FireStarter FX for Mac

Used FireStarter FX for Mac?

FireStarter FX Analysis

AI Assisted Content · June 11, 2026

Not written by CNET Staff.

FireStarter FX is a free utility program designed specifically for Mac users, providing a variety of tools aimed at enhancing system performance and improving overall user experience. As a part of the Developer Tools category, this application offers functionalities that simplify numerous tasks, making it a beneficial addition to any Mac setup. The intuitive interface allows for easy navigation, thus enabling efficient management of system resources without unnecessary complexity.

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iBackup Extractor

Trial version

This program is particularly advantageous for users seeking to optimize their Mac's performance. It includes features that facilitate the monitoring and adjustment of system settings, allowing for a tailored user experience. FireStarter FX is designed with user-friendliness in mind, catering to both beginners and seasoned users alike. Its free license makes it an accessible solution for anyone looking to enhance their Mac's functionality.

FireStarter FX for Mac

Used FireStarter FX for Mac?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: March 25, 2008

Latest update: June 11, 2026

Version: 1.0

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Mac

Operating System: Mac OS X

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 11,960

Downloads Last Week: 1

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Last Updated

User Reviews

3.4/5

25 User Votes

Great li'l CD burner
garadenMay 27, 2010
Pros
It burns ISOs and has a lot of customization options for speed, cache, etc. This is the only application I use for burning Linux LiveCDs and things like that.
Cons
Looks like development's dried up. Don't expect an update this side of forever.
Summary
Very Good burning sofware
shazam0002March 15, 2009
Pros
Does all the other programs do and better and faster IMHO
Cons
Interface not very mac-like .
Summary
Works well for me
pfmooseJanuary 4, 2007
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />This app just saved my life. Well not literally, but it was really helpful. Roxio's Toast wouldn't burn .cue/.bin files porperly, it would give me an error every single time so I was basically just wasting my CDs. I erased Toast and tried burning it manually...didn't really work. Then I found another app, LiquidCD, which is free and is great, but it just wouldn't burn cue/bin files larger than 700MB, then I got another similar program that had the exact same problem. Then I stumbled upon this beauty right here and I can now successfully, freely burn my cue/bin files without wasting all my media. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that this program worked for me, it did and still does what I need it for, and it's probably the best cue/bin-burning app that there is, even better than Roxio's Toast, because it doesn't coast a cent and you don't get all those strange errors. So get it! It's nice! -p.f.m. aka Moose
Works Great
ctbiggsNovember 23, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />It works just fine for me. I'm using it to burn cue/bin files on a Quicksilver G4/867 with a combo drive.
Preparing...
quarterwitNovember 4, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br /> Says "Preparing...", then stops dead. Useless.
Does not work on my iBook or Powerbook
DougMobyAugust 25, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />This is an essential application. I use it to back up my CD collection. While Roxio Toast can also be used for this purpose, only Firestarter has 'paranoia' mode, which enables scratched CDs (within reason) to be copied correctly where Toast has failed. I used it extensively with my G4 desktop (with Lite-On 52x CD-RW). The huge bummer about this program (1.08b and 1.09b) is that it does not work on either my iBook G4 1.33 or my Powerbook G3. It starts to read the CD but then just stops, even for clean CDs. I tried both kinds of drivers (mmx and mmx-raw) to no avail. X-CD-Roast works, but is more cumbersome. I greatly prefer Firestarter. It's free, so I can't complain too much, but I would love it if the developers could get it to work with iBooks too. In short, I highly recommend this program, especially for backing up scratched CDs -- if you can get it to run on your machine.
BACKUP YOUR SYSTEM BEFORE YOU USE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
murray451March 4, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Firestarter FX installed ok. On my first attempt at a burn at 28% complete the cd started to spin up at top speed and make a cranking sound. I remember a steam engine at a fair once break a crank shaft; it was a similar sound. The iBook then crashed and wouldn't reboot. I have the internal disk partitioned into two with OS 9 on one and OS-X on the other. Neither would boot the machine but fortunatley an install cd would. I have had to rebuild both disks and re-install from backup. The system is now, thankfully, back to full working order...., without Firestarer FX Oh well, I was due for a clean install anyway....,
Useless
StormchildFebruary 19, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Does not work at all with Sony CRX1600L (aka CRX-160E). This app is just a front-end for cdrdao, so I set it up with the appropriate driver as specified in the cdrdao Sourceforge pages. Couldn't get it to work with any combination of settings. Totally useless.
Great software but...
f1gwrJanuary 14, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />... would be better to allow later expiration date. Which is today for this version. Yesterday, tried to use it. Already expired...
No Luck...
NYTrashDecember 15, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Well, I downloaded it, tried every possible driver configuration with overburn on and off, with no luck. Don't know what else to try... I'm running a stock G5 with a stock internal DVD/CDR. If this doesn't work, how can they call this a Mac app? Any help or documentation would be useful.

Developer’s Description

By Project : Omega

CD burning app with cue/bin, iso, overburning...

FireStarter is a pure Cocoa, Mac OS X only, burning application
It allows you to easily back-up CDs that Apple's Disc-Copy cannot copy
It allows you to back-up as easily CDs that even Roxio Toast cannot copy
It makes brings for the first time on Mac OS X the burning of cue/bin disk-images from the PC world
It brings for the first time overburning available to Mac OS X
You can easily burn complex CD formats such as VCDs and SVCDs
Because you don't want to compromise on quality, FireStarter FX sports all the features you want to see in a commercial grade burning application:
Simulation
Customizable RAM cache
High speed burning
Buffer under-run technology to prevent wasting your media
Multi-session burning
Paranoia audio-cd ripping, for best error protection copy
CDDB access to automatically create CD-TEXT data
CD-TEXT reading and writing with drives that support it
and many more powerfull features