MakeMKV

Disc ripping software in Film, TV & podcasts

Recommended for ripping DVDs and Blu-rays to files, with a long free trial. Caveat: some UHD discs cannot be decrypted.

10 people gave an opinion

Each figure is one person. RecommendsCriticizes

The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works

The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.

Each mark is one comment

Go-to tool for ripping discs
“Unofficially you use MakeMKV and just rip the disc.”
Comment from 14 Feb 2026 in “Babylon 5 Is Now Free to Watch on YouTube”
“you can use MakeMKV to decrypt and rip the discs”
Comment from 10 Apr 2026 in “Netflix Prices Went Up Again – I Bought a DVD Player Instead”
“MakeMKV is where it's at now as far as I know.”
Comment from 1 Jan 2026 in “Demystifying DVDs”
- Comment from 14 Feb 2026 in “Babylon 5 Is Now Free to Watch on YouTube”
- Comment from 27 Jun 2026 in “If You Can't Hold It, You Don't Own It”
Easy once learned, nearly automated
“you can get a real nice nearly-automated workflow for ripping with makemkv”
Comment from 23 Feb 2026 in “Freemediaheckyeah”
“It's easy once you get the hang of makemkv.”
Comment from 10 Apr 2026 in “Netflix Prices Went Up Again – I Bought a DVD Player Instead”

Each mark is one comment

Cannot decrypt some UHD discs
“MakeMKV not being able to decrypt all UHD discs, since some are encrypted with keys that aren't easily available”
Comment from 8 Jun 2026 in “Ripping a DVD, a federal crime in 1999, requires $22 and free software in 2026”

10 of the 12 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.

“MakeMKV has an effectively perpetual free trial right now.”

MixedComment from 9 Oct 2026 in “Ask HN: What do you run on a $5 VPS that's worth keeping online 24/7?”

“MakeMKV hasn't failed me yet.”

RecommendsComment from 9 Oct 2026 in “Ask HN: What do you run on a $5 VPS that's worth keeping online 24/7?”

“rip movies myself using MakeMKV”

RecommendsComment from 27 Jun 2026 in “If You Can't Hold It, You Don't Own It”

“MakeMKV not being able to decrypt all UHD discs, since some are encrypted with keys that aren't easily available”

MixedComment from 8 Jun 2026 in “Ripping a DVD, a federal crime in 1999, requires $22 and free software in 2026”

“you can use MakeMKV to decrypt and rip the discs”

RecommendsComment from 10 Apr 2026 in “Netflix Prices Went Up Again – I Bought a DVD Player Instead”

“It's easy once you get the hang of makemkv.”

RecommendsComment from 10 Apr 2026 in “Netflix Prices Went Up Again – I Bought a DVD Player Instead”

“you can get a real nice nearly-automated workflow for ripping with makemkv”

RecommendsComment from 23 Feb 2026 in “Freemediaheckyeah”

“Use MakeMKV and a blu-ray drive.”

RecommendsComment from 14 Feb 2026 in “Babylon 5 Is Now Free to Watch on YouTube”

“Unofficially you use MakeMKV and just rip the disc.”

RecommendsComment from 14 Feb 2026 in “Babylon 5 Is Now Free to Watch on YouTube”

“MakeMKV is where it's at now as far as I know.”

RecommendsComment from 1 Jan 2026 in “Demystifying DVDs”

Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.