InfraRecorder

InfraRecorder: The Free CD/DVD Burner That Works since 2006.

InfraRecorder burns CDs and DVDs. This free, open-source Windows software can be used for data discs, audio CDs, ISO images and disc copies. There are no animations or unnecessary features - just reliable burning.

What InfraRecorder Does

A little bit of history!

The author of InfraRecorder is Christian Kindahl and he started this project back in 2006 during Google Summer of Code 2006 and it is free ever since - that is almost two decades old.

InfraRecorder can be used to create custom data, audio and mixed-mode projects and record them to physical discs and disc images. The program uses cdrtools (known as cdrecord) library to handle the burning process.

You can use this software to burn files to CD-R, DVD-R and dual-layer DVDs.

If you need to erase a rewritable disc, InfraRecorder provides four different blanking methods. The software handles ISO and BIN/CUE image files, creates disc copies on the fly, and lets you import session data from multisession discs to add more content later.

InfraRecorder can save audio tracks such as WAV, WMA, OGG or MP3 files. It can also extract data tracks into ISO format. Everything happens through Windows Explorer integration - just perform a right-click and its the easiest method.

Main Features

Feature Category	InfraRecorder Capabilities
Disc Type	Mainly CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW, Dual-layer DVD
Supported File Format	ISO, BIN/CUE image burning
Audio Support Available for	WAV, MP3, OGG, WMA input
Available Copy Method	On-the-fly, temporary image
Blank Options	Quick, full, minimal, session
Can be integrated with	Windows Explorer shell extension

The Interface

Once you open InfraRecorder interface - you will notice the six large buttons (from left to right):

1. Data Disc 2. Audio Disc 3. Video Disc
2. Write Image 5. Copy Disc 6. Read Disc.

Each button is well designed for a specific task you want to accomplish. You won't feel lost through menus or complex wizards.

InfraRecorder will reveal disc information such as free space and maximum write speed. It will also automatically detect your burner capabilities and adjust options accordingly. You can choose the writing speed manually.

How it Works

The interface is incredibly intuitive.

Do you want to burn one or more files? Choose the "Data Disc" and simply drag your folders into project area. Do you want to make an audio CD? Choose the second button named "Audio disc" and add your music files. Note that it will convert MP3 and other formats to CD audio automatically. The same for the other buttons.

The burn process will display a real-time progress (speed and time remaining). You can verify data after burning and see if there are any errors. The log window tracks everything (similar to Rufus) that happens during the burn process, which helps with troubleshooting if there are any problems.

Note: It is good to know that InfraRecorder does NOT handle copy-protected audio CDs. If you attempt to rip a commercial music CD that came with copy protection, the program will fail silently or show some errors. This limitation will affect many store-bought albums.

Important: Please make sure that you are not breaking any laws. There are a few ways to copy-protected DVDs assuming you are trying to do this for personal stuff that you bought and want to preserve them for your own, personal use. Again, please make sure it is legal in your country. A few software titles are: VideoProc Converter AI, WinX DVD Ripper, Handbrake, MakeMKV, DVD Shrink and even VLC Media Player (it can rip some protected DVDs).

Some free alternatives

Name	Operating System	Main Usage / Strength	License Type
ImgBurn	Windows	You can use it for ISO tools, disc burning	Freeware
CDBurnerXP	Windows	I recommend it for audio and data burning	Freeware
BurnAware Free	Windows	General purpose - for various burning tasks	Freemium
Brasero	Linux (GNOME)	CD/DVD burning	Open Source
K3b	Linux (KDE)	Feature-rich burning	Open Source
AnyBurn	Windows	Lightweight burning operations	Freeware

CDBurnerXP development also stopped in November 2019 but it offers Blu-ray support, though it lacks some of InfraRecorder's multisession features.

ImgBurn is good at ISO burning but doesn't handle audio files so well.

I didn't mentioned some commercial alternative such as Nero which provides copy protection handling, DVD authoring tools, but you have to pay and has many features you are never going to use.

As a conclusion regarding InfraRecorder alternatives each have strengths. CDBurnerXP handles more disc types and as I said it offers Blu-Ray support. ImgBurn is faster when it comes to ISO images.

However, InfraRecorder provides a good balance between simplicity and functionality for basic CD/DVD operations.

If you're a Linux user, go with the two free options you have: Brasero and K3b

As a final conclusion

You don't need the latest shinny cd burning tool if you're dealing with old CD/DVDs. InfraRecorder still works fine in 2025 for most tasks. Actually, both CDBurnerXP and InfraRecorder is everything you ever need when it comes to disc drives.

I am saying this because both are clean software and I know the developers behind them.

InfraRecorder development stopped back in 2012 but it still does the job well for many tasks when in comes to CD/DVD operations.

I still recommend it to anyone who still has access to a CD/DVD writer/reader. There are plenty of people who saved their lifetime photos/music/movies or whatever personal files they have. If you did the same, you still need a burning tool that gets the job done.

No release notes available