mkpsxiso vs SysTools ISO Creator

mkpsxiso builds PlayStation CD images from an XML document, with output in .bin/.cue or .iso formats for emulators or CD burning. File order in the XML sets LBA placement, which the project says can support access-time optimization. The builder handles mixed-mode CD-XA content, including XA audio and STR video, and CDDA tracks sourced from WAV, FLAC, PCM, or MP3 files. Its related tool, dumpsxiso, extracts PlayStation disc images and can generate compatible XML. It supports 2352-sector images and CUE files, and can extract tracks, license data, and raw sectors. Generated XML follows strict LBA order and preserves timestamps and XA attributes. The project targets homebrew development, ROM hacking, and reverse engineering. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and is GPL-2.0 licensed. Documentation covers command-line use, XML structure, track types, ordering, errors, and validation. Users supply their own Sony license data for injection. On ext4 and xfs, absent XML dates prevent 1:1 rebuilding for certain older files; Windows also has a documented directory-browsing issue with some nested structures.

SysTools ISO Creator creates and edits ISO files from local files and folders on Windows and macOS. It supports ISO 9660, UDF, and Rock Ridge formats, and can make bootable images from system files or installation folders that contain the necessary files. When building an ISO, it preserves folder structure, file names, and paths. The software is described as offline: it does not require an internet connection or upload data to a cloud or server. A real-time ViewLog record tracks activity and can produce a report of actions. The free version limits handling large ISO files and saving edited or bootable ISOs. The Full Version costs 29.00 USD once and removes those limits. Windows needs 100 MB of disk space, 4 GB RAM, and .NET Framework 4.5 or above; the product page says to run it as administrator on Windows 10 and 11. The Mac version needs 200 MB of disk space and 4 GB RAM, supports Intel and Apple Silicon M1, and requires the system region to be United States and the language to be English. Disc burning is not supported.