Etcher is a free, modern, simple to use, and up-to-date software developed by Balena. This tool designs bootable USB drives and SD cards and supports Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
At least, that is what has popularized the use of Etcher PC. Initially, Etcher was limited to image file writing. Some of these files include .img and .iso. However, this software has since surpassed this limitation, thanks to a team of developers under Balena. These developers work effectively to ensure the software is updated frequently to achieve its vision concerning Etcher.
Futuristically, Balena is out to ensure the live SD cards or USB flash drives’ usage as hard drives by developing persistent storage support in Etcher. This endeavor explains recent upgrades numbering 15 in the last year. In doing so, the company also gains confidence from the users of its reliability and promising development, something relatively hard to come by in interaction with Etcher’s similar programs.
Sourcing its license from Apache License 2.0, Etcher’s introduction into the market raised the bar of efficiency following its simplicity in writing images. The available programs beforehand were complex to use and took a long time to complete the task. Additionally, the steps to follow in writing images stipulated by these other options were relatively confusing.
Pros of Etcher
- Etcher is available for free
- The download and installation process is a straightforward procedure; thus, it requires no prior technical skill.
- This tool is relatively fast.
- It’s advanced and simple.
- It’s portable
Cons of Etcher
- Users are finding the frequent update notifications irritating.
- The user is required to manually de-active the sending of data to Balena as it’s a default setting.
- Etcher is large as compared to other software used for the same purpose.
Given the highlighted disadvantages, as a user, you will most probably be looking out for available substitutes of Etcher. Why not have them all in this write-up? Reading through, you will find the most competitive programs to Etcher.
Rufus
Rufus is software available cost-free, used to create bootable USB drives. Rufus only supports Windows. In so doing, Rufus cannot only be used for operating system reinstallation but can also flash an OS or any other program from DOS.
To use Rufus, the only requirements you need are either a 32- bit/ 64- bit Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, or XP and a flash drive with a capacity not less than 8Gb.
Additionally, the free availability of Rufus’ source code gives room for modification and more distribution. Furthermore, this feature allows its use for both commercial and personal purposes.
Rufus is also small-sized, thus allowing it to be stored in an external drive and run at any time of need. Its nature of portability reduces the burden of having to install it after download.
Rufus’s creation of bootable drives doesn’t come at the expense of a computer’s system’s performance. While using Rufus, manual formatting of drives is unnecessary as this software’s build supports this process.
Pros of Rufus
- Simple but advanced
- It’s available for free.
- Rufus finds a USB attached to a computer automatically.
- This tool is lightweight.
- It is relatively fast.
Cons of Rufus
- Rufus is only limited to users of Windows.
- It supports the installation of a single distro on USB at a go.
Unetbootin
Unetbootin is a short form for Universal Netboot Installer. This software lives up to its name as it’s compatible with Windows, Linux, or Mac operating systems. Users initially used Unetbootin for creating bootable USB drives only. Over time, this software’s advancement has resulted in its use in devices for storage, such as external drives.
This tool cannot erase files from your USB and, therefore, offers security to your files at the time of use.
Pros of Unetbootin
- Unetbootin automatically detects all USBs attached to the computer resulting in a fluid interface.
- It works for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- This software allows download for most packages of distribution.
- It’s available cost-free.
Cons of Unetbootin
- There is a probability of distorting your USB.
- This software may fail to work with some files, such as Hiren’s boot ISO file.
Easy2Boot
Easy2Boot software is commonly known for the solution in multiboot it offers. As other programs function by creating a unique menu to a specific Linux after identifying ISO file, E2B comes with a particular feature, grub4dos, which maps up the ISO file on the USB drive. This mapping helps in avoiding difficulty in deleting the files.
Pros of Easy2Boot
- This tool is multiboot.
- E2B supports a wide range of security UEFI boots.
- This software supports multiple ISO files.
Cons of Easy2Boot
- This software is not open source, and content is copyright restricted.
- It is limited to Linux OS only.
Deepin Boot Maker
Deepin Boot Market is a product of the Deepin Community Team. This program makes Deepin boot disk with so much ease, thus explaining its choice for use.
Pros of Deepin Boot Maker
- It works for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- Its UI is appealing.
- A non-functioning pen drive is switchable to a Linux drive that is bootable using this program.
Cons of Deepin Boot Maker
- Deepin Boot Maker may work with some ISO images while rejecting others.
Dd
Data Domain, commonly referred to as Dd, is a software used to principally covert and copy files. It can also read and write distinct device files such dev/zero and dev/random.
Pros of dd
- It works in Windows, Mac OS, Linux and even Android.
Cons of dd
- The user faces a higher risk in losing data by adding of a single wrong syntax.
Final Verdict
On the road map of creating bootable USB drives, a user has a broad set of programs that offer this solution. These programs have similar characteristics as well as differences. For instance, for a user sourcing for a cross-platform software, he/she has Etcher, Deepin Booter, and Unetbootin, all to his/her advantage. With these programs to choose from, you will be prune to check each program’s efficiency as a user. Etcher, arguably, has the most reliable development team that ensures the program is frequently updated. From the alternatives provided above, neither software offers a solution to Etcher’s shortcomings while still maintaining its set standard of efficiency.