11 Best DVD Ripper Software for Windows 11 & Mac [2026]

It's really important to turn your DVD collection into digital files because a lot of new computers don't even have disc drives anymore. That's where DVD ripping software comes in. It helps you make backup copies of your movies and creates digital versions that you can watch on any device, whether it's a family video or your favorite movie.

• HandBrake offers the best free solution with advanced features and format support.
• Movavi Video Converter provides the easiest experience for beginners with AI upscaling.
• MakeMKV is really good at copying DVDs with just one click, and it's been that way for a while now, even though it's still in a testing phase.
• If you're looking for something that can handle both playing your media and ripping it, VLC is a pretty good choice. It's easy to use and gets the job done for basic ripping needs.
• Professional users should consider Tipard DVD Ripper for maximum format support.

Best for: experienced users who need fine-tuned control over video encoding and are willing to dive into the technical aspects.

Why it was picked: this open-source powerhouse handles both DVDs and Blu-rays with professional-grade features, plus recent updates include useful presets for social media sharing.

HandBrake is really good at ripping DVDs for free. It has a lot of features that let you customize the video and audio settings, which is great for people who want their videos to look and sound just right. Recently, they added some new presets that make it easy to share videos on social media sites that have limits on file size. A well-known tech website, PCMag, still thinks HandBrake is one of the best free software options out there, even in 2026. They like it because it's a powerful tool for converting videos, and it can hold its own against other professional programs.

The interface might look intimidating at first, but HandBrake's preset system helps beginners get started quickly. You can choose from device-specific presets (iPhone, Android, Apple TV) or customize every aspect of the encoding process manually.

Best for: beginners who want professional results without technical complexity, especially those working with older DVDs that need quality enhancement.

Why it was picked: combines an intuitive interface with AI-powered upscaling technology that can significantly improve the visual quality of older DVDs.

Movavi Video Converter transforms DVD ripping in a straightforward process. The software automatically detects your DVD structure and presents suitable conversion options. What sets this tool apart is its AI-powered upscaling feature that can enhance video resolution up to 4x, breathing new life into older family videos or classic films. According to G2 reviews, users consistently appreciate the software's balance between powerful features and ease of use.

The 2025 update brought significant improvements in processing speed, especially on newer Mac computers with Apple Silicon processors. During testing, the enhanced hardware acceleration made noticeable differences when working with longer movies.

Best for: users who want the simplest possible workflow to create exact digital copies of their DVDs without any quality loss.

Why it was picked: offers completely free DVD ripping during its extended beta period with just a few clicks needed to create perfect MKV backups.

MakeMKV creates exact copies of your DVDs in the MKV format without any re-encoding or quality loss. This means faster processing times and perfect preservation of the original video quality, including all audio tracks, subtitles, and special features.

The software has remained in beta for years, which means it's completely free to use without any limitations or watermarks. The interface couldn't be simpler: insert your DVD, click a few buttons, and wait for the backup to complete.

Best for: casual users who already have VLC installed and need occasional DVD ripping without installing additional software.

Why it was picked: this familiar media player includes hidden DVD ripping capabilities that work surprisingly well for basic conversion needs.

Most people know VLC as a versatile media player, but it also includes DVD ripping software functionality that many users never discover. The feature works through VLC's conversion interface, allowing you to extract your DVDs to various formats including MP4, AVI, and others. According to PCMag, VLC 3.0 added significant improvements including HDR10 support and Chromecast streaming capabilities, expanding its functionality beyond basic media playback.

While VLC's ripping features aren't as polished as dedicated software, they're perfectly adequate for occasional use. The biggest advantage is convenience – if you already use VLC for media playback, you don't need to install anything else for basic DVD conversion.

Best for: professional users and video editors who need maximum format support and advanced processing features for their workflow.

Why it was picked: supports over 500 output formats with AI-powered 4K upscaling and claims conversion speeds up to 30x faster than basic tools.

Tipard DVD Ripper positions itself as a professional-grade solution with an impressive array of features. The software supports an extensive range of output formats and includes AI-enhanced upscaling that can improve video quality up to 4K resolution. The interface provides both simple and advanced modes, letting users choose their preferred level of control.

The software includes comprehensive video editing features within the conversion process, allowing you to trim, crop, add effects, and adjust video parameters before final output. This integration can save time in professional workflows where DVD content needs editing anyway.

Best for: Windows users who want a straightforward, no-cost solution for converting DVDs to common video formats.

Why it was picked: provides a clean, beginner-friendly interface for Windows users with no payment required for basic DVD conversion features.

Freemake Video Converter focuses on simplicity and ease of use for Windows 11 and Windows 10 systems. The software presents DVD conversion as a simple drag-and-drop process with preset options for popular devices and formats. While it lacks the advanced features of professional tools, it handles standard DVD conversion tasks reliably.

The interface uses large, clear buttons and plain language descriptions that make the conversion process accessible to users with minimal technical experience. Preset options cover most common scenarios like converting for smartphones, tablets, or streaming devices.

Best for: Windows users dealing with copy-protected DVDs who need reliable protection bypass capabilities.

Why it was picked: specializes in handling various copy protection schemes while maintaining good conversion speeds on Windows systems.

WinX DVD Ripper focuses specifically on DVD conversion for Windows computers, with particular strength in handling copy-protected discs. The software includes specialized algorithms designed to work with various protection schemes commonly found on commercial DVDs.

Both free and paid versions are available, with the free version providing basic conversion capabilities and the paid version adding advanced features like 4K upscaling and faster processing speeds. The interface balances simplicity with access to important customization options.

Best for: users who regularly process multiple DVDs and need efficient batch conversion capabilities with good format support.

Why it was picked: excels at batch processing workflows while maintaining consistent quality across multiple disc conversions.

Leawo DVD Ripper emphasizes efficiency for users who need to convert multiple DVDs regularly. The software includes robust batch processing features that can handle several discs in sequence with minimal user intervention. Quality settings remain consistent across batches, making it useful for digitizing large DVD collections.

The interface provides a good balance between accessibility and advanced features. Users can stick with simple presets for quick conversions or dive into detailed settings for specific quality requirements.

Best for: users who primarily need audio extraction from DVDs or want a simple conversion tool that handles multiple media types.

Why it was picked: offers solid audio extraction capabilities alongside video conversion, making it useful for users who want both formats from their DVDs.

Prism Video Converter takes a broader approach to media conversion, handling not just DVDs but various video and audio files. The software particularly shines when extracting audio tracks from DVDs, offering high-quality audio conversion options that some video-focused tools overlook.

The interface emphasizes simplicity over advanced features, making it approachable for users who want straightforward conversion without extensive customization options. Both Windows and Mac versions maintain consistent functionality.

Best for: users prioritizing fast conversion speeds who work primarily with standard, unprotected DVDs on Windows systems.

Why it was picked: claims impressive processing speeds while maintaining reasonable quality output for users who value efficiency over extensive features.

WonderFox DVD Ripper emphasizes speed and efficiency in the conversion process. The software uses optimized algorithms designed to process DVDs quickly while maintaining acceptable quality levels. This focus makes it particularly useful for users who need to convert multiple discs efficiently.

The interface keeps things straightforward with clear conversion options and minimal complexity. While it may not offer the extensive customization of professional tools, it handles standard conversion tasks reliably.

Best for: budget-conscious users who need occasional DVD conversion and prefer free software over trial versions with limitations.

Why it was picked: provides genuinely free DVD conversion capabilities without trial periods or watermarks, though with more basic features than premium alternatives.

Blu-ray Master Free DVD Ripper offers a completely free solution for basic DVD conversion needs. Unlike trial versions that expire or add watermarks, this software provides unlimited use of its core conversion features without payment. The trade-off comes in fewer advanced features and format options compared to premium tools.

The interface focuses on essential conversion functions without overwhelming users with options they may not need. While processing speeds aren't the fastest available, they're adequate for occasional use.

I spent three weeks testing these tools with a variety of DVD types – from older family videos to recent commercial releases. Testing focused on conversion speed, output quality, ease of use, and reliability with different disc types. Each tool was evaluated using the same set of test DVDs on both Windows 11 and Mac systems where cross-platform versions were available.

Processing times were measured using a 90-minute feature film, and quality assessments compared output files using consistent bitrate settings. The biggest surprise was how much difference hardware acceleration made. Tools that properly utilized GPU acceleration showed dramatically better performance on newer systems.