GITNUXSOFTWARE ADVICE
Storage Moving RelocationTop 10 Best Lost Data Recovery Software of 2026
Compare lost data recovery software options for Windows and macOS, with side-by-side notes on tools like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard and Stellar Data Recovery.
How we ranked these tools
Vendors set the topic, but our editors set the inclusion criteria and the evaluation framework before research starts.
Agents extract product evidence with provenance, then collect written reviews and transcribe video reviews and podcasts.
Framework: Features 40% · Ease 30% · Value 30%
Gitnux may earn a commission through links on this page — this does not influence rankings. Editorial policy
Wondershare Recoverit is the best pick for Windows users who want guided recovery that still works when the system won’t boot, because it builds bootable recovery media and keeps the same workflow through preview and deeper scanning; for tighter operator control on damaged media, DMDE fits since it reconstructs file lists from detected on-disk structures and supports repeatable scan planning.
Editor’s top 3 picks
Three quick recommendations before you dive into the full comparison below — each one leads on a different dimension.
Wondershare Recoverit
Bootable recovery media builder enables scanning when Windows is unbootable, using the same results workflow afterward.
Best for: Fits when Windows users need guided recovery workflows with preview and bootable media.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
Editor pickGuided partition-aware scanning that reconstructs usable volume views during the same recovery session.
Best for: Fits when single-disk Windows recoveries need a guided scan, preview, and selective export of deleted files.
Stellar Data Recovery
Editor pickFile preview and selective extraction built into the recovery flow before writing recovered data.
Best for: Fits when teams need guided recovery for deleted or formatted files with manual selection.
Comparison Table
Wondershare Recoverit
SMBData recovery software for Windows and macOS with support for documents, media, crashed systems, and NAS scenarios.
Bootable recovery media builder enables scanning when Windows is unbootable, using the same results workflow afterward.
Wondershare Recoverit centers its workflow around scan selection, then turns results into a browsable tree with preview before recovery. It supports recovery after formatting and can target drives that show logical issues where normal Windows access fails. Bootable recovery media is available to run scanning when the operating system cannot boot into a usable state.
A key tradeoff is that recoverability depends heavily on scan depth and media condition, and results vary when the file system metadata is heavily damaged. It fits situations like an accidental delete on a working Windows PC where quick recovery attempts should run first, followed by deeper scanning only if preview shows missing targets.
- +Guided scan stages help move from deleted files to deeper scanning
- +Preview and filtering reduce the time spent locating recoverable files
- +Bootable recovery media supports offline scanning when Windows fails
- +Recovers from formatted drives with a single results workflow
- –Deep scan behavior can be slow on large multi-terabyte drives
- –Certain damaged file systems may require more than one scan approach
- –Advanced analysts may need extra tooling for verification and carving workflows
- –Recovery outcomes drop sharply when the drive has extensive physical damage
Home users on Windows
Accidental delete on external drive
Faster restored photos and documents
Small IT teams
Formatted USB storage recovery
Reduced downtime after wipe
Show 2 more scenarios
Helpdesk technicians
Windows will not boot
Data rescue during outage
Create bootable media, scan offline, and recover data without relying on a running OS.
Power users
Iterative rescans after partial success
More complete recovery set
Use rescan options to refine results after initial attempts miss expected filenames.
Best for: Fits when Windows users need guided recovery workflows with preview and bootable media.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
SMBWidely used file recovery software for Windows and macOS focused on deleted, formatted, and lost partitions.
Guided partition-aware scanning that reconstructs usable volume views during the same recovery session.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard initiates file recovery through both quick scan and deep scan workflows, targeting deleted file restoration and formatted drive recovery scenarios. The tool organizes results by file type and location, then supports preview before exporting recovered items.
It also includes recovery for common storage damage patterns by rebuilding partition structures during scan-driven detection. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is focused on guided recovery rather than imaging pipelines, which can matter when an incident requires strict write-blocking workflows.
- +Quick scan and deep scan modes reduce time for routine deletions
- +Preview filters help confirm file integrity before export
- +Results grouping by path and type speeds triage of mixed recoveries
- +Partition detection assists when the volume layout has changed
- –Recovery outcome varies heavily with drive health and scan depth
- –No forensic-grade write-blocking workflow is built into the recovery steps
- –Advanced disk reconstruction tasks require external tools
- –RAID rebuild and NAS-specific recovery workflows are limited
IT staff and small business
Recover files from lost partitions
Recovered files restored from lost partitions
Consumers and individual users
Restore accidentally deleted documents
Deleted files recovered to destination
Show 2 more scenarios
Photographers and content creators
Recover media from reformatted SD cards
Card content copied elsewhere
Use guided scans to recover camera photos and documents from deleted or reformatted media.
Freelancers and small business
Find files after USB formatting
Recoverable files selectively restored
Scan reformatted USB drives and storage media to identify files even when directory entries are missing.
Best for: Fits when single-disk Windows recoveries need a guided scan, preview, and selective export of deleted files.
Stellar Data Recovery
SMBCross-platform recovery software for deleted files, formatted drives, and corrupted storage media.
File preview and selective extraction built into the recovery flow before writing recovered data.
Stellar Data Recovery is a practical choice when the goal is to recover specific documents rather than to build a forensic workflow from scratch. The recovery workflow uses scan modes for quicker results and deeper passes, then shows file lists for targeted selection and preview prior to extraction. Support for multiple common file systems improves outcomes when the underlying damage is logical rather than purely physical.
A tradeoff appears in governance and automation depth, since the product centers on desktop guided steps instead of a documented API or repeatable orchestration layer. It is best used when a person or small team needs recoverable files after accidental deletion, formatting, or file system disruptions, and can tolerate manual selection of targets.
- +Preview-first recovery workflow reduces saving wrong candidates
- +Separate scan modes support quick triage and deeper follow-up
- +Recovery flows for formatted drives and deleted files are straightforward
- +File system specific restoration improves usability of recovered outputs
- –No documented automation or API surface for scripted recovery runs
- –Deep scans can take substantial time on large drives
- –RAID reconstruction and NAS-specific workflows are not a core focus
- –Results selection still requires manual review of candidate files
Small IT teams
Recover deleted documents after user error
Faster restoration to business use
Freelancers
Recover after accidental partition formatting
Recovered deliverables without full rebuild
Show 2 more scenarios
Help desk operators
Retrieve files from external USB storage
Customer-ready files recovered
Run scan modes to produce a recoverable file list even when the device is not mountable.
Ops teams
Recover from logical file system damage
Usable files with fewer corrupted items
Leverage file system-aware reconstruction to restore metadata so files open normally.
Best for: Fits when teams need guided recovery for deleted or formatted files with manual selection.
Disk Drill
SMBConsumer and prosumer data recovery software for Windows and macOS with broad file system support.
Multi-stage scanning with file preview and controlled restore destination during the same workflow.
Disk Drill from CleverFiles targets lost file recovery on Windows and macOS using quick scans for metadata-based discovery and deeper scanning for raw recovery-style reconstruction when directory information is incomplete.
- +Quick scan and deep scan modes reduce time for routine recoveries
- +Recovery preview supports selecting usable files before full restore
- +Write-to-different-drive behavior supports safer recovery workflows
- +Drive health and S.M.A.R.T. context helps triage risky storage
- –Advanced partition repair and boot record reconstruction tools are limited
- –Deep scan throughput drops noticeably on large drives
- –RAID and NAS recovery are not a primary workflow
- –Encrypted volume recovery depends on available keys and OS access
Consumer laptop users
Recover deleted files after accidental deletion
Recovered files exported safely
IT support staff
Restore lost folders during incidents
Missing data recovered for users
Show 2 more scenarios
Photographers and field workers
Recover deleted photos from memory cards
Photos restored to new storage
Scans memory cards for corrupted or deleted media and previews results before saving elsewhere.
Records-handling staff
Extract files from partially readable discs
Files recovered from degraded media
Attempts disc scanning and raw-style recovery so remaining readable sectors can be reviewed and extracted.
Best for: Fits when single-disk deletions and formatted-drive recoveries need guided scans without forensic imaging overhead.
DMDE
specialistDisk editing and data recovery software focused on partition restoration, file recovery, and low-level storage analysis.
Operator-driven scanning and file list reconstruction across damaged partitions, with export built around detected on-disk structures.
DMDE is a manual and forensic-leaning lost data recovery tool aimed at cases where standard recovery wizards fail. It supports raw recovery and deleted file restoration by scanning on-disk structures, then presenting results with file list previews.
- +Raw recovery and deleted file restoration with direct structure scanning
- +Sector-level inspection helps when file systems are inconsistent or damaged
- +Manual workflow supports partition table reconstruction and targeted retries
- +Disk imaging workflow reduces repeated reads of the source drive
- –Workflow requires careful scanning choices to avoid misleading results
- –Less automation than wizard-first recoverers for common failures
- –User-facing views can feel technical during complex partitioning issues
- –Deeper analysis increases time to reach a usable export list
IT teams and advanced admins
Recover files from inaccessible storage volumes
Recovered files from blocked volumes
Forensic analysts and investigators
Validate partitions and recovery candidates
Evidence-backed recovery decisions
Show 2 more scenarios
Recovery operators and support teams
Recover data from flash media
Extracted files from flash storage
DMDE analyzes sectors and filesystem metadata to locate and extract files from damaged memory cards and drives.
Advanced administrators
Inspect inconsistent filesystem metadata
Recovered content from metadata damage
DMDE helps interpret damaged or inconsistent metadata so administrators can recover usable content.
Best for: Fits when storage media damage or inconsistent metadata needs operator control and repeatable scan planning.
Acronis Revive
SMBDeleted file recovery utility from Acronis for Windows storage devices and common file loss scenarios.
Evidence-preserving imaging-first workflow that performs recovery on an acquired copy instead of direct disk scanning.
Acronis Revive is a lost data recovery utility that targets drive imaging and file-level retrieval after accidental deletion, formatting, or damaged media. The workflow centers on building a forensic image with write-blocking style acquisition and then scanning that image for recoverable items.
- +Image-based recovery workflow reduces risk of modifying the original disk
- +File extraction workflow is straightforward for common deletion and format cases
- +Guided recovery steps work well with standard internal drive issues
- +Recovery results emphasize restorability with direct file output
- –Limited automation controls for repeatable recovery at scale
- –No documented automation API surface for scripted acquisition and scanning
- –Weak visibility into low-level reconstruction choices during recovery
- –Less suitable when deep forensic analysis is required over raw artifacts
Small business IT admins
Recover files after accidental formatting
Restore critical documents quickly
Digital forensics analysts
Retrieve evidence from acquired disk image
Preserve evidence integrity
Show 2 more scenarios
Home users
Recover photos after accidental deletion
Recover family photos
Builds a drive image then scans for deleted media to guide file restoration.
MSP helpdesk technicians
Recover data from failing storage
Reduce downtime per incident
Supports image-based acquisition then file-level retrieval from common file systems.
Best for: Fits when a technician needs dependable file extraction from an acquired disk image for standard recovery incidents.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery
SMBRecovery software for deleted files, lost partitions, formatted media, and external storage devices.
Partition-focused recovery workflows that include MBR repair and partition table reconstruction style guidance.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery targets lost file recovery on Windows drives with scan modes and guided workflows that aim to cover both deleted file restoration and formatted drive recovery. The tool supports RAW recovery style outcomes by letting users extract files when file system metadata is missing, while still offering file preview to narrow what to restore.
- +Includes both quick scan and deep scan-style workflows for different failure states
- +File preview helps filter results before writing restored files
- +Partition-oriented recovery options cover missing volumes and boot related cases
- +Can work when formatting or deletion breaks file system metadata
- –RAW recovery outcomes depend heavily on drive health and scan depth
- –No documented API or automation interface for batch recovery pipelines
- –Large scans can take long on multi-terabyte drives
- –Limited governance controls like RBAC and audit logs for shared IT use
IT data recovery operators
Recover files from USB and memory cards
Recovered files for review
IT staff
Restore data from lost or hidden partitions
Files ready for export
Show 2 more scenarios
SMB office users
Recover mixed media after formatting
Restored documents and media
Finds recoverable content on formatted drives and helps triage what to restore.
Office document teams
Recover PDFs and other file types
Relevant files identified
Filters scan results for PDFs, images, and other recognizable formats before selective copying.
Best for: Fits when Windows users need UI-guided recovery for deleted files or formatted drives without scripting.
Ontrack EasyRecovery
enterpriseCommercial recovery software from a long-running data recovery vendor for lost files, partitions, and damaged systems.
Job-guided recovery paths that combine media checks with structured metadata repair steps for common failure scenarios.
Ontrack EasyRecovery differentiates through professional recovery workflows with guided media checks and curated recovery paths for common filesystem and partition failures. It supports deleted file restoration, formatted drive recovery, and partition table reconstruction style repairs aimed at restoring file-level access after damage.
- +Recovery workflow guidance tailored to filesystem and partition failure patterns
- +File-level recovery options include deleted and formatted drive restoration paths
- +Supports metadata recovery steps that help rebuild directory and boot-related structures
- +Job-style operation fits repeated cases with consistent analysis stages
- –Recovery depth choices require deliberate selection to avoid slow scan runs
- –Less suitable for quick, lightweight file checks compared with simpler tools
- –Finer-grained tuning for edge cases can demand recovery-lab familiarity
- –Dependency on proper intake handling like write-blocking for best outcomes
Storage administrators and recovery specialists
Recover files from partially failed RAID
Export identified files successfully
Photographers and media professionals
Restore photos from damaged memory cards
Retrieve usable photos and videos
Show 2 more scenarios
IT teams and system owners
Recover accidentally deleted files from storage
Restore access to deleted files
Exports a selectable set of recoverable files to another destination after damage or deletion events.
Enterprise IT and forensic analysts
Recover data from damaged encrypted volumes
Recover accessible encrypted files
Analyzes encrypted drives using available credentials, keys, or recovery material to restore files.
Best for: Fits when a repair shop needs guided, repeatable recovery workflows for damaged partitions and missing files.
PhotoRec
specialistOpen source file recovery utility focused on restoring lost files from hard disks, memory cards, and other media.
Signature-driven file carving that reconstructs many formats from sector content without relying on intact file system metadata.
PhotoRec targets lost file recovery through file carving, not file system repair, so it focuses on extracting content from raw sectors. The workflow centers on scanning a selected disk or image and rebuilding recoverable files by matching signatures across many common formats.
- +File carving recovers based on signatures even when file systems are unreadable
- +Works from boot media for offline recovery workflows
- +Can scan raw devices or forensic images using the same carving logic
- +Handles many file types without requiring correct directory metadata
- –Recovered names are generic, so restoring folder hierarchy requires extra work
- –Signature-based carving can produce false positives on corrupted data
- –Large scans can have high throughput costs without targeted selection
- –No built-in drive-level admin features for managed lab or audit workflows
IT support teams and individuals
Recover deleted files from damaged metadata
Candidate files restored successfully
Forensic trainees and technicians
Practice signature-based carving on images
Carving steps learned through practice
Show 2 more scenarios
Recovery technicians and small IT teams
Extract files from corrupted partitions
Files extracted despite partition corruption
Carves content from raw sectors when boot sectors or filesystems prevent conventional reads.
Photographers and memory card users
Recover media after formatting or corruption
Media files recovered for review
Scans a compromised memory card and writes recovered photos and documents to a separate destination.
Best for: Fits when quick extraction of specific file types from damaged media is needed without rebuilding directories.
Remo Recover
SMBFile recovery software for deleted and lost data on Windows and macOS storage media.
Live preview with category browsing during recovery reduces restores to only items that verify as recoverable.
Remo Recover’s core flow centers on disk selection, scan, preview, and restore, which makes it practical for repeat attempts on the same drive without redoing the whole process from scratch. The product handles common Windows file-system patterns and can target specific recoverable items instead of forcing full raw extraction. It also includes options for scanning states like deleted contents and formatted volumes, which helps when the file list still has recoverable remnants.
- +Preview-driven restore lets selected items move through without full rescans
- +Separate quick and deep scan choices improve iteration speed
- +Handles deleted and formatted volume recovery with a guided workflow
- +Works on typical Windows storage layouts without forensic tooling overhead
- –Recovery quality drops when the drive has heavy post-loss writes
- –Deep scans can be slow on large disks with minimal file remnants
- –Advanced analysis tools are limited compared with forensic suites
- –Multi-volume and complex storage setups may require careful drive selection
Small IT teams
Recover deleted documents after user error
Restored priority files quickly
Help desk staff
Rebuild access after accidental formatting
Recovered content without full rebuild
Show 2 more scenarios
Forensic-adjacent analysts
Triage a suspected data loss incident
Triage decisions with less time
Use selective recovery previews to determine whether deeper imaging is warranted for the case.
Operations teams
Recover lost media files from external drives
Reduced downtime from targeted restores
Scan external disks for recoverable media files and restore only confirmed items from previews.
Best for: Fits when IT teams need fast, selective file recovery from Windows drives after deletion or formatting.
Conclusion
After evaluating 10 lost data recovery software, Wondershare Recoverit stands out as our overall top pick — it scored highest across our combined criteria of features, ease of use, and value, which is why it sits at #1 in the rankings above.
Use the comparison table and detailed reviews above to validate the fit against your own requirements before committing to a tool.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lost Data Recovery Software
How does file carving differ from file-system metadata reconstruction in Disk Drill versus PhotoRec?
When is a bootable recovery media workflow necessary in Wondershare Recoverit and Acronis Revive?
What breaks if recovery is performed directly on a failing disk instead of using an imaging-first approach in Acronis Revive?
Which tools handle formatted drive recovery using guided scan modes, and how do results validation steps differ?
How does operator control change outcomes in DMDE compared with consumer-style guided workflows?
When does partition table reconstruction matter most in MiniTool Power Data Recovery versus Ontrack EasyRecovery?
How do preview and selective restore capabilities affect the risk of exporting irrelevant files in Remo Recover versus Stellar Data Recovery?
Which tool best fits scenarios where only specific file types need extraction without directory rebuild, and what is the tradeoff?
How do admin controls and enterprise governance show up, and what limitation appears across Disk Drill and DMDE workflows?
Tools reviewed
Primary sources checked during evaluation.
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.
How to Choose the Right Lost Data Recovery Software
Options differ most in whether they can recover from the specific failure you have, and how that shows up in Recovery scope and scan depth controls.
Recovery scope by scenario
Why it matters
Recovery scope by scenario matters because “lost” can mean accidental deletion, drive formatting, or file loss after an interruption, and tools handle those cases unevenly. If the scope claim matches your scenario, you avoid wasted scans and repeated attempts.
How to check
Pick your scenario in the product workflow (for example deleted, formatted, or inaccessible drive) and run a guided preview on a test drive or sample disk image. Ask for a short list of supported outcomes and confirm it appears in the docs, not only marketing text.
Scan depth controls
Why it matters
Scan depth controls matter because some tools rely on faster searches that miss edge cases, while deeper methods take longer and may produce more noise. With clear controls, you can trade time for completeness instead of guessing.
How to check
Look for separate options such as quick versus deeper scanning and check whether you can stop, resume, or refine results without restarting. On a demo, request a preview first, then re-run with the deeper setting and compare how the result count and file usability change.
Preview and restore workflow
Why it matters
A reliable preview and restore workflow matters because you need to confirm a file is usable before a full restore. If restore steps are confusing or insist on blanket recovery, you risk overwriting important data.
How to check
During the demo, try extracting a small selection from the preview and verify the app tracks versions and file paths. Ask whether the tool restores only selected items and whether it warns you when restoring back to the original drive.
Recovery reliability evidence
Why it matters
Recovery reliability evidence matters because lost data recovery results depend on drive condition and file type, not just the UI. Evidence helps you judge what the tool typically gets back and what it fails to recover.
How to check
Check whether the documentation cites repeatable test results, supported file types, and clear success criteria. Compare that with any changelog notes that mention improved detection or restore success for specific scenarios.
File type coverage
Why it matters
File type coverage matters because recovery often succeeds for some formats and fails for others, even when scan results appear. For business work, the difference shows up in whether your key document types restore correctly.
How to check
Ask the vendor to list which common business file formats are supported for recovery and preview, then test at least one from your list. After restoring, open a few recovered files and confirm they are not just “recoverable” but readable in the original applications.
Non-destructive workflow options
Why it matters
Non-destructive workflow options matter because recovery can worsen damage if the tool writes to the original media. Options that keep reads separate help protect evidence and raise the chance of a clean final restore.
How to check
Look for settings that prevent writing to the source and require restoring to a different location. On the demo, ask where recovered files are staged and whether the tool blocks restores back to the same drive.
Red flags
- Claims broad recovery but limits real scenario handling in the workflow
- No meaningful scan depth controls or no way to refine previews
- Restore writes back to the original drive or lacks clear staging rules
Fit by situation
- If you need results for a specific failure you already suspect, prioritize Recovery scope by scenario.
- If time matters and you need quick proof before committing to a full run, prioritize Scan depth controls.
- If you cannot risk overwriting the source, prioritize Non-destructive workflow options.
Funding and competing interests
This study was co-funded by several of the vendors assessed in it. No single vendor funded it. Funders could propose the market studied.
They had no role in selecting vendors, setting or weighting criteria, analysing data or drawing conclusions, and they received the same factual-accuracy check as every other vendor assessed.
Market definition, inclusion rules and criteria weights were fixed by an editor before research began and did not change afterwards. Editorial process →
- Storage Moving RelocationTop 10 Best Deep Data Recovery Software of 2026
- Storage Moving RelocationTop 10 Best Damaged Hard Drive Recovery Software of 2026
- Storage Moving RelocationTop 10 Best Android Phone Data Recovery Software of 2026
- Storage Moving RelocationTop 10 Best Data Storage Services of 2026
- Emergency DisasterTop 10 Best Data Backup Disaster Recovery Services of 2026
Keep exploring
Comparing two specific tools?
Software Alternatives
See head-to-head software comparisons with feature breakdowns, pricing, and our recommendation for each use case.
Explore software alternatives→In this category
Storage Moving Relocation alternatives
See side-by-side comparisons of storage moving relocation tools and pick the right one for your stack.
Compare storage moving relocation tools→