Rufus
Rufus: A free Windows utility with unusually deep controls for bootable USB media. Ranked #5 of 38 in Bootable USB Software by our editors (8.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for windows users needing deep boot-media controls.
At a glance
- Editor score8.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forWindows users needing deep boot-media controls
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Multiboot supportNo
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports BIOS, UEFI, DOS, Windows To Go, and persistent Linux media
- Includes ISO downloads, checksum calculation, and runtime validation
- Runs portably and adds bad-block checks with fake-drive detection
Where it doesn't
- Available only on Windows
- Does not provide multiboot support
- Its broad controls may exceed simple USB creation needs
Our verdict on Rufus
Rufus is a free, open-source Windows utility for formatting USB flash drives and creating bootable media from ISO and other disk images. It is aimed at individual users, technicians, and organizations preparing operating-system or low-level utility media. The portable executable runs without installation and supports Windows and Linux installation media, DOS boot drives, BIOS and UEFI boot modes, Windows To Go, and persistent Linux partitions. For Windows users who want detailed control over how a drive is prepared, Rufus is a focused option.
Its strongest advantage is the breadth of boot-media controls available in one utility. Rufus can create BIOS- and UEFI-bootable drives, format supported drives, create DOS media, and prepare Windows To Go drives. Persistent Linux partitions add a way to retain data across sessions. The utility also supports selected official Microsoft Windows and UEFI Shell ISO downloads, while MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 checksum calculations help verify image files. Bad-block checks, potentially fake flash-drive detection, and runtime validation of UEFI bootable media extend its usefulness beyond basic image writing.
The main trade-off is platform coverage. Rufus is Windows-only, with no macOS or Linux application, so users preparing media from those operating systems need another tool. It also does not support multiboot, which limits it for workflows that require several boot images on one drive. Windows users who value partition, persistence, verification, download, and drive-testing controls should choose Rufus. Those needing macOS or Linux support, or multiboot capabilities, should look elsewhere.
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Rufus pricing
Rufus fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Windows app | Yes |
| macOS app | No |
| Linux app | No |
| Multiboot support | No |
| Persistent storage | Yes |
| Image downloads | Both |
| Partition schemes | Both |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Support | Email, Tickets, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | rufus.ie |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Rufus
- VentoyA free, open-source multiboot USB utility with broad image and boot-mode support.9.4
- Universal USB InstallerA free, broad USB creation toolkit with multiboot, persistence, downloads, and QEMU testing.9.2
- Easy2BootA free, format-flexible choice for advanced multiboot USB and hard-disk setups.9.1
Rufus vs the competition
- Rufus vs Ventoy
- Rufus vs Universal USB Installer
- Rufus vs Easy2Boot
- Rufus vs YUMI
- Rufus vs WinSetupFromUSB
- Rufus vs SARDU MultiBoot Creator
Compare Rufus with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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