Best CD Ripper Software of 2025

Looking for the best CD ripper to convert your music CDs into digital audio files like MP3 or WAV? Whether you’re archiving your music collection or simply want more flexible playback options, a reliable CD ripping software is essential.

In this guide, we’ll explain what a CD ripper is, its legality, and review the top CD ripping tools available in 2025 both free and paid options.

What Is a CD Ripper?

A CD ripper is a software application that extracts digital audio data from music CDs and converts it into standard audio file formats such as MP3, WAV, FLAC, or AAC. This process is known as Digital Audio Extraction (DAE).

Is CD Ripping Legal?

Yes ripping a CD is legal if:

• You own the original CD.

• The ripped files are for personal use only.

• You don’t distribute or share the copied content.

Top CD Ripping Software

#1)NCH.com

This program to rip CDs is stable, complete, and simple to use. When converting CD audio to MP3 or WAV, the program keeps the original sound quality.

Best for: Simple, high-quality ripping with metadata support

Key Features:

• Preserves original audio quality.

• Supports MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, AIFF, and more.

• Full control over MP3 encoding options.

• Automatically tags metadata (artist, title, album).

• Organizes music libraries efficiently.

Verdict: Ideal for beginners looking for a reliable, easy-to-use free CD ripper.

Price: Free version available.

#2) dBpoweramp CD Ripper

The fastest way to rip, and it meets all the needs of professionals, which is what ripping tools should do. It is one of the fastest CD rippers, and over the years it has ripped more than 100 million CDs.

Best for: Professional-grade CD ripping with accuracy and speed

Key Features:

• Ultra-fast ripping with AccurateRip verification.

• Supports high-resolution album artwork and full track metadata.

• Auto-normalizes audio volume.

• Virus- and bug-free operation.

Verdict: One of the most trusted tools with over 100 million CDs ripped ideal for audiophiles.

Price: 21-day free trial; $39 for full license (1 PC).

#3) Free RIP

There are many digital audio types that RIP can read from your CDs and save to your computer. Some of these are WMA, MP3, OGG, and FLAC. You can just put the music CD into the CD drive on your computer, open this free software, and press the “Rip” button.

Best for: Budget-friendly users needing flexible format conversion

Key Features:

• Supports MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG, and WMA.

• Rip and convert CD audio with one click.

• Built-in CD burner tool.

• Add artwork and metadata to files.

Verdict: Great for casual users looking to convert and manage multiple audio formats.

Price: Free (Basic); $4.99 one-time fee for Pro.

#4) Exact Audio Copy

The free CD ripper that works on Microsoft Windows is called Exact Audio Copy. There is a simple layout, and it works well with all CD flaws.

Best for: Advanced users needing error correction and precise extraction

Key Features:

• AccurateRip support for error-free rips.

• Works with CDs that have scratches or defects.

• Supports multiple output formats (WAV, MP3, FLAC).

• Includes library management tools.

Verdict: Highly praised for its precision and performance on imperfect discs.

Price: Free.

#5) Audio Grabber

To make the volume of all the songs the same, Audio Grabber is one of the best free CD ripper programmes. This CD ripper tool’s best feature is that it cuts out the silence at the beginning and end of tracks. The best way to use it is on Windows.

Best for: Windows users looking for fast and clean audio extraction

Key Features:

• Removes silence from beginning/end of tracks.

• Automatically normalizes volume.

• Supports all CD-ROM drives and popular formats.

• Lightweight and intuitive interface.

Verdict: Efficient, no-frills solution for basic ripping needs.

Price: Free; Pro version available for $9.90.

#6) Foobar2000

Foobar2000 is an easy-to-use and adaptable music player that professionals can change to fit their needs.

Best for: Users who want an all-in-one audio player and CD ripper

Key Features:

• Supports MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, and more.

• CD ripping and format conversion via Converter Component.

• Customizable interface and hotkeys.

• Minimalist and professional-grade user experience.

Verdict: Loved by audiophiles for its customization and broad format support.

Price: Free.

#7) FairStars CD ripper

There is a powerful tool called FairStars CD Ripper that can rip audio from CDs to all kinds of file types and even normalise the audio while it’s ripping.

Best for: Users looking to rip and normalize audio simultaneously

Key Features:

• Real-time volume normalization.

• Easy-to-use interface.

• Supports all major formats and multiple drives.

• Includes ID3 tag editing.

Verdict: Excellent for users who want efficient, high-quality ripping without spending a dime.

Price: Free.

Final Recommendations

If you’re looking for a free CD ripper with a clean interface, NCH Express Rip is your best bet. For advanced ripping features, dBpoweramp stands out with AccurateRip, format versatility, and speed worth the investment if you want professional-level results.