balenaEtcher

by Balena · Utilities

Open sourceWindowsMacLinux

Flashes OS images to SD cards and USB drives in three clicks.

Official download from etcher.balena.io (opens in a new tab)

Opens etcher.balena.io, Balena's own site. No mirror, no bundle.

Overview

What is balenaEtcher?

Etcher writes images to SD cards and USB drives and validates the result. It hides system drives to avoid accidental wipes, which makes it popular for Raspberry Pi setups.

Key features

  • Simple three-step flashing
  • Validates after writing
  • Hides system drives
  • Works on all three OSes

Best for

  • Raspberry Pi SD cards
  • Linux live USBs
  • Beginners

Install

How to install balenaEtcher

  1. 1Open the official balenaEtcher download page on etcher.balena.io.
  2. 2Pick the build for your system (Windows, Mac, Linux; check x64, ARM or Apple silicon where offered).
  3. 3Run the installer and read each screen; decline anything you did not ask for.
  4. 4Keep it updated from the app's own updater or your package manager.

Install from the command line

  • Windows · winget

    winget install --id Balena.Etcher -e --source winget

  • Mac · Homebrew

    brew install --cask balenaetcher

Package IDs checked against the public winget, Homebrew and Flathub repositories on 1 Nov 2026. Build a script for several apps.

Safety

Download balenaEtcher safely

  • Check the domain

    The real download lives on etcher.balena.io. Look-alike domains and search ads are the most common trap.

  • Skip mirrors

    Download portals can wrap installers in adware or old versions. You never need them for this app.

  • Verify if you can

    If the publisher lists a checksum, compare it with our in-browser checker before running the file.

  • Watch the installer

    Untick extras, browser changes or trials you did not ask for.

Open the checksum checker

Alternatives

balenaEtcher alternatives

Other utilities apps, closest platform match first.

All utilities

FAQ

balenaEtcher questions

Where can I download balenaEtcher safely?

Download balenaEtcher only from Balena's official site at etcher.balena.io. Avoid mirror and "download portal" sites, which can bundle extra software with the installer.

Is balenaEtcher free?

Yes. balenaEtcher is open-source software and free to use.

Does balenaEtcher work on Windows, Mac and Linux?

balenaEtcher is available for Windows, Mac, Linux. Check Balena's download page for exact system requirements and whether your processor (x64, ARM or Apple silicon) is supported.

Can I install balenaEtcher from the command line?

Yes, with winget on Windows (winget install --id Balena.Etcher -e); Homebrew on Mac (brew install --cask balenaetcher). Package managers fetch the publisher's files and make updates easy.

What are good alternatives to balenaEtcher?

See the alternatives section on this page and the full utilities list on AltFTool, which shows each app's licence and platforms side by side.