RufusMac

Free plan Mac

What RufusMac is

RufusMac is a free, GPLv3 open-source macOS app for creating bootable USB installers for Windows, Linux and other systems. It writes ISO, IMG and DMG images and detects Windows or Linux automatically. Windows 11 options can bypass TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, RAM and CPU checks, along with the online-account requirement. A built-in catalog links to official downloads for Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Mint, Arch, Kali, Tails and Windows. RufusMac verifies images before writing and the drive afterward with SHA-256 checksums. It lists only external physical removable disks, previews commands and requires confirmation before writing; writing erases the selected drive. The rmctl command-line companion can list drives, preview pipelines, browse the catalog and verify checksums. Multiboot and Linux persistence are experimental. It requires macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later on Apple silicon.

Who it suits

It suits Apple silicon Mac users who need bootable Windows or Linux USB media. It is also relevant to users wanting checksum checks, catalog downloads or command-line controls.

What it does well

Free GPLv3 open-source app
Writes ISO, IMG and DMG images
SHA-256 verification before and after writing
Built-in catalog of official downloads
Shows commands before destructive writes

What to know first

Requires macOS 26 or later
Apple silicon required
Unsigned v0.1 preview
Writing erases USB contents

Limits

RufusMac requires macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later on Apple silicon. Multiboot and Linux persistence are experimental and require validation on real hardware; writing erases the selected USB drive.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
RufusMac	GPLv3 open-source macOS app	Free

As github.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the RufusMac GitHub repository.
Check that the Mac runs macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later on Apple silicon.
Follow the repository's installation instructions, accounting for the first-launch Gatekeeper prompt.
Select an image or browse the built-in ISO catalog.
Choose an external physical removable drive, review the write commands, and confirm only after checking the device.

Verdict

RufusMac combines image writing, Windows 11 bypass options, verification and safety prompts in a macOS utility. Experimental multiboot features, an unsigned preview status and strict system requirements make validation important before relying on created media.

Questions

How much does RufusMac cost?

The listed plan is free. RufusMac is open source under GPLv3.

Which Macs can run RufusMac?

It requires macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later on Apple silicon.

Which image formats can it write?

It can write ISO, IMG, and DMG images, with Windows or Linux detected automatically.

Can it bypass Windows 11 requirements?

Its Windows 11 options can bypass TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, RAM and CPU checks, and the online-account requirement.

Is multiboot available?

Ventoy-style multiboot and Linux persistence are listed as experimental and need real-hardware validation.

Who makes RufusMac?

The repository credits Harith Dilshan as developer and identifies GPLv3 as the license.

Facts from RufusMac's own pages

Checksums: The app can verify an image before writing and the drive afterward using SHA-256. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Checksum verification: It can verify an image before writing and the drive afterward using SHA-256 checksums. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
CLI: The rmctl command-line companion can list drives, preview command pipelines, browse the ISO catalog, and verify checksums. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Data loss limit: Writing to a USB drive erases its contents, and the project advises checking the selected device. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Download status: The repository’s Releases page states that there are no releases available. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Image formats: It can write ISO, IMG, and DMG images, with Windows or Linux detected automatically. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
ISO catalog: The built-in catalog links to official downloads including Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Mint, Arch, Kali, Tails, and Windows. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
License: RufusMac is distributed under GPLv3. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
License and maker: The repository identifies the license as GPLv3 and credits Harith Dilshan as developer. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Linux persistence: Linux persistence is listed as a feature, with real-hardware validation still needed. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Maturity: The README describes it as a functional v0.1 preview and recommends testing bootable media on target hardware before relying on it. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Multiboot: Experimental Ventoy-style multiboot lets users put multiple ISOs on a drive and choose one from a boot menu. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Multiboot and persistence: Ventoy-style multiboot and Linux persistence are listed as experimental features requiring real-hardware validation. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Privilege handling: Privileged work runs through a single macOS administrator prompt, and a dry-run mode prints the plan without executing it. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: RufusMac is a native macOS app for creating bootable Windows, Linux, and other USB installers. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Requirements: RufusMac requires macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later on Apple silicon. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Safety: The project says it lists only external, physical, removable disks and shows exact commands with explicit confirmation before writing. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Safety controls: The app lists only external physical removable disks, previews write commands, and requires explicit confirmation before writing. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
System requirements: RufusMac requires macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later on Apple silicon. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Unsigned app: The installation instructions say the open-source app is unsigned and Gatekeeper prompts on first launch. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Windows 11: Its built-in Windows 11 bypass can skip TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, RAM and CPU checks, and the online-account requirement. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Windows 11 bypass: Its Windows 11 options can bypass TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, RAM and CPU checks, and the online-account requirement. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026

Where RufusMac stands on Freedom251

Bootable USB Software#20 of 38