BraseroLinux
vs
Windows DVD MakerWindows
Brasero as a Linux alternative to Windows DVD Maker
Updated
Our verdict
Brasero is not a good replacement for Windows DVD Maker if you need to create video DVDs with menus, background music, or title overlays. It lacks video transcoding, DVD-Video structure creation, and any timeline-based editing. However, for users who only need to burn data DVDs containing video files for playback on computers or media players, Brasero works fine. It’s suitable for basic disc burning but won’t generate standard DVD-Video discs playable in set-top players. Not recommended for former Windows DVD Maker users wanting similar functionality.
- License
- GPL-2.0-or-later
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 3.12.4 (September 28, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both can burn DVDs
- Support drag-and-drop file organization
- Handle common file types like MP4 and JPG
- Can create ISO images
- Designed for simplicity and ease of use
What is different
- Brasero cannot create DVD-Video with menus or chapters
- No support for video transcoding or timeline editing
- No background music or narration features
- Lacks title overlays and transitions
- Focuses on data/audio burning, not video DVDs
Opening your Windows DVD Maker files
Brasero does not support importing or opening project files created by Windows DVD Maker, and cannot generate compatible DVD-Video file structures. While it can burn MP4, AVI, and JPG files to disc as data, these will not play as standard DVDs in most standalone players. There is no built-in conversion to DVD-Video format (VOB, IFO, BUP). Users must manually convert videos using external tools if targeting broad DVD player compatibility.
Switching from Windows DVD Maker to Brasero, step by step
- Install Brasero via your distribution’s package manager
- Prepare video files in a compatible format
- Use a separate tool like DVDStyler to create DVD-Video structure with menus
- Burn the resulting VIDEO_TS folder with Brasero as a data disc
- Or use Brasero to burn ISO images generated by other tools
- Test discs on target DVD players for compatibility
Key features of Brasero
- Burn data CDs and DVDs
- Create audio CDs
- Copy existing CDs and DVDs
- Support for CD-TEXT
- Multisession disc support
- Joliet extension support
- Drag-and-drop file burning
- Integration with GNOME desktop
How to install Brasero on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.gnome.Braserosudo apt install braserosudo apt install braserosudo dnf install braserosudo pacman -S braserosudo zypper install braseroFrequently asked questions
Can Brasero create a playable video DVD from MP4 files?
No, Brasero cannot convert MP4 files into DVD-Video format or create a playable DVD structure. You need a dedicated video DVD authoring tool for that.
Is there a Linux alternative that does what Windows DVD Maker did?
DVDStyler and DeVeDe are closer matches, offering DVD menu creation and video conversion, though setup may require more effort than the original Windows tool.
Why use Brasero at all for video?
Brasero is useful for burning video files as data to DVD, especially when the target device reads data discs. It’s not for creating standard DVD-Video discs.
3 other alternatives to Windows DVD Maker
KdenliveKdenlive is a free, feature‑rich non‑linear video editor built on the MLT framework.Open sourceFreeFlatpakKdenlive vs Windows DVD MakerDVDStylerDVDStyler is an open-source DVD authoring tool for creating video DVDs with menus and chapters.Open sourceFreeDVDStyler vs Windows DVD MakerDeVeDeDeVeDe creates playable video DVDs from video files, suitable for burning to disc and playing on standard DVD…Open sourceFreeDeVeDe vs Windows DVD Maker