Exact Audio Copy
Exact Audio Copy: A free Windows ripper for users who want error checks and control over extraction. Ranked #1 of 31 in Audio CD Ripping Software by our editors (9.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for windows users prioritizing verified, secure rips.
At a glance
- Editor score9.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forWindows users prioritizing verified, secure rips
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Secure rippingYes
- Facts checked4 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- Secure mode checks sectors repeatedly or uses drive error information
- Supports AccurateRip, CUE sheets, and track-name editing
- Works with external encoders for MP3, WMA, FLAC, and Ogg Vorbis
Where it doesn't
- Private, non-commercial use only
- Windows desktop software, with no other platform listed
- External encoders are needed for supported compressed formats
Our verdict on Exact Audio Copy
Exact Audio Copy (EAC) is Windows desktop software for extracting audio from CDs with standard CD and DVD-ROM drives. It suits people who want to check for possible read errors and manage how tracks are extracted, rather than simply make quick copies. EAC is free for private, non-commercial use, and the full version does not require registration for that use. Its focus is CD extraction, track metadata, and optional compression through external encoders.
The extraction modes include secure, fast, and burst. In secure mode, EAC repeatedly reads sectors or uses drive error information to detect non-identical sectors and report possible errors; it can also reduce drive speed automatically when read errors occur, depending on the drive. Users can extract whole tracks or selected ranges, create CUE sheets with track indices and disc information, and edit track names through local or remote CD database support. CD-Text and multisession CD-Extra are supported, as is batch compression of WAV files. This makes EAC a fit for users who value extraction checks and disc-level details; those looking for a broader audio library or a tool for another operating system should look elsewhere.
EAC can pass extracted audio to external MP3, WMA, FLAC, or Ogg Vorbis encoders, so compressed output depends on configuring an encoder rather than an all-in-one conversion workflow. Metadata options include AccurateRip and a MusicBrainz plugin. The vendor says optional metadata services may carry separate charges; its download page lists GD3 plugin access at $7.99 lifetime after a 10-query test, which is not a charge for EAC itself. Community is the listed support channel. Choose EAC if Windows compatibility, detailed ripping controls, and possible read-error reporting matter most; it is less suited to commercial use or buyers who want built-in encoding and broader platform coverage.
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Exact Audio Copy pricing
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Exact Audio Copy fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Secure ripping | Yes |
| Lossless formats | FLAC, WAV |
| Metadata sources | AccurateRip metadata service; MusicBrainz plugin |
| Batch ripping | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | Windows |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Support | Community |
| Built for | Solo (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: AccurateRip metadata service, MusicBrainz metadata plugin, External MP3, WMA, FLAC, and Ogg Vorbis encoders |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | exactaudiocopy.de |
| Facts checked | 4 Oct 2026 |
Exact Audio Copy integrations
Exact Audio Copy lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- AccurateRip metadata service
- MusicBrainz metadata plugin
- External MP3, WMA, FLAC, and Ogg Vorbis encoders
Alternatives to Exact Audio Copy
- CUERipperA free Windows ripper focused on secure extraction and verification against ripping databases.9.0
- dBpoweramp CD RipperA paid desktop ripper for collectors who want verification and control over output.8.9
- CDexA free Windows ripper with flexible formats, metadata support, and jitter correction.8.8
See all Exact Audio Copy alternatives →
Exact Audio Copy vs the competition
- Exact Audio Copy vs CUERipper
- Exact Audio Copy vs dBpoweramp CD Ripper
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- Exact Audio Copy vs Express Rip
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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