The Best Data Recovery Software Of 2024 (2024)

Businesses use data recovery software to protect themselves from data loss due to user error, hardware failure or software corruption. Others use it to recover data that was lost due to a virus attack, natural disaster, power outage or accidental file deletion.

No matter the reason for your data loss, you want to choose the best possible option for your needs. To help you make your decision, Forbes Advisor analyzed hundreds of data points to come up with this list of the best data recovery software available today.

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Featured Partners

• The Best Data Recovery Service of 2024
• Stellar Data Recovery
• EaseUS
• AnyRecover
• OnTrack EasyRecovery
• Disk Drill
• Wondershare
• MiniTool Power Data Recovery
• Forbes Advisor Ratings
• What Is Data Recovery Software?
• Limitations of Data Recovery Software
• How To Choose the Best Data Recovery Software
• How Much Does Data Recovery Software Cost?
• Methodology
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Stellar Data Recovery: Best for high volumes of files
• EaseUS: Best user interface (UI)
• AnyRecover: Best for Microsoft Outlook files
• OnTrack EasyRecovery: Best for deleted files
• Disk Drill: Best for macOS
• Wondershare: Best for high recovery rates
• MiniTool Power Data Recovery: Best for solid-state drive (SSD) data recovery
• DMDE: Best for complex cases
• WiseCleaner: Best free plan

Data recovery software can be a lifesaver, helping you get back lost, deleted or corrupted data on hard drives, USB drives, SD cards and other storage devices. These indispensable solutions come to the rescue in situations where data loss occurs due to various reasons, including unintentional deletion, system crashes, hardware malfunctions, formatting errors, malware intrusions or natural disasters.

These software programs work by meticulously scanning the storage device, pinpointing recoverable files, and then safely restoring the chosen data to a secure location. With the capability to support a diverse range of file types—from documents and images to videos, audio files and emails—data recovery software proves to be a crucial resource for individuals and businesses looking to retrieve precious information following an unforeseen data loss incident.

Data recovery software, while incredibly useful in many situations, does have its limitations. Although these tools can help recover lost or deleted files, sometimes successful recovery may not be possible or the process can become quite complex. Common issues with data recovery software are:

• Overwritten data: Once data is overwritten, it becomes nearly impossible for any software to recover the original information.
• Physical damage: Data recovery software cannot restore files from a physically damaged storage device. In such cases, specialized hardware repair or data recovery services may be required.
• Encryption: Encrypted files or drives can pose a challenge to recovery software, as the data must be decrypted before recovery is possible.
• Fragmented files: If a file is highly fragmented, recovery software may struggle to piece together all fragments, leading to partial or unsuccessful recovery.
• Speed is key: The faster you act, the more likely you are to get your data back.
• Software limitations: Not all data recovery software is created equal. Some tools may have limitations in terms of supported file types, storage devices or recovery scenarios.

Choosing the right data recovery software is essential to ensure you can recover your lost or accidentally deleted files effectively. To make an informed decision, consider both the essential features and other important factors that meet your unique needs.

Essential Features

• Ease of use: Look for a user-friendly interface that simplifies the recovery process, even for those with limited technical knowledge.
• Compatibility: Ensure the software supports your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) and file systems (NTFS, FAT, HFS+, and more).
• File type support: Choose a tool that can recover the specific file types you need, such as documents, photos, videos or emails.
• Recovery capabilities: Opt for software that can handle various data loss scenarios, including accidental deletion, formatting, partition loss and system crashes.
• Preview function: A useful feature that allows you to view recoverable files before starting the recovery process, helping you to save time and effort.
• Customer support: Is there someone you can call, email or chat with if you need software help?

Other Important Considerations

• Budget: Consider the cost of the software, as prices can vary from free solutions to premium paid options.
• Data recovery limits: Some tools may have limitations on the amount of data that can be recovered, especially with free versions. Make sure to choose one that meets your recovery needs.
• Additional features: Some data recovery software may include extra features such as file repair, lost partition recovery and disk cleanup, which can be useful depending on your specific requirements.
• Reputation and reviews: Check for user reviews and expert opinions to gauge the effectiveness and reliability of the software before making a decision.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What type of file do you need to recover? Data recovery software often specializes in certain types of files. For example, some might be best for photos while others are better for emails.
• What is your budget? Data recovery software can range in price from free to hundreds of dollars per year.
• What platform do you use? Some data recovery software only works on Windows while others work on both Windows and Mac.
• How much data do you need to recover? Some data recovery software limits the amount of data you can recover unless you upgrade to a paid plan.
• What other features do you need? Data recovery software often comes with additional features like file repair, lost partition recovery and disk cleanup.

Data recovery software costs can vary widely depending on the features offered, the complexity of the tool and the type of user license. Pricing plans are typically structured as free, one-time purchase or subscription-based models. Factors that impact the cost include compatibility, recovery capabilities, file type support and additional features such as file repair or disk cleanup.

Free Options

There are free data recovery software options available. These tools can be useful for basic file recovery tasks and for users with limited budgets. However, free options may have limitations in terms of recovery capabilities, file type support and customer support. They are often best suited for personal use or for cases where the lost data isn’t highly valuable or critical.

One-time Purchase

Some data recovery software is offered as a one-time purchase with prices typically ranging from $50 to $100, such as Stellar Data Recovery Professional ($79.99) or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Pro ($69.95). These tools often have more advanced features, better file type support and improved recovery capabilities compared to free options.

Subscription-based

Other software is available through subscription plans, with costs varying from around $40 to $150 per year. For example, Wondershare Recoverit offers an annual subscription plan starting at $59.99 per year. Subscription-based plans usually include continuous software updates, customer support and more advanced features, making them a better fit for businesses or users who frequently encounter data loss scenarios.

To find the best data recovery software, Forbes Advisor analyzed a variety of factors. We considered the type of file each software specialized in as well as its price and platform compatibility. We also looked at the amount of data each software could recover and any additional features it offered.

We compared the data recovery software side-by-side, assigning a weighted score to each data point, to see which one came out on top. We also read user reviews to get a sense of each software’s real-world performance.

Pricing (15%)

We evaluate the cost of the data recovery software by considering if it offers a free trial or free version for users to test its functionality. We also look at the starting price and the highest tier to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pricing structure.

General Features (25%)

Our methodology assesses the software’s capability to perform SSD data recovery, compatibility with Mac and Windows operating systems, support for devices beyond PC or Mac, partition recovery, video repair and image repair to ensure a wide range of functionalities.

Additional Features (20%)

We examine the software’s supplementary features such as document repair, file preview, bootable drive recovery, resume recovery, deep scan and RAID recovery. These features enhance the overall utility and user experience.

Third-party Reviews (10%)

We consider the software’s reputation by analyzing its Trustpilot rating with a minimum of 3.5 and the number of reviews, as well as G2 and Capterra ratings and reviews. This helps us gauge the software’s overall reliability and user satisfaction.

Expert Score (30%)

Our expert score takes into account the standout features, value for money, popularity and ease of use of the data recovery software. This allows us to provide a well-rounded evaluation and determine the best software options for various user needs.

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