10 Best DVD Rippers for Windows & macOS [2026 Expert Review]

Finding the best free DVD ripper software is often difficult because disc protections always change. I tried to digitize my own collection only to find that many free tools cannot read newer discs or they produce files with errors. We just want our DVD movies to play on our phones or tablets without the stuttering, audio sync issues, or scrambled video that aging freeware often produces.

For this guide, I tested the latest versions of 10 popular DVD ripping software programs, including specialized DVD rippers, DVD video converters, and DVD encoders, to see which ones can actually handle current encryption and rip DVDs to digital files on a standard Windows 10 computer. The following is the detailed testing and review report for each tool.

My Top Picks: Best Free DVD Ripper Software in 2026

I selected the top three DVD ripper software options from my testing based on their decryption capabilities, ripping speed, and ability to convert DVD to MP4, MKV, and other digital video formats. Please check the comparison table below for a detailed feature breakdown.

How We Test Free DVD Ripper Software

To provide a transparent review of the best free DVD ripper software, I have tailored the following testing methodology based on my specific hardware configuration.  

📀Test Bench Configuration  

The following hardware was used to conduct all performance benchmarks and quality assessments:

• Operating System: Windows 10 x64  
• CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 @ 3.40GHz  RAM: 16GB  
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti (8GB VRAM) 
• Test Media: 8 Mile (Runtime: 1h 50m 14s  Original Size: 6.13GB)

📑 The Testing Process  

Step 1: Functional Evaluation. I assessed each tool's core features, including support for physical discs, ISOs, and folders as inputs, and MP4/MKV as outputs. I also examined built-in editing capabilities and verified current user sentiment on Trustpilot.  

Step 2: Performance Benchmarking. Using the 8 Mile disc, I performed a full rip to an SSD while monitoring the Intel i7-6700 CPU and RTX 4060 Ti GPU. This allowed me to verify if the software effectively utilized NVIDIA NVENC hardware acceleration to optimize speed and reduce system load.  

Step 3: Quality & Sync Verification. I inspected the resulting files using VLC Media Player to identify playback errors.

Step 4: Comparison & Categorization I summarized these results in the following report, detailing the features, pros, and cons of each tool to simplify your digitization choices.

Top-Rated Specialized DVD Ripper Software

Specialized DVD ripper software is designed to handle complex encryptions and convert your library into digital files optimized for iPads, iPhones, Android devices, and laptops. This makes them ideal for digitizing protected commercial discs where general video converters or standard encoders often fail to initialize the media. Here are the detailed reviews of best DVD rippers selected for their dependability, frequent updates, intuitive interfaces, and system compatibility.

DVDFab DVD Ripper

📌Why I pick it: Fast GPU-accelerated rips & wide device presets for everyday backups.

DVDFab DVD Ripper is a high-performance DVD ripping software that converts discs into over 1,000 video and audio formats, such as MP4, MKV, MP3, and AAC. It supports modern, high-efficiency codecs such as H.265 (HEVC) and even AV1, letting you digitize large collections while balancing file size with visual quality. If you prefer maximum fidelity, you can choose MKV Passthrough to preserve the original video, audio tracks, and subtitles without transcoding or compression. The software also includes 260+ optimized device presets to ensure smooth playback across Apple, Android, and a wide range of other devices and players.

DVDFab features a Cloud-Based Decryption Service that handles evolving DVD protections like CSS, APS, Sony DADC, and 99-title discs. Recent updates continue the timely support for the newest Java-based protections. With GPU acceleration for NVIDIA CUDA, AMD, and Intel Quick Sync, DVDFab outpaces CPU-only encoders. The batch queue system manages multiple discs efficiently. It also features a separate AI Upscaler module that can enhance 480p video to 1080p for modern large screens.

In my tests, DVDFab DVD Ripper v13.0.5.6 ripped a 150-minute DVD on my Windows 10 in roughly 5 minutes, maintaining a high quality almost identical to the 720 X 480 source. The UI also felt clear and modern: it auto-detected and loaded sources smoothly, and drag-and-drop loading was intuitive. All settings including Title, Chapter, Audio, Subtitle, and Video Editor were clearly surfaced, so I could find them quickly. I could select multiple titles with both one-click "select all" and manual selection, which made the whole DVD ripping process feel fluid. I placed DVDFab in the first position due to its ease of use, highly customizable options, superior output quality, and fast ripping speeds.

Supported OS: 

Free Trial:

30-day fully functional trial; During the trial period, you can fully rip 3 DVDs and 3 Blu-ray discs for free, and you can also experience various advanced features during the copying process. After the trial ends, it will automatically transition to the free version DVDFab HD Decrypter with limited functions.

👍Pros:

• Rip DVDs and convert to 1,000+ formats, with presets for 260+ devices
• Handle region codes and latest copy protections 
• Rip all or partial titles, chapters, subtitles, and audio tracks
• Advanced GPU hardware acceleration technologies 
• Batch processing for large libraries
• Automatically Synchronizes movie titles, cast, and cover art
• Provide video editors for cropping, trimming, adding external watermarks or subtitles, and more
   

👎Cons:

• The trial version only supports output in MP4 and MKV formats

MakeMKV

📌Why I pick it: One-click lossless MKV rip; preserves tracks and chapters.

MakeMKV Beta is free and popular DVD ripper software designed to preserve original video data without re-encoding. It can remux content from physical discs into high-quality MKV containers while retaining all audio tracks, multilingual subtitles, and chapter markers. The software is currently in beta, allowing for free use through recurring public keys found on the official forum.

During my testing of version 1.18.3, MakeMKV converted a 6GB DVD file in approximately 1.5 minutes - a speed that surprised me. However, the installation includes a default CdRom Device Arbiter service, and running the application requires administrator privileges on my computer. The software's reliability has also been frustrating lately: the MakeMKV beta key is time-limited (the current one is valid until the end of March 2026), and if a key lapses or is not updated promptly, it interrupts my entire workflow.

MakeMKV remains an excellent choice for 1:1 lossless extraction without quality degradation. However, it does not offer video compression or support output formats other than MKV. I recommend it for creating uncompressed backups, but it is not suitable for users digitizing hundreds of DVDs who need to conserve HDD space, as the resulting files are massive and the software lacks support for batch conversion.

Supported OS: Windows XP/7/8/10/11, macOS 10.7+, Linux x86_64 builds available

👍Pros:

• Lossless DVD-to-MKV ripping
• Retains full audio, multiple language tracks, chapters, and subtitles
• Cross-platform and works seamlessly on new Macs

👎Cons:

• Requires manual periodic key updates.
• Output format limited to MKV
• No video editing options
• No batch conversion support

WinX DVD Ripper Platinum

📌Why I pick it: Rip 99-title DVDs at fast speed.

WinX DVD Ripper Platinum is a dedicated DVD ripper software that can convert DVD discs, ISO images, and VIDEO_TS folders into mainstream playback formats such as MP4 (H.264/HEVC), AVI, MPEG, and WMV, plus a list of device-oriented profiles. It also offers 1:1 DVD backup by cloning to an ISO image or DVD folder without re-encoding, which is useful when you want an archival copy rather than a smaller file. The program uses WinX's "Level-3 Hardware Acceleration" approach (hardware decode → GPU processing → hardware encode) to achieve up to 47× real-time speed under favorable conditions. It also includes basic editing tools for trimming and merging titles. 

In my trial test (v8.22.4), WinX DVD Ripper Platinum immediately prompted that the trial only rips the first 5 minutes, and the workflow felt more manual than I expected: I had to choose a source type first, then browse to the source, then confirm with OK. It did not auto-start reading my DVD disc, and ISO inputs did not support drag-and-drop. After loading, it read the disc quickly and auto-selected the main title, but when I tried other titles it repeatedly popped the same warning "choose one main title only… may lead to conversion failure", forcing me to click Continue every time. Finally, I converted about 10 minutes in total on the trial.

This software is a reliable choice for fast DVD ripping and simple folder backups, but it lacks support for lossless MKV remuxing or Blu-ray media. I recommend it as a top tool due to its specialized engine that handles 99-title protections, though the manual interface makes the workflow feel less smooth.

Supported OS: Windows 11/10 or lower & Mac 15 or lower

Free trial & limits: Trial converts up to 5 minutes per DVD; some advanced features disabled.

👍Pros:

• Converts DVD/ISO/VIDEO_TS to MP4, HEVC, AVI, MPEG, and more
• Level-3 hardware acceleration
• 1:1 DVD backup to ISO image or VIDEO_TS folder
• Main-title detection for tricky multi-title DVDs

👎Cons:

• Do not support lossless MKV format
• Do not provide chapter or subtitle settings
• The text on the interface is a bit blurry.

WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro

📌Why I pick it: Quick, profile-driven conversions for common devices.

WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro is a Windows DVD ripper sfotware that aims to strike a practical balance between compression and visual clarity. It can rip DVDs to common playback formats such as MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, MPG, and WMV, while also supporting newer targets like AV1. It can also handle many commercial disc, including those with CSS protection, region codes, and multi-angle titles.

The software includes a Smart Fit feature that automatically selects optimized preset parameters, which helps simplify the setup for non-technical users. As of the current release (v24.2, Jan 27, 2026), the update notes include fixes tied directly to DVD ripping outputs, such as correcting an AV1 output issue and fixing a bug where hardcoded subtitles rendered as black blocks.

In my testing of WonderFox v24.2, I found that the installer and profile-selection UI felt dated and less organized than newer software suites. For instance, the installation process required over five clicks to complete. Conversion times can be a drawback for larger projects; in my experience, converting a dual-layer DVD9 required 1 hour and 50 minutes. WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro remains a workable option if your main goal is creating smaller DVD backups using a simple workflow with main-title detection.

Supported OS: Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11

Free trial & limits: Ripping DVD is limited to 15 minutes and "advanced DVD decrypt technology" is not included in the trial version

👍Pros:

• Automatically selects optimized preset parameters.
• Main-movie analysis helps with many-title discs.
• Preset profiles for over 500 formats and devices
• Customizable subtitle and audio selection

👎Cons:

• No macOS or Linux support
• Advanced decryption not available in the trial.
• Basic video editing tools

MacX DVD Ripper Pro

📌Why I pick it: Optimized for macOS speed and presets.

MacX DVD Ripper Pro is a macOS DVD ripping software from Digiarty Software (WinXDVD). It lets you digitize DVD discs, ISO images, and DVD folders into formats like MP4, MOV, AVI, and MPEG, plus device-ready presets aimed at Apple playback. It is positioned as a simple backup tool that can handle region-coded discs and many common copy protections for personal backup.

In my tests, I downloaded MacX DVD Ripper Pro v6.8.4. Installation is beginner-friendly, but in my case the software took about 5 minutes to analyze and load the source, which felt slow compared with other rippers. The tool also offers Safe Mode to improve stability on tricky discs. I found that the trial is limited to five minutes per DVD, and that some advanced features, such as adding external subtitles, are unavailable in the trial.

This is a reliable Mac choice for basic DVD ripping with a clear, guided workflow, but the trial limit and restricted advanced features reduce how much you can evaluate. I included it because the interface, preview, and simple quality controls make it easy for non-technical users to get a playable MP4/MOV file from a DVD.

Supported OS: macOS 10.12-15

Free trial & limits: Trial converts up to 5 minutes per DVD; some advanced features disabled.

👍Pros:

• Easy install and beginner-friendly workflow.
• Good deinterlacing options for older DVDs.
• Safe Mode helps with difficult discs.
• Useful presets for Apple playback.

👎Cons:

• Source loading and analysis can be slow
• Basic video editing options
• No Windows support

Video Converters with DVD Ripping Modules

While not exclusively DVD ripper software, the following video converters include dedicated modules to extract disc content and optimize it for mobile devices or social media. They are ideal for users who prioritize a wide range of output formats and basic editing features.

Freemake Video Converter

📌Why I pick it: Provide social media and cloud-ready presets for unprotected DVDs.

Freemake Video Converter is a popular tool for simple video conversion and basic DVD ripping tasks. It supports various input types, including physical discs and ISO images, and offers direct "Upload to YouTube" or "Save to Google Drive" features. I find it most useful when I just want a quick, standard output for sharing or playback.

The latest version listed in Freemake's changelog is 5.0.0.18 (Oct 17, 2025), which added support for files using AV1, VP9, and Opus. In daily use, the "free" experience feels restrictive: Freemake sells paid packs to remove branding watermark and unlock the highest conversion speed, and Mega Pack is the main bundle for those upgrades.

I see Freemake as a workable choice if you want easy presets and broad format coverage for unprotected content. But I don't recommend it for disc collectors, because the upgrade prompts get in the way and it is not a reliable tool for protected commercial DVDs. 

Supported OS: Windows 11, 10, 8, 8.1, 7, Vista

👍Pros:

• Rip DVD to more than 20 video format
• Direct export options for YouTube, Vimeo, and various cloud platforms
• Embed SRT subtitles directly into the converted DVD file
• User-friendly UI with large, clear icons.

👎Cons:

• Free version includes watermarks.
• Fails to rip most modern commercial movie DVDs.
• Installation often includes bundled sponsored software.

Movavi Video Converter

📌Why I pick it: Fast conversion of unprotected DVDs with simple editing needs.

Movavi Video Converter is a fast media conversion suite that can also work with DVD-structured sources, such as Video_TS folders and unencrypted ISO images. It is mainly a file-to-file converter, but it can be used to digitize home DVDs into formats like MP4 for playback on phones, tablets, and TVs. Its SuperSpeed mode focuses on quick container changes without re-encoding when the source and target settings allow it.

Its main highlights are speed and ease of use. It offers AI upscaling for improving low-resolution footage, and it also provides basic trimming and simple edits for quick cleanup before export.

In my testing, Movavi worked well for converting readable, unprotected DVD sources, but it can not process protected movie discs. Metadata editing was limited: I could change the output Title field, but not much else. During export, I mainly saw remaining time, and there was no clear export list showing the output location. In the trial, the ripped video had a watermark, and AI upscaling was limited to a very short preview segment. I recommend it for digitizing some home DVD collections.

Supported OS: Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 and Mac OS X 10.15 or higher

👍Pros:

• Includes over 200 optimized profiles
• Automatically smooths out shaky footage from legacy DVD home movies
• Fast conversion speeds with GPU acceleration
• Clean, modern, and highly intuitive interface

👎Cons:

• Cannot remove DVD copy protection
• Free version adds a watermark to the output
• Subscription model may be costly

VLC Media Player

📌Why I pick it: Built-in converter for occasional, unprotected DVD rips.

VLC Media Player is a globally recognized, open-source multimedia player that can also function as a basic free DVD ripper software  through its Convert/Save feature. It can transcode unprotected DVD sources into common digital formats such as MP4, WebM, and TS. It remains a good option for users who do not want to install specialized software for occasional, straightforward conversions across multiple operating systems.

In my recent tests on VLC v3.0.21, it converted unencrypted home movies at a steady pace without requiring additional codec packs. It offers manual control over bitrate and container settings, although many options are buried in deeper menus. Its core strength is its broad built-in codec support, which helps it handle a wide range of files and many disc-based sources when they are readable.

It is a completely free, ad-free solution for basic media tasks. However, VLC does not natively decrypt most commercial DVDs, and I commonly rely on libdvdcss if I need CSS-protected disc access. I recommend VLC for its accessibility, but the ripping workflow is more manual and less intuitive than the guided experience in dedicated DVD ripper software.

Supported OS: Windows XP/7/8/8.1/10/11, macOS 10.7.5+, Linux widely available via distro repos/Flathub

👍Pros:

• 100% free and open source
• Works on all major operating systems
• Can rip unprotected DVDs to basic file formats
• No ads, no bloat, and very lightweight

👎Cons:

• Limited ripping features; no support for copy-protected DVDs
• Lacks advanced options (batch conversion, editing, rich output settings)
• Not suitable for preserving chapters, menus, or multiple audio streams

Top Free DVD Video Transcoders

DVD video transcoders are essential for post-processing raw disc data. Unlike rippers that focus on extraction, these tools specialize in converting massive, uncompressed video streams into efficient formats like H.265 or AV1. Many users in communities like Reddit recommend a MakeMKV + HandBrake ripping workflow: first using MakeMKV to decrypt and rip a lossless 1:1 copy, then using HandBrake to compress the file. Although this two-step process is more complex, it ensures both the removal of basic encryption and the smallest possible file sizes for your media server.

HandBrake

📌Why I pick it: Free, open-source, highly customizable for non-protected DVDs.

HandBrake is a free, open-source DVD ripper compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. It can rip DVD files into space-efficient digital formats like MP4 and WebM. It offers multiple controls for deinterlacing, cropping, and filtering, making it a favorite for post-production tasks. It is ideal for users who need to compress large files for mobile viewing. It also utilizes Windows' native hardware encoders (Intel Quick Sync and NVIDIA NVENC) to accelerate H.264/H.265 exports with minimal adjustments.

As of early 2026 (v1.10.2), HandBrake continues to refine its support for modern codecs like AV1 and provides updated presets for social media platforms. However, it does not natively decrypt commercial DVDs; I had to manually install libdvdcss to enable it to read the 8 Mile disc during my testing.  

HandBrake is the best free option for customizing video output, provided you are working with unprotected files or have configured third-party decryption. I ranked it as a top choice for mobile optimization because of its superior compression algorithms.

Supported OS: Windows 10/11; Mac 10.13+; Linux Flatpak builds (distro-agnostic)

👍Pros:

• Completely free and open source
• Consistently updated for modern systems
• Produces high-quality MP4 or MKV files
• Offers batch encoding and custom presets
• No ads, watermarks, or bundled software

👎Cons:

• Won't work with most copy-protected DVDs
• The output is limited 
• No built-in video editing function

VidCoder

📌Why I pick it: HandBrake engine wrapped in a simpler Windows UI.

VidCoder is a free, open-source DVD video transcoder for Windows, utilizing HandBrake's robust encoding engine. Its intuitive interface makes it accessible to video conversion novices. VidCoder supports various output formats, including MP4, MKV, and WebM, and allows basic editing functions like trimming, cropping, and adding subtitles. However, it should be noted that VidCoder lacks built-in capabilities to bypass copy protections such as CSS or AACS.

I recommend VidCoder for its simplicity and effectiveness in converting DVDs and Blu-rays to digital formats. The software's integration with HandBrake ensures high-quality outputs, and its batch processing feature allows for efficient handling of multiple files. However, I have encountered occasional issues with the software's stability, particularly when dealing with large files or complex conversions.

Supported OS: Windows 10/11

👍Pros:

• More user-friendly interface than HandBrake
• Supports MP4/MKV export and batch queue
• Live previews and subtitle control
• No bundled extras, ads, or signups

👎Cons:

• Limited to unprotected DVDs and Blu-rays
• Some advanced settings may be limited
• Lacks macOS and Linux support

Trouble Shooting About Using DVD Ripping Software

Even the best DVD ripping software may run into issues. Here are some of the most common problems and straightforward solutions to help you get back on track.

DVD not detected by software

First, check that your disc is clean and free from heavy scratches. Try reinserting the DVD and restarting the ripping software. If the problem persists, test in a different DVD drive—hardware compatibility varies, and some drives read discs more reliably.

Ripping speed is extremely slow

The performance can be caused by old or damaged discs, heavy copy protection, or if hardware acceleration isn't enabled. Make sure you have hardware acceleration turned on in your ripping tool's settings where available, and close other demanding programs while ripping.

However, be aware that not all DVD rippers offer hardware acceleration. For instance, DVDFab DVD Ripper is equipped with the latest advanced GPU acceleration technologies such as Multi-core CPU, NVIDIA CUDA, AMD, IQS (Intel Quick Sync), and Video ToolBox (macOS), enabling it to rip a standard DVD movie in the shortest time.

Video or audio is out of sync in output files

This usually results from incorrect encoding settings or poor handling of damaged discs. Use the default presets provided by your ripper for the best results. If issues continue, try a different tool or update to the latest version of your current software.

Ripper crashes or freezes mid-process

Ensure you're using the latest version of your ripping software and that your operating system is fully updated. Disable any non-essential background software and try ripping to a different hard drive with sufficient free space. If the problem continues, check the DVD itself for scratches or defects.

Output file has missing subtitles or audio tracks

Always double-check your selection of audio and subtitle tracks before starting the rip. Previewing a short segment can help confirm your settings are correct. Some discs label subtitles or audio options unclearly, so you may need to do a quick test to identify the right track.

The rip completes, but the video won't play

Verify that you're using a modern, up-to-date media player (such as VLC) that supports the file format you exported. If the file is corrupt, try ripping again at a slightly lower speed or with error correction features enabled.

Conclusion

Choosing the best DVD ripper depends on your workflow, system, and expectations. For those desiring a dependable, feature-packed solution compatible with both Windows and Mac, DVDFab DVD Ripper shines with regular updates, extensive format support, and powerful customization options. For users in search of free and open-source tools, HandBrake and MakeMKV remain reliable for unprotected or home-made discs—HandBrake offers considerable flexibility and MP4 outputs, while MakeMKV excels at fast, lossless backups.

Ultimately, the right DVD ripper is the one that fits your environment and makes preserving your DVD memories easy and dependable. With the options and advice above, you can confidently digitize your collection and keep your favorite content accessible long into the future.