Do you want to burn images on USB drive sticks or SD cards quickly and safely? Etcher is the software to do so. It offers a hassle-free method of copying the images and installing operating systems with a fantastic interface.
In this article, we will quickly skim through these best alternatives to get a better idea of other software to create bootable USB drive sticks.
So, here are some of the best alternatives to Etcher.
Best Etcher alternatives 2021
1. YUMI:
Overview:
The YUMI helps you to create a Multi bootable USB flash drive. It contains multiple programs including several working frameworks, antiviruses, disc cloning, etc.
The program is a successor to MultiBoot ISO's, which used grub to boot USB's ISO records. Along with a couple of circulations, all the records are in the MultiBoot USB, making it organized. It allows you to use your USB for stockpiling.
Yumi is open-source and hence allows you to add more features to make it better.
It allows installing and using several tools and Linux operating systems at the same time. Additionally, it is available for free and works sound with any operating system.
After downloading YUMI, select the USB device and then the preferred distribution. To run it, you need FAT 32 or NTFS flash and an operating system.
Key features:
Creates Multi bootable USB drive stick
Has multiple programs: working framework, antiviruses, and more.
Open-source software and free to download.
Works with Linux, Windows, and macOS.
2. Free Universal USB installer
Overview:
The free universal USB installer helps to create bootable USB flash sticks. It allows you to look into Linux distribution to create bootable flash drives.
It is everything but challenging to use. It is simple, efficient, and flexible. You can use it for installing an operating system. All you have to do is pick a live Linux distribution, the ISO record, and desired Flash drive and install it.
It is important to note that your USB drive should be Fat 32, Fat 16, or NTFS, as Casper steadiness will work with just these drives. Your Pc should have a BIOS that can boot from USB.
Universal USB installer is a free and open-source cross-platform, which allows you to work on different operating systems like Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Key features:
Creates a bootable USB flash drive with features taken from Linux distribution as well.
Known for its flexibility
Free and open-source software.
Works well on different operating systems like Linux, Windows, and macOS.
3. UNetbootin
Overview:
Gone are the days where you had to burn a CD for installing any operating system. UNetbootin allows you to store operating system installation packages on a USB stick and install it on your local hard disk.
UNetbootin is software that allows you to create a bootable USB flash drive. It is easy and fast to create a bootable USB drive with UNetbootin. It provides you with the option of making the drive with a desired operating system.
It has built-in support for different operating systems. You can download it for free on any operating system like Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Key features:
Allows storing of different operating system installation files in a USB stick.
It simplifies the introduction of Linux conveyance on your local hard drive.
Beautiful interface and is available for free.
Works on different operating systems like Linux, Windows, and macOS.
4. Rufus
Overview:
If you want to format and create bootable USB drives, Rufus is the best alternative. It gives a way to create bootable USB drives quickly, as it has better speed than the rest of the alternatives.
Rufus supports FAT32, NTFS, UDF, or ReFS file systems. However, it is only available for Windows.
Key features:
Faster than other alternatives.
Allows you to format and create USB drive sticks.
BIOS system support and FAT, NTFS file system support.
Only for Windows.
5. WinSetupFromUSB
Overview:
The WinSetup from USB is an alternative to Etcher, which is available only for Windows. It has a composite client interface that requires the user to mention the desired USB drive.
Before duplicating the files, users can navigate to the Advanced options window and create the design significantly. It makes a bootable USB drive for Linux and FreeBSD operating systems along with Windows.
Key features:
It is a single USB drive that boots multiple operating systems.
Has a composite client interface
Supports a multi-boot OS platform.
Available for Windows and Linux.
6. Deepin boot Maker
Overview:
Deepin boot maker is an alternative to Etcher, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is a part of Deepin Linux distribution and is designed and developed by Deepin technology.
Key features :
No external dependency on Windows or macOS.
Designed to support Deepin ISO.
Flexible to use
7. WinToFlash
Overview:
The WinToFlash starts with a wizard to make a bootable USB for those who want to install operating systems without a CD's help.
The process is very simple as it runs the exe file with just a single click. You run the exe and design the first run via the wizard in UI. Furthermore, it is multi-boot, which means you can add as many bootable things as you like.
Key features:
wizard mode and interface.
Destroys all data on USB or rather wipes USB.
The odds of losing critical information are minimal.
Works on Windows and Linux.
8. FlashBoot
Overview:
FlashBoot allows you to make bootable USB drive sticks with a working framework. It has a sorted interface that helps freshmen and experienced clients equally.
As everything comes along with the same wizard, it is easy to set it up on your PC. You need to pick the volume name and the file system and then design the group estimate.
You also have the option of designing the drive geometry, heads, parts per track, and not allocated space at the end of the disc.
The wizard-based interface makes it a user-friendly interface.
Key features:
Creation of USB with the working framework.
Includes five unique activities, including change over bootable CD/DVDs and floppy disks, and more.
User-friendly wizard-based interface.
It has removable arrangement sticks as non-bootable.
FAQs
Which is better? Etcher or Rufus?
For creating a Live USB from ISO files, Rufus is better than Etcher. Rufus finds the USB drive automatically and hence gives it an edge over Etcher.
Is Etcher safe to use?
Yes, Etcher is a safe program to use. But users might have concerns regarding privacy settings and ads. It is a safe, brilliant little tool.
Does Etcher burn down Windows ISO?
Etcher works well on many operating systems like Linux, macOS, and Windows 10/8/7. It helps to burn images on USB drives or SD cards as well.
Final Thoughts
In the entire post, we saw several best alternatives to Etcher. They allow you to copy different image files like ISO and IMG to USB drives and SD cards.Most of them are available for free and open-source software. Being open-source software, you can add various features to make it even better.
We recommend you choose the alternative based on your requirements. If you are still wondering which alternative is the right one, we would recommend Rufus as the best choice, as it is like Etcher and has the added advantage of automatically finding the USB drive.
We hope our article about the best Etcher alternatives for 2021 helped you. Let us know which alternative worked the best for you in the comment section below.