Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Balena Etcher VS DiskMaker X

Compare Balena Etcher VS DiskMaker X and see what are their differences

Balena Etcher logo Balena Etcher

Flash OS images to SD cards & USB drives, safely and easily.

DiskMaker X logo DiskMaker X

If you need to put together a Mac install disk, there are few better or more convenient options on the market than DiskMaker X.
  • Balena Etcher Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-22
  • DiskMaker X Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-25

Balena Etcher features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Balena Etcher offers a clean and intuitive graphical interface that makes it easy for users of all levels to create bootable USB drives or SD cards.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing users to create bootable media regardless of their operating system.
  • High Reliability
    The application performs verification processes to ensure the integrity of the burned image, reducing the likelihood of corrupted media.
  • Wide Image Format Support
    Balena Etcher supports a wide variety of image formats including ISO, IMG, and ZIP files.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, Balena Etcher offers transparency, and its source code is available for review and modification by the community.

Possible disadvantages of Balena Etcher

  • No Advanced Settings
    Balena Etcher is designed for simplicity and lacks advanced settings and options that more experienced users might desire.
  • Resource Intensive
    The application can be relatively resource-intensive, consuming more CPU and memory compared to some other lightweight alternatives.
  • Issues with Large Files
    Some users have reported difficulties when trying to flash very large image files, leading to incomplete or failed transfers.
  • No Multiboot Support
    Balena Etcher does not support creating multiboot USB drives, which limits its functionality for users needing multiple bootable environments on a single drive.
  • Internet Connection for Some Features
    Certain features, such as downloading images directly through the app, require an internet connection, which might be inconvenient for users with limited connectivity.

DiskMaker X features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    DiskMaker X provides a straightforward and user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to create a bootable macOS installer without needing extensive technical knowledge.
  • Speed
    The software is designed to quickly create a bootable disk, saving users time compared to manual methods.
  • Compatibility
    DiskMaker X supports multiple versions of macOS, ensuring that users can create bootable disks for various iterations of the operating system.
  • Regular Updates
    The tool is frequently updated to ensure compatibility with the latest macOS versions and improvements in performance and usability.

Possible disadvantages of DiskMaker X

  • Mac Only
    DiskMaker X is only available for macOS, which limits its use to Mac users and excludes those using other operating systems.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While it is easy to use, DiskMaker X lacks some advanced features that more technical users might desire, such as customization options for the bootable drive.
  • Dependence on AppleScript
    Being heavily reliant on AppleScript can sometimes lead to unexpected issues or errors, particularly if there are changes in macOS that affect AppleScript functionality.
  • Potential for Errors
    Some users have reported instances where the tool fails to create a bootable disk due to various errors, which may require troubleshooting.

Analysis of Balena Etcher

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Balena Etcher is considered a reliable and efficient tool for creating bootable media, especially given its open-source nature and active community support.

Why this product is good

  • Balena Etcher is popular for its simplicity and effectiveness in creating bootable USB drives and SD cards. It features a clean and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for both beginners and advanced users. The software supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, and reduces the risk of accidentally installing the operating system on the wrong drive by displaying a clear preview of selected drives.

Recommended for

    Balena Etcher is recommended for users who need to create bootable drives for installing operating systems or for purposes like system recovery and troubleshooting. It's particularly suitable for those who value a simple, intuitive interface and cross-platform compatibility.

Analysis of DiskMaker X

Overall verdict

  • Overall, DiskMaker X is considered a reliable and effective tool for creating bootable macOS drives. Users appreciate its straightforward interface and consistent performance, which make it a trustworthy choice for anyone needing to perform a clean installation of macOS or troubleshoot Mac issues. The tool is regularly updated to support new macOS versions, maintaining its relevance and effectiveness.

Why this product is good

  • DiskMaker X is a popular and user-friendly tool specifically designed for creating bootable macOS installation drives. It stands out due to its simplicity and efficiency, making it accessible for both novice and experienced users. It leverages Apple's own tools to create a bootable disk, ensuring compatibility and reliability. Additionally, DiskMaker X automates many of the steps involved, which can save time and reduce the chance for errors.

Recommended for

    DiskMaker X is recommended for Mac users who need a simple and efficient way to create a bootable macOS installer. It's ideal for users who perform clean installations, developers who need to test on different macOS versions, IT professionals managing multiple Apple devices, and anyone looking to troubleshoot macOS installation issues without technical complexity.

Balena Etcher videos

Wish.com 2000MW Laser Etcher Review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Make Bootable USB in Windows 10 or Bootable SD // Etcher Tutorial
  • Review - Linux App Review / Etcher

DiskMaker X videos

Create a macOS Catalina installer using DiskMaker X

More videos:

  • Review - Mac OSX Catalina upgrade using AppStore and DiskMaker X

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Balena Etcher and DiskMaker X)
Bootable USB
76 76%
24% 24
Utilities
75 75%
25% 25
Boot Disk Utilities
75 75%
25% 25
OS & Utilities
67 67%
33% 33

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Balena Etcher and DiskMaker X

Balena Etcher Reviews

7 Best Rufus Alternatives To Create Bootable USB In 2022
So these were some of the best Rufus alternatives that you can try. Suppose youโ€™re still confused about which one to use. In that case, weโ€™d recommend โ€˜balenaEtcherโ€™ and โ€˜Ventoy.โ€™ For Linux users, โ€˜WoeUSBโ€™ for Windows media creation, โ€˜Ventoy,โ€™ โ€˜balenaEctcher,โ€™ and โ€˜Popsicleโ€™ will all do the job.
Source: fossbytes.com
10 Best Rufus Alternatives in 2022 (USB Bootable Tools)
If you are searching for an easy-to-use tool to create bootable USB drives, Etcher might be the best pick. Itโ€™s a full-fledged bootable USB tool available for Windows and macOS. The user interface of Etcher is quite simple to use, and it supports all sorts of system images like DMG, ISO, IMG, etc. Etcher is an open-source tool, and itโ€™s entirely free to use.
Source: techviral.net
14 Rufus alternatives for Linux, Mac, and windows
Now, Balena has a host of other solutions. This includes cloud, balenaOS, balena Engine, and even their flashing hardware called balenaEtcherPro. Balena Etcher is perfect for creating ready-to-go bootable drives. But, It does not provide options for persistence. They still support a wide range of iso images including Windows iso.
Rufus Alternatives โ€“ 8 Best USB Bootable Software For Linux
WoeUSB comes in wherein Etcher falls short. It is compatible with Windows ISO and even recommended by Etcher. Similar to Etcher, even WoeUSB doesnโ€™t show you internal drives. It automatically detects the removable USB drives and you just have to select the appropriate one and click on Install. It handles all the complexities by itself. WoeUSB supports Windows from Vista to...
Source: techwiser.com
8 Free USB Bootable Software For Windows
Etcher is the new kid on the block and the easiest to use bootable software in this list. The main reason to build Etcher was to escape the complexity of selecting multiple options and settings with different Operating-system. It just requires few clicks to convert your SD card or USB into a bootable drive. It supports Windows, Linux based OS and even macOS. Etcher also has...
Source: techwiser.com

DiskMaker X Reviews

10 Best Rufus Alternatives in 2022 (USB Bootable Tools)
If you are looking for a Rufus Alternative to create a bootable macOS image on a USB flash drive, look no other than Diskmaker X. Diskmaker X is a lightweight tool made for macOS users, and is very simple to use.
Source: techviral.net
14 Rufus alternatives for Linux, Mac, and windows
DiskMaker X is an application built to create a bootable drive of the macOS operating system. DiskMaker X scans and finds the OS X Install program and lets the user start the build process for the image.
10 Best Rufus Alternatives for Windows, Linux, and macOS - Beebom
Diskmaker X is one of the best Rufus alternatives for macOS users. It's a small utility which can seamlessly build a bootable macOS image on your USB stick. The process is quite simple. Launch the application and it will find the installation file using Spotlight. After that, it will detect the USB drive and will offer you to flash the system image. In terms of performance,...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, DiskMaker X should be more popular than Balena Etcher. It has been mentiond 44 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Balena Etcher mentions (15)

  • How long does a dd to memory stick write of the img file take?
    Consider using BalenaEtcher.app It usually transfers at the maximum data rate possible and includes checks so you don't accidentally overwrite the wrong disk. Source: over 2 years ago
  • This is my first time installing linux, can someone tell what this can be?
    Tbh if I were you I would just flash the Debian image to a USB with Rufus or BalenaEtcher and boot from the USB. Just make sure to disable secure boot before doing so, otherwise the USB won't boot. Also you should probably uninstall the Debian loader from Windows. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Best way to create a windows install usb stick on macOS Monterey without using terminal
    You can download the iso and use something like https://balena.io/etcher. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Flexible distro for an absolute noob who wants to learn hands-on
    The live mode only works with an USB. You can set it up with Balena Etcher (http://balena.io/etcher/). Source: over 3 years ago
  • Hey guys, I really need some help. I have no idea what to do.
    Ah on mac, that explains a little bit. So rufus does not exist for mac, but you can use something like balena etcher steps are: 1. Download the iso (keep in downloads folder, not on usb) 2. Open etcher and select the iso and the usb stick (verify itโ€™s the right one) 3. Start etching (will ask for admin password) 4. When itโ€™s finished put usb in your new computer and boot it 5. When the monitor displays a logo... Source: almost 4 years ago
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DiskMaker X mentions (44)

  • MBP 2016 doesn't recognize pendrive, doesn't start recovery mode and only shows internet recovery. What can I do?
    If you didnโ€™t create the installer via this method or with the aid of DiskMaker X (which only works up to 10.15), or you used TransMac on a PC, it wonโ€™t work. Internet Recovery could work on a different Internet connection, but usually you would get a 4 digit error code if that was the problem. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Mac Mini 2011 - Internet recovery fails at the end
    Anecdotally I havenโ€™t heard of anyone having success with a TransMac created bootable installer since 2020. If you have another Mac, this or DiskMaker X are likely your best options for creating the installer. I would use macOS High Sierra (10.13) as the basis for the installer rather than previous versions. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Macbook pro usb boot
    It sounds like your USB drive hasn't actually been flagged as bootable. Here are Apple's official instructions for creating a bootable USB. You can also try DiskMakerX. You'll need another functioning Mac for either method. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Stuck reinstalling 2014 MacBook Air
    That model of MacBook Air shipped with OS X Mavericks (10.9) and can officially handle up to macOS Big Sur. As far as I know, TransMac hasnโ€™t worked since before 2020 for creating a bootable installer for macOS and although I am not familiar with Anyburn, it may have the same problem. The verified working methods for creating an installer are using Terminal or DiskMaker X. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Questions! Bought a 2007 T7700 imac
    There is no app or software (that Iโ€™m aware of) that you can use to make the installer on a Chromebook, and using TransMac on Windows hasnโ€™t worked for the last couple of years. Other than using Terminal or DiskMaker X, you can purchase an installer for 10.11 from Amazon or eBay, but who can say if they did it right. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Balena Etcher and DiskMaker X, you can also consider the following products

Rufus - Rufus is a piece of software that allows you to transform a portable drive, like a flash drive or other USB drives, into a bootable drive that can be used for a variety of purposes. Read more about Rufus.

UNetbootin - UNetbootin is a utility for creating live bootable USB drives. The name of the software is short for Universal Netboot Installer, and its most prevalent use has been to create bootable versions of Linux distributions on a USB drive.

FlashBoot - FLASH VENDOR, FLASH MODEL, VID, PID, CHIP VENDOR, CHIP MODEL, MEMORY CHIP, SIZE (GB), UTILS. product, Udisk2. 0, 1234, 5678, SSS (Solid State System), UDISK2. 0, 8. usb(2268 PRAM), Mass Storage Device, 13FE, 3E00, Phison, PS2251-68(PS2268)-F/W01.

YUMI - YUMI (Your USB Multiboot Installer), is a tool that allows you to boot multiple ISO files from one USB drive.

Universal USB Installer - Universal USB Installer aka UUI is a Live Linux Bootable USB Creator that allows you to choose from a selection โ€ฆ

Unit Converter Gadget - Unit Converter Gadget is a unit conversion for the Windows users that empowers them to always get the right conversion with this advanced unit converter.