rEFInd

7.0easy start · #6 of 26
in Boot Manager Software

Free to practise onyes
Free trialnot on record
Well documentedyes
Runs where you workyes

Runs on Linux, Mac, Windows.

rEFInd is ranked #6 of 26 in boot manager software on The Geeks Club. It runs on Linux, macOS, Windows. There is a free plan.

rEFInd plans and pricing

All plans

rEFInd Free Free; GPL version 3 EFI-based computers only · binaries for x86, x86-64, and ARM64 rodsbooks.com · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on boot manager software

Free plan: Yes
Operating systems: multiplatform
UEFI support: Yes
BIOS support: Yes
Multiboot support: Yes
Boot-entry editing: Yes
Boot repair: Yes
Boot-menu customization: Yes

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The record

Purpose: rEFInd is a boot manager forked from rEFIt that scans for boot loaders and helps users choose an operating system or utility at startup.
EFI requirement: rEFInd is useful only on EFI-based computers, not older BIOS-based computers.
Supported firmware: It works with EFI 1.1 and UEFI 2.x.
Architectures: Binaries are available for x86, x86-64, and ARM64; the author says x86-64 is best tested and ARM64 is least tested.
Boot detection: It scans for EFI loaders, BIOS/CSM/legacy loaders, and EFI boot options stored in firmware NVRAM.
Linux support: It can detect Linux kernels with EFI stub support, find initrd files, and read kernel options from a refind_linux.conf file.
Graphics: It supports text and graphical operation, configurable screen resolution, and user-configurable backgrounds, icons, and fonts.
Secure Boot: rEFInd can communicate with Shim to authenticate boot loaders using valid UEFI Secure Boot keys, Shim keys, or Machine Owner Keys.
Filesystem drivers: The package includes EFI filesystem drivers for ext2/3, ext4, Btrfs, ReiserFS, HFS+, and ISO-9660; its NTFS driver is not compiled by default because it has been troublesome.
Downloads: The maker lists binary ZIP, RPM, Debian, CD-R image, and USB flash drive image packages, among other forms.
Installation: The refind-install script automates installation under Linux and OS X, and manual installation procedures for Linux, macOS, and Windows are also available.
Limitations: The maker describes rEFInd as beta-quality software and says its binaries are not equally tested across supported architectures.
Support: The maker invites users with problems or comments to email [email protected].
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on The Geeks Club

Best Boot Manager Software in 2026#6 of 26

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Sources

rodsbooks.com/refind/features.html· checked 30 Sept 2026
rodsbooks.com/refind/bootmode.html· checked 30 Sept 2026
rodsbooks.com/refind/secureboot.html· checked 30 Sept 2026
rodsbooks.com/refind/getting.html· checked 30 Sept 2026
rodsbooks.com/refind/· checked 30 Sept 2026