- Pandora
- Categories List
- Recovery Tools
- Top 10 Best Data Recovery Software in 2023
Top 10 Best Data Recovery Software in 2023
Did you just lose a valuable file that would take you several days of work to replace? Don’t panic! The top 10 best data recovery software applications on this list can help you get it back, and you might not even have to spend any money on them.
| Platform | |
| Distributed as | Freemium |
| Limitations | Recover up to 500 MB for free |
| Price range | $89...$598 |
| Platform | |
| Distributed as | Freemium |
| Limitations | Recover files smaller than 256 KB |
| Price range | $49.99...$899 |
| Platform | |
| Distributed as | Freemium |
| Limitations | Recover up to 2 GB for free |
| Price range | $69.95...$499 |
Why Did We Choose These Data Recovery Solutions?
The 10 best data recovery software tools featured in this article are just the tip of a much larger iceberg. Here are the criteria we consider when evaluating available solutions to recommend you those that deserve your attention the most:
- Karma
Our Karma score reflects several important things, including the popularity of a data recovery software application, its maturity, the frequency with which it receives new updates, and the quality of customer support available to its users. Generally, applications with a high Karma score are trustworthy and developed by reputable software companies that are determined to keep improving them.
- Bang for the buck
Users are interested in DIY data recovery software because they don't want to spend large amounts of money on professional data recovery, so the best data recovery solutions should be affordable and offer loads of value. Generally, free solutions provide the most value, followed by freemium products, and then paid applications.
- Performance
A data recovery application should be able to address multiple data loss scenarios and successfully recover different kinds of user data from different types of storage devices. We at Pandora Recovery determine the performance of data recovery applications using our real-world testing methodology, which includes a number of standardized and repeatable tests designed to provide the most accurate results possible.
- Usability
The best data recovery solutions can deliver excellent results while being easy enough to use even for complete beginners who have never recovered lost data before. We look for applications that have a modern graphical user interface (GUI) with all available options clearly explained. Ideally, the entire recovery process should consist of just a few simple steps.
- Extras
A software tool’s features are what defines it and often differentiates it from competing products. We look for solutions that have all the features required to reliably recover your lost data. We give extra points to applications that go beyond data recovery with extra features that address the root causes of data loss.
We have tested each and every data recovery solution recommended in this article, and we encourage you to read our full reviews for more information about them (links below). We also recommend you take a look at other Mac and Windows reviews we've published. Finally, you can save a lot of time by using our software picker to quicky choose the best data recovery tool for you.
Top 10 Best Data Recovery Software Tools
#Here are our top 10 favorite data recovery software applications that you can use to get back your lost data.
1. Disk Drill
Top pick
4.55 • Best choice for Windows users – The Windows version of Disk Drill empowers regular users to reliably recover all kinds of lost data with a few simple clicks.
Windows macOS
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest
Recover up to 500 MB for free
$89...$598
Choosing the best hard drive data recovery software was easy because Disk Drill exists. Its developer, CleverFiles, has been improving this mature application since 2010, expertly combining state-of-the-art recovery performance with a modern, easy-to-use user interface.
-
One license unlocks two versions of Disk Drill. You need to purchase only one license to unlock both Disk Drill for Windows and Disk Drill for Mac.
-
Free data recovery. Disk Drill for Windows can recover up to 500 MB for free, allowing users to test the software’s capabilities before committing to purchasing a full license.
-
Excellent data recovery results. The software is able to achieve a consistently high success rate in recovering deleted or lost files.
-
Extra data protection features. Disk Drill includes features such as SMART monitoring and data protection, which can help prevent data loss in the future.
-
Developed by a highly reputable company. The data recovery application is developed by CleverFiles, a company with a solid reputation in the data recovery industry.
-
Free unlimited preview. Disk Drill allows users to preview the files that will be recovered, without any limitations.
-
Phone customer support isn't available. The developers of Disk Drill offer only email and live chat support.
2. R-Studio
Popular among professionals
3.88 • Empowering professionals; intimidating home users – R-Studio for Windows is a powerful data recovery software application, but regular home users may struggle to master it and put its capabilities to good use.
Windows macOS Linux
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest
Recover files smaller than 256 KB
$49.99...$899
R-Studio provides advanced Windows, Mac, and Linux with extensive recovery options, helping them address a wide range of different data loss scenarios.
-
Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. R-Studio is a cross-platform software, which means it can be used on any of the major operating systems.
-
Can automatically reconstruct broken RAIDs. The application is equipped with advanced RAID reconstruction capabilities that enable it to automatically detect and reconstruct broken RAIDs.
-
Supports the most widely used file systems. R-Studio supports a wide variety of file systems, making it compatible with most storage devices.
-
Great scanning performance. Independent tests have demonstrated that R-Studio can achieve great scanning capabilities.
-
Very complicated for regular home users. Because R-Studio is geared towards advanced or professional users, it may be too complex for regular home users.
-
All-inclusive licenses are very expensive. R-Studio is not cheap, and its all-inclusive licenses can be shockingly expensive.
3. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
Decent recovery results
3.85 • Popular for its trial recovery capabilities – Easy to use and capable of delivering solid results, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is good at what it does.
Windows macOS
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest
Recover up to 2 GB for free
$69.95...$499
EaseUS is a leading software company, and its data recovery solution doesn’t fail to impress with a reliable data recovery performance and the ability to recover a large number of file formats from all kinds of storage devices.
-
Modern user interface helps find lost files. The user interface of EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is designed to be intuitive and easy to use.
-
Can recover up to 2 GB of data for free. This means users can evaluate the application’s data recovery capabilities without making any commitment.
-
Promotional discounts and coupons are available. EaseUS often offers promotional discounts and coupons via affiliate websites.
-
Responsive customer support. A variety of support options, including email, live chat, and phone support, are available.
-
The application contains pop-up ads. When using EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, you may encounter annoying pop-up ads.
-
Limits the number of files you can preview for free. The free version of EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard limits the number of files users can preview.
4. DiskGenius
3.72 • More than just regular data recovery – DiskGenius is a feature-rich data recovery solution that equips its users with a highly technical toolset to tackle complex data recovery situations.
Windows
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest
Only small files can be copied
$69.9...$699.9
Do you often format storage devices, adjust partition layouts, and recover lost data? If so, DiskGenius might be a fantastic all-in-one solution for you.
-
Offers data recovery and disk management capabilities. This makes it a great all-in-one solution for those who don’t want to pay for multiple applications.
-
Fast data recovery performance. DiskGenius is known for its consistently fast data recovery performance.
-
Can boot into a modified version of WinPE. The application can boot into a modified version of WinPE, helping users recover data from unbootable systems or devices.
-
Comes with several potentially data-saving features. DiskGenius includes features such as disk cloning, disk imaging, and disk partitioning.
-
Has a very complicated user interface. Because the application offers so many features, it can be difficult to navigate.
-
Lacks quality-of-life features. DiskGenius is powerful software, but it lacks some of the additional features that make its competitors easier to use.
5. Wondershare Recoverit
3.70 • Can it really recover it? – Wondershare Recoverit comes with an intuitive user interface, but subpar recovery capabilities that struggle to deliver.
Windows macOS
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest
Recover up to 100 MB for free
Wondershare Recoverit can do wonders for people who have lost important videos and are struggling to get them back because they’ve been damaged.
-
Intuitive and enjoyable to use. You won’t run into any usability roadblocks when using Wondershare Recoverit.
-
Excellent video repair capabilities. Wondershare Recoverit is known for its excellent video repair capabilities.
-
Can create bootable recovery disks. The application makes it easy to create bootable recovery disks to recover data from unbootable systems or devices.
-
Lackluster support for BitLocker-encrypted devices. Wondershare Recoverit doesn’t provide adequate support for BitLocker-encrypted devices.
-
Can scan only individual partitions. If you want to scan an entire storage device in one go, you’re out of luck.
-
Internet connection is required during installation. Sadly, offline installation isn’t supported at the time of writing this article.
6. PhotoRec
Open-source solution
3.37 • Intimidating but rewarding at the same time – PhotoRec for Windows offers unbeatable value, but you need to overcome a steep learning curve to unlock it.
Windows macOS Linux
Free All features are provided free of charge, and the software can be used, studied, and modified without restriction
Metadata recovery
Free
Fans of open-source software, pay attention! PhotoRec is the king of open-source data recovery software applications.
-
Completely free and open source. Thanks to its license, PhotoRec can be used and distributed freely without any cost.
-
No installation is required. PhotoRec doesn’t require installation and can be run directly from any storage device.
-
Good signature scanning performance. The data recovery application can quickly locate and recover files based on their file headers.
-
Only a basic graphical user interface is available. The optional graphical user interface, QPhotoRec, is as basic as it can be.
-
Lacks features. Most of the features and functionalities that many data recovery software applications provide are missing.
-
Leaves a lot to be desired in terms of usability. Because the application doesn’t have a polished user interface, its usability is seriously lacking.
7. Stellar Data Recovery
3.31 • Frequently recommended – Stellar Data Recovery is a good example of data recovery software that doesn’t to anything exceptionally wrong nor exceptionally right.
Windows macOS
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest
Recover up to 1 GB for free
$49.99...$599
Stellar Data Recovery is as average as data recovery software applications get, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you’ve already tried a solution or two and are looking for an alternative.
-
Can repair damaged photos and videos. This capability makes the software a great choice for those who have lost irreplaceable recordings of memorable events.
-
Can create backup images of storage devices. This can be useful for creating a backup before recovering data from a damaged device.
-
Fast scanning performance. The software won’t keep you waiting too long before delivering results.
-
Limited preview capabilities. Previews are slow, and only 100 MB of data in total can be previewed.
-
Takes a lot of time to process scan results. The time it takes to process scan results can be quite long.
-
Only a few additional features are available. Stellar Data Recovery has a limited number of additional features, especially compared with market leaders like Disk Drill.
8. MiniTool Power Data Recovery
3.28 • Does it have the power to recover your files? – MiniTool Power Data Recovery for Windows makes recovery easy for any user, but its price tag may not justify its abilities.
Windows
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest
Recover up to 1 GB for free
$69...$499
MiniTool Power Data Recovery is a data recovery application with a lot of potential, but it may take several major updates for the potential to be realized.
-
Appealing user interface. MiniTool Power Data Recovery has an appealing and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to use.
-
Good scanning speed. The application’s scanning speed is above-average, so you can recover more data in less time.
-
Doesn't support high-density pixel displays. As a result, the application doesn’t look right on many modern computers.
-
Confusing default settings. To achieve the best results possible, you need to change the default settings.
-
Misleading scanning options. It’s not always clear what available scanning options do.
9. DMDE (DM Disk Editor and Data Recovery Software)
3.63 • UX designer’s nightmare. – DMDE is a high-value data recovery application whose biggest downside is its poor usability.
Windows macOS Linux
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest
Recover up to 4000 files in the opened directory
$7...$133
DMDE isn’t the friendliest tool for beginners, but what it lacks in ease, it makes up for in robust, professional-grade features and speed.
-
Versatile OS support. From Windows 98 to the latest versions, DMDE has got you covered.
-
RAID reconstruction. This software isn’t just about file recovery; it can even reconstruct broken RAID arrays.
-
Fast and efficient. DMDE scans and recovers data at high speed, saving you valuable time.
-
Not for novices. The user interface and features lean towards the complex side, not ideal for beginners.
-
Limited preview capabilities. If you’re working with RAW photos, forget about previewing them first.
-
No S.M.A.R.T. analytics. This tool lacks the ability to predict your hard drive’s health.
-
Poor signature scanner. The file signatures of many modern multimedia file formats are not recognized.
10. Recuva
Popular among Windows users
3.04 • Good for basic data recovery jobs – Despite its age and lack of development, Recuva is still worth taking a look at—if only because it recovers an unlimited amount of data for free.
Windows
Freeware All features are provided free of charge without any limitations
None
$0...$34.95
Recuva is a straightforward data recovery software capable of handling simpler data recovery jobs, such as the recovery of recently deleted files. Its biggest advantage is the fact that it can recover an unlimited amount of data for free.
-
Completely free and unlimited data recovery. Using Recuva, you can recover as many files as you want without any limitations.
-
Translated into many languages. Recuva’s user interface has been translated into 30+ languages.
-
Subpar data recovery performance. Recuva often struggles to deliver great recovery results, especially when recovering newer file formats.
-
Inaccurate data recovery chance predictions. The data recovery chance predictions displayed by Recuva are often inaccurate.
-
No longer regularly updated. It has been a long time since the last major update was released.
-
Only a small number of file types can be previewed. Many commonly used file types can’t be previewed by Recuva.
Honorable Mentions
Narrowing available data recovery software applications down to just the top 10 best options wasn’t easy. There are several applications you should know about even though they didn’t make the list, so we’ve decided to include them here as honorable mentions.
Data Rescue
3.24 • Still worth a try – Data Rescue may be developed by a reputable company with decades of experience, but it doesn’t look and perform like a modern application.
Windows macOS
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest
Preview only
$19...$399.96
Data Rescue is a venerable data recovery software offering from Prosoft Engineering that has been around for more than 20 years. Sadly, it’s not aging gracefully.
-
Two modes of operation are available. One mode is aimed at less experienced users, while the other one provides more recovery settings to play with.
-
Comes with several extra features. Data Rescue is bundled with multiple extra features that increase its overall value.
-
Doesn't automatically use all scanning methods. For some strange reason, users have to manually use each scanning method individually.
-
Inconvenient preview feature. The software always recovers files to a temporary folder before previewing them, which takes up storage space.
-
Internet connection is always required. You can’t use Data Rescue without being connected to the internet.
-
Available only in English. Users who don’t speak English well may find it difficult to use Data Rescue because the application isn’t available in any other language.
Windows File Recovery
Developed by Microsoft, Windows File Recovery is a command-line data recovery software application that you can download for free from the Microsoft Store and use to recover an unlimited amount of data. While its data recovery performance and usability both leave a lot to be desired, it can address more straightforward cases of data loss, such as recent deletion and formatting.
TestDisk
TestDisk is a partition repair tool with basic data recovery capabilities. It has a rudimentary command-line user interface that guides the user in a step-by-step fashion. If you’re dealing with data loss caused by partition-related issues, then TestDisk is the right tool for the job. For example, it’s great for recovering deleted partitions and fixing boot issues. Best of all, it’s completely free and open source.
DiskDigger
DiskDigger is an often-overlooked data recovery software tool for Windows and Android. While the Windows version isn’t particularly praiseworthy, the version for Android can save the day when you need to recover lost data from a smartphone or tablet without connecting it to a computer.
Remo Recover
You can use Remo Recover to get back more than 500 file formats from hard drives, USB flash drives, memory cards, and other storage devices connected to modern Macs and Windows PCs. The software lets you perform two different scan types—Quick Scan and Deep Scan—giving you the choice between fast and comprehensive results.
Was the provided information useful? Your vote is important to use!
Comparison table
#The comparison table below provides an overview of all data recovery software applications that have made our list.
| Feature | Disk Drill | R-Studio | EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard | DiskGenius | Wondershare Recoverit | PhotoRec | Stellar Data Recovery | MiniTool Power Data Recovery | DMDE (DM Disk Editor and Data Recovery Software) | Recuva | Data Rescue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Score | 100% | 85% | 85% | 82% | 81% | 74% | 73% | 72% | 80% | 67% | 71% |
| Requirements | Windows 10-11 (x64 only) | Windows 2000-11 | Windows 7-11 | Windows 7-11 | Windows 7-11 (x64 only) | Windows XP-10, 11 (unofficial support) | Windows 7-11 | Windows 7-11 | Windows 98-11 | Windows XP-10, 11 (unofficial support) | Windows 7-11 |
| Clever in-depth scan | |||||||||||
| Quick scan | |||||||||||
| Distributed as | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Free | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Freeware | Freemium |
| Trial version available | |||||||||||
| Trial version limitations | Recover up to 500 MB for free | Recover files smaller than 256 KB | Recover up to 2 GB for free | Only small files can be copied | Recover up to 100 MB for free | Freeware. No limits | Recover up to 1 GB for free | Recover up to 1 GB for free | Recover up to 4000 files in the opened directory | Freeware. No limits | Preview only |
| Starting price | $89.00 / Perpetual | $49.99 / Perpetual | $69.95 / 1 month | $69.90 / Lifetime | $59.99 / 1 month | Free | $49.99 / 1 year | $69.00 / 1 month | $7.00 / 1 month | Free | $19.00 / 1 file |
| See Plans & Pricing | Pricing details | Pricing details | Pricing details | Pricing details | Pricing details | Pricing details | Pricing details | Pricing details | Pricing details | Pricing details | Pricing details |
| Raw photo recovery | |||||||||||
| Video formats recovery | |||||||||||
| Document formats recovery | |||||||||||
| S.M.A.R.T. | |||||||||||
| Helpdesk support | |||||||||||
| Live chat | |||||||||||
| Phone support |
Why Is Data Recovery Software Necessary?
In an ideal world, data loss would never be a problem, and data recovery software wouldn’t be necessary. Unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal world, and data loss is something all users have experienced, and many will experience it again in the future for the following reasons:
- Accidental deletion: Users make mistakes, and they often accidentally delete important files, such as documents, photos, and videos. Without data recovery software, it may be impossible to recover them.
- Storage device failure: Hard drives, memory cards, and other types of storage devices can fail due to a variety of reasons, including mechanical failure and physical damage. Data recovery software can recover files from a failing storage device before it becomes completely inaccessible.
- Power outages: The sudden shutdown caused by a power outage can lead to data loss. Data recovery software can save the day by recovering temporary versions of unsaved files before they become deleted.
- Malware attacks: Various strains of malware can hide or delete files. Unless promptly recovered, such files may become overwritten and impossible to ever get back. With a capable data recovery application installed and ready for use, the worst-case scenario is much less likely to happen.
- Software issues: Software issues, such as bugs, software crashes, and system failures, can also cause data loss, and data recovery software can recover files that were lost due to them.
Of course, data recovery software isn’t always necessary. For example, you don’t need to download a data recovery application just to get back recently deleted files that are still in the Recycle Bin. Likewise, you don’t need to perform data recovery if you have a backup of the deleted files and can simply restore them from it.
However, data recovery software is the only way to recover deleted files that are no longer in the Recycle Bin and are not backed up. Because deleted files are still physically present on the storage device until other files use the space they occupy, you should be able to get them back without any issues. All you need is a reliable data recovery software application.
Where data recovery software isn’t of much use is the recovery of data from physically damaged storage devices. If your hard drive has stopped spinning or your memory card has fallen apart, even the best data recovery software won’t be able to help you. In such cases, your only options are professional data recovery services with clean rooms and state-of-the-art equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Software for data recovery is designed to recover lost, deleted, or corrupted files from commonly used storage devices, such as hard drives, USB flash drives, and memory cards.
Yes, there are many different software applications that can help you recover deleted files, including:
Disk Drill
R-Studio
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
DiskGenius
Wondershare Data Recovery
Data recovery software scans the storage device on which your lost files were located to find out if they’re still physically present on it.
Yes, the best data recovery software applications recommended in this article are safe and won’t harm your computer in any way.
Based on our in-depth tests, the best data recovery software currently available is Disk Drill, followed by R-Studio and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.
No, Windows 10 doesn’t come with a data recovery software application, but you can download Microsoft’s own Windows File Recovery tool from the Microsoft Store. There are also many third-party options that you can consider if you desire more functionality or a better user experience, including those recommended in this article.
Yes, there are several free unlimited data recovery software applications, including:
- PhotoRec
- Recuva
- Windows File Recovery
The best data recovery software for Windows 10 is Disk Drill for Windows because of its excellent performance, usability, affordable price, and extra features. Other great solutions include R-Studio, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, DiskGenius, and Wondershare Recoverit.
The best all-in-one data recovery software is Disk Drill because it can address virtually all commonly encountered data loss scenarios, and it even comes with useful extra tools to help users prevent data loss from occurring in the first place. We also like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, R-Studio, and Wondershare Recoverit.
David Morelo is a professional content writer with a specialization in data recovery. He spends his days helping users from around the world recover from data loss and address the numerous issues associated with it.
When not writing about data recovery techniques and solutions, he enjoys tinkering with new technology, working on personal projects, exploring the world on his bike, and, above all else, spending time with his family.
- Klennet Recovery Review (Formerly Zero Assumption Recovery)
- DMDE Review – A Data Recovery Powerhouse or a Usability Nightmare?
- Cisdem Data Recovery for Mac Review – A Clone in Disguise
- Tenorshare 4DDiG Review – All That Glitters Is Not Gold
- TestDisk Review – Can This Repair Tool Recover Lost Files?
Houston, Texas, United States
Nikolay Lankevich has over 15 years of strong experience in various fields and platform includes Disaster Recovery, Windows XP/7. System analysis, design, application (Inter/Intranet) development, and testing. Provided technical supports on desktop and laptops on Win-XP and Macintosh for about 2000 employees.