If you have downloaded DRM-protected music, then you have probably also discovered how annoyingly restrictive DRM technology is. Not only do you have the problem of working out what portable media players it will work on, but your freedom to use your downloads how you please is also crippled.
DRM copy protection is great as an anti-piracy technology, but it often punishes consumers that have legally purchased media.
Here is a selection of the best software that removes DRM legally (doesn't hack DRM encryption) and produces DRM-free media files that you can enjoy on practically any capable device.
If you need to find and remove all duplicate songs in iTunes and all duplicate files such as photos, videos, documents, etc. From Mac, Gemini 2 comes to the best duplicate iTunes remover and duplicate file finder for Mac, and the price is worthy for its finding and removing duplicates features. • Daisy Disk: This app gives you a detailed overview of the files on your Mac, and can aid you in finding disk-hogging files and apps that could be removed.
Tunebite
What We Like
Strictly speaking, doesn't crack DRM.
Boasts an impressive list of additional tools.
Free trial.
What We Don't Like
Subscription model.
Complexity of Audials' software offerings.
Tunebite, which is part of the much larger Audials One media suite, is a DRM removal tool that takes advantage of the analog loophole. Rather than illegally stripping out the DRM encryption directly from the original file, Tunebite records a protected file to produce a version that is free from DRM.
The software supports a wide range of file formats and comes with additional features such as video conversion, a ringtone maker, streaming audio recorder, ID3 Tag editing, and a built-in CD burning module.
Noteburner
What We Like
Available for Windows and Mac.
Includes Apple Music, Spotify, and other sources.
Free trial.
What We Don't Like
Confusing and duplicative product offerings.
Free licenses for good reviews.
This DRM removal tool actually installs a virtual CD-RW writer on your system that you can then use to remove DRM copy protection. Noteburner works in conjunction with your favorite media playing software to burn DRM-free audio files onto a virtual CD; the only proviso in using this method is that your media player software has to have the facility to burn files to CD.
Once the virtual burning process is complete you can then transfer the DRM-free files to any media/MP3 player.
SoundTaxi
What We Like
Comprehensive range of formats.
Free, but limited, trial.
What We Don't Like
Hasn't been updated in years.
Expensive licenses for individual components of the app suite.
Using Windows Media Player, SoundTaxi can remove DRM copy protection by recording the original file at high speed to produce a DRM-free version. SoundTaxi has good file format compatibility (audio and video) and can batch process folders containing DRM protected media; it can also recreate the original folder structure with the DRM-free outputted files.
SoundTaxi presently comes in three flavors which are, Platinum, Professional, and Pro+VideoRip. The later version supports audio and video processing, while the platinum and professional versions are audio only.
MuvAudio
What We Like
Free trial and reasonable app price.
Supports plug-ins to extend functionality.
One program, not many different programs with different price points.
What We Don't Like
Requires Windows Media Player.
Archaic-looking interface.
Similar to SoundTaxi, MuvAudio uses Windows Media Player to process DRM-protected audio and video files into DRM-free copies. The program can convert multiple files simultaneously with up to 10 times normal playback speed.
License Removal Tool For Mac
MuvAudio has excellent built-in file format support for both audio and video; you can also download additional plugins from the MuvAudio website that extend file format support for less popular formats. MuvAudio 2 has the facility to automatically search for missing album art and ID3 tags.
Adware Removal Tool For Mac
AppleMacSoft DRM Converter
What We Like
Free App Remover For Mac
Integration with iTunes.
Windows and Mac versions.
Free trial.
Itool For Mac
What We Don't Like
Expensive license fee.
Outdated interface design.
Office For Mac Removal Tool
DRM removal software for the Mac is a bit thin on the ground compared to the PC, but AppleMacsoft DRM converter comes to the rescue; incidentally, there is also a Windows version. The software uses a virtual CD writer (same method as Noteburner 2) in conjunction with the iTunes software to legally produce a DRM-free copy of the original.
The software makes use of the importing feature in iTunes to capture to a particular format. The output file formats that you can convert to are, MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV.