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Balena Etcher VS Win32 Disk Imager

Compare Balena Etcher VS Win32 Disk Imager and see what are their differences

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Balena Etcher logo Balena Etcher

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

Win32 Disk Imager logo Win32 Disk Imager

Create and restore image backups of disk drives.
  • Balena Etcher Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-22
  • Win32 Disk Imager Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-28

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.

Win32 Disk Imager features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    The application features a simple and intuitive interface, making it accessible even for beginners.
  • Portability
    Win32 Disk Imager is a lightweight application and doesn't require installation. It can be run from a portable storage device.
  • Free and Open Source
    The software is available for free and its source code is open to the public, allowing for community contributions and transparency.
  • Reliable Image Writing
    It provides reliable and accurate writing of raw disk image files to removable storage devices.
  • Wide Format Support
    Supports writing and reading to and from various image file formats including .img and .iso.

Possible disadvantages of Win32 Disk Imager

  • Limited Features
    Win32 Disk Imager lacks advanced features found in other disk imaging tools, such as compression and encryption.
  • Platform Limitation
    The software is only available for Windows, excluding users on other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
  • No Native File Extraction
    The application doesn't support extracting files from images; you can only read and write entire images.
  • Potential Data Loss
    As with any disk writing software, there's a risk of data loss if the process is interrupted or if the wrong drive is selected.
  • Outdated Interface
    The user interface looks dated compared to more modern software, which might not appeal to some users.

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 Win32 Disk Imager

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Win32 Disk Imager is generally considered a good tool for users who need to create bootable USB drives or transfer disk images to removable media. Its consistent performance and ease of use make it a popular choice among both beginners and experienced users.

Why this product is good

  • Win32 Disk Imager is a widely used tool for writing disk image files to USB drives and SD cards. It is simple to use and serves its purpose effectively. It is particularly valued for its straightforward interface and reliability in creating bootable media.

Recommended for

  • Users who need to create bootable USB drives
  • Individuals looking for a straightforward and easy-to-use interface
  • People who need to backup or restore removable drives
  • Users requiring a lightweight and no-frills disk imaging tool

Balena Etcher videos

+ Add

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

Win32 Disk Imager videos

+ Add

How To | Create An SD Card Backup Image | Win32 Disk Imager Review | Microsoft Windows

More videos:

  • Review - Burning IMG files to SD Cards with Win32 Disk Imager

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Balena Etcher and Win32 Disk Imager)

Balena Etcher

Win32 Disk Imager

Bootable USB
100 100%
Bootable USB
0% 0
Cyber Security
0 0%
Cyber Security
100% 100
Utilities
86 86%
Utilities
14% 14
Backup & Restore
0 0%
Backup & Restore
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Balena Etcher and Win32 Disk Imager. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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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 Win32 Disk Imager

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 you’re still confused about which one to use. In that case, we’d recommend ‘balenaEtcher’ and ‘Ventoy.’ For Linux users, ‘WoeUSB’ for Windows media creation, ‘Ventoy,’ ‘balenaEctcher,’ and ‘Popsicle’ 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. It’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 it’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.
Source: www.technewstoday.com
Rufus Alternatives – 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 doesn’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

Win32 Disk Imager Reviews

14 Rufus alternatives for Linux, Mac, and windows
Win32 Disk Imager is a popular tool targeted at the Windows platform. Version 0.9 of the tool can also flash older legacy systems such as Windows XP and Vista.
Source: www.technewstoday.com
10 Best Rufus Alternatives for Windows, Linux, and macOS - Beebom
Win32 Disk Imager is one of the oldest programs for flashing low-level utilities like Raspbian and ARM-based operating systems on SD cards and USB sticks. In true sense, Win32 Disk Imager is a Rufus alternative because the performance is exceptionally great and the flashing speed is in its own league. And that is not all, the user interface is as simple as it can get. You...
Source: free-software-examples.blogspot.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Balena Etcher seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 15 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 it’s the right one) 3. Start etching (will ask for admin password) 4. When it’s finished put usb in your new computer and boot it 5. When the monitor displays a logo... Source: almost 4 years ago
View more

Win32 Disk Imager mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Win32 Disk Imager yet. Tracking of Win32 Disk Imager recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Balena Etcher and Win32 Disk Imager, 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.

Clonezilla - Clonezilla is a suite of software that's designed to allow you to back-up and image new hard drives with your data.

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.

Macrium Reflect - Macrium Software - the creators of Macrium Reflect backup, imaging and cloning software.

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 …

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