Quick Overview
- 1#1: TestDisk - TestDisk is a free open-source tool that recovers lost partitions, repairs partition tables, and fixes boot sectors on hard drives.
- 2#2: DiskGenius - DiskGenius provides advanced partition recovery, data recovery, and disk cloning features for Windows users.
- 3#3: Active@ Partition Recovery - Active@ Partition Recovery scans and restores deleted or damaged partitions from hard drives and SSDs.
- 4#4: MiniTool Partition Wizard - MiniTool Partition Wizard offers partition recovery, resizing, and management with a user-friendly interface.
- 5#5: EaseUS Partition Master - EaseUS Partition Master recovers lost partitions, converts file systems, and optimizes disk performance.
- 6#6: R-Studio - R-Studio is a comprehensive data recovery suite with powerful partition recovery for complex cases.
- 7#7: DMDE - DMDE is a disk editor and data recovery tool specializing in partition reconstruction and file recovery.
- 8#8: Hetman Partition Recovery - Hetman Partition Recovery scans and rebuilds lost partitions to retrieve data from formatted or deleted drives.
- 9#9: AOMEI Partition Assistant - AOMEI Partition Assistant recovers deleted partitions and manages disks with bootable recovery options.
- 10#10: UFS Explorer Standard Recovery - UFS Explorer Standard Recovery handles partition recovery across various file systems and RAID configurations.
We selected and ranked these tools based on key factors including recovery effectiveness, feature set (such as support for modern file systems and complex storage configurations), ease of use for both beginners and experts, and overall value, ensuring each tool meets high standards of performance and dependability.
Comparison Table
Partition recovery is vital for preserving data lost to accidental deletions, formatting, or drive issues, and selecting the right software requires careful evaluation. This comparison table explores tools like TestDisk, DiskGenius, Active@ Partition Recovery, and others, detailing key features to help readers identify the best solution for their needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TestDisk TestDisk is a free open-source tool that recovers lost partitions, repairs partition tables, and fixes boot sectors on hard drives. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 | 6.2/10 | 10/10 |
| 2 | DiskGenius DiskGenius provides advanced partition recovery, data recovery, and disk cloning features for Windows users. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 3 | Active@ Partition Recovery Active@ Partition Recovery scans and restores deleted or damaged partitions from hard drives and SSDs. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | MiniTool Partition Wizard MiniTool Partition Wizard offers partition recovery, resizing, and management with a user-friendly interface. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | EaseUS Partition Master EaseUS Partition Master recovers lost partitions, converts file systems, and optimizes disk performance. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 6 | R-Studio R-Studio is a comprehensive data recovery suite with powerful partition recovery for complex cases. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | DMDE DMDE is a disk editor and data recovery tool specializing in partition reconstruction and file recovery. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 8 | Hetman Partition Recovery Hetman Partition Recovery scans and rebuilds lost partitions to retrieve data from formatted or deleted drives. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | AOMEI Partition Assistant AOMEI Partition Assistant recovers deleted partitions and manages disks with bootable recovery options. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | UFS Explorer Standard Recovery UFS Explorer Standard Recovery handles partition recovery across various file systems and RAID configurations. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.1/10 | 7.3/10 |
TestDisk is a free open-source tool that recovers lost partitions, repairs partition tables, and fixes boot sectors on hard drives.
DiskGenius provides advanced partition recovery, data recovery, and disk cloning features for Windows users.
Active@ Partition Recovery scans and restores deleted or damaged partitions from hard drives and SSDs.
MiniTool Partition Wizard offers partition recovery, resizing, and management with a user-friendly interface.
EaseUS Partition Master recovers lost partitions, converts file systems, and optimizes disk performance.
R-Studio is a comprehensive data recovery suite with powerful partition recovery for complex cases.
DMDE is a disk editor and data recovery tool specializing in partition reconstruction and file recovery.
Hetman Partition Recovery scans and rebuilds lost partitions to retrieve data from formatted or deleted drives.
AOMEI Partition Assistant recovers deleted partitions and manages disks with bootable recovery options.
UFS Explorer Standard Recovery handles partition recovery across various file systems and RAID configurations.
TestDisk
specializedTestDisk is a free open-source tool that recovers lost partitions, repairs partition tables, and fixes boot sectors on hard drives.
Advanced disk structure analysis that recovers partitions from heavily corrupted or partially overwritten partition tables
TestDisk is a free, open-source partition recovery tool developed by Christophe Grenier that excels at recovering lost or deleted partitions, repairing corrupted partition tables, and fixing non-booting disks. It supports a vast array of file systems including FAT, NTFS, exFAT, ext2/ext3/ext4, HFS+, and more, making it versatile across Windows, Linux, macOS, and other platforms. The software performs deep scans to analyze disk structures, undelete partitions, and rebuild boot sectors, often succeeding where other tools fail on severely damaged drives.
Pros
- Exceptionally powerful partition recovery for complex scenarios like overwritten tables
- Broad file system support and cross-platform compatibility
- Completely free and open-source with no limitations
Cons
- Primarily command-line interface with steep learning curve for novices
- No built-in GUI (though third-party wrappers exist)
- Risk of data overwrite if used incorrectly without backups
Best For
Advanced users, IT professionals, and sysadmins handling critical data recovery on damaged or multi-OS drives.
Pricing
100% free (open-source, no paid tiers or subscriptions).
DiskGenius
specializedDiskGenius provides advanced partition recovery, data recovery, and disk cloning features for Windows users.
Superior recovery of dynamic disks and software RAID configurations with automatic partition rebuilding
DiskGenius is a comprehensive disk management and recovery software that specializes in recovering lost or deleted partitions from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and RAID arrays. It employs advanced scanning algorithms to detect and rebuild partition tables across file systems like NTFS, FAT/exFAT, ext2/3/4, and APFS, allowing users to preview and restore data without overwriting originals. In addition to partition recovery, it integrates backup, cloning, and file recovery tools for full disk health maintenance.
Pros
- Exceptional partition recovery for dynamic disks, RAID, and damaged drives
- Supports wide range of file systems with deep scan and preview options
- All-in-one suite including backup, cloning, and hex editor for advanced users
Cons
- Windows-only, no native Mac or Linux support
- Free version limits full recovery and advanced features
- Interface can overwhelm complete beginners despite intuitive GUI
Best For
IT professionals and advanced users handling complex partition loss on Windows systems with dynamic or RAID setups.
Pricing
Free edition with basic features; Professional Edition $69.90 lifetime license per PC, higher tiers for servers.
Active@ Partition Recovery
specializedActive@ Partition Recovery scans and restores deleted or damaged partitions from hard drives and SSDs.
SuperScan technology for deep, sector-by-sector partition reconstruction even on heavily damaged drives
Active@ Partition Recovery is a specialized Windows-based tool from LSoft Technologies designed to scan, locate, and restore lost or deleted partitions on hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and RAID arrays. It employs QuickScan for fast detection of recently deleted partitions and SuperScan for in-depth analysis to reconstruct damaged ones, supporting file systems like FAT, NTFS, exFAT, Ext2/3/4, and more. The software also enables file recovery from found partitions and supports creating bootable USB media for non-bootable systems.
Pros
- Powerful QuickScan and SuperScan for reliable partition detection
- Supports bootable USB creation for offline recovery
- Broad compatibility with file systems and storage types including RAID
Cons
- Dated user interface that feels clunky
- Free demo only scans and previews, no full recovery
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
Best For
IT professionals and advanced users needing deep partition recovery on Windows systems with various storage devices.
Pricing
Free demo for scanning; paid licenses start at $39.95 for Standard, up to $149.95 for Enterprise.
MiniTool Partition Wizard
specializedMiniTool Partition Wizard offers partition recovery, resizing, and management with a user-friendly interface.
One-click Partition Recovery wizard that quickly detects and restores lost partitions without data overwriting
MiniTool Partition Wizard is a versatile disk management tool that includes robust partition recovery capabilities, allowing users to scan for and restore lost or deleted partitions on hard drives, SSDs, and external devices. It supports a wide range of file systems including NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and more, making it suitable for recovering partitions caused by deletion, formatting, or virus attacks. While primarily a partition manager, its dedicated recovery wizard provides quick and effective results for common recovery scenarios without requiring deep technical expertise.
Pros
- Intuitive wizard-based partition recovery interface
- Supports multiple file systems and bootable media creation
- Free edition handles basic recovery tasks effectively
Cons
- Advanced recovery features locked behind paid upgrade
- Limited deep scan capabilities compared to dedicated data recovery tools
- Windows-only compatibility with occasional performance hiccups on large drives
Best For
Home users and IT technicians needing straightforward partition recovery integrated with disk management tools.
Pricing
Free edition available; Pro versions start at $59/year or $159 lifetime.
EaseUS Partition Master
specializedEaseUS Partition Master recovers lost partitions, converts file systems, and optimizes disk performance.
Partition Recovery Wizard for quick scanning and restoring lost partitions
EaseUS Partition Master is a versatile disk management software that includes robust partition recovery features, allowing users to scan for and restore lost or deleted partitions caused by deletion, formatting, or errors. It supports common file systems like NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT, and integrates recovery with partitioning tasks such as resizing, cloning, and merging. While effective for standard recovery scenarios, it excels more as an all-in-one partition manager rather than a specialized deep-recovery tool.
Pros
- Intuitive graphical interface ideal for beginners
- Reliable recovery for accidentally deleted or lost partitions
- Comprehensive suite including resize, clone, and convert functions
Cons
- Free version severely limited in recovery features
- Struggles with heavily corrupted or complex partition damage
- Windows-only, no native Linux/Mac support
Best For
Windows users seeking user-friendly partition recovery integrated with everyday disk management tasks.
Pricing
Free edition with basic tools; paid Home edition ~$39.95 one-time, Pro ~$59.95/year.
R-Studio
enterpriseR-Studio is a comprehensive data recovery suite with powerful partition recovery for complex cases.
Advanced RAID reconstruction with virtual RAID assembly from disparate components
R-Studio is a comprehensive data recovery software renowned for its partition recovery capabilities, allowing users to scan and reconstruct lost or deleted partitions from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and more. It supports a wide range of file systems including NTFS, FAT/exFAT, HFS+, ReFS, and Ext, with advanced algorithms for deep scanning and raw recovery. The tool also handles complex scenarios like RAID arrays, damaged disks, and network-based recovery, making it a go-to for professionals.
Pros
- Extensive support for multiple file systems and RAID configurations
- Powerful deep scan and raw recovery options
- Built-in disk imaging and hexadecimal editor for precise control
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface
- Higher cost compared to simpler alternatives
- Demo version limits full recovery functionality
Best For
IT professionals and data recovery technicians handling complex partition loss on enterprise or damaged storage systems.
Pricing
Standard license starts at $79.99; Technician version $399.99, Corporate up to $899.99; free demo available.
DMDE
specializedDMDE is a disk editor and data recovery tool specializing in partition reconstruction and file recovery.
Advanced disk editor for direct low-level editing of partition tables, boot sectors, and file system metadata
DMDE is a professional-grade data recovery tool specializing in partition recovery, file system repair, and raw data extraction from hard drives, SSDs, USBs, and RAIDs. It excels at scanning for lost or deleted partitions, reconstructing boot sectors, and supporting a wide array of file systems including NTFS, FAT/exFAT, ext2/3/4, APFS, and HFS+. Users can perform automated scans or use its built-in hex editor for manual intervention on disk structures.
Pros
- Powerful partition search and recovery algorithms for damaged MBR/GPT tables
- Broad file system support and RAID reconstruction capabilities
- Integrated hex editor and scripting for advanced manual repairs
Cons
- Dated, functional interface with steep learning curve
- Limited user-friendly previews and wizards for beginners
- Documentation is technical and sparse
Best For
Experienced IT professionals and data recovery specialists tackling complex partition corruption or multi-disk RAID failures.
Pricing
Free edition with basic features; Professional license €20-48 per device (portable or installed versions).
Hetman Partition Recovery
specializedHetman Partition Recovery scans and rebuilds lost partitions to retrieve data from formatted or deleted drives.
Advanced partition table reconstruction from overwritten or corrupted MBR/GPT structures
Hetman Partition Recovery is a specialized data recovery tool designed to scan and restore lost, deleted, or corrupted partitions from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards. It excels in handling common partition loss scenarios such as accidental deletion, formatting, boot sector damage, virus attacks, and MBR/GPT corruption across file systems like NTFS, FAT/exFAT, ReFS, and APFS. The software uses quick and full scan modes with intuitive wizards to locate partitions, preview files, and save recovered data to a safe location.
Pros
- Intuitive wizard-based interface suitable for beginners
- Deep scan capabilities for reconstructing damaged partitions
- Reliable file preview and selective recovery options
Cons
- Full recovery requires paid license after trial
- Limited to Windows platform only
- Scan times can be lengthy on large or heavily damaged drives
Best For
Non-technical users and small IT teams needing straightforward partition recovery without command-line tools.
Pricing
Free trial with limitations; paid editions: Standard ($79), Professional ($129), Enterprise ($399) as one-time purchases.
AOMEI Partition Assistant
specializedAOMEI Partition Assistant recovers deleted partitions and manages disks with bootable recovery options.
Partition Recovery Wizard that quickly scans and recovers multiple lost partitions in one session
AOMEI Partition Assistant is a versatile disk management software that includes a dedicated Partition Recovery Wizard for scanning and restoring lost or deleted partitions on HDDs, SSDs, and external drives. It supports common file systems like NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT, making it suitable for recovering partitions due to deletion, formatting, or disk errors. While primarily a partitioning tool, its recovery features provide a straightforward solution for basic to moderate recovery needs without requiring deep technical expertise.
Pros
- Intuitive wizard-guided recovery process
- Free Standard edition handles basic partition recovery
- Supports recovery from dynamic disks and multiple storage types
Cons
- Lacks advanced deep scan options found in specialized tools
- Full recovery features require paid upgrade
- Recovery success varies with severe corruption cases
Best For
Home users and IT beginners seeking an easy-to-use tool for recovering accidentally deleted or lost partitions on Windows systems.
Pricing
Free Standard edition; Professional edition $49.95/year or $59.95 lifetime per PC.
UFS Explorer Standard Recovery
enterpriseUFS Explorer Standard Recovery handles partition recovery across various file systems and RAID configurations.
Advanced automated partition search that reconstructs complex, damaged partition structures across a wide array of file systems
UFS Explorer Standard Recovery is a professional-grade data recovery tool specializing in partition recovery from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards across Windows, macOS, and Linux. It excels at scanning for lost or deleted partitions, reconstructing damaged file systems like NTFS, FAT/exFAT, APFS, HFS+, EXT, and more, and allowing file previews before recovery. Ideal for users dealing with partition table corruption or accidental deletions, it provides deep scanning modes for thorough results without overwriting data.
Pros
- Extensive support for 20+ file systems including APFS, Btrfs, and XFS
- Automated partition detection and reconstruction with deep scan options
- Cross-platform compatibility and non-destructive recovery process
Cons
- Complex, technical interface with a steep learning curve for beginners
- Limited trial version that doesn't allow saving recovered files
- Slower scan times on very large or heavily fragmented drives
Best For
IT professionals or advanced users recovering lost partitions from multi-platform environments with diverse file systems.
Pricing
One-time purchase starting at $64.95 for a standard single-machine license; discounts for multi-year or multi-seat bundles.
Conclusion
The top three partition recovery tools showcase diverse strengths, with TestDisk leading as a free, open-source solution excelling in partition table repair and boot sector fixes. DiskGenius and Active@ Partition Recovery follow closely, offering specialized features that cater to different user needs, making them strong alternatives for various scenarios.
For effective partition recovery, start with TestDisk—its blend of reliability and accessibility ensures it remains the top choice. Explore the top tools to find the perfect fit for your data recovery requirements.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison