Side by side
WinDiskWriter vs YUMI
Both stand on bootable usb software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Mac
WinDiskWriter combines broad Windows image support with boot-mode options and Windows 11 installer patching. Check its ESD, Mac hardware, and account-setup limits before using it.
Visit WinDiskWriter
Free plan LinuxWindows
YUMI offers a free way to build a multiboot USB drive, with persistence for supported Linux distributions. Back up the drive before preparing it, and restrict LAN Share to networks you trust.
Visit YUMIThe facts
| WinDiskWriter | YUMI | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Mac | Linux, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Free or on request |
| Plans published | None | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | github.com | yumiusb.com |
| On bootable usb software | #32 of 38 | #28 of 38 |
WinDiskWriter: what it does well
- Free macOS application
- Supports Windows 11 through Vista images
- UEFI and Legacy BIOS boot modes
- Automatically splits large install.wim files
- Runs on Intel and Apple silicon Macs
What to know first
- Cannot split install.esd images
- 32-bit Macs are unsupported
- macOS Lion 10.7 is marked “Not Yet”
- Windows 11 account bypass is not implemented
YUMI: what it does well
- Supports UEFI and legacy BIOS systems.
- Supported Linux distributions can retain data across reboots.
- ISO files can be changed without reformatting the drive.
- YUMI Py includes QEMU and VirtualBox testing options.
- YUMI is free; YUMI exFAT is described as open source.
What to know first
- Preparing a drive can erase its existing data.
- LAN Share has no login or access code.
- YUMI Py requires administrator or root privileges.
- YUMI Py requires an exFAT-capable USB drive.
Alternatives to WinDiskWriter Alternatives to YUMI The whole list