7 Best & Free DVD Menu Creators in 2026: How to Make a DVD Menu on Windows & Mac

Burning a disc in a streaming era is a deliberate choice, and the menu is a big part of why. I recently came across a discussion on the Reddit r/dvd community that captured this perfectly: "Menus are the soul of physical media." This observation highlights the real problem with most free tools. You spend weeks editing a treasured wedding video, only to have the final disc load a generic, pixelated interface. A proper, customized menu is what transforms that raw footage into an official release.

In the sections below I walk through how I tested the best and free DVD burning software that can create a professional DVD with customized features, as well as a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a DVD menu.

How I Tested & Chose the Best DVD Menu Maker

To compare DVD menu creators, I used a Windows 11 PC (Intel i7, 32 GB RAM) and a MacBook Pro M2 for the programs compatible with those systems. I also reviewed the documented capabilities and system limits of older tools that cannot run on these computers.

I evaluated the DVD menu makers based on four criteria: template quality, menu customization, format compatibility, and burning performance.

1. Template Quality & Flexibility

A custom DVD menu maker should balance setup speed with enough creative control for the project.

My Standard: a qualified tool should offer templates for common occasions (wedding, travel, holiday, kids' birthdays) and, more importantly, let you preview each template live before you commit, so you can see the background, the thumbnail frames and the button typography change as you swap themes, rather than picking blind from a thumbnail grid.

2. Deep Customization Features

For a professional finish, "drag-and-drop" isn't enough.

My Standard: I looked for software with video editor that allows you to crop, trim, and enhance your footage. Furthermore, it must allow you to visualize the IFO/VOB structure, ensuring the final disc is navigable on standard DVD players. Check that the main menu can open the chapter screen, play the selected scene, and return viewers to the intended menu.

3. Format Compatibility

Input support and DVD output are separate considerations: importing an MP4 or HD video does not mean it can pass through unchanged to a standard DVD-Video disc.

My Standard: On the input side, it must support diverse formats. Standard DVD-Video requires DVD-compliant encoding and standard-definition output. Equally important is flexible output: the software should not only burn directly to blank discs (DVD-5/DVD-9) but also allow you to save as ISO files or DVD Folders.

4. Burning Speed & Stability

Transcoding is resource-intensive.

My Standard: GPU acceleration can reduce encoding time when the selected format, hardware, and software support it. Actual processing time also depends on the source video, DVD settings, computer configuration, and optical drive.

Based on the four criteria, you can choose the DVD Menu Creator that best suits your needs. I'll also use these criteria to assess the current, free, paid, and legacy options in the following section.

Top Pick of DVD Menu Creators for Windows & Mac

After testing popular tools against the criteria above, one contender stood out as the definitive winner. Here is the top-rated DVD menu maker from my test, along with a tutorial on how to burn your videos to DVD with menu.

DVDFab DVD Creator (Best DVD Menu Maker For Windows & Mac)

DVDFab DVD Creator is my top recommendation for a professional DVD menu maker because it combines DVD burning with detailed menu customization. It lets you navigate and control DVD playback smoothly, including returning to the main menu and switching between audio and subtitle tracks when creating multilingual discs. Beginners can start with a variety of ready-made themed templates or customize the menu by editing text, adding their own background, and changing button styles and positions.

DVDFab DVD Creator is also a professional-grade DVD burner. It can convert videos into standard DVD discs, ISO files, or DVD folders and supports a wide range of input formats, including AVI, MP4, MKV, M2TS, FLV, MOV, VOB, and TS. You can use videos in different formats without having to convert them separately before creating a DVD.

I found the menu editor responsive during testing. For a birthday DVD, I chose a matching template and used a group photo as the background. The result felt much more personal than the original template. Since version 13.0.4.5, DVDFab DVD Creator has included a built-in video editor that lets you crop, trim, apply filters, adjust tone and color, and set custom chapters. I used it to fix an underexposed clip without opening another editing program. The latest version is 13.0.7.1, released on November 6, 2026. Recent Creator updates have improved custom menu saving, chapter positioning, menu music selection, and menu graphics processing.

GPU acceleration also helped with burning speed. Even with a fairly complex menu, a two-and-a-half-hour video took roughly 12 minutes to finish. DVDFab DVD Creator met all my evaluation criteria, so I ranked it first on this list.

💻Available on: Windows 11 or Windows 10 (64-bit), or macOS 12 or later

👍Main Features:

• Provides multiple DVD menu templates of different themes.
• Allows you to personalize the background, text, and buttons to create professional-looking DVDs.
• Lets you switch audio and subtitle tracks and control playback with Play, Pause, and Previous/Next.
• Burn 200+ video formats, such as MKV, MP4 to DVD on Mac and Windows.
• Support DVD-9, DVD-5, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL.
• Equipped with a video editor to trim videos, adjust tone and color, add watermarks, etc.
• Uses GPU acceleration on supported hardware and project settings, with support for queued tasks.

⭐Ratings:

• Menu Templates: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Menu Customization:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Format Compatibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Speed: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

How to Make a DVD Menu Using DVDFab DVD Creator?

Step 1: Import Your Videos

Free download and run DVDFab 13. Switch to Creator module > DVD Creator.

To import your videos to this DVD menu creator, click Add Source or drag your files from File Explorer or Finder into the panel. After loading the source videos, you will see all the input-output information and customized options on the interface.

After loading the source videos, you will see all the input-output information and customized options on the following interface.

Step 2: Customize DVD Menu

Click Menu Settings to open the menu creation and editing page.

• If you only want to use a preset template, the Menu Settings window offers templates in multiple themes such as tech, retro, kids, birthday party, and wedding. Choose the one that matches your project.
• If you would like to design your own menu, in the Menu Settings window click the image icon to upload a background from your computer. If you are not satisfied with the font, click the text on the menu to change the font, size, color, and style. You can also click the T icon to add text. Click the playback control widgets in the template to move or delete them, resize them, or switch their style.

Go back to the main interface. Select audio tracks and subtitles you want to keep. If necessary, in the subtitle drop menu and click Add External Subtitles to import your subtitle file. If you want to edit the video, click Video Edit and Trim to cut unwanted clips, add watermarks, customize chapters, and apply filters. After that, click Preview to check the output.

To select your preferred output size and quality, click Advanced Settings, and choose DVD-5 or DVD-9. Customize the menu properties and the playback mode as well.

Step 3: Start Burning a DVD with DVD Menu

Insert a blank DVD disc into the optical drive of your PC, or choose to save the created DVD as an ISO file or DVD folder on your HDD. Then, tap the Start button to begin the DVD menu-making process.

Video Tutorial: How to Make a DVD Menu with DVDFab

Other 6 DVD Menu Makers: Free, Paid, and Legacy Tools

If you want to compare other ways to design DVD movie menus, the options below include free software, a paid Mac application, and historical tools that are no longer current recommendations.

DVDStyler (Free DVD Menu Creator For Linux, Mac, PC)

DVDStyler is an open-source DVD burner that lets you burn videos to DVDs with professional-looking menus. It comes with a selection of preset templates, a user-friendly interface, and multicore processor support. You can also design your own DVD menu by importing background images and placing text, pictures, buttons, and other objects anywhere on the screen. Other options include adding multiple subtitle and audio tracks and changing button styles. DVDStyler supports common input formats such as AVI, MOV, MP4, MPEG, OGG, and WMV.

DVDStyler also supports DVD scripting for menu navigation and lets you create photo slideshows, features that aren't available in many free DVD menu makers. However, I ran into several issues while testing version 3.2.1 released in November 2021. The program crashed repeatedly when I dragged video files into it, and many of the menu templates looked outdated. DVDStyler installers have also sometimes appeared in ad-supported bundles on third-party download sites, so I recommend downloading it directly from the official website. I also found the built-in burning engine less reliable than expected. I now prefer to export the finished DVD as an ISO file and burn it using a separate DVD burning program. Despite these issues, DVDStyler is still worth considering if you need a free DVD menu maker.

💻Available on: Windows, Mac, and Linux

👍Main Features:

• Burn multiple video file formats to standard DVDs.
• Select a preset menu template or design your own DVD menu.
• Allow to add multiple subtitles and audio tracks.
• Make photo slideshow.

👎Cons:

• The software version and menu templates are outdated.
• Some videos may fail to import or burn when a required codec is unavailable.
• Slow DVD processing and burning speed.

⭐Ratings:

• Menu Templates: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Menu Customization:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Format Compatibility: ⭐⭐⭐
• Speed: ⭐⭐⭐

iSkysoft DVD Creator (Legacy DVD Menu Maker For Windows & Mac)

iSkysoft DVD Creator can burn videos to DVD discs, folders, or ISO files and create DVDs from photos. It comes with pre-installed menu themes and a built-in downloader for additional templates. I included it mainly for its format support. It accepts MP4, MKV, AVI, and MTS files and also supports CD and BD output. However, iSkysoft.com is an authorized reseller of Wondershare, so I recommend checking the official website for current availability and updates before purchasing a license.

There are also some limitations worth mentioning. The trial version offers only three menu templates and adds a watermark to exported videos. You need to upgrade to the paid version to access the full menu features. During my test, the program froze while burning a 3.6 GB MKV video. Based on feedback I've collected from several users, I suspect that iSkysoft DVD Creator may have stability issues when burning files larger than 400 MB.

💻Available on: Windows and Mac; confirm the supported OS versions for the currently distributed Wondershare DVD Creator installer.

👍Main Features:

• Burn 150+ video formats to multiple types of DVD disc, ISO, or Folder.
• Come with customizable DVD menu templates in different theme.
• Provide built-in video editor to trim or crop DVD videos before burning.
• Make slideshows from photos and burn them to DVD.

👎Cons:

• Menu templates, video editor, and photo slideshows are paid ones.
• The output DVD is watermarked in free version.
• The program froze while processing a 3.6 GB MKV file in my test.
• Relatively slow DVD burning speed.

⭐Ratings:

• Menu Templates: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Menu Customization:⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Format Compatibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Speed: ⭐⭐⭐

Roxio Toast 20 (DVD Menu Maker For macOS)

Roxio Toast 20 is a paid DVD authoring suite for Mac users, with a template designer for customizing menu backgrounds, buttons, text, and music. Everything you need to make DVD menus is in the Toast 20 Family. You can choose from a lot of different templates, add text, images, and background music to your menu, and then preview it before burning it to a disc. This DVD authoring software has advanced features like motion menus, interactive buttons, and the ability to make playlists.

Overall, Roxio Toast 20 is an easy-to-use DVD burner for Mac, but it has a few things to weigh before you buy. First, video quality: in my Toast test, the output looked visibly softer compared with the sharper picks. Second, burning speed is roughly on par with free tools, yet the license isn't cheap and I couldn't find an official public trial from the vendor. Its current version and long-term availability on modern macOS also aren't easy to verify, so confirm on the vendor's site that the release you're looking at still supports your macOS version before purchasing.

💻Available on: macOS 10.14 (64-bit), 10.15, 11.0, Monterey 12.0, Ventura 13.3, and Sonoma

👍Main Features:

• Comes with a variety of templates, themes, and editing tools.
• Works with a lot of different disc formats, like Blu-ray, HD DVD, and AVCHD.
• Make exact copies of your DVDs or extract files from them.

👎Cons:

• Costs more than other software for making DVD menus.
• Redundant for users who only need to create DVD menus.
• Delayed technical support.

⭐Ratings:

• Menu Templates: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Menu Customization:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Format Compatibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Speed: ⭐⭐

iDVD (Legacy Free DVD Menu Creator for macOS)

Heads-up: iDVD is a legacy app, not a current pick. Apple's old iLife DVD-authoring tool let you build home-made DVDs with menus, chapters and special features, and for a long time it was the default answer for Mac users. The last release was iDVD 7.1.2 inside iLife 11, and because it's a 32-bit app it won't launch on macOS Catalina (10.15) or later — which covers every Mac sold in the last several years.

If you still have an older Mac lying around, it can be useful for a nostalgic one-off burn, but for anything you want to hand out today I'd point Mac readers to a maintained alternative like DVDFab DVD Creator or DVDStyler. iDVD also never supported selectable subtitle tracks, so any subs had to be baked into the video before importing — another sign of how far it's fallen behind modern menu tools.

💻Available on: Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or earlier — will not launch on macOS 10.15 Catalina or later.

👍Main Features:

• Create custom menu screens, add background music and sound effects, and more.
• iDVD integrates seamlessly with other Apple software, such as iMovie and iTunes.
• iDVD is compatible with a wide range of DVD players, and comes with various built-in templates.

👎Cons:

• Less suitable for advanced users or those looking for more advanced features.
• iDVD has not been updated since 2011 and not work on newer versions of macOS.
• It may not be compatible with newer devices that do not have DVD drives.

⭐Ratings:

• Menu Templates: ⭐⭐⭐
• Menu Customization:⭐⭐
• Format Compatibility: ⭐⭐⭐
• Speed: ⭐⭐⭐

Avi2DVD (Historical DVD Menu Creator For Windows)

Avi2DVD is a free DVD menu maker available on Windows, enabling users to make DVDs from various formats of videos, such as converting MP4 to DVD. Its modular layout is popular with many users. In addition, it can accept files with multiple audio streams and up to three external subtitles. In Avi2DVD, the DVD authoring workflow is divided into five steps that appear as five separate tabs, each responsible for a specific task. The option to create a DVD menu is in the final step, where you can freely adjust images, text, and the audio/subtitle/chapter buttons to add a menu.

Avi2DVD is a legacy tool, with published system requirements covering Windows XP through Windows 8. Its menu designer is basic, and the authoring process uses several separate steps. In my test, completing a DVD project took around three hours. The output quality was acceptable in that test, but the program's historical support information does not establish compatibility with current Windows releases.

💻Available on: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.

👍Main Features:

• Supports High Definition (HD) films in avi, MKV and MP4 formats.
• Allows for easy main menu customization, such as image, chapter, audio and subtitles.

👎Cons:

• Difficulty in burning DVDs that keep audio and video in sync.
• Too complex for basic users with limited knowledge about video encoding.
• Installs a bundle of products without clear instructions or guidance, lacking help files or user assistance.

⭐Ratings:

• Menu Customization: ⭐⭐
• Format Compatibility: ⭐⭐⭐
• Speed:⭐⭐

DVD Flick (Legacy Free DVD Menu Creator for Windows)

DVD Flick is DVD authoring freeware that can make DVD menus. It excels for its input compatibility, supporting 53 types of file formats, 72 video codecs, and 42 audio codecs. It provides basic menu templates that you can edit with background images, text, and buttons. You can also add subtitles and multiple audio tracks to a DVD project, which is useful when your video includes different language options, and you can organize video files into titles and chapters.

Set expectations first: DVD Flick is a legacy tool. Its last release was 1.3.0.7 back in 2009, so it hasn't been maintained for over a decade — yet in my testing it still runs on modern Windows (I got it going on Windows 10 despite the official page only listing up to Windows 7). What I like is that it's genuinely free, with no adware, spyware or artificial limits. The trade-off is time and stability: encoding and burning can be slow, and larger projects occasionally crash.

💻Available on: Windows 2000 Professional, or any edition of Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7.

👍Main Features:

• Includes simple menu templates with options for personalization.
• Allows you to organize videos into titles and chapters.
• Supports a wide range of video codecs.

👎Cons:

• Very slow burning speed.
• Long out of date; may be incompatible with newer codecs and unstable on recent Windows versions.
• Sometimes ejects the disc with an error during burning.

⭐Ratings:

• Menu Templates: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Menu Customization:⭐⭐⭐
• Format Compatibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Speed: ⭐⭐

Comparison: Which Custom DVD Menu Maker is Right for You

I've summarized the extensive features in the chart below. You can compare the best DVD menu creators based on menu interactivity, customization depth, and rendering speed to find the one that fits your workflow.

Final Recommendation

• If you need editable menu elements, built-in video editing, and disc, ISO, or DVD folder output on Windows or Mac, DVDFab DVD Creator is the more suitable option.
• For a free Linux workflow, DVDStyler remains available as open-source software, but its stable 3.2.1 release notice dates to November 2021.
• If you use a supported Mac and want a paid disc-authoring suite with Template Designer, Roxio Toast 20 is the relevant option.

Make a DVD Menu in 4 Steps: Software Workflow

The tutorial above uses DVDFab-specific controls, but the same four authoring stages apply to current tools such as DVDStyler and Roxio Toast 20. Button names and available menu controls vary by application.

1. Add your video source. Drag your MP4, MKV, MOV or other source file into the project window. Most menu makers will transcode to DVD-compliant MPEG-2 automatically; if yours doesn't, convert to MPEG-2 first.
2. Pick a menu template. Choose a theme that fits the content — wedding, travel, birthday, generic — and preview it live if the tool allows. A template is just a starting point; you'll customize it next.
3. Customize buttons, chapters and background. Swap the background image, edit the title text and font, reposition the Play / Scene Selection buttons, and mark chapter points on the timeline so viewers can jump between sections. If you have multiple audio or subtitle tracks, add them here.
4. Burn to disc, ISO or folder. Insert a blank DVD-R/DVD+R (single-layer DVD-5 holds about 4.7 GB; dual-layer DVD-9 about 8.5 GB) and start the burn. If you're not ready to burn yet, export to an ISO file or a VIDEO_TS folder and burn later. An authored ISO or complete VIDEO_TS folder retains DVD navigation when opened in compatible DVD playback software. An ordinary MP4 does not retain clickable DVD menu buttons, and a TV's USB player may treat it as a standard video file.

Check DVD Menu Playback on Your Target Player

Playback checks can catch authoring, media, and device-compatibility problems before you distribute the disc. If a DVD works on a computer but freezes or shows a black screen on a standalone player, check the following items:

• Author as DVD-Video, not as a data disc. The final disc must contain a VIDEO_TS folder (with IFO, VOB and BUP files) at the root. A folder of MP4s or MKVs is a data disc; playback depends on the target device's supported file formats, and it does not provide standard DVD-Video menu navigation.
• Finalize the disc. Some tools leave the disc open by default so you can add more later; standalone players usually can't read an unfinalized disc. Look for a "finalize" or "close disc" option before burning.
• Match the TV standard. Set the project to NTSC for North America/Japan and PAL for most of Europe. A PAL disc will often refuse to play on an older NTSC-only player.
• Use compatible media and burning settings. Choose media supported by the drive and target player, then use a recording speed supported by both the disc and burner.
• Test on the target player, not just your laptop. Before burning a stack of copies, play the first disc on the intended DVD player. Check Play, chapter selection, title buttons, and the return destination after each title ends.

Getting this step right is what separates a disc that feels homemade from one that feels like a real release — the menu is only as good as the player's ability to read it.

Conclusion

Creating a well-designed, intuitive DVD menu not only simplifies playback control but also considerably enhances the whole viewing experience. Current options fall into distinct categories: DVDFab DVD Creator and Roxio Toast 20 are paid tools for modern systems, DVDStyler is a free open-source option with older releases, and the remaining products discussed are historical or legacy software. Choose according to your operating system and licensing needs, then preview the menu, chapter buttons, and return behavior before burning the DVD or saving an ISO.