Part 1. What is an ISO File?

An ISO file, often referred to as an ISO image, is a single file that perfectly represents a complete CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc. The entire contents of a disc can be precisely duplicated in a single ISO file. It is often used for distribution of software, backup, software installation, or operating system installation.

The name "ISO" comes from the ISO 9660 file system used with CD-ROM media, but it also refers to the ISO 13346 standard which is used for DVD and Blu-ray. And to make ISO image, you need a perfect program to help you. Next, we are glad to introduce you the 4 best free ISO makers and show you how to rip DVD to ISO.

Best Free ISO Makers

Part 2. Best Free ISO Makers You Can Try

1. DVDFab DVD Copy

DVDFab DVD Copy

DVDFab DVD Copy

DVDFab DVD Copy allows you to losslessly backup or compress any DVD disc, ISO file or Folder to a blank disc directly or save it as an ISO image file or folder on your hard drive.
 

DVDFab DVD Copy is recognized as the best free ISO maker due to its exceptional features. The software can read and back up any protected DVDs to blank discs or to the hard drive in ISO image or folder format. It supports 6 different copy modes to meet your diverse ISO making needs. Considered as highly reliable, the program ensures excellent quality output, providing an identical ISO copy of the original DVD. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to use, even for beginners.

Working platform: Win11/10/8.1/8/7 and Mac 10.10-13

What features does this free ISO maker offer?

  • The ONLY tool that supports the newest released encrypted DVDs.
  • Copy DVD disc/ISO file/folder to your hard drive as an ISO image file.
  • Losslessly copy DVD-9 to DVD-9 and DVD-5 to DVD-5.
  • Compress DVD-9 to DVD-5 for playback on any standalone home player.
  • Provide six copy modes for ISO making
  • Support batch copying at GPU-accelerated speed.
  • Retain all the original meta information in the output ISO file.
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Note: DVDFab DVD Copy offers a completely-free version with limited copying features - DVDFab HD Decrypter, which can copy some encrypted DVDs or Blu-rays to discs, ISO images or Folders.

How to make an ISO file from folder/ISO/DVD via DVDFab DVD Copy:

Step 1: Download & install DVDFab DVD Copy

Step 2: Initiate loading your DVD disc source
Click its desktop icon two times to initiate this program. And then, find the Copy module>select a copy mode, here we will take "Main Movie" as an example>insert your DVD disc/click that big plus button to load your DVD disc source.

How to make an ISO file from folder/ISO/DVD via DVDFab DVD Copy?

Step 3: Customize your DVD video
Once your DVD source is loaded, here are some settings you can set up, for example, select chapters, change audio track or subtitles. Besides, if you click on that Advanced Settings tab, you can select an output volume.

How to make an ISO file from folder/ISO/DVD via DVDFab DVD Copy?

Step 4: Start to make your ISO file
Here comes the most vital and last step. When all settings are done, please move to the bottom of the interface and then select that ISO icon to save as ISO file. And then, don't forget to hit that Start button. 

2. Free ISO Creator

Free ISO Creator is a user-friendly tool that can make ISO CD-images from both CDs/DVDs and folders on your computer with a straightforward. This free ISO maker supports the creation of ISO 9660, also known as CDFS (Compact Disc File System) files. Its simple interface and lack of complicated settings make it an ideal tool for beginners. 

Working platform: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 (32 & 64 bits)

What features does Free ISO Creator offer?

PROS
 Completely free.
 Support make ISO file from CD-ROM / DVDs.
 No complicated settings or options.
 Make ISO-9660 can be used in Linux/UNIX platforms.
CONS
 Unable to copy commercial CDs/DVDs.
 Unable to make ISO file on Windows 10/11 or Mac.
 Unable to make ISO from Blu-ray.
 

How to make an ISO file from folders/DVDs with this program:

Step 1: Download and open this program. Then click on the "Browser" button to select a source folder.

Step 2: Please input the label of your ISO file in the "Volume Name". Next, hit on the "Save as" button to set an output path as well as name the output file.

Step 3: Last, click on that "Create" button to start the process of making ISO file.

 Free ISO Maker - Free ISO Creator

3. Free WinISO Maker

Free WinISO Maker is an editing tool for CD image file and makes it possible for users to open, edit, create, extract, and convert ISO files as well as make bootable ISO files. The following things are what this free ISO maker can do in specific: edit ISO file, make ISO file or bootable image file from CD, convert ISO file and other image file, make bootable CD.

Working platform: Windows 95, 98/98SE, Me, NT4, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7

What features does Free WinISO Maker offer?

PROS
  Make ISO file from CD drive.
 Multiple built-in ISO editing and conversion functions.
 Navigational interface.
CONS
 Unavailable on Windows 10/11 and Mac.
 Kind of outdated.
 Unable to make ISO from DVD and Blu-ray.

How to make an ISO file with Free WinISO Maker:

Step 1: Run this ISO maker and go for "Actions" tab on the top bar to select the "Make ISO from CDROM" button. 

Step 2: As a result, a interface pops up from which you can select an output format and path.

Step 3: Then, enter the File name option, after which you can click on the OK button to begin making ISO file.

 Free ISO Maker - Free WinISO Maker

4. FlashCrest ISO Maker

FlashCrest ISO Maker is a free and lightweight Windows application letting you make mountable and burnable ISO images from DVDs, or CDs. Besides, you can also make ISO image from your files and folders stored on your hard disk. This free ISO creator boasts a clean and intuitive layout that allows you to set up the dedicated parameters with just a few clicks.

Working platform: Windows 98/2000/XP/2003/Vista/7

What features does FlashCrest ISO Maker offer?

PROS
 Make ISO files from CD / DVD / files / folders.
 
Supports Juliet and ISO9660 formats.
 Free and has no spyware or adware.
 Autorun CD compatibility.
 Drag-and-drop interface. 
CONS
 Newest version was released on 2012.
 Unavailable on Windows 10/11 or Mac.
 Unable to make ISO from Blu-ray.

How to make an ISO file with FlashCrest ISO Maker:

Step 1: Run this FlashCrest ISO Maker after installation, and go to click on the "Create ISO" button.

Step 2: Drag and drop your file or folder to the main interface. Then move to the bottom and select an ISO type, Juliet or ISO9660

Step 3: Click on the "GO" button to start the ISO making process.

Free ISO Maker - FlashCrest ISO Maker

5. Magic ISO Maker

Magic ISO Maker is designed for creating, editing and extracting ISO image files. It can handle many different kinds of ISO file formats including BIN, IMG, and IMA. It allows users to add, change, or delete files in CD/DVD ISO image files and make ISO files form DVD or CD to the computer. This ISO converter can also convert image files between ISO/BIN and other formats. 

Working platform: Windows version XP, 2003, Vista, 2008, 7, 8, etc. 

What features does Magic ISO Maker offer?

PROS
 Directly create, edit, extract, and burn ISO files.
 Convert CD/DVD image formats to ISO and BIN/CUE.
 Make CD/DVD image files from different types of ROMs.
 Make of bootable CD and DVD image files.
CONS
 The trial version only works with files smaller than 300MB.
 Unable to use original registration key with newer versions of the software.
 The program may freeze during operations.
 Unable to make ISO from Blu-ray.
 Unreliable customer support.

How to make an ISO file with Magic ISO Maker:

Step 1: Open Magic ISO Maker and select "File" from the menu, and then click on "New". This will open a new window where you can choose the files and folders you want to include in the ISO. Navigate through your computer and select the desired files and folders. 

Step 2: After you have selected all the files and folders you want to include, click on the "Add" button. The files will now appear in the Magic ISO Maker window. Once you have added all the files and folders you want in your ISO, click on "File" again, and then select "Save As".

Step 3: Navigate to the location where you want to save the ISO file, and then give it a name. After you have chosen the location and given a name to the ISO, click on the "Save" button. 

Free ISO Maker - Magic ISO Maker

Part 3. Comparison: What is the Best ISO Maker?

Now that we've introduced and reviewed the top 5 ISO makers, but which one is best suit your needs? The table below provides you with a complete comparison on working systems, DVD Decryption, supported input and output formats and other extra features, aiming to help you make a good choice.

Features DVDFab DVD Copy Free ISO Creator Free WinISO Maker FlashCrest ISO Maker 

MagicISO Maker

Compatibility Windows 11 / 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 & Mac 10.10 -13 Windows XP / Vista / 7  Windows 95 /  98/98SE / Me / NT4 / 2000 / XP / Vista /7 Windows 98 / 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista / 7 Windows version XP, 2003, Vista, 2008, 7, 8

Input  Formats

DVD/Blu-ray disc, ISO image file, folder CD-ROM / DVDs /  folder CD drive / ISO file / other image file DVD / CD / file / folder DVD / CD / ISO / other image file
Output Formats DVD/Blu-ray ISO image file, disc, folder ISO 9660 / ISO CD-images  ISO file / bootable CD disc image files

Joilet or ISO 9660 file

ISO file / bootable CD/DVD image files
DVD / Blu-ray Decryption YES NO NO NO No
Extra Features

Burn ISO to disc; batch mode; retain meta info

NO Edit and convert ISO files Auto-run CD Edit and convert ISO files

FAQs

Does Windows Has an ISO Maker?

Yes. There is a built-in ISO Image Maker in Windows 11 and 10 that helps you directly make an ISO image file from CD, DVD, Blu-ray-ROM. Just select the files and folders you want to include in the ISO image, arrange them within the original directory, rename some of them if necessary, and continue producing the ISO image.

What is the Difference Between ISO and Bootable ISO?

An ISO file, or ISO image, is a type of disk image that contains an exact copy of data from a physical disc, such as a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc. It includes the filesystem and all files and folders on the original disc.

A bootable ISO is a specific kind of ISO image. In addition to containing an exact copy of data from a physical disc, it also has the necessary startup information for a computer to boot (start up) from this image instead of its regular operating system when it's burned onto a USB drive or CD/DVD. This feature is often used for installing new operating systems or running live versions of an OS directly from the media without installation.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you have now grasped the key features and potential drawbacks of the best free ISO makers, including DVDFab DVD Copy software, Free ISO Creator, Free WinISO Maker, FlashCrest ISO Maker, and Magic ISO Maker. By comparing these tools side by side, we hope to have made it easier for you to choose the one that aligns best with your requirements for making an ISO file.