Utilities · head to head
GParted vs Rufus
The short version
- Each has a real cost: GParted partition operations risk data loss, and a backup before use is not optional advice; Rufus windows only, with no macOS or Linux build
- They diverge on capability: GParted covers Graphical partitioning, Rufus covers Bootable USB creation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GParted and Rufus actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Open source, no licence fee), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Utilities).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in GParted
- Graphical partitioning
- Wide filesystem support
- Live boot image
- Queued operations
Only in Rufus
- Bootable USB creation
- No installation
- Partition scheme control
- Windows install customisation
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
GParted
- Resizing a system partition, booted from the live imagenot Rufus
- Preparing disk layout before installing an operating systemnot Rufus
- Recovering space or repairing partition tables on a failing disknot Rufus
Rufus
- Writing a Linux or Windows installer to a USB sticknot GParted
- Creating live USB media with a persistent partitionnot GParted
- Recovering a machine that will not boot from its internal drivenot GParted
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
GParted
- Partition operations risk data loss, and a backup before use is not optional advice
- Cannot safely modify mounted partitions, so system drives require booting the live image
- Large move and resize operations can take hours and must not be interrupted
- The interface is functional rather than reassuring, which matters for an operation this consequential
Rufus
- Windows only, with no macOS or Linux build
- Single-purpose: it writes drives and does nothing else
- Some of its Windows setup bypass options work around vendor requirements and may not survive future releases
Pricing, plan by plan
GParted
Free- GPartedFree
- Full functionality
- No usage limits
- Community support
Rufus
Free- RufusFree
- Full functionality
- No usage limits
- Community support
Which should you pick?
Choose GParted if
- You need graphical partitioning.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Live USB.
- You also want wide filesystem support.
Choose Rufus if
- You need bootable usb creation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want no installation.
Questions people ask
- Is GParted or Rufus better?
- Neither clearly leads. GParted starts at Free and Rufus at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GParted or Rufus?
- GParted starts at Free and Rufus at Free.
- Does GParted or Rufus run on more platforms?
- GParted runs on Linux, Live USB. Rufus runs on Windows.
- Can I use GParted for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is GParted best used for?
- GParted is most often used for resizing a system partition, booted from the live image, preparing disk layout before installing an operating system, recovering space or repairing partition tables on a failing disk. Of those, resizing a system partition, booted from the live image and preparing disk layout before installing an operating system are not what Rufus is typically brought in for.
- What can GParted do that Rufus cannot?
- GParted covers Graphical partitioning, Wide filesystem support, Live boot image, Queued operations. Rufus covers Bootable USB creation, No installation, Partition scheme control, Windows install customisation.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
GParted: Is GParted free?
Yes, open source under the GPL.
Rufus: Is Rufus free?
Yes, open source under the GPL.
GParted: Can GParted resize my system drive?
Not while it is mounted. Boot the GParted live USB image, which runs independently of the installed system.
Rufus: Does Rufus run on macOS or Linux?
No, it is Windows only. balenaEtcher is the usual cross-platform equivalent.
GParted: Is it safe?
The operations are consequential and interruption during a move or resize can lose data. Back up before using it, every time.
Rufus: Why choose Rufus over the built-in tools?
It is faster than most alternatives and gives explicit control over partition scheme and target system, which matters when a machine will not boot from default media.