Top Programs to Transfer iPod to Computer

CopyTrans offers the most all-around solid experience of any program on this list to users looking to transfer the contents of their iPod to a desktop PC. With its relatively speedy transfer, detailed interface, and ability to copy metadata, to say nothing of an appealing price, it's an attractive package. Proper iBooks support would be a nice addition in future versions, but CopyTrans is a terrific option.
Mac version? No

Senuti--iTunes spelled backwards, since it performs the reverse of that software's function--is a blazingly fast tool for Mac users who transfer the contents of their iPods. While its interface is a bit plain, its speed, simplicity, and ability to transfer metadata, videos, and podcasts make it a powerful tool.
Mac version? Yes

Not all programs on this list have the ability to transfer iBooks files, as well as music, podcasts, and videos; iRip does. In addition to that valuable feature, it's relatively speedy in performing transfers and handles most metadata well. The one exception to that is song ratings, which didn't transfer in my testing. If that omission is fixed, iRip could move even further up this list.
Mac version? Yes

Of the first four programs on this list, TouchCopy offers the fullest set of features: it transfers music, video, podcasts, and additional data like address book entries, text messages, voicemails, and ringtones. These powerful features are very valuable, though middling transfer speed and some interface quirks and occasional crashes hold it back.
Mac version? Yes

At this point in the list, the programs become a bit more buggy. Of these buggy programs, iCopyBot offers a solid, and only somewhat flawed, package. It transfers iBooks files, photos, ringtones, voice memos, and podcasts in addition to music--and it does it pretty quickly. It's let down by its interface and problems handling more advanced uses (like computers with multiple iTunes libraries).
Mac version? Yes

ImToo's iPod Computer Transfer is fast and can move both iBooks files and ringtones, but it doesn't transfer ratings or playcounts. It also requires a separate US$40 purchase to get iPad support. With many other programs offering included iPad support, that extra cost is tough to take.
Mac version? No

Xilisoft's iPod Rip is another program that doesn't include iPad support, and can't move iBooks, song ratings, and playcounts. It does, however, transfer songs, album art, voice memos--and does so reasonably quickly.
Mac version? Yes

TuneAid is a pretty bare bones program: it moves your iPod's music and doesn't do anything else. It's reasonably speedy and easy to use, but with so few other features, it's hard to recommend it.
Mac version? Yes

Pod to Mac is blazingly fast and can move album art, song ratings, ringtones, and photos. It has a easy to handle interface, too. So what's the problem? It crashes during transfers, can't move iBooks, and has buggy transfers of types of data.
Mac version? Yes

The PC sibling of Pod to Mac has some of the same problems, but not as many strengths. While it can move music, playcounts, ratings, and album art, it crashes too often, has a less clear interface, and is slow.
Mac version? No