How to Rip a DVD: 8 Best Tools With Step-by-Step Guide

Whether it's your wedding videos, birthdays, holiday trips, movie collections, office programs, etc., the best moments and memories are saved in several DVDs. However, despite wishing to watch them in your free time, you can't enjoy them due to device accessibility limitations. The latest laptops don't come with built-in DVD players, and you also can't watch DVDs on your smartphones.

You always need dedicated DVD players to cherish your old but awesome memories stored in DVDs. Therefore, to make them accessible on any device anytime, you need to know how to rip a DVD on both Windows and MacOS systems. Here, you will find eight ways to rip DVDs to computer, each with its features, limitations, and a step-by-step guide.

How to Rip a DVD to Computer: Check The Top 8 Ways

You rip DVD on your system to make your DVD-watching experience flexible and device-independent. Along with various tools, programs, apps, and software, here you will get the most versatile 8 options of how to rip a DVD to computer with a guide and steps.

1. How to Rip Copy-protected DVD with DVDFab DVD Ripper

DVDFab DVD Ripper is an all-in-one software to rip DVD disc, ISO file, or folder within a few minutes without any old or advanced encryption such as APS, CSS, DADC, RC, etc. While experiencing how to rip video from DVDs using DVDFab, you can explore the extensive audio and video quality customization with built-in video editors like cropping, trimming, adding watermark, etc. and advanced settings like codec, frame rate, resolution, subtitles, etc.

💻OS: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 & Mac 10.10 - 14

Keys Features:

• The  tool that supports to rip any old or newly released encrypted DVDs.
• Extract DVDs to 1000+ video/audio formats including MKV, MP4, MOV, AVI, FLV, AAC, etc
• Rip DVD to 260+ preset devices with profile filter options like 4K, 5K, H265, 10/12 bit, etc.
• Reduce the file size to make your ripped content fit in all portable devices with small storage.
• Powerful video editor can crop, trim, merge video, add watermarks and subtitles, and even adjust video color as you like.
• Support batch DVD ripping at GPU hardware accelerated speed and with lossless 1:1 original quality.
• Synchronize meta info and generate .no file friendly to media server.

Cons:

• Its free version can rip DVD to MKV and MP4 format only.

DVDFab DVD Ripper also offers a lifetime-free but simplified version - DVDFab HD Decrypter - that can rip most encrypted DVD and Blu-rays to MP4&MKV format only. Both versions are installed in one DVDFab package for your easy use.

Tutorial: How to Rip a DVD with DVDFab DVD Ripper

Step 1: First run the DVDFab program, select Ripper Module, insert your desired DVD into the optical drive, and the program automatically loads the DVD. Alternatively, by clicking on the "+" option, you can load the DVD source, or you can load the source file/ folder directly to the main interface using the drag & drop option.

Step 2: While selecting the "Profile Selection Box" select the output profile format from the built-in profile library. You can rip DVD to MP4, MKV, MP3, AVI and many other digital formats.

Next, customize the video with audio, subtitles, chapters, and other advanced settings depending on your needs.

You can also edit DVDs using the built-in editor.

Step 3: Next, select Folder > select directory to save the output video. Then, select the "Start" option to rip any protected DVD.

2. How to Rip a DVD for Free with HandBrake

HandBrake is a well-known free and open-source program to rip a DVD on multiple OS with ultimate customizations. With extensive format selection options and wide codec support, this free tool will let you have a high-quality DVD-ripping experience in a hassle-free manner. It offers extensive video filter options like Deblock, Denoise, Colorspace, etc, with a video preview option.

💻OS: Windows, Mac & Linux 

Key Features:

• Rip DVD or Folder to MP4, MKV, or WebM.
• Convert ISO to MP4 or other digital formats.
• Chapter marking with range selection.
• Batch scanning with encode queueing option.
• Extract DVDs with multiple built-in device preset support.
• Multiple digital formats & codec support such as MP4, MKV, AAC, FLAC, etc.

Cons:

• It can't rip DVDs with encryption.
• Only support to rip DVD in 3 video formats.
• The batch conversion process is quite complex.

Tutorial: Rip Video from DVD with HandBrake

Step 1: Download and insert the HandBrake software on your Windows or Mac system by visiting the HandBrake official website. Next, go to the "Start Menu" or "Applications Folder" to select the HandBrake app icon.

Step 2: Next, insert the DVD you want to rip into your computer. From the "Source Selection" panel, select your inserted DVD. Then, from the drop-down menu, select the part of the DVD you want to rip. To rip the entire DVD, you can select the number of chapters you want to rip.

Step 3: By browsing the "File Manager" option (File Explorer for Windows and Finder for Mac), you can select the destination where you would like to save the ripped DVDs. For further customization, you can select quality presets depending on your requirements.

Step 4: Then select the "Start Encode" option next to the play button at the upper section of the window. Following the progress bar, you can monitor the required timing of the ripping process.

3. How to Extract Video from DVDs with VLC

Before starting with how to rip DVD to computer with VLC, you must know the most intriguing features of the free, open-source VLC media player. Despite being a cross-platform program, VLC can handle various types of multimedia files, including discs, streams, devices, etc. It can help you tweak audio or video quality with the output profile previewing option.

💻OS: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, & iOS

Key Features:

• It handles all types of audio, video & text file formats such as MPEG, WMV, AAC, FLAC, etc.
• It provides subtitle synchronization with audio-video filters.
• It's an ad & spy-ware-free program without any user tracking risks.
• It's a versatile program with 360° video support.
• It supports resolution up to 8K.

Cons:

• There is no video editing option.
• It can not rip DVD with copy protection.
• It has a complex interface with a steep learning curve.

Tutorial: How to Rip DVDs with VLC

Step 1: After opening the VLC media player on your system head to the "Media Tab" > Convert / Save > select the "Disc Tab"

Step 2: Go to the "Disc Selection" > select the DVD option > then select DVD Drive location > select "Convert / Save" at the below of the screen.

Step 3: Under the Profile section select the codec and other parameters that you want to use for ripping.

Step 4: Next, select the "Browse" option > destination & Filename > then click "Save" > then hit the "Start" option to begin the ripping process.

4. How to Use MakeMKV to Rip a DVD

To rip a DVD, MakeMKV is a very prominent option with its free service. It makes your DVDs playable on all devices, platforms, and players by ripping them into all device-compatible MKV formats. While converting format, this tool doesn't compromise content quality and restores all data and metadata.

💻OS: Windows XP or later, x86 or x64 & x64 or ARM64 Mac OS X 10.7 or later

Key Features:

• It can AACS/BD+ encryption from some DVDs.
• You can get ripped DVD in HD video & audio quality.
• It restores chapter information & meta-info.
• This free tool has a fast ripping process with GB file size support.

Cons:

• Only the MKV format is available as an output profile.
• There is no audio-video editing feature.
• The output MKV file is very large.

Tutorial: Rip video from DVDs with MakeMKV

Step 1: Launch the MakeMKV software on your Windows or Mac, and insert the DVD to be ripped into the optical drive. Then open MakeMKV > select the optical drive option to let the tool read the DVD.

Step 2: After loading the DVD, the tool will show the loaded DVD content as a tree structure. Then, customize the output profile with titles, audio, etc.

Step 3: Select the yellow file folder > select the directory for your output file > under MakeMKV, press the button, and the encrypted DVD will be ripped. You can monitor the ripping process with a progress bar.

5. How to Rip DVDs Using MacX DVD Ripper

To know how to rip DVD on Mac, you will have everything under one roof in the MacX DVD Ripper program. This tool can convert DVD to digital formats to back up your old DVDs to their original quality. It can remove any latest copy protection or encryption and help you rip DVD to computer effortlessly. From home-made DVDs to commercial DVDs, this tool supports the widest range of DVDs and rips them seamlessly.

💻OS: Mac OS X 10.6 and higher and Windows 7 or later.

Key Features:

• It offers all-device compatible formats such as AVI, Mp4, FLV, MOV, etc.
• "High-Quality Engine" option to enhance output video quality.
• Enjoy 2 times faster DVD ripping process with 250-320 Fps.
• You can preserve original quality after ripping DVDs in MKV format.
• Explore advanced DVD editing options with cropping frame size, removing back bars, trimming to adjust video segment duration, etc.

Cons:

• During the free trial, you can rip only 5 minutes of DVD clips.
• It suddenly crashes during the ripping process & doesn't respond for a long time.
• It can not rip some newly-released DVD discs. 

Tutorial: Extract video from DVDs with MacX DVD Ripper

Step 1: Insert your desired DVD into your Mac system and then launch the MacX tool on your computer > select "Disc" at the top left corner to load the imported DVD content.

Step 2: Once the DVD file is analyzed, you can select your required format for the output profile. For further customization, you can try editing adjustments such as cropping, trimming, adding watermarks, etc.

Step 3: Now, select the output folder to save the ripped DVD. Next, select the run option, and the ripping process will run immediately.

6. How to Rip DVD Using Leawo DVD Ripper

Leawo DVD Ripper is also a fascinating tool to rip DVD to computer. While supporting multiple formats, it offers various functions like video editing, format conversion, downloading, etc. This multi-purpose tool is a one-stop shop for a seamless DVD-ripping experience. It allows you to merge multiple DVD clips into one clip.

💻OS: Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11 & macOS 10.13/10.14.../13/14

Key Features:

• 180+ file format support including Mp4, MKV, MOV, AAC, Mp3 etc.
• Create a 3D movie out of any 2D DVD while adding various 3D effects.
• Edit DVDs with trimming, cropping, adding watermarks, etc.
• You can add subtitles & audio tracks depending on your choice.
• It offers a built-in player with a DVD previewing option.

Cons:

• The ripping process is slow.
• Comparatively expensive DVD ripping tool.
• It lacks support for ripping DVDs with certain DRM protections.

Tutorial: How to Rip a DVD with Leawo DVD Ripper

Step 1: After launching and opening the Leawo program on your PC, go to the "Convert" section > select the "Add Blu-Ray/ DVD" option to load the DVD content source > you can add a DVD folder or disc for conversation.

Step 2: Next, select the drop-down box > select "Change" to choose the output format from the three available options: Multiple Common Video, Common Audio, and HD Video formats.

Step 3: Alternatively, to select output format depending on your device requirement, you should go to the "Device" tab, and using the "Profile Search Bar" you can find your required format.

Step 4: Once you keep the mouse on your selected format for a while, you will see the "Edit" option to further customize audio-video parameters like video codec, frame rate, bit rate, resolution, channels, etc.

Step 5: You can also access the "Profile Setting" panel by selecting the "Mp4 Video > Edit" option. Then, select the "Convert" option to initiate the ripping process. Next, you will be asked to set the output directory and after-conversion settings. You can cancel the conversion setting anytime.

7. How to Use Freemake to Rip DVDs on Windows

To rip DVD, FreeMake is a very convenient tool with multiple functions. You can enjoy unlimited DVD ripping without any registration hassle. It supports a wide range of DVDs and removes various types of regional block or copy protection. It also lets you reduce file size to fit into small device storage for portable devices.

💻OS: Windows 10 & lower

Key Features:

• It supports 20+ video formats including Mp4, WMV, FLV, AVI etc
• It lets you backup DVDs without any copy protection
• Enjoy 1:1 preset to ensure original quality to your ripped DVDs
• It supports H.264/AAC codec for losslessly ripping
• Enjoy extensive customization with audio track, quality, subtitles, etc

Cons:

• During the ripping process, your PC slows down.
• The tool crashes while dealing with high-quality video.
• While it promotes itself as free, advanced features require a payment.

Tutorial: How to Rip DVD Mac with Freemake

Step 1: After launching & starting the FreeMake tool on your PC you should add the DVD you prefer to rip.

Step 2: Go for your needed output format and other parameters for ripping your DVD.

Step 3: Start the ripping process and save the ripped DVDs to your computer.

8. How to Rip DVDs Using WinX DVD Ripper

WinX DVD Ripper allows users to easily rip DVD/ISO images/folders to various formats that can be played with different devices such as TVs, iPads, phones, Xbox, etc. Its user-friendly interface and fast ripping speed make it a popular choice among users looking to rip DVD collections into digital formats.

💻OS: Windows 10/11 or lower & macOS

Key Features:

• Simple and easy to rip DVDs with just a few clicks
• Fast ripping speed with high-quality output files
• Provides simple video editing and output settings
• You can also copy DVD to ISO and Video_TS folders

Cons:

• You can only convert 5 minutes of the video with the trial version
• This software does not support direct drag and drop of DVDs
• The installation process is cumbersome and requires 8 clicks

How to use WinX DVD Ripper to rip DVDs to your computer

Step 1: Download and run WinX DVD Ripper on your computer following the on-screen instructions.

Step 2: Insert a DVD you want to rip into your PC drive.

Step 3: Click on the "DVD Disc" button on the upper area of the interface to load the DVD. If it is an ISO or DVD Folder on your hard drive, use the corresponding button next.

Step 4: After the source is loaded, choose an output format or device profile from the list of options provided.

If you want to make a 1:1 backup, use the DVD Backup profile. If you want the ripped file to be played on a specific device, choose one from the Device Profile.

Step 5: Select the titles you want to convert and set the destination folder where you want to save the ripped DVD files.

Step 6: Click the Edit button at the end of the title, on the popup window, you can adjust adjust audio volume, set subtitles to enable, add external subtitles, and crop and trim the video per your need.

Step 7: Click the "Run" button to start it.

How to Pick the Best Way to Rip DVDs: Tested & Compared

Now that you understand how to rip a DVD to your computer, the next step is choosing a right and reliable DVD ripping software for your needs. 

To help you make an informed decision, we've not only compared key features but also included hands-on test results for these tools. Let’s start with a side-by-side comparison chart.

Performance Review: Speed, and Quality of Top DVD Rippers

To go beyond feature lists, we put several of the most popular DVD rippers to the test. We evaluated their performance based on key real-world metrics: ripping speed, output video quality, and file size. These practical results help you better understand what to expect before downloading any of these tools.

 

All tests were conducted on a Windows 10 PC equipped with an Intel Core i7-6700 CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GPU. The DVD movie used for testing was 8 Mile (1hour50 minutes, 6.13GB).

DVD Ripping Tool	Ripping Time	Video & Audio Codec	Resolution	Output Audio
DVDFab DVD Ripper	5m 29s	H.264 / AAC	720 x 404	AAC 5.1
WinX DVD Ripper	6m 51s	H.264 / AAC	720 x 404	AAC 2.0
HandBrake	12m 28s	H.264 / AAC	720 x 362	AAC 2.0

Insights:

• Speed: DVDFab delivered the fastest performance, finishing the ripping process in just 5 minutes and 29 seconds. WinX came second, while HandBrake took more than twice as long.
• Output Quality: While 720p video was produced by all three products, DVDFab's 5.1 channel audio was a major plus for users looking for a more immersive sound experience.
• Overall Impression: For users who prioritize speed and high-quality output, DVDFab DVD Ripper is the clear winner. WinX DVD Ripper offers a balanced performance with smaller file sizes, making it a solid mid-range option. While HandBrake is free and flexible, it may not be the best fit for users with higher performance demands.

FAQs about Ripping DVDs

How long it takes to rip DVDs?

Ripping time varies depending on the software used, system performance, and output settings. Based on our tests using a standard DVD (8 Mile, 6.13 GB), here's how long it took three popular tools to complete the ripping process:

• DVDFab DVD Ripper: 5 minutes 29 seconds
• WinX DVD Ripper Platinum: 6 minutes 51 seconds
• HandBrake: 12 minutes 28 seconds

In general, most DVD ripping tasks take 5 to 30 minutes, with faster results achievable using optimized tools and hardware acceleration.

How to rip a movie from a DVD?

Ripping a DVD movie involves extracting the video and audio files from the disc and saving them to your computer. Here's the simple steps:

1. Download and install DVDFab DVD ripping software. Then insert the disc into the DVD drive.
2. Load the source and choose the output format for the ripped movie. It also provides a built-in editor and advanced features for you to customize the output videos.
3. Select the destination where you want to save the ripped movie. And begin the ripping process by clicking on the Start button.

Will ripping a DVD damage the disc or its content?

Not. Instead, using a powerful and advanced DVD ripper like DVDFab, you can upgrade the video quality up to 8K from DVD's HD-quality content. You can also do lots of other customization and editing with audio quality, format, file size, etc., to enhance the overall DVD streaming experience in its high-quality digital copy on any device anytime.

Conclusion

Now, it should be easy for you to pick the right tool to rip DVDs. While selecting a DVD ripping software, please keep the following points in mind: the highest video quality, flexible customization, and extensive video editing would make your DVD ripping purpose more satisfying. 

DVDFab DVD Ripper stands out for its fast performance, and high-quality output with 5.1 audio. HandBrake, while slower, remains a free option for those with basic needs and technical know-how.