Quick Overview
- 1#1: EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard - Recovers lost, deleted, and formatted data from USB drives with preview, deep scan, and high success rates.
- 2#2: Disk Drill - Provides intuitive USB data recovery for Windows and Mac with byte-to-byte backup and strong file preview features.
- 3#3: Recuva - Free tool that recovers accidentally deleted files from USB flash drives with simple wizard interface.
- 4#4: Stellar Data Recovery - Professional software for repairing and recovering data from corrupted or formatted USB drives.
- 5#5: MiniTool Power Data Recovery - Offers free USB recovery up to 1GB with support for damaged partitions and quick scanning.
- 6#6: Wondershare Recoverit - User-friendly USB data recovery tool with video repair and 1000+ file format support.
- 7#7: R-Studio - Advanced data recovery suite for complex USB scenarios including RAID and network recovery.
- 8#8: TestDisk - Free open-source tool to recover lost partitions and fix boot issues on USB drives.
- 9#9: Wise Data Recovery - Lightweight free utility for quick recovery of deleted files from USB storage devices.
- 10#10: Puran File Recovery - Portable free software that scans and recovers files from formatted or inaccessible USB drives.
Tools were selected based on recovery success rates, feature depth (including deep scans, previews, and format support), user-friendliness, and overall value, ensuring they balance performance with accessibility for both casual and professional use.
Comparison Table
USB drives often face data loss, so choosing the right recovery software is crucial. This comparison table examines top tools—such as EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Disk Drill, Recuva, Stellar Data Recovery, and MiniTool Power Data Recovery—outing their key features, ease of use, and recovery success rates to guide users toward the best solution for their needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Recovers lost, deleted, and formatted data from USB drives with preview, deep scan, and high success rates. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Disk Drill Provides intuitive USB data recovery for Windows and Mac with byte-to-byte backup and strong file preview features. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Recuva Free tool that recovers accidentally deleted files from USB flash drives with simple wizard interface. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 4 | Stellar Data Recovery Professional software for repairing and recovering data from corrupted or formatted USB drives. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | MiniTool Power Data Recovery Offers free USB recovery up to 1GB with support for damaged partitions and quick scanning. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Wondershare Recoverit User-friendly USB data recovery tool with video repair and 1000+ file format support. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | R-Studio Advanced data recovery suite for complex USB scenarios including RAID and network recovery. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | TestDisk Free open-source tool to recover lost partitions and fix boot issues on USB drives. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 3.7/10 | 10.0/10 |
| 9 | Wise Data Recovery Lightweight free utility for quick recovery of deleted files from USB storage devices. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 7.0/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 10 | Puran File Recovery Portable free software that scans and recovers files from formatted or inaccessible USB drives. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
Recovers lost, deleted, and formatted data from USB drives with preview, deep scan, and high success rates.
Provides intuitive USB data recovery for Windows and Mac with byte-to-byte backup and strong file preview features.
Free tool that recovers accidentally deleted files from USB flash drives with simple wizard interface.
Professional software for repairing and recovering data from corrupted or formatted USB drives.
Offers free USB recovery up to 1GB with support for damaged partitions and quick scanning.
User-friendly USB data recovery tool with video repair and 1000+ file format support.
Advanced data recovery suite for complex USB scenarios including RAID and network recovery.
Free open-source tool to recover lost partitions and fix boot issues on USB drives.
Lightweight free utility for quick recovery of deleted files from USB storage devices.
Portable free software that scans and recovers files from formatted or inaccessible USB drives.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
specializedRecovers lost, deleted, and formatted data from USB drives with preview, deep scan, and high success rates.
Advanced deep scan technology optimized for USB drives, recovering data even after formatting or overwriting
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a leading data recovery software specializing in retrieving lost, deleted, formatted, or corrupted files from USB drives, external hard drives, and other storage devices. It features quick scan and deep scan modes, file previews before recovery, and support for over 1,000 file types across various file systems like NTFS, FAT, and exFAT. Ideal for USB-specific recovery from scenarios such as accidental deletion, formatting, partition loss, or virus damage, it delivers high success rates with minimal technical knowledge required.
Pros
- Intuitive wizard-style interface perfect for beginners
- Excellent USB recovery success rate with preview functionality
- Supports deep scans for severely damaged drives
Cons
- Free version limited to 2GB recovery
- Deep scans can be time-consuming on large USB drives
- Frequent upsell prompts in the free edition
Best For
Non-technical users and professionals needing reliable, hassle-free data recovery from USB flash drives and external storage.
Pricing
Free (up to 2GB); Pro: $69.95/month, $99.95/year, or $149.95 lifetime.
Disk Drill
specializedProvides intuitive USB data recovery for Windows and Mac with byte-to-byte backup and strong file preview features.
Recovery Vault, which protects files on USB drives before deletion for guaranteed quick recovery
Disk Drill is a versatile data recovery software from CleverFiles designed to recover lost, deleted, or corrupted files from USB drives, external HDDs, SD cards, and more on both Mac and Windows. It employs quick scans for recently deleted files and deep scans for thoroughly analyzing formatted or damaged storage media, supporting file systems like FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, HFS+, and APFS. Users can preview files before recovery, ensuring targeted restoration without unnecessary downloads.
Pros
- Highly effective deep scan recovers data from formatted or corrupted USB drives
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface suitable for beginners
- Broad file type support including 400+ formats with reliable previews
Cons
- Free version limited to 500MB recovery per session
- Deep scans can be time-consuming on large USB drives
- No mobile app or built-in cloud backup integration
Best For
Non-technical users seeking straightforward recovery from accidentally formatted or virus-damaged USB flash drives.
Pricing
Free version (500MB limit); Pro license $89 one-time for 1 device, $119 for 3 devices, with volume discounts available.
Recuva
specializedFree tool that recovers accidentally deleted files from USB flash drives with simple wizard interface.
The beginner-friendly wizard that guides users step-by-step through scans, previews, and recovery without technical expertise.
Recuva, developed by Piriform (makers of CCleaner), is a free data recovery tool designed to retrieve deleted, formatted, or lost files from USB drives, hard disks, memory cards, and other storage media. It features quick and deep scan modes, allowing users to preview recoverable files before restoration, and supports a wide array of file types including photos, documents, videos, and emails. The software's wizard-guided interface simplifies the process, making it suitable for recovering data from USB devices without advanced technical knowledge.
Pros
- Completely free with no usage limits on core recovery features
- Intuitive wizard interface ideal for beginners
- Effective deep scan for USB drives and formatted media
Cons
- Dated and somewhat cluttered user interface
- Deep scans can be slow on large USB drives
- Limited advanced features like disk imaging compared to premium tools
Best For
Ideal for casual users and beginners seeking a no-cost solution to recover accidentally deleted files from USB drives.
Pricing
Free for all core features; Professional version $19.95/year for priority support and automatic updates.
Stellar Data Recovery
specializedProfessional software for repairing and recovering data from corrupted or formatted USB drives.
Byte-level disk imaging to clone USB drives safely before recovery, minimizing risk to original data
Stellar Data Recovery is a robust software tool specialized in retrieving lost, deleted, formatted, or corrupted data from USB flash drives, external HDDs, SSDs, and other storage media. It utilizes deep scan technology and signature-based recovery to handle various data loss scenarios like accidental deletion, formatting, and file system corruption on USB devices. The intuitive interface allows users to preview recoverable files before purchase, ensuring targeted recovery without unnecessary data restoration.
Pros
- Wizard-driven interface simplifies USB recovery for beginners
- Supports over 1,000 file types with preview functionality
- Reliable deep scan for formatted and corrupted USB drives
Cons
- Free version limited to scanning and preview only
- Scan times can be slow on large-capacity USB drives
- Pricing requires full purchase for recovery capabilities
Best For
Home users and small businesses needing straightforward recovery from USB flash drives and external storage without advanced technical skills.
Pricing
Free edition for scan/preview; Professional edition $79.99 one-time purchase, with Technician edition at $399 for advanced features.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery
specializedOffers free USB recovery up to 1GB with support for damaged partitions and quick scanning.
Advanced preview window that displays thumbnails and details for 70+ file types before recovery
MiniTool Power Data Recovery is a user-friendly data recovery tool designed to retrieve lost, deleted, or formatted files from USB flash drives, external hard drives, SD cards, and other storage media. It features quick scan for recently deleted files and deep scan for more complex recoveries like formatted or corrupted USB drives. The software supports over 70 file types with preview functionality, and a free version allows up to 1GB recovery, ideal for USB data rescue scenarios.
Pros
- Intuitive wizard-based interface suitable for beginners
- Reliable quick and deep scan modes for USB drives
- Strong file preview feature to verify recoverability
Cons
- Free version capped at 1GB recovery limit
- Deep scans can be slow on large USB drives
- Limited advanced options compared to enterprise tools
Best For
Home users and non-experts seeking simple, effective recovery of deleted files from USB flash drives.
Pricing
Free (1GB limit); Personal Annual $59, Lifetime $69 per PC; Business editions higher.
Wondershare Recoverit
specializedUser-friendly USB data recovery tool with video repair and 1000+ file format support.
Enhanced Deep Scan mode that excels at recovering data from formatted or corrupted USB drives
Wondershare Recoverit is a versatile data recovery tool specializing in retrieving deleted, formatted, or lost files from USB drives, external hard drives, and other storage media. It employs quick and deep scan modes to locate data even from corrupted or virus-infected USB devices, supporting over 1,000 file types with a reliable preview feature. The software is particularly effective for common USB recovery scenarios like accidental deletion or formatting.
Pros
- User-friendly wizard interface suitable for beginners
- Strong support for USB drives with quick and deep scan options
- File preview before recovery ensures accuracy
Cons
- Subscription model can be costly for occasional users
- Scan times are slow on large or heavily fragmented USBs
- Free version limits recovery to 100MB
Best For
Non-technical users seeking an easy-to-use solution for recovering files from everyday USB flash drives and external storage.
Pricing
Free trial (100MB limit); paid plans from $69.99/month, $99.99/year (Pro), or lifetime licenses around $199.99.
R-Studio
enterpriseAdvanced data recovery suite for complex USB scenarios including RAID and network recovery.
Raw file recovery using known file types signatures, enabling deep carving even from unallocated USB space without intact file systems
R-Studio is a comprehensive data recovery software from R-Tools Technology that excels at retrieving lost, deleted, or corrupted files from USB drives across multiple file systems like NTFS, FAT/exFAT, HFS+, and ReFS. It offers advanced scanning modes including quick, deep, and raw recovery, making it suitable for scenarios like accidental formatting, virus damage, or physical errors on USB devices. The tool also supports creating disk images and network-based recovery, providing professional-grade capabilities for USB data salvage.
Pros
- Extensive support for 200+ file types and multiple file systems ideal for USB recovery
- Advanced features like raw scan, hex editor, and RAID reconstruction
- Reliable disk imaging to handle bad sectors without further damage
Cons
- Outdated and cluttered user interface
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Demo version recovers files but requires purchase to save them
Best For
Advanced users and IT professionals handling complex USB data loss from formatting, corruption, or partition damage.
Pricing
One-time license starting at $79.99 for standard version; Technician edition at $499.99 and PRO at $899.99.
TestDisk
specializedFree open-source tool to recover lost partitions and fix boot issues on USB drives.
Advanced partition table analysis and repair capabilities that can reconstruct lost or damaged partitions on USB media.
TestDisk is a free, open-source data recovery utility developed by Christophe Grenier that specializes in recovering lost partitions, repairing boot sectors, and undeleting files from USB drives and other storage media. It supports a wide range of filesystems including FAT, NTFS, exFAT, ext2/ext3/ext4, and more, making it effective for logical data loss scenarios like corrupted partition tables or accidentally formatted USB sticks. Paired with its companion tool PhotoRec, it enables file carving to recover data even from severely damaged filesystems without relying on filesystem metadata.
Pros
- Exceptionally powerful for partition recovery and filesystem repair on USB drives
- Supports numerous filesystems and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux
- Completely free with no limitations or ads
Cons
- Primarily text-based interface with steep learning curve for beginners
- No native graphical user interface, requiring command-line familiarity
- Risk of user error during recovery process without proper guidance
Best For
Advanced users, IT professionals, or Linux enthusiasts recovering lost partitions or files from corrupted USB drives.
Pricing
100% free and open-source with no paid tiers or restrictions.
Wise Data Recovery
specializedLightweight free utility for quick recovery of deleted files from USB storage devices.
Wizard-guided recovery process that simplifies USB file restoration for non-experts
Wise Data Recovery is a lightweight, free tool from WiseCleaner designed to recover deleted, formatted, or lost files from USB drives, hard disks, memory cards, and other storage devices. It features quick scan and deep scan modes, file preview capabilities, and support for major file systems like NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT, making it suitable for USB data recovery tasks. The software emphasizes simplicity with a wizard-style interface, though advanced features require the Pro upgrade.
Pros
- Intuitive wizard interface ideal for beginners
- Fast quick scan for USB drives
- Free version with solid basic recovery capabilities
Cons
- Limited advanced tools like disk imaging
- Windows-only compatibility
- Pro needed for deep scans and filters on large drives
Best For
Casual users or beginners seeking simple, quick recovery of deleted files from USB flash drives.
Pricing
Free version available; Pro upgrade at $19.95 one-time fee for advanced scans and unlimited recovery.
Puran File Recovery
specializedPortable free software that scans and recovers files from formatted or inaccessible USB drives.
Portable mode that launches directly without installation, minimizing risk of overwriting data on the recovery target USB drive
Puran File Recovery is a free Windows utility specialized in recovering deleted, formatted, or lost files from USB drives, hard disks, and memory cards. It provides quick scan and deep scan options to locate data across FAT, NTFS, exFAT, and other file systems commonly used on USB devices. The software allows file previews before recovery and supports saving restored data to any drive, making it suitable for basic USB data loss scenarios like accidental deletion or quick formatting.
Pros
- Completely free with no usage limits or ads
- Portable version runs without installation to avoid overwriting USB data
- Effective quick and deep scans for common USB file systems
Cons
- Outdated and somewhat cluttered user interface
- Windows-only, no Mac or Linux support
- Limited advanced tools for heavily damaged or RAW USB drives
Best For
Windows users on a budget needing straightforward recovery of accidentally deleted files from USB flash drives.
Pricing
Entirely free with no paid upgrades.
Conclusion
Selecting the best USB data recovery software balances features and user needs, but EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard leads as the top choice, offering strong recovery success, deep scanning, and preview capabilities. Disk Drill and Recuva follow closely, with Disk Drill’s intuitive design and byte-to-byte backups, and Recuva’s free accessibility, making them excellent options for different user priorities. Together, these tools deliver reliable solutions for restoring lost data from USB drives.
Don’t let data loss from a USB drive disrupt your workflow—try EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard first to recover your files efficiently, ensuring no important data is left behind.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
