7 Best & Free DVD Menu Creators: How to Make DVD Menu on Windows & Mac
Summary: Want to make a custom DVD menu templates for your DVD movie? Here we will explore the top 7 free DVD menu makers compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux, and provide detailed steps to make DVD menu.
Table of Contents
Why Is DVD Menu Creator Needed?
DVD menu creator enables users to make custom menus and interfaces for DVDs, providing an enjoyable playback control experience. These applications support various audio and video file formats, allowing users to not only creates personalized DVD menus but also allows for the burning of video files to DVDs.
Considering this, there are numerous DVD menu makers available on the market that can create a professional and smart-looking DVD with customized features. In this post, we would like to discuss the top 7 free DVD burning software, as well as how to make a DVD menu.
Top Pick of Free DVD Menu Creators for Windows & Mac
To create attractive and polished DVD menu, you may consider a program from my introduction to the best DVD menu creators. With these options, you can craft an interactive and professional-looking DVD with ease. First, let me introduce my top pick for the best DVD menu maker.
DVDFab DVD Creator (Best DVD Menu Maker For Windows & Mac)
DVDFab DVD Creator is highly recommended as our top choice for DVD menu maker. It can efficiently burn various video into standard DVD discs, ISO files or folders, all while providing professional and stylish menus. This program supports a wide range of input formats, including AVI, MP4, MKV, M2TS, FLV, MOV, VOB, TS, etc. Moreover, before burning DVD with a menu, it gives you the flexibility to adjust settings such as output quality, volume label, TV standard (NTSC/PAL), Aspect Ratio and playback mode.
💻Available on: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 and macOS 10.10 - 15.x
👍Main Features:
- Create standard DVD disc/ISO/folder from 200+ video formats.
- 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, add watermarks, etc., DIY videos before burning.
- Provides customizable DVD menu templates, allowing you to personalize all elements and widgets to create professional-looking DVDs.
- Allow for switching audio tracks and subtitles, add external subtitles, and smart preview.
- Burn DVDs at high speed using GPU acceleration technology and batch mode.
- Provide built-in video editing tool for further customization.
How to Create a DVD Menu using DVDFab DVD Creator?
Knowing its features is far from enough. Here are the steps to make a DVD menu using the powerful and professional DVDFab DVD Creator.
Step 1: Run DVDFab DVD menu creator and click the Menu Settings
Free Download and run this DVD menu creator, and then load video source. You can import many videos to this software as it supports batch DVD burning.
After loading the source videos, you will see all the input-output information and customized options on the following interface.
Step 2: Customize the DVD menu using free templates
Click the "Menu Settings" button to make a DVD menu with the given templates. The current DVD menu background features a "starry sky" template, but you can scroll down and choose from other available templates that cater to different themes, such as kid menus, school menus, or movie menus.
Choose your desired menu from the given templates in the panel. You can also switch the font, size, and color of the navigation menu so as to create a pleasant control over the playback of the DVD to be made. If you want a blank menu template, just remove the texts and shapes in the menu template. Besides, you can choose other background image or add your local image to make your DVD menu more personalized.
Then go back to the main interface, you can select audio tracks and subtitles, add external subtitles, and preview videos by clicking the "Play" icon. You can also click the "Advanced Settings" and select your preferred output size and quality, menu properties, and playback mode.
DVDFab DVD Creator also offers a range of video editing capabilities, allowing you to further refine your videos even after you've configured the main video settings. Its built-in video editor gives you full control over the editing process, enabling you to crop, adjust video effects such as brightness and contrast, and conveniently add or remove watermarks and subtitles.
Step 3: Start to create DVD menu
Once done, 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. DVDFab will work 30X faster than other software.
The above-mentioned are the essential steps as to how to make a DVD menu. You can use DVDFab DVD menu maker on Windows or Mac to create your own DVD with the built-in menu templates or your personal image background.
Other Top 6 Free DVD Menu Creators
if you're interested in exploring other ways of designing DVD movie menus, there are alternative options available for you to try out.
DVDStyler (Free DVD Menu Creator For Linux, Mac, PC)
DVDStyler is an open source DVD burner that is designed to burn videos onto DVDs with professional-looking menus with preset lists of templates. Featuring a user-friendly interface and multicore processor, this DVD menu creator allows you to import background images and place text, images, buttons, and other objects anywhere on the menu. It also includes DVD scripting for customizing menu navigation, as well as the ability to create photo slideshows.
💻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 DVD burning process is indirect, requiring the creation of an ISO first.
- The software version and menu templates are outdated.
- It many fail to burn videos due to unavailable codecs or occasional error.
- Slow DVD processing and burning speed.
iSkysoft DVD Creator (DVD Menu Maker For Windows & Mac)
iSkysoft DVD Creator enables you to easily burn video to DVD discs, folders, or ISO files, as well as create DVDs from photos. This good DVD menu maker can personalize your DVD by creating chapters or menus tailored to your needs. It also comes equipped with pre-installed DVD menu themes and an integrated downloader for additional templates. While basic menu creation is available for free, unlocking full access to all features requires a paid upgrade.
💻Available on: Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP and Mac OS X 10.10 or later
👍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.
- It may fail or crash when burning large files over 400MB.
- Relatively slow DVD burning speed.
Roxio Toast 20 (DVD Menu Maker For MacOS)
If you are looking for a DVD menu maker exclusively for Mac, then Roxio Toast 20 is recommended. Toast 20 Family has everything you need to create professional-looking menus. Choose from a wide variety of templates, customize your menu with text, images, and background music, and preview your creation before burning it onto a disc. This DVD authoring software also offers advanced features such as motion menus, interactive buttons, and the ability to create playlists, making it the perfect tool for creating dynamic and engaging DVD menus.
💻Available on: macOS 10.14 (64-bit), 10.15, 11.0, Monterey 12.0, Ventura 13.3, and Sonoma
👍Main Features:
- This software provides users with a variety of templates, themes, and editing tools.
- Support for a wide range of video formats, including Blu-ray, HD DVD, and AVCHD.
- Disc copying and ripping capabilities, enabling you to make exact copies of your DVDs or extract files from them.
👎Cons:
- Roxio Toast is expensive compared to other DVD menu creation software.
- It is a redundant software for users who only need to create DVD menus.
- The technical support provided by the service team was not timely enough.
iDVD (DVD Menu Maker For MacOS)
iDVD is a DVD menu maker for Mac OS X that allows users to create professional-looking DVDs complete with menus, chapters, and special features. It was developed by Apple Inc. and was included as part of the iLife software suite.
With iDVD, users can easily import video files, photos, and audio from their Mac computer and arrange them into a polished DVD. This DVD burner for Mac offers a range of themes and templates for users to choose from, making it simple to customize the look and feel of their DVD project.
💻Available on: Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or earlier
👍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.
Avi2DVD (Free DVD Menu Maker For Windows)
Avi2DVD is a free DVD menu maker available on Windows, enabling users to make DVDs from various formats of videos, such as convert MP4 to DVD. Its simple interface is liked by most users. Besides, it can accept files with multiple audio streams and a maximum of three external subtitles. However, if you hope to create DVD menu with stylish and professional features, you shall resort to other options.
💻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.
CDBurnerXP (Free DVD Menu Creator For Windows)
CDBurnerXP is a free, multilingual DVD menu maker used for burning all types of optical discs including CD, DVD, H-DVD, and Blu-Ray. It offers options for creating customized menus with different templates, backgrounds, and buttons. This free DVD maker is also able to burn audio-CDs with or without gaps between tracks, create and burn ISO files.
💻Available on: Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista/2008 Server/Win7/Win8/2012 Server/Win10
👍Main Features:
- Burn many types of discs, audio-CDs and ISO files.
- Verify data after the burning process, and produce bootable discs.
- Function as a bin/nrg to ISO converter and offers simple cover printing options.
👎Cons:
- Very slow burning speed.
- May contain adware.
- Its interface can be a bit complex for users who intend to manage files.
- When you burn the disc, sometimes the disc is ejected with an error.
Best DVD Menu Creator: Which Is More Suitable for You
To help you choose the most suitable DVD menu creation tool, here is a comparison of these tools, covering key features, platform compatibility, and application scenarios.
Software | Platform | Menu Templates | Video Editor | Burning Speed | Ideal For |
DVDFab DVD Creator | Windows & Mac | Static & Dynamic | Yes | Fast (GPU Accelerated) | Users needing advanced menu customization, and GPU-accelerated batch burning. |
DVDStyler | Windows, Mac & Linux | Static | No | Moderate | Beginners who want basic menu design and slideshow features. |
iSkysoft DVD Creator | Windows & Mac | Static | Yes | Moderate | Users seeking built-in video editing, but don't mind upgrading for full features. |
Roxio Toast 20 | Mac | Static & Dynamic | Limited | Moderate | Mac users wanting advanced DVD menus with playlist creation. |
iDVD | Mac (old versions) |
Static | No | Slow | Mac users with older systems needing simple menu creation. |
Avi2DVD | Windows | Static | No | Slow | Users looking for basic DVD creation but limited menu functions. |
CDBurnerXP | Windows | Very Limited | No | Slow | Users needing a free disc burning tool with multi-disc support. |
Final Recommendation
- DVDFab DVD Creator is the greatest option available for both Mac and Windows if you're looking for a feature-rich, quick, and expert DVD menu creator with video editing and customizing capability.
- For Linux users or those seeking simple, free, and easy-to-use options, DVDStyler is a solid choice.
- Take Roxio Toast 20 into consideration if you are a Mac user with more advanced menu customization needs.
FAQs
No, Windows 10 does not have a built-in DVD creator for burning DVDs. However, it does provide functionality to burn data files to a disc through its File Explorer or Windows Media Player. If you need to create DVDs with menu, you'll need third-party software like the above-mentioned DVD menu creators.
Mac has a built-in DVD creation tool called Finder. It has basic disc burning capabilities - you can burn data to a CD or DVD by simply dragging files into the disc icon then choosing 'Burn' from the context menu. However, for creating DVDs with menu that is playable on a standard DVD player, you'd usually need other professional DVD menu creator.
What is the free DVD menu creator for Linux?
Some popular free DVD menu maker for Linux are DVDStyler, QDVDAuthor and Bombono DVD. These tools allow users to create professional-looking DVDs with custom menus, buttons, and backgrounds.
Can you make a DVD menu with Adobe?
Yes. To create a DVD menu, you can use Adobe Encore, which is a software program specifically designed for creating DVD and Blu-ray disc menus.
- Open Adobe Encore and click File > New Project to create a new project.
- Import the video file by clicking File > Import As Asset and selecting the file you want to include in DVD.
- Create a new menu by clicking "Menu" in the top menu bar and selecting "New Menu".
- Customize the menu by adding buttons, text, backgrounds and other elements in the Menu Editor window.
- Add links to video file by selecting the button on the menu and linking it to the appropriate video file.
- Click the Preview button in the Menu Editor window to preview the DVD menu.
- When you are satisfied with the DVD menu, you can burn it to a DVD disc by clicking File > Create and selecting the appropriate settings for the disc.
Conclusion
With an overview of the top DVD menu creators, we recognize the strengths and capabilities each software offers for burning DVDs from various video and audio formats. A well-designed, intuitive DVD menu not only simplifies playback control but also significantly enhances the overall viewing experience. When you're ready to burn DVDs with menus, feel free to try the reliable and professional DVD menu makers we recommend.