Complete comparison of disk image formats: .img, .iso, .bin, .cue, .nrg, .dmg, and .raw

In the world of computing and file management, choosing the disk image format The most appropriate format can make the difference between an efficient process and one plagued by compatibility issues or wasted time. You've probably encountered .img, .iso, .bin, .cue, .nrg, .dmg, or .raw files, but you may not be entirely clear on their differences, advantages, and disadvantages. Understanding them is essential, whether you're creating a backup, virtualizing systems, or simply keeping information safe.

Next, we're going to dive into the fascinating universe of the main disk image formats and see what each one is used for, what are your strengths and weaknesses, and how to choose the one that best suits your needs.

What are disk image files used for?

Before going into each format in depth, it is important to know why there are so many types of disk image files and what their main use is. Traditionally, these files were used in computer stores to clone computers, install OS or replicate entire configurations quickly, when There was gold and manual installations could last forever. Today, although the SSD have accelerated processes, disk images continue to play a key role in:

• Backups: They allow you to save an exact state of the disk to restore it in case of failure.
• Distribution of operating systems: They facilitate the installation of complete systems from an image.
• Virtualization: Essentials for creating Virtual machines exact or test environments.
• Archiving and digital preservation: They faithfully save the entire contents of a disk for the future.

Main disk image formats: differences and uses

There is a wide variety of disk image formats, but the most common and universal among users and professionals are: ISO, BIN, CUE, IMG, NRG, DMG and RAWLet's take a closer look at each of them, what they're used for, and what you should keep in mind before using them.

ISO format

El ISO format It is undoubtedly the best known of all. It is based on the ISO 9660 standard and was created to store exact copies of optical discs such as CDs and DVDs. The ISO image contains all the sectors of the original disc, from the first byte to the last, allowing it to behave exactly like the physical disc. This format does not apply compression, so each byte is faithfully represented, making it ideal for operating system distributions, software suites, or data and multimedia files (except music due to copy protection restrictions).

Among its advantages is its full compatibility with the systems Windows, Linux and macOS, and its ease of mounting with virtual disk drives built into modern operating systems. Furthermore, since it's an open standard, there are numerous free tools for manipulating and creating ISO images.

The main drawback is that It is not useful for copying protected music discs, since the ISO standard does not store audio tracks and copy protection correctly.

BIN and CUE formats

The world of disk images doesn't end with ISOs. There are also .zip files. BIN and CUE, which usually go together and perform a similar function, but with important nuances.

• BIN: It is a pure binary dump of the contents of an optical disc, including data, tracks, copy protection, error correction, and more.
• CUE: It is a small text file that accompanies the BIN and defines how the tracks and sectors are organized within the disk, that is, it tells the program "how to read" the BIN file.

The main difference with respect to ISO is that BIN+CUE allows you to copy audio discs, bypassing protection limitations, and store additional information such as multiple tracks or specific layouts. For more in-depth information on how to convert these formats to other standards, you can consult This virtual disk conversion guide.

Advantages: You can make exact copies of music discs, old games, or protected software, including the entire internal structure of the original. However, you need both files (without the CUE, the BIN is usually "useless") and their compatibility depends on whether you have specialized programs to mount them or convert them to other formats.

IMG format

El IMG format It was originally designed to store backup copies of floppy disks and storage devices. storage Older ones. It works by creating a bit-by-bit map of each sector from the first to the last. Although floppy disks have fallen into disuse, the IMG format has been recycled and is now also used to clone hard drives sector by sector.

Stands out because It can be compressed or not (unlike ISO, which is always "flat"), although its structure is still based on multiples of 512 bytes (inherited from the original floppy disks), making it inefficient for modern high-capacity disks. To learn more about how to manage these types of formats, you can visit tools to manage file size.

Currently, its function is almost always limited to the sector of forensic backups or for very specific uses. It is not recommended for multimedia files or for distributing operating systems.

NRG format

El NRG format It's owned by Nero Burning ROM, one of the most popular CD and DVD burning programs of years. Its unique feature is that it integrates additional information (such as menus, hidden tracks, session data, etc.) that other standard formats often ignore. Therefore, certain disc images created with Nero can only be opened correctly with that application or using ISO conversion utilities. If you're looking to convert NRG files, here's a guide.

Advantages: Perfect for maintaining the original structure of complex discs, such as compilations of various content formats, multiple sessions, or custom discs. The downside: support outside of Nero is limited, so it often needs to be converted to ISO or similar to ensure compatibility.

DMG format

The file Mg It is the disk image standard for macOS systems. It allows you to easily compress and protect files, and is the most widely used format for software distribution on Apple computers. Its main value lies in the fact that integrates verification and encryption mechanisms, making it ideal for sensitive applications and files. To increase compatibility, you can also learn to Format disks on macOS systems.

It matches the ecosystem Mac, and you will rarely find support for DMGs on Windows or Linux systems unless you use third-party tools to convert or extract their contents.

RAW format

The files RAW They are not a closed format, but rather a generic term indicating that the disk image contains a "raw" copy, sector by sector, of the data as it exists on the original device, unprocessed and uncompressed. This is useful in contexts such as digital forensics, where absolute data integrity must be maintained.

Advantage? Maximum fidelity and ability to recover deleted or damaged dataTo understand the advantages and disadvantages of different compression formats, you may find it helpful to review This comparison of compression formats.

Handling and converting disk images

In practice, it's often necessary to mount, open, or convert disk images to other formats. For example:

• On Linux, ISO and NRG images can be mounted using commands , the mount -t iso9660 -o loop,offset=307200 file.nrg /mount/point for NRG, or directly as sudo mount -t iso9660 -o loop /image_path/image.iso /media/ISO for ISO. You can also explore tools like .
• If you have a BIN/CUE, you can convert it to ISO with bchunk file.bin file.cue output.iso.
• MDF/MDS images (not covered in detail here but very present in games) also require conversion, for example with mdf2iso file.mdf output.iso or better yet, using see below, which supports multiple formats.
• For IMG images, tools like ccd2iso allow them to be easily converted to ISO.
• In the case of DAA images, the program Poweriso is essential for conversion.

In Windows systems, reading of many of these formats is native (at least ISO and VHD), but to create images it will be necessary to use programs such as Clonezilla for complete and free copies, or use specific tools for conversion and burning.

Are there real differences in quality or use?

There is no disk image format that is universally superior. It all depends on the specific goal:

• For a standard DVD copy, system installation, or software distribution: ISO.
• If you need the exact structure of an audio or data disc with special tracks: BIN+CUE.
• Are you on macOS? Mg will be the recommended option for compatibility and security.
• Do you require a forensic copy for analysis? RAW.

It is important to note that each format has its own utilities and limitations, both in compatibility and in additional functions such as protection, compression or metadata.

Image formats and their relationship with other graphic files

Although the formats we are dealing with here are "disk images" and not graphic images like JPG, PNG, SVG, etc., the philosophy behind the format choice is quite similar: Each format is optimized for specific tasksFor example, RAW in photography is equivalent to RAW on discs: maximum fidelity, large size, and requiring processing. In contrast, other formats such as JPG (in photography) or ISO (on discs) are more universal and easier to share.

What should I consider when choosing a disk image format?

When deciding which disk image format to use, you should consider the following questions:

• Compatibility: Are you going to use it on Windows, Linux, or macOS? Do you need to share it with others?
• Purpose: Is it for an exact backup, software distribution, archiving, or forensic analysis?
• Size: Are you worried about the weight of the final file?
• Protection and compression: Do you need encryption or compression?
• Ease of assembly/conversion: Do the systems have tools to open it easily?

Answering these questions will help you choose the most suitable formatMost images can be converted to one another, but a good initial analysis saves time and resources.

Practical tips for working with disk images

If you're new to this or looking for a quick guide, here are some recommendations:

• Prioriza ISO if you are looking for simplicity and compatibility.
• Use BIN/CUE if you need audio tracks or complex structures.
• On Mac, use Mg for compressed and signed applications or files.
• For forensic copies or analysis, bet on RAW to ensure the complete integrity of the original data.
• If you need to mount or convert images, explore tools like .
• Don't forget to check your operating system-specific commands to successfully mount images.