Alcohol 120% review
A capable Windows image-mounting and burning tool, with audio CD work as a secondary focus.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Alcohol 120% is Windows desktop software for emulating CD and DVD drives, creating disc images, mounting image files, copying discs and burning recordable media. It is aimed at Windows users who manage optical-disc images or need virtual drives, including solo users and small to mid-market teams. The feature set also covers image compilations from files and folders, rewritable-disc erasing and remounting images after a system reboot.
The free edition provides a way to use the product without a paid license, while a 15-day trial is also available. The 1 Year Free Upgrades plan costs $37 one-time and includes Alcohol 120% Record & Emulate plus one year of free upgrades. The Lifetime Free Upgrades plan costs $57 one-time and includes the same Record & Emulate features with lifetime free upgrades. The trial restricts the number of available virtual drives, so buyers should compare that limit with their mounting needs before choosing a license.
Image handling is the product's clearest strength. Alcohol 120% supports MDS, ISO, BWT, B5T, B6T, CCD, ISZ, CUE, CDI, PDI and NRG formats, can create images from source discs, and supports up to 31 virtual drives with persistent mounts. Its platform fit is narrow: supported systems are Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10 and 11, while Windows 98 and ME are excluded. Email and documentation are the listed support channels. Choose it for Windows-based image mounting and burning; buyers seeking a tool centered primarily on audio-CD authoring or a non-Windows platform should look elsewhere.
Alcohol 120% pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Mounts images in up to 31 virtual CD/DVD-ROM drives
- Creates, copies and burns CD/DVD image files
- Supports MDS, ISO, BWT, CUE, CDI, NRG and other formats
- Where it doesn't
- Audio-CD functionality is less central than image management
- Windows desktop software with no cross-platform edition
- Paid upgrades start at $37 one-time
Alcohol 120% fact sheet, pricing and score →
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