Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

mkusb VS DiskMaker X

Compare mkusb VS DiskMaker X and see what are their differences

mkusb logo mkusb

(Straight up rufus for Linux users ) The mkusb tool was developed to make it simpler and safer to create boot drives with the method to flash or clone an iso image or a compressed image file. It is using dd under the hood.

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.
  • mkusb Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-20
  • DiskMaker X Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-25

mkusb features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    mkusb provides an easy-to-understand graphical user interface, making it accessible for users who may not be comfortable with command-line tools.
  • Versatility
    The tool supports a wide range of Linux distributions, offering users the ability to create bootable USB drives for various purposes, such as installing an OS or creating a live boot environment.
  • Persistence Feature
    mkusb allows users to set up persistent storage on the USB drive, which means that changes and files can be saved across reboots.
  • Safety Mechanisms
    The tool implements safety checks to prevent accidental data loss by ensuring users have the opportunity to confirm their actions before any changes to the drive are made.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    mkusb is compatible with various operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, which makes it a versatile tool for users regardless of their primary OS.

Possible disadvantages of mkusb

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While mkusb offers all the necessary features for average users, it may lack some advanced features that more experienced users might require.
  • Performance
    The speed of creating bootable USB drives with mkusb may not be as fast as some other dedicated command-line tools, potentially making it a less efficient choice for users who need to create multiple drives quickly.
  • Dependency on External Libraries
    mkusb relies on certain external libraries and tools, which may cause compatibility issues or require additional installations on some systems.
  • Resource Intensive
    The graphical nature of mkusb can make it slightly more resource-intensive compared to command-line only alternatives, which might be a consideration for users with older hardware.
  • Less Frequent Updates
    The tool might not receive updates as frequently as some other more community-active projects, potentially leading to slower integration of new features or bug fixes.

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 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.

mkusb videos

Make a persistent Linux usb drive with mkusb

More videos:

  • Tutorial - mkusb, a tutorial on how to burn isos to usbs in less than 5
  • Tutorial - How to install mkusb on Linux Mint 20.2

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 mkusb and DiskMaker X)
Bootable USB
38 38%
62% 62
Utilities
27 27%
73% 73
CD/DVD Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Boot Disk Utilities
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

mkusb Reviews

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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 seems to be a lot more popular than mkusb. While we know about 44 links to DiskMaker X, we've tracked only 1 mention of mkusb. 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.

mkusb mentions (1)

  • Ubuntu's version of mksub on Arch?
    Hello everyone, I have previously used mkusb and mkusb-dus on Ubuntu to make live USB sticks for various distros. However, I can't find that version available for Arch. I've found the githubversion on the AUR, but the github version clearly states that it is NOT related to Ubuntu's version. Does anyone know if I can somehow get Ubuntu's version "do USB stuff" on Arch? Source: about 4 years ago

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 didn’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 won’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: almost 2 years ago
  • Mac Mini 2011 - Internet recovery fails at the end
    Anecdotally I haven’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: about 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: about 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 hasn’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: about 2 years ago
  • Questions! Bought a 2007 T7700 imac
    There is no app or software (that I’m aware of) that you can use to make the installer on a Chromebook, and using TransMac on Windows hasn’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: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

Mac Linux USB Loader - A linux live USB maker for Mac OS X

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.

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.

KDE ISO Image Writer - KDE ISO Image Writer is a tool to write a .iso file to a USB disk.

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

Tuxboot - Tuxboot helps you to create a bootable Live USB drive for Clonezilla live, DRBL live, GParted live...