Quick Overview
- 1#1: Stellar Photo Recovery - Specialized software that recovers deleted, lost, or corrupted photos and videos from cameras, cards, and drives while repairing damaged files.
- 2#2: Disk Drill - Cross-platform tool offering advanced photo recovery with live previews and support for various storage devices.
- 3#3: EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard - User-friendly data recovery software with excellent photo restoration from hard drives, SD cards, and USB devices.
- 4#4: Recuva - Free Windows tool that quickly recovers deleted photos from computers, memory cards, and external drives.
- 5#5: Wondershare Recoverit - Versatile recovery software supporting photo retrieval from over 1000 file types across multiple devices.
- 6#6: PhotoRec - Free open-source utility using file carving to recover lost photos independent of the filesystem.
- 7#7: MiniTool Power Data Recovery - Reliable tool with a dedicated photo recovery feature for cameras, cards, and crashed drives.
- 8#8: R-Studio - Powerful forensic-level software for recovering photos from complex data loss scenarios.
- 9#9: Ontrack EasyRecovery - Professional-grade tool for photo recovery from formatted, damaged, or overwritten storage media.
- 10#10: 4DDiG Data Recovery - Efficient software for quick photo recovery with high success rates on Windows and Mac.
These tools were selected based on their performance across diverse storage media, ability to repair damaged files, user-friendly design, and consistent recovery success, balancing features, accessibility, and value to deliver a top-tier lineup.
Comparison Table
Photo recovery software is essential for restoring lost memories, and this comparison table breaks down top tools like Stellar Photo Recovery, Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Recuva, Wondershare Recoverit, and more, highlighting their features, recovery performance, and user-friendliness to help readers identify the best option.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stellar Photo Recovery Specialized software that recovers deleted, lost, or corrupted photos and videos from cameras, cards, and drives while repairing damaged files. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 2 | Disk Drill Cross-platform tool offering advanced photo recovery with live previews and support for various storage devices. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 3 | EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard User-friendly data recovery software with excellent photo restoration from hard drives, SD cards, and USB devices. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Recuva Free Windows tool that quickly recovers deleted photos from computers, memory cards, and external drives. | other | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 5 | Wondershare Recoverit Versatile recovery software supporting photo retrieval from over 1000 file types across multiple devices. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | PhotoRec Free open-source utility using file carving to recover lost photos independent of the filesystem. | other | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 4.2/10 | 10/10 |
| 7 | MiniTool Power Data Recovery Reliable tool with a dedicated photo recovery feature for cameras, cards, and crashed drives. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 8 | R-Studio Powerful forensic-level software for recovering photos from complex data loss scenarios. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Ontrack EasyRecovery Professional-grade tool for photo recovery from formatted, damaged, or overwritten storage media. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.0/10 | 6.8/10 |
| 10 |  4DDiG Data Recovery Efficient software for quick photo recovery with high success rates on Windows and Mac. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
Specialized software that recovers deleted, lost, or corrupted photos and videos from cameras, cards, and drives while repairing damaged files.
Cross-platform tool offering advanced photo recovery with live previews and support for various storage devices.
User-friendly data recovery software with excellent photo restoration from hard drives, SD cards, and USB devices.
Free Windows tool that quickly recovers deleted photos from computers, memory cards, and external drives.
Versatile recovery software supporting photo retrieval from over 1000 file types across multiple devices.
Free open-source utility using file carving to recover lost photos independent of the filesystem.
Reliable tool with a dedicated photo recovery feature for cameras, cards, and crashed drives.
Powerful forensic-level software for recovering photos from complex data loss scenarios.
Professional-grade tool for photo recovery from formatted, damaged, or overwritten storage media.
Efficient software for quick photo recovery with high success rates on Windows and Mac.
Stellar Photo Recovery
specializedSpecialized software that recovers deleted, lost, or corrupted photos and videos from cameras, cards, and drives while repairing damaged files.
Deep Scan technology that reconstructs files from heavily corrupted or formatted storage without needing the original file system
Stellar Photo Recovery is a specialized data recovery software from Stellar Data Recovery, designed to retrieve lost, deleted, corrupted, or formatted photos, videos, and audio files from cameras, SD cards, hard drives, USB drives, and more. It uses advanced algorithms like deep scan and signature-based recovery to handle even severely damaged media, supporting over 1,000 file formats including RAW images from various cameras. The intuitive interface allows previewing files before recovery, making it reliable for both casual users and professionals.
Pros
- Exceptional recovery rates for photos and videos from formatted or corrupted drives
- Supports 1000+ file formats including RAW camera files
- File preview feature ensures accurate selection before saving
Cons
- Full recovery requires paid license after trial
- Deep scans can take hours on large storage devices
- Limited to multimedia files; not for general data recovery
Best For
Photographers and videographers needing reliable recovery of media files from SD cards, cameras, or damaged hard drives.
Pricing
Free trial for scanning and preview; full license starts at $49.99 for 1-year (1 PC), with lifetime and multi-device options up to $99.
Disk Drill
specializedCross-platform tool offering advanced photo recovery with live previews and support for various storage devices.
Deep Scan algorithm that reconstructs photos from raw disk data even after formatting
Disk Drill is a versatile data recovery tool from CleverFiles that specializes in retrieving lost, deleted, or corrupted photos from hard drives, SSDs, memory cards, USB drives, and more. It employs Quick Scan for recently deleted files and Deep Scan for thorough recovery from formatted or damaged storage, supporting over 400 file formats including JPEG, PNG, RAW, TIFF, and HEIC. The software's preview feature lets users verify recoverable photos before committing to recovery, making it reliable for photo-specific restoration on both Mac and Windows platforms.
Pros
- Highly effective Deep Scan for photos from formatted or corrupted drives
- Preview function to verify files before recovery
- User-friendly interface with wizard-guided process
Cons
- Free version limited to 500MB recovery
- Deep scans can take hours on large drives
- Full features require paid Pro upgrade
Best For
Photographers and casual users needing reliable recovery of photos and images from various storage media.
Pricing
Free version (500MB limit); Pro license $89 one-time purchase per platform (Mac/Windows).
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
specializedUser-friendly data recovery software with excellent photo restoration from hard drives, SD cards, and USB devices.
Built-in photo preview for selective recovery before purchase
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a versatile data recovery software that excels in retrieving lost, deleted, or corrupted photos from hard drives, SD cards, USB drives, and other storage devices. It supports a wide range of photo formats including JPG, PNG, RAW, and more, with both quick and deep scan options for thorough recovery. The intuitive wizard interface guides users through the process, offering previews to selectively recover specific images.
Pros
- Intuitive wizard-based interface simplifies photo recovery for beginners
- Reliable preview feature allows selective recovery of photos
- Supports deep scans for formatted or corrupted storage devices
Cons
- Free version limited to 2GB recovery
- Deep scans can be slow on large drives
- Full features require paid upgrade
Best For
Non-technical users seeking straightforward photo recovery from cameras, phones, or memory cards.
Pricing
Free (up to 2GB); Pro: $69.95/month, $99.95/year, $149.95/lifetime
Recuva
otherFree Windows tool that quickly recovers deleted photos from computers, memory cards, and external drives.
Deep scan mode that recovers files from formatted or overwritten drives
Recuva, developed by the makers of CCleaner, is a free Windows-based data recovery tool specializing in retrieving deleted files, including photos, from hard drives, USB drives, memory cards, and formatted storage. It features a user-friendly wizard for quick scans and an advanced deep scan mode for more thorough recovery of overwritten or lost images in formats like JPEG, PNG, and RAW. While reliable for basic photo recovery tasks, it may struggle with severely damaged drives compared to premium alternatives.
Pros
- Completely free for core functionality
- Intuitive wizard-guided interface simplifies photo recovery
- File preview feature lets users verify photos before saving
Cons
- Limited to Windows (no Mac or Linux support)
- Dated interface feels outdated
- Deep scans can be very slow on large drives
Best For
Budget-conscious Windows users needing a simple tool to recover accidentally deleted photos from local storage.
Pricing
Free version with all essential features; Professional upgrade ($19.95 one-time) adds priority support and auto-updates.
Wondershare Recoverit
specializedVersatile recovery software supporting photo retrieval from over 1000 file types across multiple devices.
Enhanced deep scan mode that recovers photos from formatted or severely corrupted storage devices with high success rates
Wondershare Recoverit is a versatile data recovery software designed to retrieve deleted or lost photos from hard drives, SD cards, USB drives, and other storage devices. It offers quick scan and deep scan modes to detect photos in various formats, including JPEG, RAW, PNG, and more, with a preview feature allowing users to select specific files before recovery. The tool supports recovery from formatted, corrupted, or damaged drives, making it suitable for accidental deletions, formatting errors, or system crashes.
Pros
- Intuitive wizard-style interface simplifies the recovery process for beginners
- Supports over 1,000 file types including a wide range of photo formats like RAW and HEIC
- Reliable preview function lets users verify files before paying to recover
Cons
- Free version limited to 100MB recovery, requiring purchase for full use
- Deep scans can be time-consuming on large or damaged drives
- Subscription model may feel expensive for one-time users compared to lifetime alternatives
Best For
Casual photographers and everyday users needing a straightforward tool to recover accidentally deleted photos from cameras or memory cards.
Pricing
Free trial (100MB limit); Essential plan at $69.99/year, Pro at $99.99/year, with lifetime options starting at $159.99.
PhotoRec
otherFree open-source utility using file carving to recover lost photos independent of the filesystem.
Signature-based file carving that recovers photos without depending on filesystem metadata, excelling on formatted or corrupted drives.
PhotoRec is a free, open-source data recovery tool from cgsecurity.org that specializes in recovering lost photos, videos, and other files from hard drives, memory cards, USB drives, and CDs/DVDs. It employs signature-based file carving to extract files directly from disk sectors, ignoring filesystem structures, which makes it particularly effective for damaged or formatted media. Available as part of the TestDisk suite, it supports over 480 file formats but operates exclusively via command line without a graphical interface.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no limitations
- Exceptional recovery success on corrupted or overwritten filesystems
- Supports hundreds of photo and file formats across all major platforms
- Lightweight and portable, no installation required
Cons
- Command-line interface only, no GUI for beginners
- No file preview or filtering options during scan
- May recover duplicate or irrelevant files requiring manual sorting
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
Best For
Advanced users, IT professionals, or forensics experts comfortable with command-line tools who need reliable photo recovery from severely damaged storage devices.
Pricing
Free (fully open-source, no paid tiers or trials).
MiniTool Power Data Recovery
specializedReliable tool with a dedicated photo recovery feature for cameras, cards, and crashed drives.
Dedicated Photo Recovery module with specialized scanning for camera media and RAW formats
MiniTool Power Data Recovery is a user-friendly data recovery software specializing in retrieving lost, deleted, or formatted photos from SD cards, USB drives, hard disks, and cameras. It features quick and deep scan modes, a dedicated Photo Recovery wizard, and preview capabilities to identify recoverable images in formats like JPG, PNG, RAW, and more. The tool supports recovery from various scenarios including accidental deletion, formatting, and partition loss, making it suitable for both beginners and intermediate users.
Pros
- Intuitive wizard-guided interface simplifies photo recovery process
- Free edition recovers up to 1GB of data without restrictions on trial scans
- Strong support for 70+ photo formats and preview before recovery
Cons
- Free version limited to 1GB total recovery
- Advanced features like bootable media require paid upgrades
- Scan times can be lengthy on large drives without selective filtering
Best For
Casual users and photographers needing an easy, affordable tool to recover photos from memory cards or external drives.
Pricing
Free (1GB limit); Personal lifetime $69; Pro lifetime $99; Enterprise editions higher.
R-Studio
enterprisePowerful forensic-level software for recovering photos from complex data loss scenarios.
Raw file carving and hex-level editing for recovering photos from formatted or severely damaged storage without relying on file system metadata
R-Studio is a comprehensive data recovery software from R-Tools Technology designed for recovering lost, deleted, or corrupted files, including photos, from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and RAIDs across various file systems like NTFS, FAT, exFAT, and HFS+. It excels in deep scan and raw file recovery modes, allowing users to preview and selectively recover photo formats such as JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and numerous RAW camera files. While powerful for professional-grade photo recovery from damaged media, its technical interface targets experienced users rather than beginners.
Pros
- Advanced raw recovery and hex editor for deeply scanning damaged drives
- Extensive support for photo formats including RAW files from major cameras
- File preview and selective recovery to save time and storage space
Cons
- Steep learning curve with a complex, non-intuitive interface
- High cost for casual photo recovery users
- No dedicated mobile app or cloud integration for photos
Best For
IT professionals or advanced users recovering photos from complex scenarios like RAID arrays or heavily corrupted drives.
Pricing
Free demo for scanning; licenses start at $79.99 for Basic (Windows), up to $899.99 for Professional edition.
Ontrack EasyRecovery
enterpriseProfessional-grade tool for photo recovery from formatted, damaged, or overwritten storage media.
In-Depth Analysis scan for recovering photos from severely corrupted or overwritten storage media
Ontrack EasyRecovery is a robust data recovery software designed to retrieve lost, deleted, or corrupted photos from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards. It employs advanced scanning algorithms, including Quick Scan and Deep Scan modes, to recover a wide array of image formats such as JPEG, PNG, RAW, TIFF, and more, even from formatted or damaged media. The tool provides file previews and supports recovery from complex scenarios like overwritten data or RAID arrays.
Pros
- Deep Scan mode excels at recovering photos from formatted or fragmented drives
- Supports extensive photo formats including camera-specific RAW files
- Reliable previews allow verification before purchase and recovery
Cons
- Expensive licensing with no fully free recovery option
- Interface feels dated and wizard-heavy for beginners
- Slower scan times on large drives compared to competitors
Best For
Professional photographers or IT users dealing with complex data loss from damaged storage devices.
Pricing
Free edition for scanning only; Professional edition ~$139 one-time license, Enterprise higher with subscription options.
4DDiG Data Recovery
specializedEfficient software for quick photo recovery with high success rates on Windows and Mac.
Advanced deep scan that retrieves photos from formatted or corrupted partitions with high accuracy
4DDiG Data Recovery by Tenorshare is a user-friendly software solution for recovering lost or deleted photos from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, and other storage media on Windows and Mac. It employs quick and deep scan modes to detect photos in formats like JPEG, PNG, RAW, and more, with a preview function to verify files before recovery. While effective for common photo loss scenarios such as accidental deletion or formatting, it may struggle with severely damaged drives.
Pros
- Intuitive wizard-based interface simplifies the recovery process
- Supports over 1000 file formats including major photo types
- Reliable preview feature to check recoverable photos before paying
Cons
- Full recovery locked behind paid license with no free option
- Deep scans can be time-consuming on large or fragmented drives
- Less effective for physically damaged storage compared to specialized tools
Best For
Casual users needing straightforward photo recovery from healthy external drives or cards without advanced technical expertise.
Pricing
Free scan and preview; Pro plans start at $45.95/month, $59.95/year, or $89.95 lifetime per PC.
Conclusion
Across the top tools, Stellar Photo Recovery emerges as the clear leader, boasting specialized recovery and file repair capabilities. Disk Drill and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard follow strongly, with Disk Drill impressing in cross-platform performance and live previews, and EaseUS earning praise for its user-friendly design—each a standout choice based on individual needs.
Don’t let lost photos go unretrieved; try Stellar Photo Recovery, the top-ranked tool, to restore your important memories efficiently.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison