clonedvd review, download and alternative

Have you ever tried to clone a DVD only to discover that your favorite tool no longer works on newer Windows or can't handle the latest copy protections? In 2025, many users are searching for a safe, updated, and fully-featured DVD copy solution. After personally testing CloneDVD and its top alternatives, here's what I found.

What is CloneDVD?

CloneDVD2 is a versatile software tool designed for easily copying and cloning DVDs.

I recently wanted to make a backup of an old favorite DVD from my movie collection, and after hearing about CloneDVD's simple interface, I decided to give it a try. I was hoping for a hassle-free process that would let me quickly duplicate my disc for safekeeping—and here's what I discovered when I put CloneDVD to the test.

Overview and History

CloneDVD, developed by Elaborate Bytes, has a strong reputation in the DVD copying and cloning industry. It was created to meet the needs of both casual users and professionals seeking reliable DVD replication software. Over the years, CloneDVD has evolved to incorporate advanced features while maintaining its user-friendly interface for DVD copying.

Elby collaborated with Slysoft to distribute and market CloneDVD. This partnership allowed Elby to reach a wider audience, leveraging Slysoft's established presence in the multimedia software market. Unfortunately, both Slysoft and its successor company, RedFox, are now defunct, and all their products are no longer available for sale.

How to Use CloneDVD for DVD Cloning?

Step 1: Download CloneDVD2 and Insert the DVD

I started the program and was greeted by a wizard-style interface. It looked pretty straightforward, which instantly put me at ease. I inserted my DVD into the drive, and CloneDVD quickly detected it, displaying my disc's content in a clear menu. I appreciated not having to fiddle with complicated settings just to get started.

How to Use CloneDVD for DVD Cloning?

Step 2: Customize Settings 

CloneDVD let me choose between copying the entire DVD, just the main movie, or customizing which titles and chapters to include. Since I just wanted a quick backup, I selected the 'Clone Entire Disc' option. The preview window was helpful to double-check if I'd selected the right content.

Customize Settings of CloneDVD

Step 3: Select the Output Destination

Next, I was prompted to choose an output type—either copying to another disc directly or saving as a DVD folder or ISO file. I chose to create an ISO as a backup on my hard drive. Then I can copy a DVD on Windows 10. The settings for output quality and audio were easy to find, though I noticed there weren't many options for advanced customization.

CloneDVD: Select the Output Destination

Step 4: Starting the Copy Process

After confirming my choices, I clicked "Go" to begin. The copying process wasn’t the fastest I’ve experienced, but it was simple and I could monitor the progress bar along the way. My computer didn’t slow down too much, and there were no confusing pop-ups or interruptions.

Key Features, Pros, and Cons of CloneDVD

DVD Copying and Cloning

CloneDVD excels in its ability to efficiently copy DVDs. It allows users to duplicate DVD discs bit by bit, ensuring that the copied disc is identical to the original. This feature is particularly useful for creating backups or distributing multiple copies of the same DVD.

Compression and Quality Options

Without significantly compromising quality, users can adjust the compression ratio to fit larger DVD9 discs onto smaller DVD5 discs. This flexibility ensures efficient disc space management while preserving high-quality audio and video.

Supported Formats and Devices

CloneDVD supports various output formats, including DVD-Video, ISO images, and DVD folders. It accommodates both NTSC and PAL video formats and is compatible with different types of DVDs, catering to a global audience. Additionally, CloneDVD ensures compatibility with standard DVD players and other playback devices.

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Like any software, CloneDVD2 has its benefits and drawbacks that users should consider before making a decision.

Pros of CloneDVD2

 
  • CloneDVD offers various copy modes such as Full Disc, Main Movie, and Customize.
  • Users can modify compression settings to fit larger DVDs onto smaller discs.
  • CloneDVD allows users to choose specific audio tracks and subtitles to include in the copied DVD.
  • It does not require extensive system resources, enabling smooth operation on most computers.

Cons of CloneDVD2

  • It is available only as a 21-day free trial.
  • Only Video_TS folders are supported for importing files.
  • Limited customer support options for troubleshooting.
  • Occasional compatibility issues with certain DVDs or disc formats.
  • The software mainly focuses on DVD copying and lacks advanced editing or conversion features.
  • CloneDVD is only compatible with Windows, which means Mac users will need to explore alternatives for DVD copying.

Best CloneDVD Alternative: DVDFab DVD Copy

When I need to back up a collection of both new and old DVDs. I found that while CloneDVD made it easy to copy older, unprotected discs, it couldn't process newer Hollywood releases. Switching to DVDFab DVD Copy, not only did the new discs work, but I could also compress, clone, or split Disney and Universal movies effortlessly.

CloneDVD alternative: DVDFab DVD Copy

DVDFab DVD Copy

DVDFab DVD Copy is powerful DVD copy software that enables users to effortlessly create backup copies of their DVDs with high quality and customizable settings.
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100% safe & clean
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Key Features and Benefits of CloneDVD Alternative

  
  • • Regularly updated to support the latest media formats and technologies
  • • Offers lossless compression options to fit larger DVD9 content onto DVD5 discs
  • • Provides high-quality output with lossless compression and fast processing speed
  • • Offers 6 copy modes, including Full Disc, Main Movie, Clone/Burn, Merge, Split, and Customize
  • • Supports the latest DVD protection schemes, ensuring users can backup any commercial DVD

How to Decrypt and Copy DVDs with DVDFab DVD Copy?

After hearing so many positive reviews about DVDFab DVD Copy, I decided to try it myself to back up one of my old movie DVDs at home, and the entire experience actually exceeded my expectations. 

Step 1: Download DVDFab DVD Copy and upload the source.

I downloaded and installed DVDFab DVD Copy on my Mac, and the interface was refreshingly straightforward. After selecting the "Copy" module, I inserted my DVD into the drive. The software immediately detected and loaded the disc content, neatly displaying all the movie titles and audio tracks. I appreciated not having to guess which video file was the main movie—it was clear and automatic.

How to copy DVD with CloneDVD alternative?

Step 2: Choose the copy mode and personalize the settings.

DVDFab offered several copy modes; I went with "Full Disc" for a complete 1:1 backup. The interface also made it easy to set output type (DVD-5 or DVD-9) and pick my preferred audio and subtitle tracks. When I clicked into advanced settings, I could customize the output folder location and file naming—everything was right where I needed it, without any confusing or cluttered options.

How to use CloneDVD Alternative: DVDFab?

Step 3: Start Ripping DVDs to Hard Drive

Once everything was ready, I popped in a blank DVD and simply clicked "Start." The software showed real-time progress and estimated time remaining, which I found reassuring. With GPU acceleration enabled, the copy process was quicker than I expected—even for a large movie, it finished in just over ten minutes.

How to clone DVD with CloneDVD alternative?

FAQs

What is CloneBD? Is it the same product as Slysoft CloneDVD?

CloneBD is a software application crafted specifically for copying, converting, and ripping (3D) Blu-ray discs. No, CloneBD and CloneDVD are not identical products; although both are developed by Elaborate Bytes (Elby), they have distinct functionalities and share a similar user interface and design approach.

Is CloneDVD free?

CloneDVD is not free. While it may offer a 21-day free trial, a license is required to access all the software's features. The cost for lifetime free updates is EUR 39.

What is CloneDVD Mobile?

With its user-friendly interface and thoughtful design, CloneDVD Mobile quickly converts your DVD movies into file formats compatible with portable devices (Sony PSP, Apple iPod Video, iAudio X5, Creative Labs ZEN Vision, etc.). Additionally, you can convert DVDs into various formats such as MP4, DivX, XviD, AVI, and more.

However, RedFox, the company that owned CloneDVD Mobile, has ceased operations, raising questions about the product's availability.

Conclusion

CloneDVD is a dependable option for DVD copying and cloning. However, users seeking comprehensive DVD copying software should consider DVDFab DVD Copy as a robust alternative. DVDFab addresses the shortcomings of CloneDVD with advanced features and broader compatibility, along with regular updates and excellent performance for smooth DVD copying.