TestDisk
Free / Open SourcePartition recovery, boot-sector repair, lost partitions
Availability: Free
Data Recovery Software List 2026
This directory covers widely used data recovery tools for Windows, macOS and Linux, including free/open-source utilities, consumer recovery software, professional RAID/NAS tools, photo recovery programs and mobile recovery applications.
Important before using recovery software: do not install software or save recovered files onto the affected drive. If a hard disk is clicking, grinding, beeping, not spinning correctly, has been dropped, or has liquid/fire damage, stop using it. Software is mainly suitable for logical problems such as deletion, formatting, corrupted partitions and some inaccessible file systems.
Popular Data Recovery Software & Tools
There is no single program that works for every data-loss situation. Choose software based on the storage device, operating system, file system and whether the problem is logical or physical.
Free & Open Source
Windows
macOS
Linux
HDD / SSD
RAID / NAS
Memory Card
Mobile
PhotoRec
Free / Open SourceFile carving from HDD, SSD, USB, SD cards and other media
Availability: Free
QPhotoRec
Free / Open SourceGraphical interface for PhotoRec file carving
Availability: Free
Recuva
Free / ConsumerRecently deleted files and simple undelete jobs
Availability: Free / Pro
Windows File Recovery
Free / MicrosoftCommand-line recovery for deleted files from supported Windows storage
Availability: Free
GNU ddrescue
Free / Open SourceImaging or cloning unstable drives before recovery work
Availability: Free
Foremost
Free / Open SourceSignature-based file carving
Availability: Free
Scalpel
Free / Open SourceFast signature-based file carving
Availability: Free
extundelete
Free / Open SourceDeleted file recovery from ext3/ext4 file systems
Availability: Free
ext4magic
Free / Open SourceAdvanced ext3/ext4 recovery and undelete
Availability: Free
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
ConsumerDeleted, formatted, RAW and inaccessible drives
Availability: Free tier / Paid
Disk Drill
ConsumerDeleted files, formatted volumes, disk images and previews
Availability: Free tier / Paid
Stellar Data Recovery
Consumer / BusinessHDD, SSD, removable media, photos and documents
Availability: Free tier / Paid
Wondershare Recoverit
ConsumerGeneral file recovery, photo/video workflows
Availability: Free trial / Paid
MiniTool Power Data Recovery
ConsumerDeleted files, formatted partitions and common storage devices
Availability: Free tier / Paid
Tenorshare 4DDiG
ConsumerDeleted, formatted and inaccessible storage recovery
Availability: Free scan / Paid
AnyRecover
ConsumerBroad device and file-type recovery
Availability: Free scan / Paid
iBoysoft Data Recovery
ConsumerDeleted files, RAW drives and common file-system recovery
Availability: Free trial / Paid
Remo Recover
ConsumerFile, photo and partition recovery
Availability: Demo / Paid
Wise Data Recovery
ConsumerLightweight deleted-file recovery
Availability: Free / Paid
Puran File Recovery
Consumer / FreewareBasic deleted-file recovery
Availability: Freeware
Glarysoft File Recovery
ConsumerSimple deleted-file recovery
Availability: Free / Paid
iCare Data Recovery
ConsumerDeleted, formatted and RAW partition recovery
Availability: Free / Paid
SysTools Hard Drive Data Recovery
Consumer / BusinessHard-drive and partition recovery
Availability: Paid
Kernel for Windows Data Recovery
BusinessWindows partition and file-system recovery
Availability: Paid
Hetman Partition Recovery
Consumer / TechnicalLost/deleted partitions and formatted drives
Availability: Trial / Paid
Active@ File Recovery
TechnicalDeleted files and partition recovery
Availability: Demo / Paid
Active@ Partition Recovery
TechnicalLost and deleted partition recovery
Availability: Demo / Paid
GetDataBack Pro
TechnicalFile-system reconstruction and advanced logical recovery
Availability: Demo / Paid
Raise Data Recovery
TechnicalFile-system recovery with simplified interface
Availability: Trial / Paid
R-Studio
ProfessionalAdvanced HDD/SSD, disk images, network and RAID recovery
Availability: Demo / Paid
UFS Explorer
ProfessionalRAID, NAS, virtual disks and complex file systems
Availability: Trial / Paid
Recovery Explorer
ProfessionalAdvanced file systems, RAID, NAS and virtual storage
Availability: Trial / Paid
DMDE
Professional / TechnicalDisk editing, partition reconstruction and file recovery
Availability: Free tier / Paid
DiskGenius
TechnicalPartition management, imaging and data recovery
Availability: Free / Paid
Runtime GetDataBack
ProfessionalNTFS/FAT/exFAT and complex logical recovery
Availability: Demo / Paid
Runtime RAID Reconstructor
ProfessionalRAID parameter analysis and reconstruction
Availability: Demo / Paid
Ontrack EasyRecovery
Professional / EnterpriseGeneral recovery plus advanced business options
Availability: Trial / Paid
ReclaiMe File Recovery
TechnicalFile recovery with automatic file-system reconstruction
Availability: Trial / Paid
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery
Professional / RAIDRAID parameter discovery and reconstruction assistance
Availability: Free
R-Linux
TechnicalLinux Ext2/Ext3/Ext4 recovery
Availability: Free
R-Undelete
TechnicalDeleted-file and simple file-system recovery
Availability: Free / Paid
ZAR X
TechnicalFile and photo recovery, damaged media analysis
Availability: Trial / Paid
File Scavenger
TechnicalDeleted files, formatted disks and RAID-related recovery
Availability: Demo / Paid
Stellar Photo Recovery
Photo / VideoPhotos, videos and camera RAW formats from cards/drives
Availability: Trial / Paid
RescuePRO Deluxe
Photo / Memory CardMemory card and removable-media recovery
Availability: Trial / Paid
CardRecovery
Photo / Memory CardPhoto/video recovery from memory cards
Availability: Trial / Paid
R-Photo
Photo / FreePhoto/video recovery from common storage
Availability: Free
Digital Image Recovery
PhotoBasic digital photo recovery
Availability: Freeware / Legacy
Wondershare Dr.Fone
Mobile RecoveryPhone data recovery and device-management workflows
Availability: Free scan / Paid
Tenorshare UltData
Mobile RecoveryiPhone and Android recovery workflows
Availability: Free scan / Paid
EaseUS MobiSaver
Mobile RecoveryMobile deleted-data recovery workflows
Availability: Free tier / Paid
iMyFone D-Back
Mobile RecoveryiOS/Android data recovery
Availability: Free scan / Paid
FonePaw Data Recovery / iPhone Data Recovery
Mobile / DesktopDesktop and iPhone-focused recovery products
Availability: Trial / Paid
Software Recovery Not Working?
If the drive is physically damaged, clicking, very slow, repeatedly disconnecting, not detected in BIOS, or contains critical business data, continued scanning may increase risk. Contact a professional data recovery service before repeated attempts.
Data Recovery Software FAQ
Which data recovery software is free?
TestDisk, PhotoRec, QPhotoRec, Windows File Recovery, GNU ddrescue, Foremost, Scalpel and R-Linux are examples of free or open-source tools. Recuva and several commercial products also provide free or limited free editions.
Can software recover data from a physically damaged hard disk?
Software cannot repair mechanical components such as failed heads, motors or damaged platters. Clicking, grinding, beeping, severe slowness or repeated disconnects can indicate a hardware problem and should be handled carefully.
Should I install recovery software on the same drive I am trying to recover?
No. Installing software or writing recovered files to the affected drive can overwrite recoverable data. Use another drive or computer whenever possible.
Which tools are used for RAID and NAS recovery?
Professional tools commonly associated with complex RAID, NAS and virtual-storage recovery include R-Studio, UFS Explorer, Recovery Explorer, DMDE and specialized RAID reconstruction utilities.
