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CUERipper
What it is
CUERipper extracts audio from CDs and is included in the CUETools package. It is an open-source alternative to EAC, with choices to save a disc as one image or as separate tracks in lossy or lossless formats. Supported formats include WAV, FLAC, APE, lossyWAV, ALAC, TTA, and WavPack. For disc metadata it can search MusicBrainz, Discogs, and freeDB; AccurateRip and CTDB provide disc-checking support. Burst, Secure, and Paranoid modes offer increasing retry counts when reads differ or the drive reports C2 errors. Test & Copy checks tracks before extraction and adds CRC values to an EAC-style log. Other options include M3U playlists, track-index detection, album-art search, and saving hidden track one audio separately. The download is an archive that can be unpacked without setup. Portable use is available by removing a profile file. Windows requires Microsoft .NET Framework 4.x, and external encoder programs must be obtained separately. CUERipper is free.
For and against
For
- Supports lossy and lossless output formats.
- Offers AccurateRip and CTDB support.
- Test & Copy checks tracks before extraction.
- Can preserve hidden track one audio separately.
Against
- Windows requires Microsoft .NET Framework 4.x.
- External encoder executables are not included.
- Linux and Windows are the listed platforms.
The verdict
CUERipper combines CD extraction with metadata lookup, verification, and several retry modes. Windows users should note the .NET prerequisite and that encoder programs must be downloaded separately.
Who it suits
CUERipper suits people who want to extract CD audio with control over output format, track layout, and read-error retries. It also fits users who want metadata lookup and verification options.
Plans and prices
CUERipper
Included in the CUETools package · Windows download
Read 3 Oct 2026 · cue.tools
On the record
- Album art
- Album art search can be disabled, limited to the selected metadata, or expanded to CDTOC-associated art and fuzzy search.cue.tools · read 2 Oct 2026
- Cover art
- CUERipper can search for album art, embed it when the output format permits, and choose thumbnail or full-size image searches.cue.tools · read 3 Oct 2026
- Disc databases
- It supports MusicBrainz and freeDB metadata databases, plus AccurateRip and CTDB.cue.tools · read 2 Oct 2026
- Ease of use
- The maker says it has fewer configuration options than EAC and is somewhat easier to use.cue.tools · read 3 Oct 2026
- External encoders
- External encoder executables are not included and must be downloaded separately by the user.cue.tools · read 2 Oct 2026
- Extraction modes
- It can rip to a single image or to separate track files, with selectable lossless or lossy output.cue.tools · read 3 Oct 2026
- Extraction output
- Users can choose lossy or lossless output and extract a disc as one image or as separate track files.cue.tools · read 2 Oct 2026
- Gap and hidden audio
- Options include detecting track indexes and preserving Hidden Track One Audio from the first track pregap.cue.tools · read 3 Oct 2026
- Included software
- CUERipper is included in the CUETools package.cue.tools · read 2 Oct 2026
- Known issues
- The maker says known issues are tracked on GitHub and the Hydrogenaudio forum.cue.tools · read 2 Oct 2026
- Known issues and support
- The maker directs users to GitHub and the Hydrogenaudio forum for known issues and discussion.cue.tools · read 3 Oct 2026
- Logs and playlists
- Options include EAC-style extraction logs and creation of M3U playlists.cue.tools · read 2 Oct 2026
- Metadata and verification
- It supports MusicBrainz and freeDB metadata, plus AccurateRip and CTDB.cue.tools · read 3 Oct 2026
- Metadata search
- Metadata search can use MusicBrainz, Discogs and freeDB, with Fast, Default and Extensive search modes.cue.tools · read 2 Oct 2026
- Optional codec dependency
- Using the FFmpeg plugin requires additional DLL files to be copied into its x64 or win32 plugin directory.cue.tools · read 3 Oct 2026
- Paranoid extraction
- Paranoid mode retries sections up to 61 more times when read results differ or the drive reports C2 errors.cue.tools · read 2 Oct 2026
- Platform and prerequisites
- The download page provides a Windows release and lists Microsoft .NET Framework 4.x as a prerequisite; it also notes that Windows 8, 10 or 11 should include it.cue.tools · read 2 Oct 2026
- Platform requirement
- The download page lists Microsoft .NET Framework 4.x as a prerequisite and says it should be preinstalled on Windows 8, 10, or 11.cue.tools · read 3 Oct 2026
