Top 5 Best Data Recovery Software for Windows and Mac in 2026 (Free and Paid)

Deleting the wrong folder, formatting the wrong USB stick, or watching a drive suddenly turn RAW can wipe out hours of work in seconds. In most of these cases the files still sit on the disk, and the right recovery tool can pull them back before new data overwrites them. Below are the five data recovery programs worth installing in 2026, along with what each one does well, where it falls short, and who should pick it.

Best Data Recovery Software Compared: Free Limits, Price, and Platforms

Data recovery software scans a drive for deleted or lost files that still exist on the disk and restores them before new data overwrites them. The table below compares the five best options on platforms, free limits, price, and ideal use case.

1. Disk Drill: Best Data Recovery Software Overall for Windows and Mac

Disk Drill combines strong recovery results with an interface that a first-time user can handle in minutes.

CleverFiles built Disk Drill as a cross-platform recovery suite, and it handles everything from a simple Recycle Bin mistake to a formatted or RAW drive. It recognizes around 400 file formats and works with NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, ReFS, EXT4, HFS+, and APFS. You can filter and preview files while the scan is still running, pause a scan and resume it later, and recover what you need without waiting for the full pass to finish.

The extras make it more than a one-time rescue app. Recovery Vault adds a protection layer to folders you care about, byte-to-byte backup lets you image a failing drive and scan the copy instead, and S.M.A.R.T. monitoring warns you when a disk starts to degrade. Its Advanced Camera Recovery module rebuilds fragmented video from cameras and drones, which most rivals cannot do.

The free Windows edition recovers up to 100 MB. Disk Drill Pro costs $89 as a one-time purchase, activates on up to three computers, and covers both the Windows and Mac versions under one license.

Pros

• Previews and recovers files during the scan
• Saves scan sessions so you can resume later
• One license covers Windows and macOS
• Disk imaging, S.M.A.R.T. monitoring, and camera video reconstruction included

Cons

• Free tier on Windows stops at 100 MB
• No phone support
• Does not run on Linux, though it can read Linux-formatted drives

2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: Best Free Data Recovery Software for Beginners

EaseUS keeps the recovery process to three simple steps and offers one of the largest free recovery allowances.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard asks you to pick a location, run the scan, and choose the files to restore. It runs a fast quick scan first, then moves into a deep scan for formatted or corrupted storage, and you can keep using your PC for other tasks while it works in the background. Results appear in a tidy file tree that you can sort, filter, and tag, and you can start restoring files before the scan completes.

The free version recovers up to 2 GB, which covers a handful of documents or a small photo folder. Paid plans start at $69.95 per month or $99.95 per year, so the cost climbs quickly if you need it for more than one job.

Pros

• Very easy to use with no layered menus
• Generous free recovery limit
• Supports pausing and resuming scans
• Strong results on NTFS drives

Cons

• Previews only work on files under 100 MB
• Pop-up ads for other EaseUS products
• No advanced RAID 5 or RAID 6 recovery
• Subscription pricing gets expensive

3. Stellar Data Recovery: Best for Recovering and Repairing Photos and Videos

Stellar stands out because it can repair damaged photos and videos after it recovers them.

Stellar Data Recovery has been around since 2000 and covers hard drives, SSDs, USB sticks, and memory cards on both Windows and macOS. Its standout trick is repairing corrupted images and videos that refuse to open after recovery, a feature reserved for the Premium tier and above. You can also teach it new file types by feeding it sample files, which helps when you need to restore an obscure format that other tools ignore.

The free edition recovers up to 1 GB. Standard starts at $59.99 per year, Professional costs $89.99 per year, and Premium costs $99.99 per year. The Technician tier adds RAID 0, 5, and 6 recovery for IT teams.

Pros

• Repairs corrupted photos and videos (Premium tier)
• Custom file signatures for rare formats
• Disk imaging and byte-to-byte backup on paid plans
• 1 GB free recovery

Cons

• Cannot recover files until the scan finishes
• Previews run slowly on large result sets
• No automatic resume if a scan gets interrupted
• Annual pricing adds up over time

4. R-Studio: Best Data Recovery Software for RAID and Professional Use

R-Studio gives technicians deep control over complex recovery jobs that consumer tools cannot handle.

R-Studio targets IT admins and recovery specialists rather than home users. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, supports a wide range of file systems including XFS and UFS, and rebuilds broken RAID arrays through its reconstruction module. You can run several recovery jobs in separate tabs, inspect files in the built-in hex viewer, add custom file signatures, and create byte-to-byte disk images. It even works with professional hardware such as DeepSpar Disk Imager.

Pricing depends on which file systems you need. The FAT edition costs $49.99, the full version with NTFS, APFS, and HFS+ support costs $79.99, and the Technician license costs $899. The demo only recovers files smaller than 256 KB.

Pros

• Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
• Powerful RAID reconstruction
• Hex viewer and forensic tools
• Perpetual licenses, no subscription required

Cons

• Steep learning curve and dated interface
• Previews support only a limited set of formats
• Demo is too restricted for real recovery
• Licensing tiers can confuse buyers

5. PhotoRec: Best Open-Source Data Recovery Software With No Limit

PhotoRec costs nothing, has no recovery cap, and works on every major operating system.

Despite the name, PhotoRec recovers far more than photos. This open-source tool identifies around 480 file extensions by their signatures, so it can pull files off drives with a missing or damaged file system. It reads the source drive without writing to it, which keeps your lost data safe during the scan. PhotoRec ships alongside TestDisk, a companion tool that rebuilds lost partitions and repairs boot sectors.

The trade-off is usability. PhotoRec uses a text-based interface, though Windows users get a basic graphical version called qPhotoRec. It also cannot restore original file names or folder structure, so expect to sort through generically named files afterward.

Pros

• Completely free and open source
• No recovery limit
• Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
• Bundled with TestDisk for partition repair

Cons

• Text interface intimidates beginners
• No preview or scan results list
• Loses original file names and folders

Which Data Recovery Software Should You Choose?

Your choice should depend on how you lost the files and how much control you need.

• Simple deletion on a healthy drive: Disk Drill or EaseUS will usually restore files with names and folders intact.
• Formatted, RAW, or corrupted drive: Pick a tool with strong signature scanning, such as Disk Drill, Stellar, or PhotoRec.
• Damaged photos or videos: Stellar Premium repairs files that open with errors after recovery.
• RAID arrays or business servers: R-Studio offers the deepest toolset.
• No budget at all: PhotoRec recovers everything for free if you can handle the interface.

Before you buy, run the free version first. Every tool on this list lets you scan and preview, so you can confirm your files are recoverable before you spend money.

How to Recover Deleted Files Without Overwriting Them

A few habits can decide whether you get your files back or lose them for good.

• Stop using the affected drive right away, because new data can overwrite deleted files.
• Install the recovery software on a different drive from the one you want to scan.
• Save recovered files to a separate drive, never the source.
• Create a disk image first if the drive makes noises, disconnects, or shows read errors.
• Act quickly on SSDs, since TRIM can wipe deleted data permanently.
• Send physically damaged drives to a professional lab instead of scanning them repeatedly.

When Data Recovery Software Cannot Recover Your Files

Software only works when the original data still exists and the drive responds normally to read requests.

• Overwritten data: Once new files take over the space a deleted file occupied, no tool can bring the old content back.
• SSDs with TRIM: TRIM actively wipes deleted blocks, so recovery from an SSD often returns nothing if you wait.
• Full formats: A full format overwrites the data, while a quick format leaves it recoverable.
• Physical damage: Clicking drives, burnt boards, and failed heads need a professional lab, because repeated scans can make the damage worse.
• Encrypted drives without the key: Scrambled data stays unreadable unless you unlock the drive or supply the credentials during the scan.

Frequently Asked Questions

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