Our verdict: dBpoweramp is a long-running favorite for ripping CDs accurately and converting large music libraries between formats. It plugs into Windows Explorer, uses every CPU core and pulls metadata and cover art from several sources. The trial is 21 days, after which you need the $48 Reference license.
About dBpoweramp
dBpoweramp is developed by Illustrate, the company behind AccurateRip, a database that verifies rips against other people's copies of the same CD. The Reference edition combines Music Converter and CD Ripper, works on Windows and macOS, never expires, and includes two years of updates.
The free trial is fully functional for 21 days and needs no account. After the trial the converter and ripper stop working for paid features such as MP3 encoding. After buying, you install the registered version from the link in your receipt rather than unlocking the trial.
What it does well
- Secure CD ripping. Re-reads and verifies tracks against AccurateRip to catch scratches and read errors.
- Format conversion. Converts between MP3, FLAC, AAC, ALAC, Opus, WAV, WMA and many other formats.
- Explorer integration. Right-click files in Windows Explorer to convert them or edit tags.
- PerfectMeta. Combines several metadata providers for accurate tags and high-resolution album art.
- Multi-core encoding. Encodes several files at once using all CPU cores, plus DSP effects like ReplayGain.
Who it is for
Good fit
Music collectors who rip CDs to lossless files and convert big libraries between formats.
Look elsewhere
People who convert a file now and then; free tools such as fre:ac handle simple jobs.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Accurate, verified CD rips
- Fast multi-core conversion
- Excellent metadata and cover art
- No bundled extras in the installer
Cons
- Trial stops paid features after 21 days
- Updates included for two years only
- Registered version must be reinstalled after purchase
How to install dBpoweramp
The button downloads the official Windows trial installer from dbpoweramp.com. It does not bundle other programs. After purchasing, download and install the registered version from your email receipt.
Questions about dBpoweramp
Is dBpoweramp free?
No. It has a fully functional 21-day trial with no account or card. After that, features such as MP3 encoding stop working until you buy dBpoweramp Reference for $48, a one-time license with two years of updates.
Does the license expire?
No. Purchased software never times out and can be reinstalled on new computers. Only the update period is limited to two years, with optional renewal.
Is there a free alternative?
Exact Audio Copy is a free secure CD ripper, and fre:ac is a free open-source audio converter.
