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Top 7 Best Hard Drive Recovery Software
Thanks to hard drive recovery software, anyone can undelete lost files at home and without any special skills. In fact, the most difficult step is choosing the best solutions because the number of available options can be a bit overwhelming. Fortunately for you, this article is here to help.
Our complete ranking
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Key features analysis
Hard Drive Recovery Software: Factors We Considered
Here are the factors we considered when selecting the best hard drive recovery software for this article:
- Our review results
At Pandora Recovery, we spend our days performing in-depth data recovery software reviews that examine the real-world capabilities of popular solutions. Needless to say, we take the results of our reviews into consideration when choosing the best applications for articles like this one.
- Usability
In our selection process, we placed significant emphasis on usability, as an intuitive and user-friendly interface is essential for a smooth recovery experience. Specifically, we considered factors such as the ability to preview recovered files and the option to filter recovered files by type, size, or date of deletion.
- Recovery capabilities
Another crucial factor we considered when selecting the best hard drive recovery software was its recovery capabilities. We evaluated the software's support for various file systems and file types, its ability to recover original file names and folder structures, and its proficiency in scanning corrupted or RAW hard drives while bypassing system errors.
- System compatibility
When selecting the best hard drive recovery software for this article, we also focused on system compatibility because we wanted to ensure that users across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms could benefit from the recommended tools. Additionally, we considered the frequency of program updates and compatibility with the latest OS versions, as this demonstrates the software's commitment to staying up to date.
- Scan speed
This often-overlooked factor can make a world of difference when recovering large amounts of data or sizable files, as it can significantly reduce the time spent waiting for the recovery process to complete. That's why we prioritized hard drive recovery tools with efficient scanning performance.
- Extra features
Features like partition repair, drive cloning, and S.M.A.R.T. diagnostics enhance the software's overall value by providing an all-in-one solution. These additional capabilities not only assist in data recovery but also help users assess the current state of their drives and address hard drive-related issues. That's why we considered extra features when choosing the hard drive recovery tools below.
- Price
We evaluated the ratio of the software's price to the functions it offers, ensuring that users receive value for their investment. Additionally, we took into account the amount of free data recovery provided and the availability of completely free software options.
We encourage you to dive deeper into our comprehensive Windows and Mac reviews to make an informed decision. For a tailored recommendation, try our user-friendly data recovery software picker and discover the ideal solution to get your valuable data back.
Top 7 Best Hard Drive Recovery Software
#There are many great hard drive recovery software applications that you can choose from at the time of writing this article. We’ve narrowed them down to just seven based on the above-described selection criteria.
1. Disk Drill
Top pick
4.54 • 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
Disk Drill is one of the best recovery software applications for hard drive-related data loss because it masterfully combines usability with performance, delivering a solution that can reliably satisfy the needs of beginners and pros alike.
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Multi-platform solution. Purchasing Disk Drill for Windows also grants you access to Disk Drill for Mac, offering a versatile solution for users on both platforms.
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Raw photo and video support. Disk Drill’s ability to detect and recover a wide range of raw photo and video formats makes it a powerful HDD recovery tool for professionals.
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Recovery Vault. Disk Drill includes a unique Recovery Vault feature that saves metadata about deleted files, making it easier to recover them in the future.
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Free recovery limit. The Windows version of Disk Drill can recover up to 500 MB of data for free.
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Top-notch usability and performance. You would be hard-pressed to find a data recovery tool that’s as easy as Disk Drill yet delivers the same excellent data recovery results.
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Lack of phone support. Disk Drill doesn’t offer phone support for users needing assistance. Only email support is available.
2. R-Studio
Popular among professionals
3.85 • 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
Unlike most other hard disk recovery software listed in this article, R-Studio is geared toward professionals and experienced users who can take advantage of its advanced features.
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Cross-platform compatibility. R-Studio runs natively on Windows, Linux, and macOS (including older versions of these operating systems).
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Extensive file system support. R-Studio covers all commonly used Windows, Linux, and macOS file systems.
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Custom file type recovery. Users can add custom file types to R-Studio. This is useful when recovering obscure file formats.
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Network recovery. R-Studio’s network recovery feature allows professionals to recover a client computer over the network.
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RAID recovery and repair. The software is capable of automatically reconstructing and recovering broken RAID arrays.
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Limited preview capabilities. R-Studio’s preview feature is restricted, supporting only a few file types.
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Complex user interface. The software is designed for professionals, and the complexity of its user interface reflects this.
3. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
Decent recovery results
3.81 • 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 Data Recovery Wizard is an attractive hard drive recovery software application with a not-so-attractive subscription-based pricing model, which prevents us from placing it any higher.
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User-friendly interface. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard features an intuitive interface for a smooth and hassle-free user experience.
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Quick scanning process. The software’s scanning speed allows users to swiftly access their recoverable files without having to wait too long.
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Dedicated customer support. Paying customers can expect timely assistance for any issues they encounter.
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Generous recovery limit. By mentioning the product on a social media network, users can recover up to 2 GB of data at no cost.
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Intrusive pop-up ads. Frequent pop-up ads for other products can be bothersome, and they can’t be dissabled.
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Limited file preview functionality. Only up to 100 MB of data can be previewed and even many common file formats are not supported.
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
DiskGenius makes hard disk management easy because it integrates several useful sets of features into one convenient package. As such, you can use it to recover lost data, edit partitions, back up and restore important files, and more.
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Comprehensive data management solution. DiskGenius serves as both a data recovery tool and a disk management utility, so it can address a wide variety of data-related needs.
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Fast scanning speed. DiskGenius is highly efficient in analyzing data for hard disk recovery purposes.
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Extra features. The software offers a wide range of extra capabilities, including disk cloning and operating system migration.
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Virtual RAID support. DiskGenius can work with virtual RAID systems, enabling users to recover data from damaged arrays.
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High complexity. DiskGenius is designed primarily for experienced users, and it features a complicated interface.
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Lackluster file previews. There’s no thumbnail view for image previews.
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Average signature scanning performance. Despite its many features, DiskGenius’ signature scanner isn’t as effective as some of its competitors
5. 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
If there’s one free hard drive recovery software tool that most Windows users are familiar with, it’s Recuva. Even though it no longer receives major updates, it still offers a decent enough performance to warrant a place in our ranking.
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Cost-free solution. Recuva allows users to scan and recover an unlimited number of files without any financial investment.
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Two UI modes. The software offers two distinct operating modes—simple and advanced—to cater to users with different levels of expertise.
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Multilingual support. The HDD recovery software has been translated into many languages.
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Limited development. Recuva’s development has been stagnant for years now, resulting in sub-par support for modern file formats.
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Inaccurate recovery estimations. The software’s estimation of file recovery chances is often unreliable.
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
PhotoRec demonstrates the power of open-source software by providing a completely unlimited alternative to paid hard disk data recovery tools.
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No limits whatsoever. PhotoRec is a completely free hard drive recovery software that allows users to recover an unlimited number of files.
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Open-source software. As an open-source program, PhotoRec’s source code is available for anyone to study, modify, or improve upon.
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Raw disk support. This hard disk recovery tool is capable of working with disks lacking a file system.
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Infrequent updates. Because PhotoRec is a one-man project, it takes a while for updates to be released.
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Poor usability. The optional graphical user interface is based, and the command-line interface is even less accessible to inexperienced users.
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Manual update installation. PhotoRec does not include an auto-update feature, requiring users to manually download and replace the software with the latest version.
7. DiskDigger
3.37 • Simple and cheap, but with mediocre results – DiskDigger is a budget-friendly data recovery solution for those who aren’t looking for a tool that has all the bells and whistles.
Windows macOS Linux
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest
5-second delay after each recovered file
$0...$14.99
DiskDigger is a member of a growing family of data recovery tools for Windows, Android, Linux, and, to some extent, macOS. Although its performance isn’t the best, its low price more than makes up for it.
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Compact and portable. DiskDigger is compact, and its small 1.7 MB size makes it easy to transfer to various storage devices.
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Free with delay. You can recover an unlimited number of files for free, but there’s a 5-second delay between each recovery.
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Blurry UI. DiskDigger’s interface appears unclear and pixelated on high DPI monitors.
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Limited quick scan capabilities. The program’s quick scan feature is restricted to recently deleted files.
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Lack of extra features. DiskDigger falls completely short in terms of additional functionality (the application received 0% in our review for extra features).
Honorable Mentions
With so many hard drive recovery applications to choose from, we couldn’t possibly list every single solution that deserves your attention and describe its pros, cons, and data recovery performance. What we can do instead, however, is include them here in no particular order as honorable mentions.
If it wasn’t for its somewhat inconsistent data recovery results, Stellar Data Recovery would definitely be among the top 10 applications hard drive recovery applications featured in this article. Why? Because it can recover up to 1 GB of data for free, including custom file formats.
Open-source data recovery software applications are as rare as rocking horse droppings, so any such application whose performance matches or even exceeds proprietary applications deserves everyone’s full attention. TestDisk is without a doubt among them, but the tool is severely lacking in the usability department.
Trusted by over 5 million users, Wondershare Recoverit is one of the biggest names when it comes to hard drive recovery. The application offers an intuitive three-step process geared toward beginners. More advanced users may dislike the lack of advanced options and features.
Tenorshare 4DDiG is modern, sleek, and accessible, but its claims of being able to recognize over 1,000 file signatures are not true. That might not necessarily be a problem depending on what you’re trying to recover, but it’s something to keep in mind before you click the Buy button.
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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 | Recuva | PhotoRec | DiskDigger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Score Free Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque. | 100% | 85% | 84% | 82% | 67% | 74% | 74% |
| Requirements | Windows 10-11 (x64 only) | Windows 2000-11 | Windows 7-11 | Windows 7-11 | Windows XP-10, 11 (unofficial support) | Windows XP-10, 11 (unofficial support) | Windows Vista-11 |
| Clever in-depth scan | |||||||
| Quick scan | |||||||
| Distributed as | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Freeware | Free | 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 | Freeware. No limits | Freeware. No limits | 5-second delay after each recovered file |
| Starting price | $89.00 / Perpetual | $49.99 / Perpetual | $69.95 / 1 month | $69.90 / Lifetime | Free | Free | Free |
| See Plans & Pricing | 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 |
Key Points for Successful Hard Drive File Recovery
You can pick the best hard disk recovery software available but fail to recover your data unless you keep in mind the following key points for successful recovery:
- Stop using the hard drive:
As soon as you realize that data loss has occurred, you should stop using the hard drive. When the Windows operating system deletes a file or folder, it doesn't physically remove it from your hard drive. It simply marks the space occupied by the item as available for future use by the system. Until the OS reuses this space, the deleted data can be restored with file recovery software.
- Pick a safe installation location: If the file deletion occurs on your main hard drive, you should download, install, and run hard disk recovery software on a USB drive to avoid overwriting the deleted data.
- Use a reliable recovery tool: You might only get one chance to recover your lost data. Don’t risk it with an inferior recovery application. Use a hard disk recovery tool with a proven track record of successful data recovery and many positive user reviews.
- Recover your data to a new location: Don’t try to recover your data to the same disk on which it was originally stored. Doing this runs the risk of overwriting or corrupting files as they are being recovered, making them permanently unrecoverable. If the data was stored on your main hard drive, consider using a removable USB drive to ensure a successful recovery.
- Backup your files: You should follow best practices and regularly create backups of your hard drive so that you can easily recover all lost files should you experience data loss. In addition to backing up individual files, you can create byte-level backups and use them to recover your entire operating system, along with all installed applications, in the event of a catastrophic hard drive crash.
In Which Cases Should I Use an External Hard Drive Recovery Tool?
External hard drive recovery tools can be used to recover data that has become inaccessible for the following reasons:
- Accidental deletion
- Formatting
- Hard drive or partition corruption
- Malware attack
- Software error
- Human error
However, you may encounter situations where even the best hard drive recovery software is unable to retrieve your data.
For example, it’s not possible to recover deleted files that have already been overwritten by new data. That’s because overwritten files are no longer physically present on the hard drive, so there’s no way to retrieve them.
Hard drive recovery software also can’t overcome physical damage, such as a sudden head crash, water ingress, power surge, or destruction of platters/memory chips caused by the hard drive experiencing a falling over or being dropped.
To retrieve data from a physically damaged hard drive, you need to contact a professional data recovery center with specialized equipment and clean rooms. Here’s a quick rundown of what to do if you need the services of a professional data recovery center.
- Search Google for a reliable recovery center.
- Contact the recovery center for an initial consultation. You will be asked to explain the problem and receive an estimate of recovery costs.
- Ship your device to the recovery center. On receipt, technicians will examine the device and give you a firm recovery price. A reputable service will not charge you if they cannot successfully recover your data.
- Upon completion of the recovery, your data will be returned to you on a new storage device.
If you have lost valuable data and cannot restore it yourself, a data recovery center may be just what you need. It is a more expensive option than recovery software, so you will have to determine how much your data is worth to you. Using a service is probably your last resort for getting data back from a damaged drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best data recovery software applications for Windows are:
- Disk Drill
- R-Studio
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
- DiskGenius
- Recuva
- PhotoRec
- DiskDigger
In general, data recovery software for damaged hard drives should utilize sophisticated scanning algorithms, encompassing signature scanning and the ability to examine RAW and corrupted disks. The software solutions we recommend the most for recovering data from corrupted, damaged, or crashed hard drives include Disk Drill, R-Studio, and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.
Recuva is widely regarded as one of the best completly free hard drive recovery software options because it offers a user-friendly interface and solid data recovery capabilities, making it an ideal choice for users on a budget. Another great choice is PhotoRec, but its interface leaves a lot to be desired.
R-Studio is a popular choice among professionals due to its advanced features, support for custom file formats, and the resulting ability to manage intricate data recovery scenarios. However, ultimately, the decision hinges on the usability and quality of data recovery, which can also be found in other data recovery software applications, such as Disk Drill.
Indeed, it is possible to retrieve data from an accidentally formatted hard drive, particularly when a quick format has been performed and the usage of the formatted drive has been minimized. To accomplish this, consider employing specialized data recovery software such as Disk Drill, R-Studio, or, for example, DiskGenius.
The cost of DIY hard drive data recovery varies depending on the software you choose. Free software options are available, while paid solutions can range from tens to several hundred dollars. In some cases, hiring a data recovery service might be necessary, which can cost significantly more than DIY software.
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.
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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.