Microsoft quietly stopped supporting Windows Media Player's album info retrieval feature, leaving millions of users scrambling for alternatives. If you've opened WMP recently only to find blank metadata and missing album art, you're not alone. This change affects anyone trying to build or maintain a digital music library—and finding the right CD ripper matters more than ever.
Here's a practical comparison of the three most reliable options available in 2026, based on real user experiences from audiophile communities.
Quick Comparison
Nero CD Ripper | Exact Audio Copy | dBpoweramp | |
|---|---|---|---|
Price | €1.99/month • €7.99/year • €29.99 lifetime | Free | $40 (one-time) |
Platform | Windows | Windows | Windows & Mac |
Metadata Source | Gracenote (Digital Fingerprinting) | freedb/GD3 | MusicBrainz, Discogs, Gracenote |
Batch Processing | Yes | No | Yes |
Learning Curve | Easy | Steep | Moderate |
Metadata Accuracy | ★★★★★ (Gracenote) | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Best For | WMP switchers, best overall | Audiophiles, damaged discs | Large collections, efficiency |
Exact Audio Copy (EAC)
EAC has been the audiophile's choice for over 20 years. It bypasses Windows' generic CD drivers and talks directly to your optical drive, allowing precise control over read settings, offset correction, and multiple re-reads of problematic sectors.、
What makes it special:
Unmatched accuracy: Uses secure mode with multiple sector reads until data matches consistently
Detailed logging: Generates proof of rip accuracy with checksum verification—essential for file sharing communities
Handles damaged discs: Can rescue audio from scratched CDs that other software fails on
Free forever: No payment required for personal use
Offset correction: Calibrates to your specific drive for bit-perfect extraction
Real user experience:
"For critical archiving and library CDs in less than pristine condition, EAC is essential. Just know there's a learning curve in using it. Also if you do file sharing, the sharing sites insist on EAC ripping with perfect generated log files." — u/SPARKY358gaming, Reddit r/audiophile
The downsides:
Steep learning curve: Initial setup requires drive configuration and understanding of offset calibration
Slow: Rips typically run at 4-6x speed; damaged discs can take over an hour per track
Basic metadata: Album art and tagging require manual effort or additional configuration
Windows only: No Mac version available
No batch processing: One CD at a time
Best for: Audiophiles who prioritize extraction accuracy above all else, users working with damaged or older CDs, anyone who needs documented proof of rip integrity, and file sharing community members who must provide EAC log files.
dBpoweramp
Created by the same developer who invented the AccurateRip database technology, dBpoweramp combines accuracy with workflow efficiency. The Library of Congress reportedly uses this tool for their digital audio archiving projects.
What makes it special:
AccurateRip integration: Verifies every rip against a global database of millions of rips—dBpoweramp actually invented this technology
Smart metadata: Automatically compares data from MusicBrainz, Discogs, and Gracenote to select the most accurate information
Batch processing: Queue multiple CDs and rip across multiple drives simultaneously
Cross-platform: Works on both Windows and Mac (a major advantage over EAC)
Multi-format output: Rip to FLAC and MP3 simultaneously in one pass
HDCD support: Can even rip HDCDs with extended resolution
Real user experiences:
"I'm in the middle of ripping over 1,000 CDs. DBpoweramp allows me to use multiple drives to minimize the time necessary to complete this task. With three drives, it'll cut the time down from hundreds of hours to about 60 active hours. dBpoweramp also allows you to rip into FLAC and MP3 at the same time." — u/Coookies4You, Reddit r/audiophile
The downsides:
Paid software: Around $40 for the CD Ripper component
Less aggressive error correction: For severely damaged discs, EAC still has the edge
Metadata depends on database coverage: While it accesses multiple databases, they rely on user submissions and may miss obscure releases
Best for: Users with large CD collections who want accurate results without spending hours on configuration, anyone seeking the best balance of speed and quality, Mac users who need a reliable ripping option, and those who want metadata automatically handled.
Nero CD Ripper
Download Nero CD Ripper from the Microsoft Store👉 Nero CD Ripper or visit Nero's official website.
Built on decades of Nero Burning ROM technology, Nero CD Ripper offers a familiar, Windows-integrated experience for users transitioning from Windows Media Player. It downloads directly from the Microsoft Store and includes Gracenote integration for automatic metadata and artwork retrieval.
What makes it special:
Gracenote digital fingerprinting*: Unlike competitors that guess based on track length, Gracenote analyzes your CD's actual audio signature for 100% accurate identification—even for obscure releases or regional variants
Professional album artwork: Retrieves sharp, high-resolution artwork (not the 200×200 pixel tiny images from free databases) that looks great on 4K monitors and smartphones
Simple setup: Download from Microsoft Store, insert CD, and let Gracenote handle the rest—no configuration required
Refined audio extraction: Built on Nero Burning ROM technology, designed to reduce read-time jitter and preserve high-fidelity audio quality
NRG support*: Rip tracks directly from Nero's NRG audio CD image files
Multiple formats: Convert to MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, and OGG
Mostly free to use: Core CD ripping functionality is completely free—just insert a CD and start ripping to MP3, WAV, FLAC, and other formats without any payment
Real user experience:
"The only software that I've found that could get track info from a 'One off' classical concert was NERO CD ripper—this essentially worked because it uses the Gracenote DB which is by far the best for 'Obscure Classical Music' tracks. Modern foobar and dbpoweramp are fine 95% of the time but not for some obscure classical music." — Windows user, Eleven Forum
Why Nero CD Ripper Stands Out:
Unlike community databases like freedb or MusicBrainz that rely on user submissions (filled with typos and inconsistent formatting), Gracenote uses commercial-grade digital fingerprinting technology. This means:
100% accurate identification even for rare, obscure, or region-specific releases
Professional-quality album art that looks crisp on any display
No manual corrections needed — what you see is what you get
The downsides:
No AccurateRip verification: Cannot verify rips against the global database
Best for: Windows users transitioning from Windows Media Player, anyone who values accurate metadata over technical tweaking, users with diverse or obscure CD collections (especially classical music), and those who want professional results with minimal configuration.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
After extensive research and real user feedback, here's our recommendation:
🥇 Nero CD Ripper — The Best Overall Choice
For 95% of users, Nero CD Ripper is simply the best option available in 2026. Here's why:
Why Nero CD Ripper Wins:
Best metadata accuracy: Gracenote's digital fingerprinting technology outperforms all free databases (freedb, MusicBrainz) especially for obscure, classical, or rare releases
Zero learning curve: Works immediately after download—no configuration, no drive calibration, no technical knowledge required
Great value: Core features are free; optional subscription for Gracenote metadata and NRG support starts from just €1.99/month—still more affordable than dBpoweramp's $40 one-time payment
Professional results: High-resolution album art and accurate metadata without manual corrections
Perfect for WMP switchers: If you're coming from Windows Media Player, the familiar Windows integration makes transition seamless
Choose Nero CD Ripper if you:
Want the best metadata accuracy without any technical hassle
Have diverse CD collections including obscure or classical music
Are switching from Windows Media Player and want something that just works
Value professional-quality results at an affordable price
Prefer simplicity over advanced features
When to Consider Alternatives:
Choose dBpoweramp ($40) if:
You have a large CD collection (100+ discs) and need batch processing across multiple drives
You're on Mac and need a reliable ripping option
You need AccurateRip verification for confidence in your rips
Choose Exact Audio Copy (EAC) if:
You're an audiophile who prioritizes extraction accuracy above all else
You're working with damaged or scratched CDs
You need documented proof of rip integrity (for file sharing)
You don't mind spending time on initial configuration
The Bottom Line:
While dBpoweramp and EAC each have their niche uses, Nero CD Ripper with Gracenote delivers the best combination of accuracy, ease of use, and value for the vast majority of users. When Microsoft abandoned CD users by shutting down Windows Media Player's metadata service, Nero stepped up with a professional-grade solution that actually outperforms the competition—especially for anyone with diverse or obscure music collections.
