7 Best DVD Rippers for a Mac [Free Included]

Looking for a DVD ripper for your Mac? Try Movavi Video Converter!

  1. Download and launch Movavi Video Converter.

  2. Import the contents of your DVD.

  3. Select one of the presets and convert your files.

Mac DVD ripper – choose the best one

Edited by EJ Tech
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Key takeaways

  • Movavi Video Converter is the right choice for Mac users who want a quick, easy, and reliable way to rip DVDs. Its solid features and the capacity to support over 200 conversion formats cannot leave you indifferent.
  • HandBrake and WinX DVD Ripper will not disappoint, too, but potential users should be aware of some drawbacks, like non-user-friendly designs, paid pro versions, and short trial periods.
  • When looking for the perfect DVD ripper on Mac, pay close attention to such things as supported formats, quality of output files, the processing speed, the product cost, and the availability of customer support.

Not sure which program to grab for ripping DVDs on a Mac? I’ve been there: stack of discs, a coffee, and a Mac begging for some action. So I tested seven of the top DVD rippers myself (free and paid), diving into menus, presets, and export settings. Some were slick, some a bit clunky, but all had something to offer.

This list breaks down the cream of the crop. You’ll get the lowdown on what works, what’s fast, and what makes your old DVDs play nice on any device. Think of it as your playbook for converting DVDs without losing quality or maybe even your mind.

My top picks

Best overall: Movavi Video Converter
Smooth interface, fast renders, and a no-drama workflow, this one’s the MVP for ripping DVDs without losing your cool.

Best free (budget) option: HandBrake
Open-source beast. Tons of settings if you’re into tweaking codecs and bitrates like a true editor nerd.

Best for beginners: WinX DVD Ripper
Plug-and-play vibes. Presets do the heavy lifting so you can rip DVDs without pulling your hair out.

Best for quality preservation: MakeMKV
Keeps your footage crisp—like capturing the game in 4K without skipping a beat. Perfect if you hate compression artifacts.

Best for power users: MacX DVD Ripper Pro
Handles encrypted discs and multitrack madness. It’s like having a full post-production suite in a single app.

Program

OS

Best for

Download

Mac OS X 10.13 or later, Windows

Quick DVD ripping with no loss of quality

macOS 10.13 or later, Windows, Linux

Users who need a lot of tools

Mac OS X 10.9 or later, Windows

Having a user-friendly interface

List of the best free DVD rippers for Mac

  • Why I picked it:

    Super fast and hassle-free. Keeps your DVD quality intact every time. Quick DVD ripping with no loss of quality. Tons of supported formats, and beginners will be happy.

  • OS:

    Mac OS X 10.13 or later, Windows

  • Best for:

    users who want fast DVD ripping with no quality loss

Movavi Video Converter is a handy tool for Mac if you need to turn DVDs into video files without fuss. It handles a ton of formats – MP4, AVI, MOV, FLV, MPEG, even 3GP. So, I could make files that work on my phone, laptop, or even upload online. You can also go the other way and turn video files into DVD-compatible VOBs, which is nice if you want a physical copy. The interface is inviting and utterly beginner-friendly. You’ll love how clean and simple it is. I didn’t feel lost in menus or buried under settings!

When I gave it a spin, I started with a regular movie DVD, and I was surprised by how fast it finished. I even threw a few DVDs into a batch conversion, and my Mac didn’t even blink. I really liked the preview feature – it let me make sure everything looked right before saving.

I tried different formats for my devices, and the quality stayed solid, no weird glitches or artifacts. Even when I compressed the files to save space, the videos still looked good. All in all, Movavi made ripping DVDs and converting videos a smooth, enjoyable process. Really decent Mac DVD ripper.

How to rip a DVD on a Mac with Movavi Video Converter:

  1. Install Movavi's Mac DVD ripper
  2. Add the DVD to the program
  3. Choose the format
  4. Rip your DVD on Mac

Pros:

  • It supports a large variety of media formats, offers presets for quick conversion, and is powered by the SuperSpeed technology.

  • Nearly 200 conversion formats

  • Comprehensive interface

Cons:

  • Can’t add videos for conversion by URL

How to rip a DVD on a Mac with Movavi Video Converter

Download and install the DVD ripping software on your Mac computer and start digitizing your DVD collection. Here’s how to rip DVDs on your Mac with Movavi Video Converter.

Step 1. Install Movavi's Mac DVD ripper

Open the installation file and follow the guidelines that appear in the pop-up window.

Step 2. Add your DVD to the program

Open the program and insert the disc into the drive. Click Add Media, choose Add DVD, then click Open DVD and select the DVD you want to convert.

Step 3. Choose the format

In the bottom of the program window, locate the target format for your DVD video. Can’t find the right one? Go to the Video tab to see all available output video formats. Want to save the video to watch on your mobile device? Go to the Devices tab and explore the available ready-made presets for a wide range of phones, tablets, and players, including iPad, iPod, and iPhone.

Step 4. Rip your DVD on Mac

Before starting the conversion, make sure the program will save your video to the right place. Click Save to to locate a new destination.

If you’re converting your video to any iTunes-compatible media format, or for playing on an Apple device, click Share and check the iTunes option; after the conversion is complete, the output files will be automatically added to your media library.

Now, to convert the DVD to MP4 (or any other format of your choosing) on your Mac, just click the Convert button and wait until the encoding is complete.

  • Why I picked it:

    Open-source powerhouse. Perfect if you love tweaking every little setting. Users who need a lot of tools.

  • Best for:

    Experienced rippers who need a variety of tools but don’t care about a user-friendly interface

  • OS:

    macOS 10.13 or later, Windows, Linux

If you're looking for a robust DVD ripper for Mac, HandBrake should be among your top picks. This app is packed with a wide range of features, giving you many options. However, to accommodate all these features, this Mac DVD rip software has sacrificed user-friendliness, in my opinion. As such, it is not a totally ideal rip software for Mac for beginners.

Having used HandBrake extensively, I can attest to its capabilities. The latest version, 1.10.2, released on September 6, 2025, brings several cool enhancements. Particularly, it offers improved metadata passthrough. It ensures that creation dates, locations, and cover art are preserved during conversion.

What else to love, the update includes better framerate handling in high-resolution videos and updates to core libraries like FFmpeg 7.1.1 and x264 r3222.

One of the standout features for me is the batch scanning and queuing of encodes. This allows me to set up multiple DVD rips and let the software process them in sequence, saving me time. The title, chapter, and range selection tools are also handy, giving me control over which parts of the DVD to rip.

However, HandBrake isn't without its challenges. The interface, while functional, can be a bit overwhelming for newcomers. The abundance of options and settings may be daunting if you're not familiar with video encoding. But for those willing to invest time in learning, the software tool offers unparalleled control over the ripping process.

How to rip a DVD on a Mac with HandBrake:

  1. Insert the DVD you want to rip and launch HandBrake.
  2. Drag and drop the video you want to convert into the app.
  3. Select the output format.
  4. Select the destination folder using the Browse button.
  5. Click Start Encode to run the Mac rip DVD process.

Ratings

Pros:

  • HandBrake supports multiple formats, have a live preview. It offers device presets for both Android and iOS.

Cons:

  • It can be a bit hard to use for beginners. The interface takes time to get used to.

  • Why I picked it:

    Clean interface and easy to navigate. Feels effortless to rip DVDs. Having a user-friendly interface.

  • Best for:

    People who want a beginner-friendly interface

  • OS:

    Mac OS X 10.9 or later, Windows

When it comes to DVD rippers for Mac, not many tools can compare to Xilisoft. With this tool, I can convert video on DVDs into popular movie formats quickly. It also lets me adjust video effects, crop frames, clip, merge, or split files, and even add subtitles and watermarks. Despite ample features, it’s surprisingly easy to use. All the key options are accessible right from the main screen.

When I tried Xilisoft, I started by ripping a couple of my favorite DVDs, and the speed really impressed me. The batch conversion feature came in handy when I had multiple discs lined up. I played around with the video effects and cropping tools to get exactly the framing I wanted, and the quality stayed solid. Adding subtitles and watermarks was straightforward, and I could preview everything before finalizing. The program also supports transferring ripped files directly to devices like my iPhone and iPad, which saved me a lot of extra steps.

This DVD Ripper for Mac is fantastic for getting great quality video and audio, and its elements are really user-friendly. The only real downside is that it comes with a pretty hefty price tag. Almost $130 with a discount!

The steps you need to follow to rip DVDs are:

  1. In the Profile field, select the desired output format.
  2. Hit Add and load your DVD.
  3. Click Start to run the conversion.

Ratings

Pros:

  • The program is easy-to-use and beginner-friendly, and can convert DVDs to most of the common formats. It has additional features such as cropping and merging files and can handle multiple videos simultaneously.

Cons:

  • The program requires a subscription to unlock all the features.

  • Why I picked it:

    Keeps everything intact, including all metadata. Great for archiving. Preserving the metadata of the original tracks.

  • Best for:

    Rippers who want to preserve meta-information of the original tracks

  • OS:

    Mac OS X 10.7 or later, Windows, Linux

MakeMKV is a standalone software platform that is hard not to fall in love with. It allows users to rip DVDs on Mac conveniently with zero to no effort. It can also convert encrypted discs into formats readable on other devices. When you rip a DVD with MakeMKV, the converted files stay very close to the original. It nicely preserves all video and audio tracks, including HD audio, chapters, and meta-information like language and track type. It is simple to use and doesn’t require extra programs for conversion or decryption.

When I tried MakeMKV, I was pleased by how quickly it ripped a full DVD. I didn’t lose any audio tracks or chapter info, which was great for my movie collection. Streaming decrypted videos directly to my player worked smoothly.

But, a fly in the ointment is that finished files can get huge and eat up a lot of disk space, so you need to watch your storage. Still, I appreciated that it’s free and keeps the process hassle-free.

How to rip a DVD on a Mac with MakeMKV:

  1. Insert the DVD and run the application.
  2. Click the scan title icon for the software to scan the headlines.
  3. Select the titles you want to rip.
  4. Choose a storage folder for the ripped files.
  5. It may take 20 to 30 minutes to extract a video.

Pros:

  • The app offers fast conversion and preserves crucial elements of the files, such as video and audio.

Cons:

  • Finished files can be very huge and eat up a lot of disk space.

  • Why I picked it:

    Pretty good for beginners. Almost does the work for you. Those with very little DVD ripping experience.

  • Best for:

    Those with little ripping experience

  • OS:

    Mac OS X 10.6 or later

With so many gizmos like iPhones and iPads for watching movies, having a reliable DVD ripper for Mac is a must nowadays. MacX DVD Ripper fits the bill, especially if you’re new to ripping DVDs. It supports all major formats like MP4, MOV, and MKV, offers built-in presets for Apple devices, and preserves the original quality.

MacX offers three main products for Mac users: MacX DVD Ripper Pro, Macxvideo AI, and MacX MediaTrans. I tested the DVD Ripper Pro and found it handles classic, new, scratched, or region-locked DVDs with ease, keeping the original quality while converting to MP4, MOV, or MKV.

Macxvideo AI is a new addition to the MacX family. It goes further with next-gen AI tools to enhance, convert, compress, and edit videos and images at high speed.

MacX MediaTrans is also a prominent rip DVD Mac solution. It makes it simple to manage and transfer files between iPhones, iPads, and Macs, freeing up space while keeping a fast, two-way sync.

How to convert your videos with MacX DVD Ripper:

  1. Insert your DVD and launch MacX DVD Ripper.
  2. Click the DVD Disc button and select the disc.
  3. Select a preset output such as iPhone depending on your device.
  4. Select a destination folder for the converted files using the Browse button.
  5. Click the RUN button for ripping to begin.

Ratings

Pros:

  • The program is easy-to-use and rips videos in a relatively short amount of time. It can rip DVDs to the most popular video formats. Regular updates ensure you can rip new types of DVDs.

Cons:

  • Some options, like hardware acceleration and presets for devices, are only available with the paid Pro version.

  • Why I picked it:

    Handles scratched discs like a champ. Reliable and stress-free. Ripping scratched DVDs.

  • Best for:

    Possibly ripping a scratched DVD

  • OS:

    Mac OS X 10.10 or later

Since 2009, WinX has been in the industry as one of the most reliable DVD ripper freeware for Mac. It lets you back up videos to MPEG2 or digital formats like MP4, AVI, and MOV without losing quality, and it works on new, old, regional, scratched, or protected DVDs. The platform also offers options to adjust frame rate, resolution, bitrate, codec, add subtitles, and trim videos.

When I used WinX DVD Ripper, I was amazed by how fast it converted a full DVD, thanks to GPU acceleration, it completed the process in just a few minutes. I tested it on a 99-title Disney DVD, and it handled the complex structure flawlessly without crashing or mixing up chapters. The interface is clean, and I could quickly copy DVDs to ISO or folders for backup.

The only catch is that the free version is not forever yours once you get it. It has a short trial period, after which, you’ve got to shell out to enjoy all the perks WinX has to offer!

How to rip a DVD with WinX DVD Ripper:

  1. Open the program and click DVD Disc.
  2. Select the source disc for conversion and click OK.
  3. In the Output Profile window, select the target format.
  4. Click Browse and choose the export folder.
  5. Hit RUN to rip your DVD.

Ratings

Pros:

  • It supports all types of DVDs and offers fast ripping speeds. The program is easy-to-use and preserves image quality. Ripped videos can be viewed on mobile devices.

Cons:

  • The free version is only available on a trial basis.

  • Why I picked it:

    Free and flexible. Ideal if you don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty with settings. Command-line power with GUI options for ripping DVDs.

  • Best for:

    Possibly ripping a scratched DVD

  • OS:

    Mac OS X 10.10 or later

ffmpegX is free audio and video conversion software that lets you rip DVDs to your Mac. It supports a variety of formats and codecs, making it useful if you want to import video from a DVD for further editing or playback. The interface isn’t very intuitive, and most guidance comes from forums, so it’s not beginner-friendly.

When I gave it a try, I noticed it can handle complex discs and preserve quality well, but I spent a lot of time figuring out the settings. The recent FFmpeg 8.0 "Huffman" update adds modern decoders, hardware-accelerated encoding, and Vulkan compute-based codecs, which can make processing faster if you know how to use them. I liked that it’s completely free, though configuring it is a bit of a headache compared to other tools.

How to rip a DVD on Mac with ffmpegX:

  1. Save your DVD file(s) to your Mac as TS files.
  2. Open ffmpegX from your Applications folder.
  3. Locate the VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders in your TS folders.
  4. In ffmpegX, click Open, navigate to your VIDEO_TS folder, and select it. Click Choose.
  5. Click on the Target format dropdown menu and choose the format you want (e.g., MOV, MP4, etc.)
  6. Select the Audio tab, navigate to your AUDIO_TS folder, and select it. NOTE: You may not need to do step 6, as ffmpegX will automatically scan for audio tracks. You may want to play the video in ffmpegX to ensure that the audio is correct before you finish ripping the DVD.
  7. Adjust any presets that you want to change for the video or audio files.
  8. Click the Encode button to convert a DVD to the desired format.

Ratings

Pros:

  • The program is free and has an easier user interface than FFmpeg. It allows users to rip DVDs to Mac.

Cons:

  • The program is not intuitive and offers little customer support.

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Here’s what Movavi’s team does to provide you with verified information:

  • When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.

  • All the products covered in this article have been tested by our team.

  • When testing, we compare key characteristics, including supported input and output formats, quality loss when converting, and other significant features.

  • We study user reviews from popular review platforms and make use of this information when writing our product reviews.

  • We collect feedback from our users and analyze their opinions of Movavi software as well as products from other companies.

What makes for good DVD ripper software?

There are plenty of rip software for Mac, and each has unique features and capability. When choosing the best DVD ripper for Mac, it's all about finding one that adequately meets your needs. Some of the factors to consider are:

1. Supported formats

From smartphones to smart TVs and gaming consoles, there are many devices that you can use to watch converted videos. With each, you will require a compatible video format. Though most tools for ripping DVD on Mac offer most of the popular formats, the best of the lot go the extra mile to give you more options.

2. Quality of output files and speed

During the conversion process, some of the video properties may be altered, affecting the output quality. For a great user experience, make sure you select a Mac DVD rip tool that preserves the video's quality. Along with quality, the speed of conversion is a major consideration. A reliable tool should not take too long to convert videos.

3. Additional features

Advanced Mac rip DVD applications offer additional tools enabling you to convert videos into what you want. They have video editing capabilities allowing you to crop videos, edit subtitles, add watermarks, and trim unwanted parts of the video. Other features include the ability to adjust frame rates, aspect ratios, bitrates, codecs, and more.

4. Cost of a DVD ripper for Mac

There are plenty of free ripping tools for Mac. However, to get the best quality and access to advanced features, you will need to pay for a subscription. Prices range from around $30 to $50 for the best tools available.

5. Available support

Some applications have highly complicated interfaces that make them suitable for experienced users, whereas some are friendly to beginners. Either way, you should choose software for ripping DVD on Mac from a manufacturer that offers dependable support. This can come in the way of live chat, FAQs, tutorials, and other resources on their website.

Can you get software that has it all?

In most cases, you will be forced to choose between priority features. But that shouldn't be the case. Movavi Video Converter for Mac offers a combination of all these features accompanied by unparalleled conversion speed.

Bestseller
Movavi Video Converter
WinX DVD Ripper

What format is a DVD video?

If you’re wondering “What format is a DVD video?”, have a look at the table below. You’ll find information about video and audio formats that can be used in a DVD video.

Description

Digital versatile discs or digital video discs (DVDs) are discs that offer more storage capacity than standard compact discs.

Types

There are single-sided, single-layer discs and single-sided, double-layer discs that can hold 4.7 GB and 9.4 GB. The rarest type is the double-sided, double-layer disc that can hold up to 9.4 GB.

Supported video formats

MPEG-2, AC-3, PCM

Supported audio formats

MPEG-1, PCM, DTS, AC-3

How to choose the best DVD ripper

After testing all these rippers, I can say the right choice really depends on how you plan to use it. For quick and lossless ripping, Movavi Video Converter is the one I rely on most — it’s fast, provides tons of output formats, and keeps the process simple, even if the file sizes can be huge. Many other products are worth a look, including HandBrake and WinX DVD Ripper to name a few. They all have their pros and downsides, which you want to seriously consider before finalizing your decision. But if I had to keep just one on my Mac, it would be Movavi Video Converter.

Movavi Video Converter

The ideal way to get your media in the format you need!

<p>Movavi Video Converter</p>

Frequently asked questions

▶️ Is it legal to rip DVDs?

Ripping DVDs on Mас is legal, but only in specific scenarios. Reproducing any DVD that comes with a box or a copyright label, it is illegal to make copies of it.

▶️ Does ripping a DVD ruin it?

It is perfectly safe to rip DVDs on Mac. The process of ripping a DVD is much like the one for playing it. Neither the disc nor its contents will be affected.

▶️ How long does ripping a DVD take?

There are several factors that affect how long it takes to rip a DVD. These include the video's size, bitrate of the output video, and the DVD converter for Mac that you use. With Movavi Video Converter, you can rip a standard 4.7 GB DVD in about 16 minutes. If you use the SuperSpeed acceleration feature, it will take even less time.

▶️ How many GBs is a ripped DVD?

The size of the output video when you rip the DVD on Mac varies. It depends on the size of the original video and the bitrate of the output file.

▶️ How do I reduce the file size?

If you want to reduce the size of the video, try converting it to another format. With Movavi’s rip software for Mac, you will also be able to trim converted files, enabling you to reduce the size.

▶️ How do I import DVDs to iMovie?

First, it’s important to check and see if the file format of the DVD you want to import is supported by iMovie.

iMovie supports the following formats for import: MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MJPEG, MP4, MOV, M4V, DV, HDV, AVCHD, XAVC, iFrame, ProRes, AIC, and HEVC.

If your DVD isn’t in one of those formats, you’ll need to rip and/or convert the DVD file using any of the software options above. The encoding is also an important element, but those converters will also take care of it.

Once the file is in a supported format, follow these two paths to import the DVD file:

  1. Drop and drag
    Simply drop and drag the file directly into an event or into the libraries list.

  2. Use the Import window

  • Open iMovie and click the Import icon – it's a grey button with a white arrow facing down. You can also click Media from the toolbar and then Import.

  • Select the device you want to import from – typically your MacHD – and select your movie.

  • Click Import Selected.

▶️ What is the best DVD ripper for a Mac?

Saying something is ‘the best’ is relative, but here are three superb options:

  • If you want to rip your DVDs quickly with no quality loss, go with Movavi Video Converter.

  • If you’re experienced in DVD ripping and don’t need a user-friendly interface, Handbrake is a solid option.

  • If you want to rip scratched DVDs, WinX DVD Ripper has software to help smooth things out.

▶️ What is the best DVD ripper for Mac Catalina?

Movavi Video Converter is a solid option for ripping DVDs on Mac Catalina. The program integrates well with Mac Catalina and allows you to rapidly rip DVDs with no quality loss.

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