Utilities · head to head
Rufus vs GParted
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Rufus windows only, with no macOS or Linux build; GParted partition operations risk data loss, and a backup before use is not optional advice
- They diverge on capability: Rufus covers Bootable USB creation, GParted covers Graphical partitioning.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Rufus and GParted 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 Rufus
- Bootable USB creation
- No installation
- Partition scheme control
- Windows install customisation
Only in GParted
- Graphical partitioning
- Wide filesystem support
- Live boot image
- Queued operations
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
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
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
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Rufus
Free- RufusFree
- Full functionality
- No usage limits
- Community support
GParted
Free- GPartedFree
- Full functionality
- No usage limits
- Community support
Which should you pick?
Choose Rufus if
- You need bootable usb creation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want no installation.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Rufus or GParted better?
- Neither clearly leads. Rufus starts at Free and GParted at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Rufus or GParted?
- Rufus starts at Free and GParted at Free.
- Does Rufus or GParted run on more platforms?
- Rufus runs on Windows. GParted runs on Linux, Live USB.
- Can I use Rufus for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Rufus best used for?
- Rufus is most often used for writing a linux or windows installer to a usb stick, creating live usb media with a persistent partition, recovering a machine that will not boot from its internal drive. Of those, writing a linux or windows installer to a usb stick and creating live usb media with a persistent partition are not what GParted is typically brought in for.
- What can Rufus do that GParted cannot?
- Rufus covers Bootable USB creation, No installation, Partition scheme control, Windows install customisation. GParted covers Graphical partitioning, Wide filesystem support, Live boot image, Queued operations.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Rufus: Is Rufus free?
Yes, open source under the GPL.
GParted: Is GParted free?
Yes, open source under the GPL.
Rufus: Does Rufus run on macOS or Linux?
No, it is Windows only. balenaEtcher is the usual cross-platform equivalent.
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: 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.
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.