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USBImager
What it is
USBImager writes disk images to USB drives and creates backups on Linux, macOS and Windows. It reads raw images, compressed files such as .gz, .bz2, .xz and .zst, and archives including .zip, .tar, .cpio and .pax. After writing, users can compare the drive contents with the source image to check the result. Backups can be saved as raw data or in ZStandard compressed format, and images can be sent to microcontrollers over a serial line.
The maker describes USBImager as a free, open-source utility for people who may be uncomfortable with command-line tools. Its native interface is minimalist and available in 18 languages. The maker says the app tries to avoid overwriting the system disk and uses synchronized writes, so data is on disk when the progress bar reaches 100%. Downloads are listed for Windows, macOS, Ubuntu LTS, Raspberry Pi OS, Arch/Manjaro and Linux PC. The archive includes desktop integration files such as icons, though the executable can also be used by itself. The README notes that xz dictionaries larger than 1 gigabyte are unsupported.
For and against
For
- Reads raw images, compressed files and several archive formats
- Can verify writes by comparing drive contents with an image
- Creates raw or ZStandard-compressed backups
- Available for Linux, macOS and Windows
- Free and open source under the MIT license
Against
- Does not support xz dictionaries larger than 1 gigabyte
- The maker directs problem reports to the GitLab issue tracker
The verdict
USBImager covers image writing, verification and backups in a free desktop utility for three operating systems. Users working with xz files should note its dictionary-size limit.
Who it suits
USBImager suits people who want to write disk images or make backups without relying on command-line tools. It is available across Linux, macOS and Windows.
Plans and prices
Free
Open-source desktop utility · no paid tiers stated
Read 15 Oct 2026 · bztsrc.gitlab.io
On the record
- Archive input
- Archive input includes ZIP and ZIP64, ZZZip, TAR, CPIO, and PAX, with the first archive file used when multiple files exist.gitlab.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The maker says the app is intended for non-expert users who may be uncomfortable with the command line.gitlab.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Backup creation
- It can read a removable device into a raw DD image or a zstd-compressed backup.bztsrc.gitlab.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Backups
- It can create backups in raw or ZStandard compressed format.bztsrc.gitlab.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Build process
- Developers can compile on Windows with MinGW, on macOS with Apple command-line tools, and on Linux with libc, libX11, and the GNU toolchain.gitlab.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Compressed input
- Compressed images can be read on the fly from gzip, bzip2, xz, and zstd files.bztsrc.gitlab.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Compression limitation
- XZ dictionaries larger than 1 GB are unsupported, while the default supported dictionary size is 64 MB.gitlab.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Desktop integration
- The archive's additional files provide desktop integration such as icons; the executable can also be used by itself.bztsrc.gitlab.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Developer identity
- The associated GitHub account identifies the developer as Zoltan Baldaszti under the username bztsrc.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Device safety
- The interface filters out the system disk by default and provides separate flags to list all devices or force writing.gitlab.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Distribution through Homebrew
- Homebrew lists USBImager cask version 1.0.10 for Intel and Apple Silicon macOS, although the cask is marked disabled.formulae.brew.sh · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The repository supplies a manual PDF, README installation and usage instructions, command-line flag reference, compilation guidance, and an issue tracker.gitlab.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The maker's repository lists builds for Windows, macOS, Ubuntu LTS, Raspberry Pi OS, Arch/Manjaro and Linux PC.gitlab.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- The source is separated into stream, disk, user-interface, and language layers, and supports debug builds and test-device compilation switches.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Image formats
- The program reads raw image formats including IMG, BIN, RAW, ISO, and DD.bztsrc.gitlab.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Interface and languages
- It provides a minimalist native interface and is available in 18 languages.bztsrc.gitlab.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Languages
- The application includes dictionaries for 18 languages and detects the operating system language automatically.bztsrc.gitlab.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- The project is open source under the MIT license, whose text permits use, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale with the notice retained.gitlab.com · read 15 Oct 2026
