CD Burning Software Review

Although DVD and Blu-ray have both surpassed the compact disc in terms of storage space, CD burning software remains an essential tool for all computer users. CDs are economical, flexible and forward compatible with DVD and Blu-ray drives. Although they are too small for data-heavy file formats like HD video, humble 15-track albums still fit quite nicely. They are also great for copying and preserving legacy software. Most modern CD burning software packages also support DVD and Blu-ray, which greatly extends their practicality.

We were particularly impressed with 123 Copy DVD, 1 Click DVD Copy and DVD Fab. You can learn more by reading articles on CD burning software in our learning center.

CD and DVD Copy Software: What to Look For

CD burning software has been around for at least two decades, so there many options available to you. We have narrowed the playing field and ranked the software according to four criteria: feature set, ease of use, ease of installation and help and support. In choosing the best CD burning software for your needs, keep the following elements in mind:

Feature Set
Select burning software that supports CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs if possible. Bear in mind that you will need a Blu-ray burner to accommodate all three, as they can function as DVD and CD burners. Most DVD and CD burning applications make one-to-one copies of original discs, which is great for backing up music and movies, but the best CD burning software also supports custom disc creation. Built in CSS decryption is another major bonus – it is necessary for copying write-protected Hollywood DVDs. If you are interested in multimedia, look for an application with file conversion capabilities.

Ease of Use
We analyzed each application in our lineup to find the product with the lightest learning curve. The best burning software packages have complex features, settings and output formats. This can be intimidating to new users, so an intuitive user interface is essential to balance out a large feature set. Menus should be clearly labeled, easily located and properly organized. Beginners should be able to create copies without worrying about features they do not want, and experts should be able to control and fine-tune the settings of each burn.

Ease of Installation
Installation should be quick, painless and secure. Most CD and DVD burning software packages require a download. If you feel uncomfortable purchasing a digital copy, hard copies are available in some cases.

Help & Support
Even the best DVD burning software can be frustrating from time to time, and chances are good that you will spoil a few discs before you work out all the kinks. Good documentation can be a real lifesaver. Look for an application with contact information and a built-in help reference. If you encounter a problem that you cannot resolve with an appeal to the help file, it is good to have a reliable phone number or email address.

Whether you want to make a backup of a DVD or rip another CD by your favorite artist, you need CD burning software. We've researched and reviewed the best options here, so instead of spending hours trying to find the perfect application, you can use that time preserving your music and movies.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.™