Are you tired of searching for the best Rufus alternatives? Here are some of the best working alternatives to Rufus. These are more capable and robust than the original Rufus application.
Rufus is a popular tool for creating live bootable USBs containing Windows IOS files and Linux Distros. Because of its lightweight software package and ease of use, many computer engineers prefer Rufus over other software. However, other great Rufus Alternatives are available in the market with similar features.
Because Rufus is only available for Windows machines, many Mac and Linux users still search for a better alternative to satisfy their needs. In this post, we will discuss some of the best Rufus alternatives. So, without further discussion, let’s start.
Best Rufus Alternatives for Windows, Linux, and macOS
Yet, many Rufus alternatives are available in the market, and they work great. However, because of software availability and stability, some don’t work as well. Today, we have handpicked some of the best Rufus alternatives for Windows, Linux, and Mac users. So lean back and check them all out!
1. PowerISO
Power ISO is a great tool for making live bootable media. It is also capable of converting various image formats to ISO, which is great as most image files are easy to access via ISO format.
Apart from that, Power ISO can also mount disks, virtual drives and much more. The best part is its speed and reliability. It is incredibly fast when it comes to flashing images into media drives.
Pros:
- Best for flashing Windows OS
- Pretty fast at flashing images
Cons:
- Only available for Windows PC
- Only supports ISo file format
2. UNetbootin
You probably have heard about this before. It is an excellent alternative to the Rufus tool available for Ubuntu and other Linux distros. UNetbootin is a portable image flashing tool for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS PCs.
The best part about UNetbootin is that it allows you to create a Linux-based bootable USB from any machine. Its flashing speed is also breakneck and can easily rival Rufus.
Pros:
- Best for creating bootable USB for Ubuntu and other Linux-based distros
- Supports cross-platform devices
Cons:
- Supports Linux file formats only
3. Universal USB Installer
As the name suggests, it is a Universal USB installer primarily made for Linux-based distros. You should pick the Univeral USB installer to flash Windows and Linux-based image files.
It quickly loads and can create bootable USB drives at insanely fast rates. In terms of performance and appearance, it is very similar to Rufus.
Pros:
- Supports both Windows & Linux file images
- Blazing-fast flashing speeds
Cons:
- Not available for Mac OS
4. Etcher
Etcher is a full-fledged program and a complete replacement for the Rufus image flashing tool. It is available for all major platforms, including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. It supports all system image files, including ISO, DMG, IMG and more.
The flashing process is also very easy and simple to understand. Just a few clicks and your work will be done without any hassle. The best part about Etcher is that it has Image Validation, which verifies the system image and removable drive before flashing. Etcher is also open-source and completely free, just like Rufus.
Pros:
- Supports all major OS and system images
- Quite fast and comparable to Rufus
Cons:
- None
5. WoeUSB
This is the best choice if you’re not tech-savvy and want a simplistic program to flash firmware files on your Linux machine. WoeUSB is a simple-to-use program that lets you create a Windows bootable USB driver on a Linux PC.
With just a few simple clicks, your work will be done—no more confusing options and settings. Further, it supports Windows from Vista to the latest version of Windows 10. It is also compatible with older Legacy BIOS, MBR partition, and the newer UEFI mode.
Pros:
- Best for creating Windows USB bootable drives on Linux or Ubuntu
- Simple and easy to use
Cons:
- Available to Linux OS only
6. TransMac
TransMac is not the best Rufus alternative. However, it is important to flash Mac OS files to live USB drivers. TransMAC can flash Mac OS DMG files using a Windows machine without any complicated issues.
TransMac will format the drive using the APFS file format. The process takes a long time since DMG files are encrypted and hard to flash. However, TransMac is a one-of-a-kind software that gets the work done!
Pros:
- Best for creating macOS USB installer on Windows PC
- Supports Apple DMG File System
Cons:
- Prolonged file flashing process
7. Media Creation Tool
It is Microsoft’s official flashing tool, and it is free to use. However, the flashing process is rather slow, so it has a few limitations.
In addition, you can only flash Windows ISO files, not Linux or other OS. But if you only want to flash Windows, this is the most trusted and reputable tool.
Pros:
- Simple to use UI
Cons:
- Very slow file flashing process
8. Diskmaker X
If you’re a Mac user from the Windows platform, you will miss the Rufus tool. Diskmaker X replicates Rufus, which works efficiently on Mac OS. It can even flash Windows iso fils and is free to use.
Pros:
- Support Mac OS
Cons:
- none
9. YUMI – Multiboot USB Creator
The Universal USB Installer is yet another option that works with Windows. This program appears to be the same as the Universal USB Installer, as the same individual develops it. However, YUMI was developed to facilitate the creation of multiboot USB sticks.
This program’s ability to install many OSes onto a single drive sets it apart from Rufus. The process is limited only by the capacity of the drive’s memory. Making a bootable USB is the same as making one with Rufus.
10. Deepin Boot Maker
Deepin Boot Maker is one piece of software that can combine multiple bootable USB drives into a single portable system. This program isn’t as feature-rich as Rufus, but it can create a bootable USB drive quickly and easily. It’s compatible with Mac, Windows, and any other OS.
One useful feature of Deepin Boot Maker is that it can repair non-bootable drives. So, if you have a non-working drive, this tool can turn it into a functional one. If your needs are minimal, this program is a fantastic substitute.
