A DVD ripper is a program that converts a DVD or BD (Blu-ray) movie into a file, typically the ISO format, which is helpful when you want to back up a movie for safekeeping or convert a disc to a file for playing on your phone or tablet.
While some DVD rippers will cost you anywhere from $50 to $100 USD, some of the most highly-rated and feature-rich rippers are completely free.
The DVD ripper is a software that has the ability to extract all data from a DVD or Blu-ray.You can save the extracted file to your computer hard drive for backup or convert it to another file format for playback on mobile devices. The DVD Ripper for Mac is designed for Mac users to convert DVD to video on Mac with no limitation. It's the best DVD Ripper for Mac which can convert DVD movies to any video on Mac like MP4, MPEG, M4V, AVI, WMV, etc. Also it can extract audio tracks from DVD movies and save them as MP3, M4A, WAV, ACC, AC3, AIFF and more on Mac.
Below is an alphabetical list of the best free DVD ripper programs available. We've used all of these programs at one time or another but our favorites are MakeMKV, DVD Shrink, and HandBrake. However, all of these DVD rippers do a great job at what they do — for no cost at all!
The free DVD ripping software programs below are completely freeware, meaning that they don't require that you donate, purchase add-ons, stop using it after so many days, pay for additional features, etc. You can use these DVD rippers without watermarks for as long as you like.
BDlot DVD ISO Master
What We Like
Easy to use.
Can be used to mount ISOs, too.
What We Don't Like
Makes ISOs only.
Lacks customization options.
BDlot DVD ISO Master is really easy to use. Just choose a source folder or disc, select where the DVD should be saved, and then start ripping.
A DVD ripped with BDlot DVD ISO Master is saved to the ISO format only since there aren't any additional options or advanced features that let you select a different file format.
BDlot DVD ISO Master also functions as an ISO burner and mounter.
DVD Decrypter
What We Like
Excellent customization options.
Easy to use.
Reads from and writes to ISOs.
What We Don't Like
Interface can be difficult to navigate for more complex burning projects.
Some options are for historical benefit and aren't really used much anymore.
It's no longer developed.
DVD Decrypter is a free DVD ripper that can rip a DVD to a folder in the form of VOB and IFO files or just a single ISO file.
The program interface is easy to navigate through because all the advanced settings are hidden away in the menus. There are lots of options in the settings like to split a ripped ISO file into 1 of 17 sizes, change the read speed, and associate DVD Decrypter with other file types (e.g., BIN, CDR, IMG).
DVD Shrink
What We Like
Compression algorithm to make content fit a DVD.
Fine-tuning of content to be burned when you rip a video DVD.
What We Don't Like
Donation links on the download page.
Compression is a mixed bag.
DVD Shrink is a free DVD ripper program for Windows that can load DVD files from a folder, disc, or disc image and rip them to an ISO file or hard drive folder.
DVDs can be automatically compressed to fit a standard 4.7 GB disc or any other custom size.
You can also deselect unwanted audio or subtitle streams before ripping, like those in a foreign language.
You might see a red DONATE button on the download page but you can just skip that and chose a different download link. DVD Shrink is 100 percent free despite that donation link.
Freemake Video Converter
What We Like
Excellent options for output formats.
Ability to tweak the content of a video DVD.
Can burn as well as generate a disc.
What We Don't Like
Some complexity in the user interface.
Not as forgiving for inexperienced users.
Freemake Video Converter is a free video converter program that can also directly rip a DVD to a number of different video formats.
Before converting, you can add subtitles, include a DVD menu, and crop the video length.
Some supported output formats are 3GP, ISO, MKV, and MP4, with specific presets that clearly indicate which you should choose for a video format that's compatible with your device. Some of these presets are set up for Android, Apple, BlackBerry, Sony, and Xbox devices.
Freemake Video Converter also functions as a free DVD burner program since it can put a video file directly onto a disc or 'burn' it to an ISO file.
HandBrake
What We Like
Supports Blu-ray and other output devices.
Multi-platform support.
Extensive editing capabilities.
What We Don't Like
Significant complexity arising from advanced-settings options.
Interface doesn't match modern design standards.
HandBrake is a program that supports not only video converting via file to file but also ripping via DVD or Blu-ray disc to a file.
Presets make it easy to rip a video from a disc to a format compatible with a number of devices, like those that run the iOS or Android operating system.
There are too many advanced features to list here, but some include video filtering, custom subtitles, and video previewing. You can choose to rip any specific title from the source disc as well as certain chapters, a custom crop and quality, and specific audio tracks.
Although there are many custom features, it's still very easy to use if you choose not to delve into the advanced settings.
Windows, Mac, and Linux users can install HandBrake.
MakeMKV
What We Like
Cross-platform availability.
Blu-ray capability.
What We Don't Like
Confusing download site.
Focus on MKV files.
Best Mac Dvd Ripper Software 2018
MakeMKV is a free DVD ripper that can rip a DVD or Blu-ray disc to an MKV file.
Mac Dvd Ripping Software
If not using a disc, DVD and Blu-ray files can also be loaded into MakeMKV to turn them into MKV files. Files such as ISO and BDMV are supported as well as folders containing IFO and DAT files.
Windows, Linux, and Mac users can install MakeMKV.
Blu-ray functionality is currently free only while MakeMKV is in beta. However, it's been in the beta stage for years, which means it could be additional years before this feature is removed.
Dvd Ripper Free Download
Be sure to choose the download link called External mirror 1 on the download page to avoid getting a trial version of the paid edition.