balenaEtcher
With balenaEtcher you write an operating system image to an SD card or USB stick and check the result.
Developer balena
Version 2.1.7 · Open source · Windows · macOS · Linux
Looking for an alternative to balenaEtcher?Compare Ventoy, Rufus.Compare alternativesEtcher uses a short process: select an image, choose the target disk and start writing. The app is suitable for many Linux images and systems such as a Raspberry Pi that start from an SD card. After writing, Etcher checks the written data. It hides system disks by default to limit errors, but you have to keep checking which device you select. Not every installation image works by simply writing it to a stick; a Windows installation stick often requires a specific method.
Compare balenaEtcher with alternatives
For a bootable USB, the main difference is whether you write one image or choose multiple images on the same stick. Check UEFI support and operating system requirements. Writing or preparing a stick can delete existing files.
| Software | What can it do? | Platform and licence |
|---|---|---|
| balenaEtcherYou are viewing this app | You write images to a USB stick or memory card with a simple interface and verification. You get less special installation options than in an extended Windows tool. | Windows, macOS, LinuxOpen source |
| VentoyView this alternative | You are preparing a USB stick for placing multiple supported ISO images. On startup, choose which image you want to use. | Windows, LinuxOpen source |
| RufusView this alternative | You create a bootable USB stick with adjustable options for the image and target device. You use this especially for a targeted installation or recovery stick on Windows. | WindowsGPL-3.0-only |
Choose an alternative to explore its features, system requirements and download options.
Who is it for?
You use Etcher when you want to put a Linux image or a suitable device image on a USB stick or SD card. The short working method helps with one-off installations.
Getting started
Choose the download for Windows, macOS or Linux. Open the image, select your removable disk and give the necessary permission to write to that device.
Privacy
You can write a locally saved image without uploading your own documents. If you have an image retrieved via a URL, the app will make contact with that download server.
Good to know
Etcher writes an image to a target drive, but doesn't adjust that image for your computer. So check in advance if the image is intended for your device.
Please note
Writing to a disc replaces the existing content. Check the capacity and name of the target device, even when Etcher automatically hides certain system drives.
Advantages
- You go through a short procedure with three steps.
- You get control after writing.
- You can use the app on multiple desktop platforms.
Things to consider
- Not every operating system image is suitable for this method.
- The target drive is overwritten.
- A successful write check does not guarantee that every computer can boot with it.
Download balenaEtcher
The download page opens in a new tab.
Provider’s website · etcher.balena.io
Version history
2.1.7
The macOS release is further secured; in addition, the copyright notice has been corrected.
- This maintenance release enhances the security of the macOS package.
- The copyright entry has been modified. No new features are announced for writing images.
2.1.6
The Mac build for Intel processors has been restored by an adjustment in the construction process.
The change is specifically relevant for the x86-Mac version. Choose the download that matches your Mac processor.
Report a new version
Our verdict
Etcher is a good entry for writing suitable images without many additional settings. Control of the target drive remains the most important step, precisely because the process looks so simple.
Choose Etcher for a defined writing bar to an SD card or USB stick, for example when you have an appropriate system image for a device. Pre-check the origin and suitability of that image and which disk is overwritten. Let's also finish the control phase. If you want to manage multiple images in one boot menu, that is a different need than this targeted route to put one image on a medium.
Ratings
No ratings yet. Share your experience.
Log in to rate this software.
Comments
Share your experience. Comments appear after approval.
No comments yet.