Everyone is aware of Nero, the most wanted burning software. Even I have used Nero for almost two years before jumping to the free alternatives that do the same job for free of cost. The reason behind the jump was not the cost of Nero but its size. As you might have observed, every time Nero releases a new version with added features that are useless for most of us.
How many of us use all the features of Nero? That is, do you use the multimedia and backup feature of Nero? If your answer is a big “NO” you can use any of the below freeware as an alternative to Nero.
6 free alternatives to Nero
1. Infra Recorder: Probably one of the most used free-burning software after CD Burner XP. You can create data and audio CDs easily, just like Nero. Infra Recorder also supports dual-layer DVDs. Users can erase discs, burn images, copy discs, burn multi-session discs, and save audio and data tracks to files using Infra Recorder. Moreover, the installer size is just 3.2MB!!
2. CDBurnerXP: CDBurnerXP is a good freeware alternative to paid CD and DVD burners. This is the software that made me jump from Paid Nero. Apart from basic disc-burning features, this freeware also supports Blu-Ray and HD DVDs. Below is a small list of CDBurnerXP key features:
* burn all kinds of discs
* audio-CDs with or without gaps between tracks
* burn and create ISO files
* data verification after the burning process
* create bootable discs
* multi-language interface
* bin/nrg ? ISO converter, simple cover printing, and much more!
* Operating Systems: Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
3. DeepBurner: There are two versions of the DeepBurner program available: Pro and free. I have been using this free burner for the last six months without any hassles. This program has many features that you can’t see in a free burner. To start with, it supports data CDs/DVDs, Audio CDs, build and burn images, overburn function, bootable discs, and multisession discs. DeepBurner also supports CD-R / CD-RW / DVD-R / DVD+R / DVD-RW / DVD+RW / DVD-RAM. You can also find a big feature list here.
4. FinalBurner : Final burner is also one of the free alternatives to bloated Nero. The user interface is simple and easy to use as well.
Main features:
Burn Data CD/DVD (CD R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD DL, HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, etc.)
– Autorun menu designer
– Burn Audio CD (Import *.wav; *.mp3; *.ogg; *.mid; *.wma; *.aac; *.mp4; *.m4a; *.xm; *.mod; *.s3m; *.it; *.mtm; *.mo3 audio files.)
– Burn Video DVD (Import AVI, DIVX, XVID, MP4, MPG, WMV, ASF, MOV, FLV, etc. Capture from Web cam, TV tuner, DV, etc.)
– AudioCd Ripper
|Download Here|
5. ImgBurn: Don’t think this tool is just for image burring. ImgBurn is lightweight CD/DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-Ray burning software that creates Audio CDs, DVD Video discs, and HD DVD video discs. The biggest strength of this program is that it supports a wide range of image file-formats, including BIN, CUE, DI, DVD, GI, IMG, ISO, MDS, NRG, and PDI. It also supports Unicode folder/file names, so you shouldn’t run into any problems if you’re using an international character set.
6. CDrtfe: CDrtfe is another free-burning program for Windows. CDrtfe can burn data discs (CD and DVD), Audio CDs, XCDs, (S) VCDs, and DVD-Video discs. For Windows 9x, ME, 2k, XP.
|Download Here|
I have listed the software which I have found as a good alternative to Nero. If you have come across any good freeware burners, let me know by leaving a comment so that I can include them in the next list.
Michael says
Do any of the free packages allow you to create cd covers like nero does. i like to make cd’s for the car but i also like a decent cover with track/artist time printed.
Alecsandar says
veri good
kigessa says
i need to burn video
Thanx to apriciate
darkbyte says
Use POWER ISO for reading .nrg files
you can use it for burning files and it can perform ERASE function also for rewritable disc
Catherine says
I used to use CDBurnerXP, until it required NET Framework Alot of people still won’t install Framework…probably the same people who are unlikely to upgrade to 7 or 8. Is it still a requirement? Didn’t see it in the description. I have to fess up here, that I have an image with Framework on it for when I use one of my favorite progs…nLite, which isn’t all that often. When I HAVE to run nLite, I don’t care what I have to install to make it work.
By the way, first visit to your site…I really like it.
Regards
John smith says
Although these are all perfect candidates for what they do they are not a perfect alternative. Nero yes as bloated as it is it has many more features the others do not yes they can burn and copy data music and movies but not on has the ability to create them. On Nero I can make music CD’s in a mix or ad video clips or pics or I can create movies either in BLU ray or DVD with my own menus and background music and now even password protect my Data discs. Now please if there is a real alternative to that then post it not something that the free versions of Nero can do thank you.
harold says
use a .nrg to .iso converter
Ricer says
Arrggghh!
I upgraded to windows Vista 64bit.
My copy of Nero 6 (that i was quite happy with) is no longer compatible.
I really don’t want to pay for Nero 9.. theres no new features that i need. I’m gonna try infra recorder.
Anyone know a way i can open my saved .nrg images without Nero?
Joel says
You might consider BurnAware Free too. I’ve been using it for half year now and is enough to complete the tasks I want.
Description:
BurnAware allows you to easily perform the most common disc burning tasks: write to all CD/DVD media types, including Blue-Ray; write Audio CDs and DVD-Video files; create and burn disc images; write multi-session discs and much more.
BurnAware Free is a free CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc burning software. It is ideal for users with basic disc burning needs as backup, creating data, audio, video discs and burning disc images. Free, easy to set up and maintain, it enables you to save your files to disc quickly and provides a more flexible interface to help you complete your burning tasks much faster.
Compatibility: Windows (All) including Win7
Download link: http://www.burnaware.com/downloads.html
admin says
Yes, there is no point in using Nero or any other paid burning software.
Christopher Shennan says
I’ve been using Nero for years but I’ve switched to CDBurnerXP because I’m constantly having to re-install client PC’s and they often don’t want to pay for Nero.
Using CDBurnerXP myself as well allows me to support them better… less cost for them… less cost for me (I’ve multiple machines) so it’s all good :)
Into Windows says
It’s not that I prefer CDBurnerXP over Infra.At the time of jumping from Nero I was not aware of
Infra Recorder.:)
arketh says
how come you prefer cdburnerxp over infra recorder?