MakeMKV for Mac

Product summary

MakeMKV is a desktop utility that converts DVDs and Blu-ray discs into MKV-format files with minimal effort. It presents the disc’s contents as selectable titles or clips, so you can choose exactly which tracks to extract—audio, video, or subtitles—without complicated settings. The application displays useful metadata for each track (file type, file size, duration, codec, and language), helping you decide what to rip.

How the ripping process works

After inserting a disc, MakeMKV scans and lists all available titles. You pick the items you want to save, and the program writes them into MKV containers. Because MakeMKV typically avoids re-encoding the video, the output retains the original quality and the process is mostly limited by your optical drive and storage speed rather than intensive CPU work.

Notable benefits

• Streaming support for the files you create, allowing you to play content across your network immediately.
• Detailed track readouts (format, size, runtime, codec, and spoken/written languages) to guide selection.
• Ability to bypass many common disc copy protections so you can extract content that would otherwise be blocked.
• Conversion speed varies with the optical drive’s read rate and the output fidelity you choose.

Other options to consider

• VLC media player — Free: a versatile player that can also play many disc images and stream content across devices.
• HandBrake — Open source: a popular choice for converting and compressing video, useful if you want to transcode files into different formats.
• DVDFab — Paid: a full-featured suite offering ripping, conversion, and additional editing tools for users who want more control.

Performance and usability notes

Conversion time depends mainly on your disc drive and chosen output settings. Since MakeMKV often copies tracks without re-encoding them, it can be faster than tools that transcode video. The built-in streaming feature makes ripped MKVs readily accessible on other devices, and you can also use media players like VLC to play or stream the resulting files.