Ventoy

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Score6.9

Rank#8 of 39

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, Windows

Summary

Ventoy is a free, open-source utility for making drives bootable from image files. After installation, users can copy ISO, WIM, IMG, VHD(x), or EFI files to a drive and select one from a boot menu without extracting it. The listed operating system coverage includes Windows, WinPE, Linux, ChromeOS, Unix, VMware, and Xen. Ventoy supports x86 Legacy BIOS and IA32, x86_64, ARM64, and MIPS64EL UEFI, as well as MBR and GPT partition styles. The main partition can use FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, UDF, XFS, Btrfs, or Ext2/3/4. Other listed features include Linux persistence, automated Windows and Linux installation, password protection, themes, and a plugin framework with a GUI configurator. It can be installed on USB drives, local disks, SSDs, NVMe drives, and SD cards. Setup guides cover Windows and Linux GUI and command-line modes. Secure Boot is supported, though it may not work on every machine; a standard installation formats the USB drive and erases its data. The project advises checking the download's SHA-256 hash.

Who it is for

Ventoy suits users who need a drive to boot multiple image files or install operating systems. Its listed Windows and Linux management modes serve users comfortable with either a GUI or command line.

What is good

Boots several image file types directly.
Supports MBR and GPT partition styles.
Offers Linux persistence and automated installation features.
Can be installed on USB, SSD, NVMe, and SD media.
Free and open source.

What to know first

Standard installation erases USB drive data.
Secure Boot may not work on every machine.
Tested images may still fail on differing firmware.

Verdict

Ventoy provides a broad set of boot-media and system-image options in a free utility. Before installing, account for the drive format and check whether Secure Boot works with your machine.

Ventoy plans and pricing

All plans

Ventoy Free Open source bootable USB utility ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026

Compared on bootable USB software

Free plan: Yesventoy.net
Windows app: Yesventoy.net
macOS app: Noventoy.net
Linux app: Yesventoy.net
Multiboot support: Yesventoy.net
Persistent storage: Yesventoy.net
Image downloads: local_onlyventoy.net
Partition schemes: bothventoy.net

Facts

Purpose: Ventoy creates bootable USB drives that can boot ISO, WIM, IMG, VHD(x), and EFI files directly.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026
Use: After installing Ventoy, users can copy image files to the drive and select them from a boot menu without extracting them.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026
Supported systems: The site says Ventoy supports most operating system types, including Windows, WinPE, Linux, ChromeOS, Unix, VMware, and Xen.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026
Firmware: Ventoy lists support for x86 Legacy BIOS and IA32, x86_64, ARM64, and MIPS64EL UEFI.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026
Disk formats: Ventoy supports MBR and GPT partition styles and lists FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, UDF, XFS, Btrfs, and Ext2/3/4 for the main partition.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026
Features: The feature list includes Linux persistence, Windows and Linux auto installation, password protection, themes, and a plugin framework with a GUI configurator.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026
Hardware: Ventoy can be installed on USB drives, local disks, SSDs, NVMe drives, and SD cards.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026
License: Ventoy describes itself as 100% open source and says its own developed code follows GPLv3+ while other components follow their respective project licenses.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026
Secure Boot: Ventoy supports UEFI Secure Boot, but its documented default policy allows EFI files to boot without checks; users can configure a policy through the Global Control Plugin.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026
Secure Boot caveat: Some computers require enabling the Microsoft 3rd Party UEFI CA setting, and the site says Secure Boot may not work on every machine.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026
Supported management platforms: The setup guide documents Windows GUI and command-line modes plus Linux GUI and command-line modes.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026
Download integrity: The download page asks users to check the SHA-256 hash and links to SourceForge because the Ventoy site is underprovisioned for downloads.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026
Installation limit: A standard installation formats the USB drive and erases its data; the guide says updates leave files in the first partition unchanged.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026
Compatibility caveat: Ventoy says tested images may not work on every machine because firmware differs among vendors and may contain bugs.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026
Support: The site directs users to its forums or the maintainer’s email for general issues and problem reports.ventoy.net · 29 Sept 2026