Quick Overview
- 1#1: EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard - Recovers deleted, lost, or formatted data from hard drives, SSDs, USBs, SD cards, and RAID with preview and selective recovery options.
- 2#2: Disk Drill - Intuitive data recovery software for Mac and Windows that supports over 400 file types with deep scans and byte-level backups.
- 3#3: Wondershare Recoverit - Comprehensive data recovery tool for computers, external drives, mobiles, and crashed systems with high success rates and video repair.
- 4#4: Stellar Data Recovery - Professional software to recover data from corrupted, formatted, deleted, or inaccessible Windows and Mac storage devices.
- 5#5: Recuva - Free Windows tool from Piriform that recovers accidentally deleted files from hard drives, memory cards, and USB sticks.
- 6#6: MiniTool Power Data Recovery - Reliable free and pro data recovery software for Windows supporting quick and deep scans on various storage media.
- 7#7: R-Studio - Powerful data recovery suite for technicians handling complex cases across multiple file systems, networks, and disk images.
- 8#8: TestDisk/PhotoRec - Free open-source utilities for recovering lost partitions, repairing boot sectors, and carving files from damaged disks.
- 9#9: iBoysoft Data Recovery - Specialized recovery tool for Mac NTFS volumes, BitLocker, formatted drives, and lost partitions on Windows and macOS.
- 10#10: Wise Data Recovery - Lightweight free Windows utility for quick scanning and recovering deleted files with built-in virus detection.
We ranked these tools based on consistent performance across scenarios, from simple accidental deletions to complex failures, while prioritizing ease of use, feature set, and value—ensuring the list includes both accessible options and robust tools for professional needs.
Comparison Table
In an increasingly digital landscape, reliable data restore software is essential for retrieving lost files. This comparison table explores top tools like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Disk Drill, Wondershare Recoverit, Stellar Data Recovery, and Recuva, guiding readers to find the best option for their recovery needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Recovers deleted, lost, or formatted data from hard drives, SSDs, USBs, SD cards, and RAID with preview and selective recovery options. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 2 | Disk Drill Intuitive data recovery software for Mac and Windows that supports over 400 file types with deep scans and byte-level backups. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Wondershare Recoverit Comprehensive data recovery tool for computers, external drives, mobiles, and crashed systems with high success rates and video repair. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Stellar Data Recovery Professional software to recover data from corrupted, formatted, deleted, or inaccessible Windows and Mac storage devices. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | Recuva Free Windows tool from Piriform that recovers accidentally deleted files from hard drives, memory cards, and USB sticks. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | MiniTool Power Data Recovery Reliable free and pro data recovery software for Windows supporting quick and deep scans on various storage media. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | R-Studio Powerful data recovery suite for technicians handling complex cases across multiple file systems, networks, and disk images. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 8 | TestDisk/PhotoRec Free open-source utilities for recovering lost partitions, repairing boot sectors, and carving files from damaged disks. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 4.5/10 | 10.0/10 |
| 9 | iBoysoft Data Recovery Specialized recovery tool for Mac NTFS volumes, BitLocker, formatted drives, and lost partitions on Windows and macOS. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 10 | Wise Data Recovery Lightweight free Windows utility for quick scanning and recovering deleted files with built-in virus detection. | specialized | 7.3/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 |
Recovers deleted, lost, or formatted data from hard drives, SSDs, USBs, SD cards, and RAID with preview and selective recovery options.
Intuitive data recovery software for Mac and Windows that supports over 400 file types with deep scans and byte-level backups.
Comprehensive data recovery tool for computers, external drives, mobiles, and crashed systems with high success rates and video repair.
Professional software to recover data from corrupted, formatted, deleted, or inaccessible Windows and Mac storage devices.
Free Windows tool from Piriform that recovers accidentally deleted files from hard drives, memory cards, and USB sticks.
Reliable free and pro data recovery software for Windows supporting quick and deep scans on various storage media.
Powerful data recovery suite for technicians handling complex cases across multiple file systems, networks, and disk images.
Free open-source utilities for recovering lost partitions, repairing boot sectors, and carving files from damaged disks.
Specialized recovery tool for Mac NTFS volumes, BitLocker, formatted drives, and lost partitions on Windows and macOS.
Lightweight free Windows utility for quick scanning and recovering deleted files with built-in virus detection.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
specializedRecovers deleted, lost, or formatted data from hard drives, SSDs, USBs, SD cards, and RAID with preview and selective recovery options.
Advanced file preview that lets users verify and selectively recover specific files before committing to a full scan or purchase.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a comprehensive data recovery software designed to retrieve lost, deleted, formatted, or corrupted files from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, and more. It supports over 1,000 file types across Windows and Mac platforms, offering quick and deep scan modes for thorough recovery. The tool features a user-friendly wizard interface with preview capabilities, making it accessible for both novices and professionals to restore data from various data loss scenarios like accidental deletion, formatting, or partition errors.
Pros
- Exceptionally high recovery success rate across diverse storage devices and file systems
- Intuitive step-by-step wizard interface suitable for all skill levels
- Robust preview feature to verify files before recovery
Cons
- Free version limited to 2GB recovery without purchase
- Deep scans can be time-consuming on large drives
- Occasional upselling prompts during free use
Best For
Home users and small businesses seeking a reliable, easy-to-use solution for recovering accidentally deleted or lost data from any storage device.
Pricing
Free (up to 2GB); Pro: $69.95/month, $89.95/year, or $149.95 lifetime.
Disk Drill
specializedIntuitive data recovery software for Mac and Windows that supports over 400 file types with deep scans and byte-level backups.
Recovery Vault, which safeguards recoverable files by storing deletion metadata for quick future restoration
Disk Drill is a versatile data recovery software for Mac and Windows that excels at retrieving deleted, lost, or corrupted files from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, and other storage devices. It supports a broad array of file systems including APFS, HFS+, NTFS, FAT, exFAT, and EXT4, with advanced scanning algorithms for quick and deep recovery scans. Additional tools like file preview, Recovery Vault for data protection, and duplicate finder enhance its utility beyond basic restoration.
Pros
- Intuitive, beginner-friendly interface with guided recovery process
- Broad support for file systems, devices, and 400+ file types
- Free scanning and preview before committing to recovery
Cons
- Full recovery locked behind paid Pro upgrade
- Scan times can be slow on very large or damaged drives
- Windows version has fewer advanced features than Mac
Best For
Non-technical users seeking reliable, user-friendly data recovery from everyday storage devices on Mac or Windows.
Pricing
Free basic version for scanning/preview; Pro one-time license $89 (Mac), $49 (Windows), with optional bundles and discounts.
Wondershare Recoverit
specializedComprehensive data recovery tool for computers, external drives, mobiles, and crashed systems with high success rates and video repair.
Enhanced Deep Scan mode that recovers data from formatted drives, lost partitions, and crashed systems with impressive thoroughness
Wondershare Recoverit is a versatile data recovery software designed to retrieve lost, deleted, formatted, or corrupted files from hard drives, SSDs, USBs, SD cards, and other storage devices. It supports Windows and macOS, covering over 1,000 file types across file systems like NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, HFS+, and more. The tool offers multiple recovery modes, including quick scans, deep scans, and enhanced recovery for complex scenarios, with a preview feature to verify files before restoration.
Pros
- Intuitive, wizard-based interface ideal for beginners
- High recovery success rate across 1000+ file types and devices
- Preview functionality allows selective recovery to save time and storage
Cons
- Free version limited to 100MB recovery
- Deep scans can be time-consuming on large drives
- Pricing is higher than some open-source alternatives
Best For
Non-technical users seeking an easy-to-use solution for recovering accidentally deleted or formatted files from computers and external storage.
Pricing
Free (100MB limit); paid plans: Monthly $79.99, Annual $99.99, Lifetime $199.99.
Stellar Data Recovery
specializedProfessional software to recover data from corrupted, formatted, deleted, or inaccessible Windows and Mac storage devices.
Seamless recovery from formatted drives and support for BitLocker-encrypted volumes with preview capabilities
Stellar Data Recovery is a robust software tool specializing in retrieving lost, deleted, formatted, or corrupted data from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, memory cards, and RAID arrays. It supports multiple file systems including NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, HFS+, and APFS, with specialized modules for photos, videos, emails, and databases. The software offers deep scan technology, file preview, and recovery to any drive, making it suitable for both Windows and Mac users facing data loss scenarios.
Pros
- Wide compatibility with storage devices, file systems, and encrypted drives like BitLocker
- Reliable file preview and selective recovery options
- User-friendly wizard interface suitable for non-experts
Cons
- Free version limited to scanning without recovery
- Premium tiers can be expensive for occasional users
- Scan times can be lengthy on large or heavily damaged drives
Best For
Home users and small businesses needing straightforward, reliable data recovery from common storage failures without advanced technical skills.
Pricing
Free trial for scanning; paid licenses start at $69.99/year (Standard), $99.99/year (Professional), up to $399 one-time (Technician).
Recuva
specializedFree Windows tool from Piriform that recovers accidentally deleted files from hard drives, memory cards, and USB sticks.
Deep Scan mode that reconstructs fragmented files even from formatted or damaged drives
Recuva is a free data recovery tool from Piriform (ccleaner.com) designed to restore deleted, lost, or overwritten files from hard drives, USB drives, memory cards, and other Windows storage devices. It features quick and deep scan modes, file filtering by type, and a wizard-based interface for straightforward recovery. While effective for common scenarios like emptied Recycle Bin recoveries, it lacks enterprise-level features such as disk imaging or RAID support.
Pros
- Completely free version with no usage limits
- User-friendly wizard interface suitable for beginners
- Supports recovery from a wide range of devices and file systems
Cons
- Deep scans can take hours on large drives
- Limited preview capabilities for non-media files
- No advanced features like disk cloning or email support in free version
Best For
Home users and beginners needing simple recovery of accidentally deleted files from Windows PCs.
Pricing
Free (full-featured); Pro version $19.95/year for priority support and automatic updates.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery
specializedReliable free and pro data recovery software for Windows supporting quick and deep scans on various storage media.
Bootable WinPE recovery disk for data access on non-booting systems
MiniTool Power Data Recovery is a Windows-based data recovery tool that helps retrieve lost, deleted, formatted, or corrupted files from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, and other storage media. It features specialized modules for recovering data from Recycle Bin, lost partitions, damaged disks, and even CD/DVDs. The software supports NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and other file systems, with options to preview files before recovery and create bootable media for system failures.
Pros
- Intuitive wizard-based interface suitable for beginners
- File preview functionality to verify recoverability
- Bootable USB creation for crashed systems
Cons
- Free version limited to 1GB recovery per computer
- Scan times can be slow on large or deeply damaged drives
- Limited advanced options compared to enterprise tools
Best For
Home users and small businesses seeking straightforward recovery of accidentally deleted or formatted files on Windows devices.
Pricing
Free edition (1GB limit); paid Personal license $69 lifetime (1 PC), Pro $99 lifetime (unlimited PCs), with monthly/annual options from $59.
R-Studio
enterprisePowerful data recovery suite for technicians handling complex cases across multiple file systems, networks, and disk images.
Advanced RAID reconstruction engine that emulates and rebuilds complex RAID configurations virtually
R-Studio is a comprehensive data recovery software suite developed by R-Tools Technology, specializing in recovering lost, deleted, or corrupted files from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and RAID arrays. It supports a wide range of file systems including NTFS, FAT/exFAT, HFS+, ReFS, Ext2/Ext4, and UFS, with advanced capabilities like deep scan, raw file recovery, and virtual disk mounting. The tool also includes a built-in hex editor and network recovery features, making it suitable for both individual and professional use.
Pros
- Extensive file system and RAID support for complex recoveries
- Powerful scanning options including deep scan and known file types
- Integrated hex editor and network recovery capabilities
Cons
- Dated and cluttered user interface
- Steep learning curve for non-experts
- Full features require expensive higher-tier licenses
Best For
IT professionals and advanced users dealing with RAID failures, damaged partitions, or multi-platform recoveries.
Pricing
Demo is free (view-only recovery); Standard license $79.99, Technician $899.99 (perpetual with updates).
TestDisk/PhotoRec
specializedFree open-source utilities for recovering lost partitions, repairing boot sectors, and carving files from damaged disks.
Signature-based file carving in PhotoRec that ignores file system damage to recover files by content signatures
TestDisk/PhotoRec is a powerful duo of open-source tools from cgsecurity.org designed for data recovery. TestDisk recovers lost partitions, repairs boot sectors, and undeletes files from various file systems like FAT, NTFS, ext2/3/4, and more. PhotoRec uses signature-based carving to recover thousands of file types from damaged or formatted media, bypassing the file system entirely. Together, they offer advanced recovery for severely compromised storage devices across Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no limitations
- Exceptional recovery from damaged partitions and file systems
- Supports hundreds of file signatures and cross-platform use
Cons
- Primarily command-line interface with limited GUI options
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- No built-in file preview or selective recovery interface
Best For
Ideal for IT professionals, forensic experts, and advanced users tackling complex data loss scenarios on damaged drives.
Pricing
Completely free (open-source, donations encouraged).
iBoysoft Data Recovery
specializedSpecialized recovery tool for Mac NTFS volumes, BitLocker, formatted drives, and lost partitions on Windows and macOS.
Bootable WinPE USB creator for data recovery from crashed or unbootable Windows systems
iBoysoft Data Recovery is a cross-platform data recovery software for Windows and macOS that helps users retrieve lost, deleted, formatted, or inaccessible files from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, and RAID arrays. It supports major file systems like NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, APFS, and HFS+, with options for quick and deep scans, file previewing, and selective recovery. The tool excels in common data loss scenarios such as accidental deletion, formatting, and partition errors, offering a user-friendly wizard-based interface.
Pros
- Intuitive three-step recovery process suitable for beginners
- Strong support for multiple file systems and storage types
- Bootable media creation for unbootable systems
Cons
- Free version limited to scanning and preview only
- Deep scans can be time-consuming on large drives
- Lacks advanced enterprise features like remote recovery
Best For
Home users and small businesses seeking straightforward recovery from deleted or formatted drives on Windows or Mac.
Pricing
Free for scan/preview; Pro lifetime license $69.95 (1 PC), $89.95 (3 PCs), or monthly/annual subscriptions from $19.95.
Wise Data Recovery
specializedLightweight free Windows utility for quick scanning and recovering deleted files with built-in virus detection.
Step-by-step wizard interface with real-time file preview during scans
Wise Data Recovery is a free Windows-based tool from WiseCleaner designed to recover deleted, formatted, or lost files from hard drives, USBs, memory cards, and other storage devices. It supports quick and deep scan modes for NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and other file systems, with a built-in preview feature to verify files before recovery. While straightforward for basic needs, it lacks advanced capabilities for heavily damaged drives or RAID recovery.
Pros
- Completely free with no hidden costs
- Intuitive wizard-style interface for beginners
- File preview to check recoverability before saving
Cons
- Limited to Windows platform only
- No support for complex recoveries like RAID or encrypted drives
- Deep scans can be slow on large drives
Best For
Beginners and home users seeking a simple, cost-free tool for recovering accidentally deleted files on Windows PCs.
Pricing
Entirely free, no premium version or subscriptions required.
Conclusion
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard stands out as the top choice, offering versatile recovery across diverse storage types. Disk Drill and Wondershare Recoverit follow closely, each with unique strengths that make them excellent alternatives, catering to different user needs and scenarios.
Begin by trying EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to protect your files and restore confidence in your data safety
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison