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A free Ashampoo Burning Studio alternative
cdBurner covers the everyday burns Ashampoo charges for — data, ISO and audio — for free, straight from the browser.
A data disc stores your files exactly as they are for any computer to read. cdBurner writes them through Windows' built-in IMAPI2 engine and finalizes the disc by default, so it's readable on other machines — not just the one that burned it.
cdBurner vs Ashampoo Burning Studio
Ashampoo Burning Studio is a paid Windows burning suite that pairs disc writing with video-disc authoring, backup and other extras. cdBurner is a free, browser-based alternative that handles the core burning, imaging and audio-CD work without a paid licence.
| Feature | cdBurner | Ashampoo Burning Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, ad-supported | Paid (a limited free edition has existed) |
| How it runs | In your browser + a tiny one-time Windows burn agent | Desktop application install |
| Burn data CD / DVD / Blu-ray | Yes | Yes |
| ISO / IMG images | Yes (burn and create, sector-for-sector, bootable) | Yes |
| Audio CDs, ripping, verify, multisession, labels | Yes | Yes (plus cover/label designer) |
| Video-DVD / Blu-ray authoring with menus | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows 10/11 only | Windows |
Choose cdBurner for free, no-install disc and image burning. Choose Ashampoo Burning Studio if you want a paid suite with video-disc authoring, backup features and a built-in label designer.
What you'll need
- A Windows 10 or 11 PC with a CD, DVD or Blu-ray writer (internal or external USB).
- A blank disc with room for your files.
- The free cdBurner burn agent — a one-time, 2-second install.
Step by step
Connect the burn agent
Open onlinecdburner.com. The first time, install the tiny one-time helper so the page can reach your drive — after that it just works.
Insert a blank disc and pick your drive
Put a blank disc in your writer and select it. cdBurner shows the disc type and free space.
Add your files
Click Files or Folder and choose your files. A live gauge shows whether it fits.
Set options and burn
Pick a write speed, keep Finalize on for maximum compatibility, then click Burn disc.
Tips for a clean burn
- Leave the default file system on — cdBurner combines ISO 9660, Joliet and UDF so long filenames survive and the disc reads on any PC.
- Turn on Verify after burn for anything important — it reads the disc back and checks every file by SHA-256.
- Space left over? You can add more files later on a multisession disc.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not finalizing, so the disc only reads in the drive that burned it.
- Burning at max speed on poor media — slow down for fewer errors.
- Expecting a data disc of video files to play in a set-top player; that needs a DVD-Video disc.
Why cdBurner is different
cdBurner reinvents disc burning: a clean web app that drives the optical drive on your own machine. Nothing else works this way.
- 100% free — no trial, no watermark, no nag screens.
- Private — files are written locally and never uploaded to a server.
- No bloatware — one small signed helper, not a heavy install.
- Built on Windows' native IMAPI2 engine, so your discs read everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Will the disc read on other computers?
Yes. cdBurner finalizes the disc and uses a universal file system (ISO 9660 + Joliet + UDF), so it reads on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. cdBurner is just a control panel in your browser; your files go straight to the burn agent on your own PC and are written locally. Nothing is uploaded.
Is cdBurner really free?
Yes — completely free and ad-supported. No trial, no watermark and no paid tier.