Express Burn vs InfraRecorder

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.

InfraRecorder is free CD/DVD burning software for Microsoft Windows. It creates data, audio, and mixed-mode projects and writes them to physical discs or disc images, including ISO and BIN/CUE formats. Disc copies can be made directly or through a temporary image. The program blanks rewritable discs using four methods, supports dual-layer DVDs, and can import multisession data before adding more sessions. Audio and data tracks can be saved as WAV, WMA, OGG, MP3, or ISO files. A Windows Explorer shell extension adds context-menu commands for recording images or saved projects and opening or editing them. Documentation describes a customizable Explorer-like interface, drag-and-drop project handling, and a separate Express application. UDF support remains in alpha, so InfraRecorder cannot create UDF-only filesystems. The project is licensed under GPL version 3, while its graphics are outside that license. SourceForge lists the project as Beta, and the files page lists ir053.exe, 4.2 MB, as the latest version. The listed audience is End Users/Desktop.