10 Best Hard Drive Recovery Software For Windows and Mac

What is the Best Hard Drive Recovery Software in 2023?

Data loss can strike when you least expect it - a deleted file, an accidental format, or a system crash can turn your digital world upside down. Nobody wants to find themselves unprepared when they lose a crucial file; thus, having reliable hard drive recovery software pre-installed on your system is essential, and this article is here to help you pick the best solution for you.

These tools have been rigorously tested, analyzed, and ranked based on their features, performance, and pricing, ensuring you can make an informed choice to rescue your precious data.

1. Remo Recover

Remo Recover stands out as an exceptionally user-friendly hard drive data recovery software. With the ability to retrieve over 500 file formats, including audio, video, PDF, and Word files, it covers a broad spectrum of data recovery needs. This versatile tool is your go-to solution for a wide array of data loss scenarios, ranging from simple tasks like recovering deleted files from an external hard drive to tackling more complex challenges like formatted and corrupted hard drives.

One remarkable feature that sets Remo Recover apart is its dedicated 24/7 customer support. With a Trustpilot rating of 4.5 stars, it's clear that user satisfaction is a priority. While using this tool, you'll find the experience to be seamless and straightforward. However, if you encounter any complexity, rest assured that the responsive customer support team is ready to assist, ensuring a smooth data recovery process from your hard drive.

Supported Operating Systems:

• Windows and Mac

Pros:

• User-friendly interface for easy navigation.
• Supports recovery from a wide range of data loss scenarios.
• Capable of recovering over 500 file types.
• Available for both Windows and Mac platforms.

Cons:

• The free version may have limitations on recovery capacity.
• Some advanced features may require upgrading to a paid version.

Who should use it? 

Remo Recover is an excellent choice for users seeking a user-friendly interface and versatile data recovery. It's suitable for individuals and professionals alike who want dependable recovery backed by 24/7 customer support.

User Experience

The user-friendliness of Remo Recover is better than all the data recovery software available in the market. It employs dual-scan technology, comprising quick and deep scans, to make data recovery as easy as possible. The recovery process is straightforward. All you need to do is download and install the software on your Windows or Mac computer, select the drive from which you want to recover data and scan the drive. This tool will provide all the recovered files in less time. 

Additionally, it offers various handy features that make this tool exceptional for hard drive recovery. One such feature, "Dynamic Recovery View," allows you to preview and recover files without waiting for the scanning process to complete. Of course, it also includes features like dual scanning, filters to eliminate unwanted files, advanced filters for searching specific file formats, and a search box to find the file you want.

Our Verdict:

2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a comprehensive hard drive recovery software that excels in restoring files from a multitude of data loss scenarios. Whether you've accidentally deleted files, suffered a system crash, or encountered formatting issues, EaseUS empowers users to recover their data effortlessly. Its intuitive interface caters to both beginners and experienced users.

Supported Operating Systems:

• Windows and Mac

Pros:

• A streamlined 3-step recovery process.
• Capable of repairing damaged file formats like JPEG, PNG, and BMP.
• Rapid scanning and high-quality data recovery.
• Supports over 500 file types on various devices.

Cons:

• The free version limits recovery to 2GB.
• The Preview feature only works when the files are smaller than 100 MB.
• Low effectiveness when dealing with complex data loss scenarios.

Who should use it? 

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is an excellent choice for users who require a user-friendly interface and effective data recovery across various scenarios. It caters to both beginners and advanced users, making it suitable for a wide range of individuals.

User Experience 

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard simplifies data recovery for Windows and Mac users. It boasts a straightforward user interface, making data retrieval accessible to all. You can select a location to scan, initiate the process with a single click, and wait for the software to find their files.

Our Verdict:

3. Stellar Data Recovery

Stellar Data Recovery is a powerful tool renowned for its ability to retrieve lost or deleted data from a wide range of storage media, including hard drives, SSDs, memory cards, and optical discs. This software offers advanced features for users seeking precise and efficient data recovery, making it a top choice for professionals and individuals alike.

Supported Operating Systems:

• Windows and Mac

Pros:

• An intuitive interface for effortless recovery.
• Comprehensive support for various data loss scenarios.
• Recovers a wide array of file types.
• Available on both Windows and Mac platforms.
• Offers options for drive monitoring and cloning.

Cons:

• Very expensive
• The free version may have limitations on recovery capacity.
• Scan and recovery speed is slow.

Who should use it? 

Stellar Data Recovery's intuitive interface and broad recovery capabilities make it a go-to option for users of all levels. It's perfect for those seeking reliable data retrieval in diverse scenarios.

User Experience 

Stellar Data Recovery supports NTFS, exFAT, and FAT formatted drives and offers Professional and Premium versions. Both versions feature an intuitive interface, enabling users to sort recovered files by type or view them in a tree structure. Stellar Data Recovery provides a hassle-free data retrieval experience.

Our Verdict:

4. Recuva - Hard Drive Recovery Software

Recuva sets itself apart by providing an interactive and user-friendly hard drive recovery experience. This tool guides users through the recovery process, asking questions to facilitate the retrieval of lost files. With its intuitive approach, Recuva is an ideal choice for those who prefer a more guided approach to data recovery.

Supported Operating Systems:

• Windows Only

Pros:

• Unlimited free data recovery in the standard version.
• Deep scan mode for locating elusive files.
• User-friendly, interactive interface.
• 100% free data recovery software.

Cons:

• A somewhat dated user interface.
• No real-time preview during scans.
• It does not recover the original folder trees and file names.

Who should use it? 

Recuva's interactive interface and unlimited free data recovery make it a perfect fit for personal users and small businesses. It's particularly suitable for those who need a straightforward tool for basic file recovery.

User Experience 

Recuva stands out for its simplicity, clear interface, and budget-friendly pricing. While it may not support all file types, its usability is a highlight. The software's clean design and integrated preview screen facilitate an uncomplicated data recovery process.

Our Verdict:

5. Disk Drill Data Recovery 

Disk Drill is a robust hard drive recovery software that not only specializes in file recovery but also offers additional features like data protection and drive backup. It's a versatile tool for retrieving deleted or lost data from various storage devices, making it a valuable asset for safeguarding and recovering your important files.

Supported Operating Systems:

• Windows and Mac

Pros:

• Not just recovery but also data protection and drive backup features.
• Intuitive organization of recovered files by category.
• Supports multiple file systems.

Cons:

• Inability to recover data from iOS and Android (in the Windows version)..
• Slow scan speed
• Average customer support

Who should use it? 

Disk Drill appeals to users looking for a versatile solution that not only recovers data but also offers data protection and drive backup features. It's a great choice for individuals and businesses seeking comprehensive data management.

User Experience 

Disk Drill, developed by CleverFiles, offers a polished data recovery experience. It supports over 400 file formats and various storage devices. With an intuitive interface, users can filter scan results, preview files before recovery, and even pause and resume scans. Disk Drill provides a seamless data recovery process.

Our Verdict:

6. Yodot Data Recovery

Yodot Data Recovery is a reliable solution for rescuing files from accidental deletion, formatting, or corruption. This software caters to users seeking straightforward and effective data recovery, with a focus on simplicity and efficiency.

Supported Operating Systems:

• Windows and Mac

Pros:

• A straightforward and user-friendly interface.
• Effective recovery across various data loss scenarios.
• Capable of restoring numerous file formats.
• Compatible with both Windows and Mac systems.

Cons:

• Limited Customer Support.
• Slow scan speed.
• Mac version is very laggy and outdated

Who should use it? 

Yodot Data Recovery's simplicity and versatility make it accessible to users with different skill levels. It's an excellent choice for those looking for effective data recovery, whether novices or experts.

User Experience 

Yodot may not be as popular as Stellar and EaseUS, but when it comes to user-friendliness, it can certainly give them tough competition. It has a very fresh and smooth user interface that compels us to consider Yodot as a top choice for hard drive recovery software. It can recover over 400 file formats and works smoothly on Windows and Mac Operating Systems. To recover data from a formatted hard drive using Yodot, you can select and scan the drive. It also offers you a free preview feature to judge the success rate for free.

Our Verdict:

7. Ontrack Data Recovery Software

Ontrack EasyRecovery is a top-tier choice for disk data recovery. It excels in recovering files from a wide range of storage media, including HDDs, SSDs, memory cards, and USB drives. Additionally, EasyRecovery offers advanced features, such as RAID recovery, for users dealing with complex data loss scenarios.

Supported Operating Systems:

• Windows and Mac

Pros:

• Recovers a wide range of file types.
• Allows for result previews before recovery.
• Compatible with multiple storage devices.

Cons:

• Requires personal information for downloading.
• Offers only 1GB of free recovery.
• Complicated user interface.
• Very Expensive

Who should use it? 

Ontrack's extensive file recovery capabilities and advanced RAID recovery features make it a top choice for professionals, IT experts, and businesses dealing with complex data loss scenarios.

User Experience 

Ontrack is straightforward file recovery software for missing or deleted photos, videos, and more from all types of computer storage devices. Utilize quick scan and deep scan to optimize your recovery. It also provides manual data recovery and repair with experts. The cost depends on your data and the difficulty of the recovery process. It is a little hard to download. You need to give your email and personal information before you can download it.

Our Verdict:

8. PhotoRec- Hard Drive Recovery Software

PhotoRec is an open-source data recovery software renowned for its potent file recovery capabilities. It can salvage images from various digital devices, including computers, cameras, smartphones, and more. With support for over 480 file extensions, PhotoRec is a versatile and robust tool for image recovery.

Supported Operating Systems:

• Windows, Mac, and Linux

Pros:

• Cross-platform support (Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, etc.).
• Recovery across a wide range of devices.
• Works with numerous file formats beyond just images.

Cons:

• Tailored to experienced users.
• Recovers all files during scans, with no file names or folder structure restoration.

Who should use it? 

PhotoRec is tailored for tech-savvy users who need cross-platform support and advanced file recovery capabilities. It's an excellent choice for experienced individuals dealing with various digital devices.

User Experience

PhotoRec is known for its extensive file format support, recovering over 480 file extensions. Despite its text-based interface, data recovery with PhotoRec is straightforward. It utilizes a non-destructive recovery method, ensuring data safety during retrieval, even for fragmented files.

Our Verdict:

9. TestDisk (Windows, Mac, and Linux)

TestDisk is an open-source application designed primarily for recovering lost partitions and fixing partition-related issues. This versatile tool can recover deleted partitions, repair partition tables, recover boot sectors, and more. Its open-source nature allows users with technical expertise to inspect, modify, and enhance its functionality.

Supported Operating Systems:

• Windows, Mac, and Linux

Pros:

• Open-source software with a focus on partition recovery.
• Rescues lost partitions and repairs boot-related issues.
• Retrieves various file types.

Cons:

• Lacks a graphical user interface (command-line only).
• Doesn't recover files but fixes partitions and file systems.

Who should use it? 

TestDisk is primarily for users facing partition-related issues, such as lost or damaged partitions. It's best suited for those with some technical knowledge and specific partition recovery needs.

User Experience 

TestDisk focuses on repairing file systems and partitions rather than individual file recovery. While it supports various file systems, its advanced menu may deter regular users. TestDisk's user interface lacks file previews, making individual file recovery challenging. However, it excels in complex data recovery scenarios.

Our Verdict:

10. Windows File Recovery

Windows File Recovery is a command-line utility developed by Microsoft for recovering deleted files on Windows server. It supports various file types and is freely available for Windows 10 version 2004 and later. This tool is particularly handy for users looking to retrieve files like JPEGs, PDFs, Office documents, and multimedia files from their storage devices.

Supported Operating Systems:

• Windows only

Pros:

• Recovers a variety of file types.
• Freely available for Windows 10 (version 2004 and above).

Cons:

• Works exclusively on Windows 10 (version 2004 and later).
• Requires command-line usage for file type-specific recovery.
• No graphical user interface

Who should use it? 

Windows File Recovery caters specifically to Windows 10 users who need to recover specific file types. It's most suitable for users comfortable with command-line usage and looking for a free, clean solution.

User Experience 

Windows File Recovery offers a command-line utility for recovering deleted files on Windows 10 version 2004 and above. Users must specify file names, keywords, or extensions for recovery. It supports specific file types, making it suitable for users with targeted data recovery needs. If you are not tech-savvy and do not have any experience using the command line, you may find this tool very difficult to use.

Our Verdict:

What to Consider When Choosing HDD Recovery Software?

When selecting the ideal hard disk data recovery software, you should evaluate it based on these crucial factors:

1. Tailored to Your Needs: Ensure the software can effectively address your specific data loss scenario, whether it's accidental deletion, formatting, or more complex issues like a corrupted partition.

2. Trustworthiness: Opt for software that's free from viruses and plugins, safeguarding your data throughout the recovery process. It should also operate without crashing.

3. Speed and Success Rate: Choose a tool that combines a speedy scan with a high success rate. The ultimate goal is swift, reliable data recovery.

4. User-Friendly: The best hard drive recovery software should offer an intuitive interface with advanced features like filters, search bars, and a preview pane to enhance the recovery experience.

Also Read: Best External Hard Drive Recovery Software

Possible Reason Behind Data Loss On Hard Drives

• Accidental Deletions: Accidentally deleting files or folders is one of the most common reasons for data loss. It can happen when you press the delete button without intending to or when you delete the wrong files.

• Drive Formatting: Formatting a hard drive erases all data on it. People might format a drive by mistake, or intentionally when they want to clean the drive but forget to back up their important data.

• Corrupt Partitions: Corruption in a hard drive's partition table or file system can lead to data loss. This can occur due to sudden power outages, hardware issues, or even software glitches.

• System Errors: Operating system errors or crashes can cause data loss. When your computer encounters a critical error, it may not be able to access or retrieve data properly.

• Virus Attacks: Malware, viruses, and other malicious software can infect a computer or hard drive, causing data loss. Some viruses are designed to corrupt or delete files, making recovery difficult.

• Lack of Regular Backups: One of the most preventable causes of data loss is the failure to regularly back up data. Without backups, recovering lost data can be challenging or impossible.

Scope and Limitations of Data Recovery Software

Data recovery software is valuable for retrieving lost or deleted data from various storage devices. However, its effectiveness is subject to certain hardware and software-related limitations that can influence the outcome of data recovery efforts.

Scope:

1. Traditional Hard Drives and SSDs: Data recovery software is generally effective for traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs) with TRIM disabled. It can also be used on external SSDs and HDDs, providing a good chance of successful data recovery.

2. Accidental Deletion: Data recovery software excels in scenarios where data loss results from accidental deletion, formatting errors, or similar user mistakes. Recovery is likely achievable as long as the data hasn't been overwritten.

3. File System Corruption: In mild file system corruption cases, data recovery software can often restore data effectively. It helps recover inaccessible data caused by file system errors.

4. Software-Induced Issues: Data recovery software is suitable for situations where data loss is due to software-related problems, such as file system errors, virus attacks, or software malfunctions.

Limitations:

1. Solid-State Drives with TRIM: Data recovery software is ineffective for solid-state drives with the TRIM command enabled. TRIM ensures permanent data erasure, leaving no room for recovery.

2. Overwritten Data: Data recovery software struggles when data has been overwritten by new information. It relies on intact, unallocated space to retrieve files.

3. Data Corruption: While data recovery software can sometimes recover corrupt data, severely corrupted files may be beyond repair or may only be partially recoverable.

4. Bad Sectors: Data recovery software may encounter difficulties when the lost data resides in bad sectors of a drive, leading to incomplete or unreliable data recovery.

5. Encryption and Password Protection: Data recovery software faces challenges when lost data is encrypted or password-protected, as decryption keys are required for retrieval.

6. Hardware Failures: Data recovery software is inadequate for recovering data from physically damaged storage devices, such as malfunctioning hard drives, which often require specialized hardware recovery procedures.

7. RAID Systems: Data recovery software may not be fully equipped to handle data recovery from complex RAID configurations, necessitating specialized expertise and software.

8. Time Sensitivity: Timeliness is crucial for data recovery software. The longer you wait to initiate recovery, the higher the risk of data being overwritten, reducing the chances of successful retrieval.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these top 10 hard drive recovery software options cater to various needs and scenarios. However, always keep in mind that data recovery success rates can vary, and if your hard drive is physically damaged, professional data recovery services may be your best bet.