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SPECIFICTION
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CUERipper

cue.tools

Free plan WindowsLinux
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Spec score 8.6 #5 of 36 in Audio Converter Software

What it is

CUERipper extracts digital audio from CDs and is included in the CUETools package. It can save a disc as one image or as separate tracks, with lossy or lossless output in formats including WAV, FLAC, APE, lossyWAV, ALAC, TTA, and WavPack. For metadata and verification, it supports MusicBrainz and freeDB, along with AccurateRip and CTDB. Extraction modes include Burst, Secure, and Paranoid; Secure and Paranoid can retry sections when results differ or a drive reports C2 errors. Test & Copy checks tracks before extraction and adds Test CRC values to an EAC-style log. Other options include searching for album art, creating M3U playlists, detecting track indexes, and preserving hidden track one audio from the first-track pregap. The download is an archive that can be unpacked without setup, and removing the user_profiles_enabled file enables portable use. The Windows release requires Microsoft .NET Framework 4.x, which the download page says should be included with Windows 8, 10, or 11. External encoder programs must be downloaded separately. The maker describes it as having fewer configuration options than EAC and being somewhat easier to use.

Spec sheet

Purpose
CUERipper extracts digital audio from CDs and is described as an open-source alternative to EAC.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Album art
Album art search can be disabled, limited to the selected metadata, or expanded to CDTOC-associated art and fuzzy search.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Cover art
CUERipper can search for album art, embed it when the output format permits, and choose thumbnail or full-size image searches.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Disc databases
It supports MusicBrainz and freeDB metadata databases, plus AccurateRip and CTDB.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Ease of use
The maker says it has fewer configuration options than EAC and is somewhat easier to use.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
External encoders
External encoder executables are not included and must be downloaded separately by the user.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Extraction modes
It can rip to a single image or to separate track files, with selectable lossless or lossy output.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Extraction output
Users can choose lossy or lossless output and extract a disc as one image or as separate track files.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Gap and hidden audio
Options include detecting track indexes and preserving Hidden Track One Audio from the first track pregap.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Included software
CUERipper is included in the CUETools package.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Known issues
The maker says known issues are tracked on GitHub and the Hydrogenaudio forum.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Known issues and support
The maker directs users to GitHub and the Hydrogenaudio forum for known issues and discussion.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Logs and playlists
Options include EAC-style extraction logs and creation of M3U playlists.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Metadata and verification
It supports MusicBrainz and freeDB metadata, plus AccurateRip and CTDB.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Metadata search
Metadata search can use MusicBrainz, Discogs and freeDB, with Fast, Default and Extensive search modes.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Optional codec dependency
Using the FFmpeg plugin requires additional DLL files to be copied into its x64 or win32 plugin directory.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Paranoid extraction
Paranoid mode retries sections up to 61 more times when read results differ or the drive reports C2 errors.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Platform and prerequisites
The download page provides a Windows release and lists Microsoft .NET Framework 4.x as a prerequisite; it also notes that Windows 8, 10 or 11 should include it.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Platform requirement
The download page lists Microsoft .NET Framework 4.x as a prerequisite and says it should be preinstalled on Windows 8, 10, or 11.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Portability
The download is an archive that can be unpacked without setup, and removing user_profiles_enabled makes settings save in the install folder for portable use.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Portable use
The download page says CUERipper can run portably from a USB stick by removing the user_profiles_enabled file.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Privacy detail
CTDB submission logs include contributor IP addresses and CD drive models, which the database page says are used to screen submissions.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Read-error handling
Burst, Secure, and Paranoid extraction modes use progressively more retries when results differ or the drive reports C2 errors.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Rip checks
Test & Copy tests all tracks before extraction and adds Test CRC values to the EAC-style log.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Secure extraction
Secure mode retries sections up to 30 more times when read results differ or the drive reports C2 errors.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
Track details
In tracks mode, CUERipper can preserve hidden track one audio as a separate track 00 file.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cue.tools

Plans and prices

CUERipper Free Included in the CUETools package · Windows download Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools

Every CUERipper plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports lossy and lossless output in seven listed formats.
  • Secure and Paranoid modes retry problem sections.
  • Supports MusicBrainz, freeDB, AccurateRip, and CTDB.
  • Archive can be unpacked without setup.

Limits

  • Windows release requires Microsoft .NET Framework 4.x.
  • External encoder programs must be downloaded separately.
  • FFmpeg plugin use requires additional DLL files.

Who it suits

CUERipper suits people who want to extract CD audio with selectable verification, metadata, and output options. It may also suit users looking for portable use or separate track files.

Verdict

CUERipper offers multiple extraction and verification options, with metadata lookup and album-art search. Windows users should account for the .NET requirement and separately obtain any external encoders they need.

Where Specifiction places it

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