KEYDB.cfg - Some BD+ support requires an additional plugin
- Free public and beta builds have release-based expiration periods
Windows users seeking a tray-based background replacement that behaves more like AnyDVD than a conventional video ripper.
How to Rip a Copy-Protected DVD with an AnyDVD Alternative
The following example uses DVDFab DVD Ripper to convert a supported DVD to a digital format and customize the output video.
💡 Watch this video for a visual guide:
Step 1: Download and Install DVDFab
Download DVDFab from its official website and complete the installation.
Free Download Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7
Free Download macOS 10.13 - 15.x
Step 2: Select the Ripper Module and Load the DVD
Launch DVDFab and select Ripper from the main navigation. Insert the DVD into the optical drive or load a DVD folder or ISO file from the computer.
Step 3: Set the Output Format and Customize the Video
After loading the source, check the detected protection information and select the required title, chapters, audio tracks, and subtitles.
Open Choose Other Profile, select Format, and choose a profile such as MP4, MKV, AVI, WMV, MOV, or MPEG.
Use Advanced Settings to adjust the video, audio, and resolution parameters. Use Video Edit when the output needs cropping, trimming, rotation, or other changes.
Step 4: Select a Destination and Start
Set the output directory and click Start. Processing time depends on the disc, output profile, optical drive, and computer hardware.
Best AnyDVD Alternatives: Feature & Capability Comparison
| Feature | AnyDVD | DVDFab | Passkey | MakeMKV | HandBrake | VLC | Xreveal |
| Supported OS | Windows | Windows & Mac | Windows | Windows, Mac & Linux | Windows, Mac & Linux | Windows, Mac & Linux | Windows |
| Decryption Support | CSS, AACS, BD+, Region Locks | CSS, APS, RC, Sony DADC, BD+, RCE, and latest protections | CSS, APS, RC, Sony DADC, BD+, RCE, and latest protections | AACS, BD+ | No | Region Code and CSS | CSS, AACS, BD+, Region Locks |
| Main Outputs | Decrypted disc access; DVD folder or image backup | Disc, ISO, folder, MP4, MKV, and 1000+ profiles | Decrypted disc access, ISO, and folder | MKV | MP4, MKV, and WebM | Common video or audio formats | Decrypted disc access, ISO, and folder |
| Hardware Acceleration | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Editing Tools | None | Trim, crop, merge, rotate, subtitles, and watermarks | None | Track selection only; no video editor | Cropping, scaling, filters, chapters, audio, and subtitles | No dedicated video editor | None |
| Blu-ray and UHD Support | Legacy Blu-ray and UHD support; discontinued | Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, and 4K UHD | Blu-ray, 4K UHD, BDAV, and 4K BDAV | Blu-ray; UHD requires compatible hardware | Unprotected Blu-ray sources only | No | Blu-ray and UHD based on keys and plugins; 4K BDAV requires Pro |
FAQs
What is the closest replacement for AnyDVD?
DVDFab Passkey and Xreveal are the closest current replacements because both run in the Windows background and allow compatible third-party programs to access a decrypted disc. Passkey uses DVDFab's current disc-support system, while Xreveal offers free and Pro editions with different key, plugin, and protection limits.
Can I use an old AnyDVD installer without RedFox servers?
An already installed and activated copy may continue to work with older discs it supports. A fresh installation may work with a legitimate legacy installer and license, but activation or server-dependent functions cannot be guaranteed. There is no official RedFox source for downloads, updates, licenses, or support, and the software will not receive data for new protection schemes.
Can AnyDVD rip DVDs or convert them to MP4?
AnyDVD could copy a DVD to a hard-drive folder or image while removing supported restrictions. It was not a conventional video converter and did not encode the movie directly to MP4. A separate ripper or transcoder is required for that output.
Is AnyDVD legal?
The answer depends on the country, purpose, disc, and applicable exemptions. In the United States, Section 1201 generally prohibits circumventing technological protection measures except for defined exemptions. Owning a disc or making a personal copy is not a universal exemption from anti-circumvention law. Check current local law before decrypting protected media.
Conclusion
While AnyDVD was a practical option for accessing and backing up DVD and Blu-ray collections, the service went offline in June 2024 and no longer receives official updates. Passkey and Xreveal are the closest choices for background decryption, while DVDFab, MakeMKV, HandBrake, and VLC cover different copying, extraction, playback, and conversion needs. Choose according to the disc type, required output, operating system, and free-version limits.
