While ripping any DVD, ISO file, or folder, MakeMKV is a common name for its free service. Being a multi-platform program, MakeMKV works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. However, while using this tool, users face lots of challenges such as only one output format, editing limitations, customization constraints, etc. Therefore, if you want to try the MakeMKV alternative to ensure your limitations-free DVD ripping experience, here are the top 5 MakeMKV alternatives with their insights.

how to use makemkv

What is MakeMKV

MakeMKV is a free DVD ripper that can rip your entire DVD collection to your system in MKV format, which you can access and play on any device or OS. Along with a physical DVD, it can also rip the digital copy of the DVDs stored in the ISO file or folder.

However, to rip any Blu-ray disc you need a purchase license once the free trial period gets over. While ripping DVDs or Blu-ray discs, MakeMKV offers several significant features, such as removing encryption, preserving metadata, etc.

How to use MakeMKV to rip DVD

Step 1: After installing, once you start the MakeMKV program on your system, you will see all the optical drive options in the main interface. Otherwise, go to the “File”menu > you can select “Open Files” / “Open Disc” to add your DVD.

how to use makemkv to rip dvd

Step 2: From the uploaded DVD, choose the title you want to rip to MKV and select the audio tracks.

how to use makemkv to rip dvd

Step 3: Once you have completed all the settings configuration, you should select the “Output Folder” > then click the “MakeMKV” sign to start the DVD ripping process.

how to use makemkv to rip dvd

What Are the Pros & Cons of MakeMKV

Knowing the pros and cons of MakeMKV will help you understand how to use MakeMKV to rip DVDs with its best potential. This will help you to get a quick impression about the Tool's overall possibilities and challenges.

Pros

  • It can remove some specific encryption from DVDs
  • Ripped MKV files can store multiple audio-video tracks
  • It can preserve all the meta-data and chapters
  • The MKV file can be converted to other formats, and it can be played in any media player, devices and platforms

Cons

  • You can rip DVDs with MakeMKV to only one output format, that is, MKV
  • You can't edit content while ripping
  • There is no profile customization option

5 Best MakeMKV Alternatives: Free & Paid

Since you face several challenges to rip DVDs with MakeMKV, you must try the most effective, tried and tasted 5 MakeMKV Alternatives with their different dimensions.

MakeMKV Alternative 1: DVDFab DVD Ripper

You can rip any encrypted or regionally restricted DVD to your Windows or Mac using DVDFab DVD Ripper. With vast output file formats support, you can rip DVDs in your desired format, including MKV, MP4, etc., and enjoy the DVD on any device such as a smartphone, tablet, etc. Here, you can enjoy a DVD with original quality in 5.1 AC3 audio quality. To store large DVD content on small device storage, you can rip the DVD in MP4 and get a ripped DVD with reduced file size.

Features:

  • Decrypt DVD with Cloud Decryption Service
  • 1:1 ratio DVD ripping without quality loss
  • It supports lossless compression to reduce file size
  • It offers 260 device presets & advanced settings with codec, sample rate, frame rate, etc
  • Enjoy profile filters such as passthrough, 3D, 8K resolution, etc
  • You rip multiple DVDs at a time with a batch-ripping option

Cons:

  • In the free version, it can rip DVDs to only two formats MKV & MP4

Steps to Rip DVD Using DVDFab DVD Ripper

Step 1: After launching the DVDFab program, go to the module panel on the left, select the Ripper module, and put your desired DVD on the drive for ripping. DVDFab will upload the DVD automatically.

Otherwise, select the "+" icon and upload the DVD source. If the DVD source is an ISO file or folder, use the drag-and-drop option to add the source to the main interface.

 Rip DVD Using DVDFab DVD Ripper

Step 2: Next, go to the "Profile Selection Box" > move to the built-in profile library > choose your desired output file format from the available options, such as MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, etc.

 Rip DVD Using DVDFab DVD Ripper

Step 3: Next, customize the output video with subtitles and audio chapters. You can also adjust the other settings from the "Additional Settings" to match your requirements. Here, you can also do further editing using the built-in editor.

 How to Rip DVD with DVDFab DVD Ripper

Step 4: Move to the folder, choose the directory where you want to save the output video, and hit the "Start" option to initiate ripping.

rip DVD with makemkv alternative

MKV Alternative 2: HandBrake

MKV Alternative: HandBrake

Handbrake is the most popular, and open-source video transcoder that happens to be a great MakeMKV alternative that acts as a DVD ripper. This multi-platform tool works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It can rip any non-protected DVD with enough flexibility and customization. It allows you to select output video quality as constant quality or average bitrate video encoding. It also supports VFR and CFR.

Pros:

  • Rip DVD to your desired device profile with built-in device presets option
  • It supports three major video file formats like MKV, MP4, and WebM
  • It provides batch scanning & chapter marking
  • You can explore chapter, range, and subtitle selection
  • Customize video with filters such as Decomb, deblock, denoise, etc

Cons:

  • Handbrake can't remove copy-protection from encrypted DVD
  • It's very time-consuming and inconvenient to rip any long DVD content

MakeMKV Alternative 3: VLC Media Player

MakeMKV Alternative: VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a well-known multi-function media player that supports DVD ripping function as an add-on feature. VLC can rip any protection-free DVD to your required output format. This is a free, open-source, and cross-platform program that works on all major OSs. It can play all multimedia files and different types of streaming protocols. While ripping, VLC can compress the file size to optimize its accessibility while enabling transcoding with the possibilities of losing quality. However, you can also rip DVDs with the original content quality without compressing the file.

Pros:

  • Without requiring any codec pack, VLC can play the most codec
  • It doesn't have any user tracking, ads, or spyware
  • It offers vast input and output file format support
  • Enjoy ripped DVD with subtitles synchronization
  • You can explore various audio-video filters

Cons:

  • It can't remove encryption from any protected DVD
  • The user interface is not beginner-friendly

MakeMKV Alternative 4: Winx DVD Ripper

MakeMKV Alternative: Winx DVD Ripper

Winx DVD Ripper is another multi-function MakeMKV alternative to rip DVD in MKV or other file format. While ripping, it can reduce the file size by almost 80% in 1:1 quality conversion. It supports level-3 acceleration to boost the ripping speed. This tool can also enhance the video quality of the ripped DVD by removing digital noise, grain, blur, etc. This ripper provides video customization and editing options to optimize your video-ripping experience. Subtitles adding, enabling, or disabling options are the most useful functions of Winx.

Pros:

  • It can remove encryption like CSS, RCE, UOPs etc from most DVDs
  • Rip DVD to MP4, MKV, or other format 360+ format support
  • It can increase video frame rate from 24fps to 60fps
  • It can rip different types of DVDs, such as old, outdated, damaged, scratched, etc
  • Select your desired codec from 210+ audio-video codec support
  • While ripping, you can upscale video resolution from 480p to 1080p

Cons:

  • It can't rip DVDs to 3D format
  • The free version of the tool doesn't support ISO images or DVD folder

MakeMKV Alternative 5: WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro

MakeMKV Alternative: WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro

WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro is a very promising Windows program that allows you to rip DVDs to your desired file format. It allows ripping in 1:1 quality without compromising the original data. While ripping, it can reduce file size from 7.2 GB to 1-2 GB. This tool takes around 20 minutes to rip any 150-minute DVD content. It allows you to add subtitles to any DVD. Here, you can enjoy a built-in video editor for essential editing.

Pros:

  • It can remove copy-protection like CSS, Cinavia, Disney X-Project DRM, etc
  • It supports 600+ output profiles
  • Supports file compression while balancing the file size and video quality
  • Cut unwanted parts, such as ads, trailers, previews, etc, before ripping from the DVD clip
  • You can rip DVDs with multiple audio tracks & subtitles

Cons:

  • It's available only on Windows
  • Once the DVD is uploaded, the interface seems messy

Comprehensive Comparison Among The 5 Tools

While going through the top 5 MakeMKV alternatives, if you are confused to pick the right tool for your personalized DVD ripping requirements, let's see a comprehensive comparison of these tools and choose the best one of your needs.

Editor's Choices for MakeMKV Alternatives
Tool Compatible
Systems
Supported_Formats Bypass
Encryption
Speed Lossless Quality Compression Batch
Conversion
DVDFab DVD Ripper Windows, macOS 1000+
(MP4, MKV, MOV, WMV, WebM, etc)
  Super Fast (GPU Acceleration)      
Handbrake Windows, macOS, Linux MP4, MKV   Medium    

 

VLC Media Player Windows, macOS, Linux 20+ (MP4, AVI, MPEG, OGG, etc)   Slower    

 

Winx DVD Ripper Windows MP4 (H.264/HEVC), AVI, MP3, etc   Fast      
WonderFox DVD Ripper Windows 50+ (MP4, MKV, WMV, MOV, etc)   Fast      

FAQs

Is MakeMKV Safe?

Yes, MakeMKV is a safe and free DVD ripper without malware or virus infection risk. There are no unwanted ads or hidden charges. To ensure the ultimate safety you must download the software from its official website. Don't use any crack or pirated version of this program.

Does MakeMKV Remove Copy-Protection?

Yes, MakeMKV can remove copy-protection with limited capabilities. It cannot remove all encryption types from DVDs or Blu-ray discs.

What is Best Between DVDFab vs MakeMKV?

If you compare DVDFab vs. MakeMKV, DVDFab will always stay ahead with its 1000+ formats, video editing, customization, batch processing, file compression, and many other advanced functions.

Conclusion

Now you know the best MakeMKV alternatives with their best abilities and limitations. So, while picking up the right tool for your DVD ripping purpose, you must look for the maximum features, customization, decryption and video editing option in the tool. To meet all of these requirements nothing would be better than DVDFab DVD Ripper.