Ashampoo Burning Studio Free

Ashampoo Burning Studio Free is a no-nonsense performer that not only burns data, music, and video discs but also copies and rips discs, backs up and restores data, creates disc images, and erases rewritable discs. New features in version 1.14.5 include more powerful tools, multidisc file backup and restore, an integrated Audio CD ripper that creates high-quality WMA or WAV files, and verification without ejecting the disc in supported drives.

Pros

Startup splash screen: New software shouldn't leave you guessing, and Burning Studio Free's splash screen helped us learn about, recommend, and register the product (registration is free).

Clean and plain: Burning Studio Free's plain Explorer-style layouts are a refreshing change from disc tools that pretend to be a recording studio console, and the program's menu lists its features in plain language: Burn Data, Backup & Restore, Music, Movie, and so on.

Backup: Burning Studio Free can create and restore compressed, password-protected archives of your discs and data. It also creates and burns disc images from data files and stores file backups on CD, DVD, or Blu-ray discs -- or to your hard drive, USB drive, or other storage device.

Cons

Not a full backup: Don't get us wrong; Burning Studio Free's backup feature is most welcome, but it's not a replacement for a solution that can back up and restore your entire system or discs when (not if) catastrophe strikes.

Bottom Line

Ashampoo's products have often impressed us with their performance -- not flashy style. Burning Studio Free certainly reinforces the impression.