TLDR
Match the tool to your failure type first. For accidentally deleted files on a healthy drive, a quick-scan consumer app recovers data in minutes. For formatted partitions, corrupted file systems, or RAID arrays, pick software with deep sector-level scanning and broad file-system support. Always run recovery from a drive other than the one you are restoring to avoid overwriting data.
Recovering deleted files, formatted partitions, or data from failing drives before paying for a professional lab.
Data recovery software scans a storage device for files that were deleted, lost to formatting, or stranded on a corrupted file system, then rebuilds them so you can copy them to a safe location. Success depends heavily on what happened and how much the drive has been written to since. Recently deleted files on an otherwise working disk have high recovery odds; data on a physically failing drive or an SSD that has run TRIM is much harder.
The two things that matter most are deep-scan quality and preview. Deep scan reconstructs files by their signatures when directory entries are gone, which is what separates serious tools from basic undelete utilities. Preview lets you confirm a file is intact before you commit to a paid license or a full recovery pass.
Weigh file-system coverage (NTFS, exFAT, APFS, HFS+, ext4), device types (HDD, SSD, USB, memory cards, RAID), and whether the tool offers bootable rescue media for drives that will not mount. Avoid installing recovery software onto the same drive you are trying to recover.
best data recovery software Tools compared
Filter by what you care about. Every tool stays on the page.
| Tool | Price | File System Support | Deep Scan Recovery | Device Coverage | Preview Before Recovery | Bootable Rescue Media | OS Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recuva | From $19.95/yr | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | No | Limited |
| Disk Drill | From $89/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard | From $69.95/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stellar Data Recovery | From $49.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| R-Studio | From $79.99 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PhotoRec | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Limited | Yes |
| Wondershare Recoverit | From $69.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MiniTool Power Data Recovery | From $89/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| GetDataBack | From $79 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Ontrack EasyRecovery | Custom | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer | From $69.95 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DMDE | From $20 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Prosoft Data Rescue | From $19/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tenorshare 4DDiG | From $45.95/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Puran File Recovery | Free | Yes | Yes | Limited | Limited | No | Limited |
Highlighted rows are featured placements. Competitor details are set by each platform, so confirm on their site before buying.
The 15 best best data recovery software tools
Recuva
From $19.95/yrRecuva is Piriform's recovery utility, now part of the CCleaner family. It handles everyday deletions well with a wizard that walks you through the process, plus a deep scan mode for harder cases. It is Windows only and best suited to simple recovery jobs rather than failed drives or complex RAID setups.
Pros
- Free version covers most basic recovery needs
- Simple wizard interface for beginners
- Deep scan mode for tougher cases
Cons
- Windows only
- Weak with severely corrupted or failed drives
- Development has slowed over the years
Best for: Windows users who need quick, free undelete for simple cases.
Disk Drill
From $89/yrDisk Drill from CleverFiles is known for a clean interface and broad coverage across internal and external drives, memory cards, iPhones, iPads, Android, and RAID arrays. It reconstructs more than 400 file types using multiple binary methods and lets you preview before recovering. The free tier lets you scan and preview, with a paid upgrade to recover.
Pros
- Clean, approachable interface
- Recovers 400+ file types
- Covers phones, cards, and RAID
Cons
- Full recovery requires paid upgrade
- Deep scans can be slow on large drives
Best for: Mac users wanting a polished tool across many device types.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
From $69.95/moEaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a mainstream option that recovers lost files from internal and external storage, Time Machine backups, Trash, and memory cards. It offers Free, Pro, and Technician tiers so individuals and businesses can pick a fit. Preview before recovery and deep scanning are standard.
Pros
- Available for both Windows and Mac
- Free tier for small recoveries
- Clear preview and scan workflow
Cons
- Free tier recovery cap is low
- Pro license pricing is on the higher side
Best for: Everyday users wanting a guided cross-platform recovery tool.
Stellar Data Recovery
From $49.99/yrStellar has been in data care since 1993 and offers Windows and Mac recovery across Standard, Professional, and Premium tiers. Higher editions add photo and video repair and bootable recovery for unbootable systems. It also covers iPhone and Android recovery through separate products.
Pros
- Mature product with many editions
- Premium tiers bundle photo/video repair
- Bootable media for unbootable PCs
Cons
- Feature gating across tiers can confuse
- Advanced repair needs higher-priced editions
Best for: Users needing recovery plus photo and video repair in one brand.
R-Studio
From $79.99R-Studio by R-Tools Technology is aimed at technicians and advanced users who need control over difficult recoveries. It handles many file systems, RAID reconstruction, and recovery over a network, with a hex editor for manual work. The interface is dense but powerful for those who know what they are doing.
Pros
- Strong RAID and network recovery
- Wide file system support
- Hex editor for manual recovery
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Dated interface
Best for: Technicians handling RAID and complex multi-disk recoveries.
PhotoRec
FreePhotoRec, paired with TestDisk from CGSecurity, is a free and open-source recovery utility that ignores the file system and carves files by signature. It recognizes more than 440 formats and runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, and more. The command-line style interface is basic, but the recovery engine is respected and costs nothing.
Pros
- Completely free and open source
- Recovers 440+ file formats by signature
- Runs on many operating systems
Cons
- No graphical interface in core tool
- Does not recover original filenames or folders
- Steep for non-technical users
Best for: Technical users wanting free signature-based recovery anywhere.
Wondershare Recoverit
From $69.99/yrRecoverit from Wondershare targets everyday users with a guided workflow for recovering deleted and lost files from drives, cards, and crashed systems. It includes video recovery and repair features and can create bootable media for PCs that will not start. It is sold on subscription with Windows and Mac versions.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly guided interface
- Video recovery and repair features
- Bootable media for crashed systems
Cons
- Subscription pricing adds up
- Upsells to other Wondershare products
Best for: Beginners wanting a guided recovery and video repair combo.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery
From $89/yrMiniTool Power Data Recovery recovers files from PCs, hard drives, USB sticks, and SD cards with a quick, simple workflow. It offers Free, Personal, and Business tiers plus bootable recovery media for machines that will not start. A Mac version is available separately.
Pros
- Free tier for small recoveries
- Bootable edition for dead systems
- Simple, quick interface
Cons
- Mac support is a separate product
- Free data cap is modest
Best for: Windows users needing straightforward recovery with bootable rescue.
GetDataBack
From $79GetDataBack Pro from Runtime Software focuses on fast, no-nonsense recovery without complex configuration. The broader Runtime lineup adds RAID Reconstructor, NAS Data Recovery, and tools to mount various file systems from Windows. It is well regarded for difficult drive and array failures.
Pros
- Fast and simple core recovery
- Strong RAID and NAS tools in the lineup
- Handles complex failure scenarios
Cons
- Windows only
- Advanced RAID tools sold separately
Best for: Users facing RAID, NAS, or tough single-drive failures.
Ontrack EasyRecovery
CustomOntrack offers EasyRecovery software alongside one of the best-known professional recovery lab services available 24/7. It covers desktops, laptops, external drives, NAS, servers, RAID, tape, and mobile devices, with ransomware and virtualized system recovery as specialties. This is the route when software alone cannot rescue physically damaged media.
Pros
- Backed by professional cleanroom lab
- Covers extreme and physical failures
- Wide device and scenario coverage
Cons
- Lab service can be expensive
- Overkill for simple deletions
Best for: Critical or physically damaged media needing expert lab recovery.
UFS Explorer
From $69.95UFS Explorer is built for IT pros, recovery specialists, and forensics investigators, with editions from Standard Recovery up to Technician and RAID Recovery. It handles a broad set of file systems and complex storage layouts, with selected editions suitable for experienced home users. Pricing scales with the edition's capability.
Pros
- Very wide file system coverage
- Strong RAID and network RAID editions
- Forensics-grade capabilities
Cons
- Interface aimed at professionals
- Capable editions get pricey
Best for: Specialists needing broad file system and RAID coverage.
DMDE
From $20DMDE combines a disk editor with recovery algorithms that can rebuild directory structures and files in complex cases where other tools fail. It supports FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, Ext, HFS+, APFS, and btrfs, and runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, and DOS independent of the host OS. The free version recovers up to 4000 files from a chosen directory.
Pros
- Strong directory reconstruction algorithms
- Wide file system support independent of host OS
- Generous free recovery allowance
Cons
- Interface is technical and dated
- Learning curve for new users
Best for: Advanced users wanting powerful recovery at a low price.
Prosoft Data Rescue
From $19/moProsoft Engineering's Data Rescue has been a Mac recovery staple for years and also runs on Windows. It handles deleted files, formatted drives, and damaged volumes with deep scanning and preview. Prosoft also offers professional and enterprise tiers for higher-volume recovery work.
Pros
- Established Mac recovery heritage
- Deep scan with preview
- Professional tiers available
Cons
- Consumer pricing is premium
- Interface feels dated
Best for: Mac users wanting a proven recovery tool with pro options.
Tenorshare 4DDiG
From $45.95/moTenorshare 4DDiG targets everyday users with a simple interface to recover deleted files from drives, cards, USB sticks, and crashed systems. It supports many file types, offers preview before recovery, and includes options for formatted or corrupted drives. It is sold on subscription with frequent promotions.
Pros
- Very simple three-step workflow
- Broad file type support
- Preview before recovery
Cons
- Subscription-heavy pricing
- Frequent upsell prompts
Best for: Beginners wanting fast, guided recovery on Windows or Mac.
Puran File Recovery
FreePuran File Recovery is a free tool for Windows that recovers deleted files and can find lost partitions during a deep scan. It supports quick and deep scanning and can carve files when the file system is damaged. It is free for personal use and stays lightweight, though it has not been updated frequently.
Pros
- Free for personal use
- Finds lost partitions in deep scan
- Lightweight and simple
Cons
- Windows only
- Infrequent updates
- Basic interface
Best for: Windows users wanting a free, no-frills recovery tool.
How to choose data recovery software
Start by identifying the problem: deleted files, a formatted or RAW partition, a corrupted file system, or a physically failing drive. Simple deletion and formatting are software-recoverable; clicking, grinding, or unrecognized drives usually need a lab. Pick a tool whose feature set covers your specific failure instead of the one with the flashiest marketing.
Check that the software supports your file system and device type. macOS users need APFS and HFS+ support; Linux users need ext4 and XFS; camera and phone users need common card formats. For arrays, confirm RAID reconstruction (RAID 0, 5, 6) is built in. Finally, insist on a free scan with preview so you can verify recoverability before buying a license.
Steps to maximize recovery success
Stop writing to the affected drive the moment you notice missing data. Every new file you save risks overwriting the sectors that hold your lost data, and that loss is permanent. If the drive is your system disk, shut down and recover it as a secondary drive from another machine, or boot from rescue media.
Recover to a different physical drive than the source. Create a sector-by-sector image of a failing drive first, then run recovery against the image so you never stress the hardware twice. For SSDs, act fast: TRIM zeroes deleted blocks in the background, often within minutes, which can make deleted-file recovery impossible.
When to call a professional lab
Software cannot fix physical damage. If a drive makes clicking or buzzing noises, is not detected by the BIOS, or was exposed to water or fire, stop and contact a professional recovery service. Running software on failing hardware can cause further damage and reduce what a lab can salvage.
Lab recovery is expensive (often several hundred to a few thousand dollars) because it involves cleanroom disassembly and specialized equipment. Reserve it for irreplaceable data. For everything else, a licensed desktop tool handles the common logical failures at a fraction of the cost.
Frequently asked questions
Can deleted files always be recovered?
No. Recovery depends on whether the original data has been overwritten. When you delete a file, the operating system marks its space as available but usually leaves the data intact until something new is written there. If you act quickly and stop using the drive, odds are good. Once the sectors are overwritten, or once an SSD runs TRIM, the data is gone for good.
Is free data recovery software good enough?
Often yes for simple cases. Recuva, PhotoRec, and TestDisk are free and effective for deleted files and lost partitions, though their interfaces are less polished. Paid tools add deep scanning, previews, RAID reconstruction, and support. A common approach is to try a free scan first, then pay only if you need features the free tool lacks.
Does data recovery work on SSDs?
It is much less reliable than on hard drives. Most SSDs use TRIM, which actively erases the blocks behind deleted files to keep the drive fast. That erasure can happen within minutes and makes deleted-file recovery impossible. Recovery from a formatted or corrupted SSD is sometimes possible, but TRIM makes deleted-file recovery a long shot.
Should I install recovery software on the drive I need to recover?
No. Installing to the same drive can overwrite the exact sectors holding your lost files. Install the software on a different drive, or use a portable version run from a USB stick. Recover found files to a separate physical drive as well, never back to the source.
What is the difference between a quick scan and a deep scan?
A quick scan reads the file-system records to find recently deleted entries, which is fast and works when the directory structure is intact. A deep scan reads the raw drive sector by sector and reconstructs files from their signatures, which recovers data after formatting or corruption but takes much longer and may lose original file names.
Can I recover data from a formatted drive?
Usually yes, especially after a quick format, which only resets the file table and leaves the actual data in place. A deep scan can rebuild those files. A full or secure format that overwrites every sector leaves nothing to recover. Recovery odds drop sharply if you have written new data to the drive since formatting.
How much does data recovery software cost?
Consumer licenses typically run from about $50 to $100, often with free trials that let you scan and preview before paying. Professional tools like R-Studio and UFS Explorer cost more and target technicians handling RAID and complex cases. Physical lab recovery is a separate service that usually costs several hundred to a few thousand dollars.
The bottom line
If you need a one-time rescue, start with a free tier (Recuva or PhotoRec) and only pay once you confirm the files are recoverable in preview. For recurring or business-critical needs, buy a licensed tool like R-Studio or Disk Drill. Stop using the affected drive immediately and recover to a separate disk.