Windows DVD Maker was a free DVD authoring tool that was included in some editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7. Unfortunately, even though it was used by many people, Microsoft decided to stop including it in their operating systems, starting with Windows 8. If you use a computer running Windows 10 or Windows 8.1, you won't find it included. We thought it would be a good idea for us to look for free alternatives to Windows DVD Maker and share them with you. These are the best free alternatives to Windows DVD Maker that we could find:
1. DVD Styler
DVD Styler is a cross-platform free DVD authoring application, meaning you can use it both in Windows and Linux. This application lets you create and burn your own DVDs. It includes most of the DVD authoring tools any video enthusiast wants, like designing your own interactive DVD menu or using a menu from a given list of templates. Also, it lets you create photo slideshows, add multiple subtitles and audio tracks for your videos.
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DVD Styler is easy to install and we liked the fact that, even though it's a free app, it doesn't try to make you install various third-party software or "special offers" that you don't want. We found its user interface easy to use and intuitive. We never felt the need to search through its documentation in order to learn how to perform a specific task. If you want a nice, simple and straightforward DVD authoring tool, DVD Styler is more than capable of offering everything you need to create video DVDs.
Download: DVD Styler.
2. WinX DVD Author
One of the best alternatives to Windows DVD Maker from our list is WinX DVD Author. This app used to be shareware in the past, but that's no longer the case. Now, you can get it for free from its developer's website. WinX DVD Author is allows you to create your own DVDs using all kinds of video files, like MKV, MP4, FLV, MPEG, MOV, RM, H.264 or AVI files. You can even add subtitles to videos, if you want to.
Windows, DVD Maker, alternatives, create, DVD, movies
Another thing that everyone will appreciate is that it offers an easy way to create your own DVD chapter menus. You can customize them using one of the default images included by the app, or you can use your own pictures as a background. Even more, you can also add music to be played while the DVD menu is on.
Windows, DVD Maker, alternatives, create, DVD, movies
The WinX DVD Author app has one of the easiest authoring/burning processes we've seen in such apps. Add the video files and subtitles, if any; author the DVD menu; burn the DVD. It's as simple as it gets.
Download:WinX DVD Author.
3. DeVeDe
DeVeDe is one of those apps that are totally free to use, in the full sense of the word. This app was originally created by a company called Rastersoft for Ubuntu and other Debian Linux operating systems. It was then ported by another company - MajorSilence - to Windows. DeVeDe is not a complete DVD authoring app, but we believe it deserves to be in our list of alternatives to Windows DVD Maker, because it can do just that: it creates DVDs, although it doesn't burn them. The end result you get from DeVeDe is an ISO file, which you can then write on a disc using any burning tool you want, like Windows Disc Image Burner, which is built into Windows.
Windows, DVD Maker, alternatives, create, DVD, movies
With DeVeDe you can work with video files encoded with almost any video codec. The list of file formats is very long and includes all the common file types: AVI, MP4, MPG and MKV. It also lets you create menus for your DVDs, add subtitles to the videos, and even add multiple audio tracks. DeVeDe is one of the best free tools you'll find for authoring DVD discs.
Download:DeVeDe.
4. DVD Flick
DVD Flick is another free DVD authoring tool. This app's approach is to be as simple as it can be while, at the same time, offering all the basics the user needs. DVD Flick supports a wide range of video and audio codecs, so you'll be able to design DVDs starting from almost any kind of video file. Another good feature is the fact that DVD Flick also lets you embed subtitles on your DVD videos. However, while testing and using it, we've also noticed a few shortcomings. The most important is the lack of support for image files: you can't create picture slideshows, as DVD Flick can only work with video and audio files. The second major shortcoming is the small number of DVD menu templates, and the lack of an option to design and create your own DVD menu. You're stuck with one of the six default DVD menu templates, all of them being simple and, honestly, not very attractive.
Windows, DVD Maker, alternatives, create, DVD, movies
On the good side though, DVD Flick is easy to install, it doesn't try to make you install additional unwanted software, and its user interface is so simple that you could call it spartan. If you're searching for a DVD authoring tool that does its job and you don't need to use image slideshows or create fancy stuff like designing your own interactive DVD menus, then DVD Flick is a good option.
Download:DVD Flick.
5. Freemake Video Converter
Freemake Video Converter might not sound like an app that you can use to author DVDs, but it's quite capable of doing that. While this app is mostly aimed at offering video converting features, it also allows you to create your own video DVDs. It supports a wide array of input video and audio formats, so adding all kinds of videos, audio tracks or images won't be a problem. Freemake Video Converter includes a few menu templates that can be customized with your own background image and it also supports subtitles embedding.
However, this is not an entirely honest app. While it can do everything we've mentioned, some of its features are not free. During its installation process, Freemake Video Converter tries to install additional unwanted software. It's called Pluto TV and it is a potentially unwanted program - not a virus but adware that infiltrates your operating system and web browser. We strongly recommend that you select a custom install for Freemake's software and block the installation of this additional unwanted software.
Windows, DVD Maker, alternatives, create, DVD, movies
Another negative aspect is the fact that, while Freemake advertises their product as free software, they are asking for money in order to unlock some features, like the ability to add subtitles or access more DVD menu templates. That's not what free means and a bit more honesty would be appreciated.
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We must admit we were very tempted to leave this software out of our free alternatives to Windows DVD Maker. But then again, if you can overcome all these unfortunate monetizing choices made by Freemake, their Video Converter does a pretty good job at helping you author your own DVDs. Just be extra careful when you install it on your computer.
Download:Freemake Video Converter.
Conclusion
These are the best free alternatives we've found for Microsoft's Windows DVD Maker. While any of these five can do the job, our opinion is that the best are DVD Styler, WinX DVD Author and DeVeDe. These are the apps with the largest number of DVD customizing features, they support a wide range of video and audio input formats, can embed subtitles and let you design your own custom menus. Furthermore, they're also honest software: they don't try to install unwanted programs on your computer, nor do they ask you to pay money in order to utilize them fully.
I have also tried “DVD Styler” on several occasions. But more often than not- after going through the lengthy converting process, it suddenly stops with an error message in red because of a “broken pipe” (what`s it made of, clay?) or some such gobbledegook. Pretty awful. At least WinXDVD usually works okay.
SKF ·
Freemake continues to decline. If you want to author a DVD, you get a watermark all over your video–unless you pay. Does not deserve to be on the list.
Burner ·
WinX only uses 4.3 gig of the 4.7 gig DVD disc. I have to degrade the videos to put 5 30min camcorder originals on 1 DVD.
I changed to the old SoThink, works better with multiple videos although it seems slow it makes a good DVD.
Barbara ·
Freemake used to be an excellent video tool. However, it truly is a misleading name for this app now If you do not purchase a license, there will be a watermark across your entire video. Not at all attractive or desirable. I would not recommend this at all.
william wilson ·
i used Freemake countless times, and found them to be fantastic in quality, and equally unbeatable in speed, but unfort. their newest edition not only puts a watermark on the end product, it is a massive word right through the middle of the screen, making the video useless, so am disappointed by that, but grateful for all the time they were genuinely free
Michelle McCown ·
Does anyone use AnyBurn? I always use it to burn DVDs pretty easy to use. By the way, I installed WinX DVD Copy Pro but the home screen prompts me to buy license code so it’s not free. Finally I turn to WonderFox DVD Ripper Speedy.
Linda Rooney ·
Personally, Freemake is the best option. It’s full-featured and also supports to convert videos files. Btw, if anyone needs a good video downloader& converter, free hd video converter factory is worth a try.
Matthew W. I. Dunn ·
Just so people know: Freemake now superimposes a watermark over the video. It’s not there always; it will appear every 10-15 minutes or so. But, when it does so, a “FREEMAKE” watermark will appear across the whole center of the image or video.
This is the last straw for me, so that I’m moving on from it.
Ciprian Adrian Rusen ·
Thank you for sharing this information.
Ray ·
Yes, I thoroughly agree about the “latest” Freemake. They seem to gradually be doing away with all the previous functions- note, that now they have even stopped the option to cut a video unless you upgrade to their “King” level or something! That lousy new watermark appeared every 3 minutes on my DVD. Freemake used to be the easiest, quickest and most reliable option to convert and burn files to DVD- now it`s like some grotty Trialware.
jerry1edison ·
I know Windows 10 got rid of the ability to play DVD’s so that is probably why you are missing the codec. I found this authoring software – UFUShare DVD Creator for Windows 10. It is helpful for me, I am not sure if it meets your needs though.
Roger J. Seacrest ·
I just spent 14 hours testing all three of these that you mentioned. While the built-in Windows DVD Maker was VERY limited in what it offered, at least it performed well. You didn’t get a lot of choices, but at least it worked! And the final product was good enough quality to get by for most needs. The three “alternatives” you just suggested are HORRIBLE!
DVD Styler has (by far) the best options and interface of these, and the most amazing status updates I have EVER seen in a freeware offering. But the final product is unacceptably degraded and for some odd reason, even though I had not changed ANY settings, 2 of the 5 ISO’s I created did not work. 3 of them worked fine, with the EXACT SAME settings applied. Buggy Piece of garbage!
DVD Flick had no bad burns out of 4 tests, but OMG this is the most basic, most UGLY, most “Windows 95” looking menus and options I have seen since….well, since I was using an old Yamaha CD-Burner and Windows 95 to make VCD’s about 19 years ago (if you don’t know what a VCD is, then go ask your grandpa or look it up on Wikipedia). Although all 4 tests with DVD Flick were successful, there’s no way I could EVER use one of these for work, or to give to a client.
Freemake is the least horrible on the list, but with all the crap that it installs with every update (even if you uncheck EVERY damn box) I get annoyed with this product FAST. Yes, it is true that you can easily remove any stow-away apps that come with each update, and yes it is also true that getting “Malware” every time, really is (mostly) a thing of the past. Freemake cleaned up their act a bit, and at least they don’t add-on spybots, adbots, browser hijackers, and trojans anymore….but they still offer very little functionality unless you go with their paid version, and they still keep sneaking crap onto my machine even after I said NO every time.
So here’s my CRAZY idea for a great alternative to Windows DVD Maker…….get SOME bastard at Microsoft to update Windows DVD Maker so it works like the good old days or pony up the big bucks for Sony Vegas and DVD Architect.
P.S. For all you fan-boys who love any of the 3 products I just trashed, don’t even START with that AOL-Style Bull$h1t about how the problem must have been something wrong with MY machine. I got my BA in Computer Science in 2001 and even long before that I’ve been working on these little monsters, going all the way back to the Apple, Apple II, and Commodore 64 days in the early 80’s —– so any fan-boys can blow it out your ignorant millennial a$$’es. I’ve more than earned ANY opinions I have, no matter how much it might hurt your little feelings.
Codrut Neagu ·
Hi, we’ve added two more recommendations to the list. Maybe you’ll like one of them. We liked Windows DVD Maker better too, but seeing that it’s out of the picture for now, these are the best free alternatives we found. If you know of others that are better, don’t hesitate to let us know. And thanks for reading us by the way! 🙂
Clarke ·
One thing DVD Styler does not do well is convert 24fps to 30fps. Motion will appear “jerky”.
Mahlon Wagner ·
I need some help. I have “avi” files that I want to burn to a DVD and then play them on a DVD player connected to the TV. I am assuming I should use NTSC and not PAL file format. ANy help would be most appreciated. Dog gone, Windows 7 DVD maker was so great.
Codrut Neagu ·
It depends on where you live. In the USA, you should probably go with NTSC, while in Europe for instance, you should go with PAL.
Rich Doug ·
Useful. Thank you so much for sharing us these free alternatives to Windows DVD Maker. It’s really a headache problem about how to copy or burn a DVD in Windows 10 now. I have been using WinX DVD Copy Pro to copy and burn my favorite movie DVD discs until now and it also works well all the time.
JacksontTom ·
Digiber blu-ray creator is the most used. both BD and DVD disc burning supported.
Codrut Neagu ·
Unfortunately, both WinX DVD Copy Pro and Digiber Blu-ray/DVD Creator are paid software.
Discussion (19)
I have also tried “DVD Styler” on several occasions. But more often than not- after going through the lengthy converting process, it suddenly stops with an error message in red because of a “broken pipe” (what`s it made of, clay?) or some such gobbledegook. Pretty awful. At least WinXDVD usually works okay.
Freemake continues to decline. If you want to author a DVD, you get a watermark all over your video–unless you pay. Does not deserve to be on the list.
WinX only uses 4.3 gig of the 4.7 gig DVD disc. I have to degrade the videos to put 5 30min camcorder originals on 1 DVD.
I changed to the old SoThink, works better with multiple videos although it seems slow it makes a good DVD.
Freemake used to be an excellent video tool. However, it truly is a misleading name for this app now If you do not purchase a license, there will be a watermark across your entire video. Not at all attractive or desirable. I would not recommend this at all.
i used Freemake countless times, and found them to be fantastic in quality, and equally unbeatable in speed, but unfort. their newest edition not only puts a watermark on the end product, it is a massive word right through the middle of the screen, making the video useless, so am disappointed by that, but grateful for all the time they were genuinely free
Does anyone use AnyBurn? I always use it to burn DVDs pretty easy to use. By the way, I installed WinX DVD Copy Pro but the home screen prompts me to buy license code so it’s not free. Finally I turn to WonderFox DVD Ripper Speedy.
Personally, Freemake is the best option. It’s full-featured and also supports to convert videos files. Btw, if anyone needs a good video downloader& converter, free hd video converter factory is worth a try.
Just so people know: Freemake now superimposes a watermark over the video. It’s not there always; it will appear every 10-15 minutes or so. But, when it does so, a “FREEMAKE” watermark will appear across the whole center of the image or video.
This is the last straw for me, so that I’m moving on from it.
Thank you for sharing this information.
Yes, I thoroughly agree about the “latest” Freemake. They seem to gradually be doing away with all the previous functions- note, that now they have even stopped the option to cut a video unless you upgrade to their “King” level or something! That lousy new watermark appeared every 3 minutes on my DVD. Freemake used to be the easiest, quickest and most reliable option to convert and burn files to DVD- now it`s like some grotty Trialware.
I know Windows 10 got rid of the ability to play DVD’s so that is probably why you are missing the codec. I found this authoring software – UFUShare DVD Creator for Windows 10. It is helpful for me, I am not sure if it meets your needs though.
I just spent 14 hours testing all three of these that you mentioned. While the built-in Windows DVD Maker was VERY limited in what it offered, at least it performed well. You didn’t get a lot of choices, but at least it worked! And the final product was good enough quality to get by for most needs. The three “alternatives” you just suggested are HORRIBLE!
DVD Styler has (by far) the best options and interface of these, and the most amazing status updates I have EVER seen in a freeware offering. But the final product is unacceptably degraded and for some odd reason, even though I had not changed ANY settings, 2 of the 5 ISO’s I created did not work. 3 of them worked fine, with the EXACT SAME settings applied. Buggy Piece of garbage!
DVD Flick had no bad burns out of 4 tests, but OMG this is the most basic, most UGLY, most “Windows 95” looking menus and options I have seen since….well, since I was using an old Yamaha CD-Burner and Windows 95 to make VCD’s about 19 years ago (if you don’t know what a VCD is, then go ask your grandpa or look it up on Wikipedia). Although all 4 tests with DVD Flick were successful, there’s no way I could EVER use one of these for work, or to give to a client.
Freemake is the least horrible on the list, but with all the crap that it installs with every update (even if you uncheck EVERY damn box) I get annoyed with this product FAST. Yes, it is true that you can easily remove any stow-away apps that come with each update, and yes it is also true that getting “Malware” every time, really is (mostly) a thing of the past. Freemake cleaned up their act a bit, and at least they don’t add-on spybots, adbots, browser hijackers, and trojans anymore….but they still offer very little functionality unless you go with their paid version, and they still keep sneaking crap onto my machine even after I said NO every time.
So here’s my CRAZY idea for a great alternative to Windows DVD Maker…….get SOME bastard at Microsoft to update Windows DVD Maker so it works like the good old days or pony up the big bucks for Sony Vegas and DVD Architect.
P.S. For all you fan-boys who love any of the 3 products I just trashed, don’t even START with that AOL-Style Bull$h1t about how the problem must have been something wrong with MY machine. I got my BA in Computer Science in 2001 and even long before that I’ve been working on these little monsters, going all the way back to the Apple, Apple II, and Commodore 64 days in the early 80’s —– so any fan-boys can blow it out your ignorant millennial a$$’es. I’ve more than earned ANY opinions I have, no matter how much it might hurt your little feelings.
Hi, we’ve added two more recommendations to the list. Maybe you’ll like one of them. We liked Windows DVD Maker better too, but seeing that it’s out of the picture for now, these are the best free alternatives we found. If you know of others that are better, don’t hesitate to let us know. And thanks for reading us by the way! 🙂
One thing DVD Styler does not do well is convert 24fps to 30fps. Motion will appear “jerky”.
I need some help. I have “avi” files that I want to burn to a DVD and then play them on a DVD player connected to the TV. I am assuming I should use NTSC and not PAL file format. ANy help would be most appreciated. Dog gone, Windows 7 DVD maker was so great.
It depends on where you live. In the USA, you should probably go with NTSC, while in Europe for instance, you should go with PAL.
Useful. Thank you so much for sharing us these free alternatives to Windows DVD Maker. It’s really a headache problem about how to copy or burn a DVD in Windows 10 now. I have been using WinX DVD Copy Pro to copy and burn my favorite movie DVD discs until now and it also works well all the time.
Digiber blu-ray creator is the most used. both BD and DVD disc burning supported.
Unfortunately, both WinX DVD Copy Pro and Digiber Blu-ray/DVD Creator are paid software.