BurnAware vs Express Burn

BurnAware is Windows software for burning optical discs and creating or burning ISO images. It supports CD, DVD, Blu-ray, Double Layer, M-Disc, Archival Disc, and extra-large-capacity DVD and Blu-ray media. Tools include bootable and multisession discs, copying and backup, verification, erasing, disc spanning, and data recovery. It also handles audio CDs, video DVDs, Blu-ray video discs, MP3 discs, audio track extraction, and DVD-Video conversion. Advanced options include command-line use, writing an ISO to multiple recorders at once, and ISO, UDF, and boot settings; listed image formats include ISO, BIN, and CUE. The free edition is for personal use and supports Windows 32-bit, but excludes video conversion, disc spanning and copying, data recovery, and business use. Premium costs $29.95 once, and Professional costs $39.95 once; both are perpetual single-user licenses with one year of free updates. Each has a seven-day trial with the same functionality as its registered version.

Express Burn burns audio, video, and data to CD, DVD, and Blu-ray discs on Windows and macOS. For audio, it can create MP3 or audio CDs and supports WAV, MP3, WMA, OGG, and FLAC. Video functions include DVD and Blu-ray burning, chapter management, and PAL or NTSC output. DVD authoring provides more than 20 menu templates, with the option to add custom images. Data discs can use ISO/Joliet, UDF, or Hybrid formats, and the software can create and burn ISO images. It supports recordable and rewritable media, dual-layer DVD and Blu-ray burning, bootable data discs, and disc copying. Command-line operation is available for automation and integration with other programs. The free edition does not expire, but is limited to non-commercial use and CD burning. Paid annual plans cost $34.99 a year for CD burning, $49.99 a year for CD and DVD recording, or $59.95 a year for all supported disc types. NCH says the audio and video functions are for users' own content and cannot be used to break copy or region protections.