The Best File Recovery Software in 2026
We researched file recovery software using vendors’ official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings focus on the category’s core job: recovering deleted or inaccessible files, value for money, and verified features for scanning storage devices and restoring data. The comparison covers file recovery software.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard#1 of 479.3/10Broad recovery tools with a free edition and one-time paid plans.
Free plan
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Runner-up
R-Studio#2 of 479.2/10A desktop recovery toolkit with editions for individual file systems and professional work.
-
Top-ranked free plan
PhotoRec#3 of 479.1/10A free recovery utility for scanning drives and images by file signature, not filesystem.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
The full ranking 47 tools, best first
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Best forRecovering files across varied storage media
Broad recovery tools with a free edition and one-time paid plans.
- Bootable recovery
- RAID recovery
9.3/10★★★★★Visit EaseUS -
Best forTechnical recovery across desktop platforms
A desktop recovery toolkit with editions for individual file systems and professional work.
- Bootable recovery
- RAID recovery
9.2/10★★★★★Visit R-Studio -
Best forFree file carving across many file types
A free recovery utility for scanning drives and images by file signature, not filesystem.
- RAID recovery
9.1/10★★★★★Visit PhotoRec -
Best forFree partition recovery and repair
A command-line utility for partition repair and file recovery across major desktop systems.
- Bootable recovery
- RAID recovery
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit TestDisk -
Best forRecovery plus photo and video repair
Broad file recovery with photo and video repair, on Windows and macOS.
- Bootable recovery
- RAID recovery
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Recoverit -
Best forSimple, low-cost Windows recovery
A low-cost Windows recovery tool for home users and removable drives.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Recuva -
Best forWindows recovery with bootable-media support
Windows file recovery with filtering, previews and bootable-media support.
- Bootable recovery
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit WiseCleaner -
Best forFree command-line recovery on Windows
A free Windows command-line tool with multiple recovery modes and file-system filters.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forFree recovery from Linux filesystems
A free desktop recovery utility for Linux filesystems, with Windows and Linux versions.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit R-Linux -
Best forWindows users recovering files from storage media
Windows desktop recovery for deleted files, formatted volumes and removable media.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit O&O Software -
Best forFree rescue of failing drives on POSIX systems
A free, resumable drive-rescue tool for people comfortable with command-line work.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit GNU ddrescue -
Best forTechnical recovery across Windows, macOS, and Linux
A technical recovery toolkit with a free edition and one-time paid licenses.
- Bootable recovery
- RAID recovery
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit DMDE -
Best forRAID, forensic, and virtual-disk recovery
A broad recovery toolkit whose RAID and forensic capabilities come in higher-priced editions.
- RAID recovery
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit UFS Explorer -
Best forWindows recovery with business licensing options
A Windows recovery tool with broad media support and personal and business licenses.
- Bootable recovery
- RAID recovery
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit MiniTool -
Best forLow-cost recovery across Windows, macOS, and Linux
A low-cost desktop recovery tool for common storage, file systems, and simple RAID.
- Bootable recovery
- RAID recovery
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forWindows users recovering files across filesystem types
Broad filesystem support and read-only scanning, with a one-time license for Windows.
- Bootable recovery
- RAID recovery
7.8/10★★★★☆Try GetDataBack Pro -
Best forRecovery with disk imaging and video repair
Broad Windows and Mac recovery, with imaging and advanced tools in supported editions.
- Bootable recovery
- RAID recovery
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Ontrack -
Best forWindows or Mac recovery with a free allowance
Broad recovery tools and previews, but unlimited recovery starts at $89 per year.
- Bootable recovery
- RAID recovery
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Disk Drill -
Best forWindows recovery with RAID and bootable tools
A Windows recovery toolkit with RAID reconstruction, disk imaging, and bootable editions.
- Bootable recovery
- RAID recovery
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Active@ -
Best forFree Windows recovery with RAID support
A Windows recovery tool with a free FAT/exFAT edition and paid RAID support.
- RAID recovery
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit R-Undelete -
Best forCross-filesystem recovery with result export
A read-only desktop recovery tool with broad filesystem support and export options.
7.3/10★★★★☆Try Hetman Uneraser -
Best forLow-cost recovery from disks and disk images
An inexpensive recovery tool with broad media and disk-image support.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit DiskDigger -
Best forFree cross-platform recovery across many filesystems
A free desktop recovery tool with broad filesystem, imaging and RAID support.
- RAID recovery
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Recover -
Best forFree recovery with evidence-oriented reporting
An early-preview recovery tool with read-only workflows and evidence-oriented reporting.
7.0/10★★★★☆Explore PhoinixDR -
Best forRecovering varied file types on Windows or Mac
A desktop recovery tool with quick and deep scans, RAW recovery, and support for 2,000+ file types.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Tenorshare -
Best forWindows and Mac recovery with saved scan sessions
Broad Windows and Mac recovery with saved scans, but limited free recovery and costly paid plans.
- Bootable recovery
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit iBoysoft -
Best forWindows users recovering files from drives and cards
A Windows recovery tool with useful scan options and a 500 MB free allowance.
- Bootable recovery
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit AOMEI -
Best forWindows recovery with read-only scanning
A Windows recovery utility with read-only scans, previews, and one-time license pricing.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit SysTools -
Best forWindows users needing recovery and partition tools
A Windows utility combining file and partition recovery with cloning, backup, and partition tools.
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit DiskGenius -
Best forWindows users wanting imaging and thorough searches
A Windows recovery tool with sector-level searches, imaging, and no free plan.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit iolo -
Best forWindows technicians handling RAID or NAS recovery
A Windows recovery utility with RAID, RAIDZ, NAS, and disk-image analysis support.
- RAID recovery
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit File Scavenger -
Best forWindows-based recovery across RAID and filesystems
A Windows desktop recovery tool with broad filesystem, NAS, RAID, and imaging support.
- RAID recovery
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit ReclaiMe -
Best forWindows or Mac recovery with RAID and file repair
A paid desktop recovery tool with RAID support and file repair for some formats.
- Bootable recovery
- RAID recovery
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Cisdem -
Best forWindows recovery with disk-image and RAID support
A Windows recovery utility with RAID, disk-image analysis and pre-purchase previews.
- RAID recovery
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit GetData -
Best forFree Windows recovery with bootable media
Free home recovery with bootable options; paid editions add commercial and server use.
- Bootable recovery
- RAID recovery
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Lazesoft -
Best forPeople recovering files across computers and mobile devices
Broad recovery coverage across storage media, computers, and phones, with no free plan.
- Bootable recovery
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit AnyRecover -
Best forSpecialist RAID and filesystem recovery on Windows
A focused recovery tool with broad filesystem and RAID support, priced for specialist needs.
- RAID recovery
5.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Klennet -
Best forFree recovery of deleted Windows files
A free Windows utility for recovering deleted files from local disks and removable media.
5.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Glarysoft -
Best forFree, portable recovery for basic Windows cases
A free Windows utility for targeted and deep scans of deleted files.
5.5/10★★★☆☆Visit IObit -
Best forUsers seeking free basic recovery across desktop systems
A free desktop utility with recovery, imaging, cloning, wiping, and RAID support.
- RAID recovery
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit SalvageData -
Best forWindows users recovering files from memory cards
A Windows recovery tool with broad memory-card support and a limited free edition.
5.2/10★★★☆☆Visit iCare Recovery -
Best forWindows users needing straightforward file recovery
A focused Windows recovery tool with scan options, previews, and selective restores.
5.1/10★★★☆☆Visit GiliSoft -
Best forWindows users recovering files from removable media
A free Windows recovery option with removable-media scanning, previews, and file filters.
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit UNDELETE 360 -
Best forWindows users wanting free basic file recovery
A free Windows cleanup toolkit with read-only recovery for common file systems.
4.9/10★★☆☆☆Visit BitBroom -
Best forLinux users comfortable with command-line file carving
A focused Linux utility for carving files from raw data and disk images.
4.8/10★★☆☆☆Visit Foremost -
Best forForensic teams needing evidence analysis and recovery
A forensic suite with file recovery, imaging and case collaboration in one Windows desktop app.
4.7/10★★☆☆☆Visit X-Ways -
Best forVideo editors who also need basic file recovery
Avidemux handles basic video editing, but it is not file recovery software.
4.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit Avidemux
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported device types | Supported file systems | Bootable recovery | RAID recovery | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard | Yes | $99.95/yr | — | — | Yes | Yes | 9.3 |
| 2 | R-Studio | No | $49.99/device one-time | — | — | Yes | Yes | 9.2 |
| 3 | PhotoRec | Yes | None | — | — | — | Yes | 9.1 |
| 4 | TestDisk | Yes | None | — | — | Yes | Yes | 9.0 |
| 5 | Recoverit | Yes | $99.95/yr | — | — | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 6 | Recuva | Yes | ₹990 one-time | — | — | — | — | 8.8 |
| 7 | Wise Data Recovery | Yes | $79.95/device/yr | — | — | Yes | — | 8.7 |
| 8 | Windows File Recovery | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 8.6 |
| 9 | R-Linux | Yes | None | — | — | — | No | 8.5 |
| 10 | O&O DiskRecovery | No | — | — | — | — | — | 8.4 |
| 11 | GNU ddrescue | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 8.3 |
| 12 | DMDE | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 13 | UFS Explorer | No | $69.95 one-time | — | — | — | Yes | 8.1 |
| 14 | MiniTool Power Data Recovery | Yes | $89/yr | — | — | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| 15 | Raise Data Recovery | No | $34.95 one-time | — | — | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 16 | GetDataBack Pro | No | $79 one-time | — | — | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 17 | Ontrack EasyRecovery | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | Yes | 7.7 |
| 18 | Disk Drill | Yes | $89/yr | — | — | Yes | Yes | 7.6 |
| 19 | Active@ File Recovery | Yes | $29.95/unit one-time | — | — | Yes | Yes | 7.5 |
| 20 | R-Undelete | Yes | $54.99 one-time | — | — | — | Yes | 7.4 |
| 21 | Hetman Uneraser | No | — | HDDs, SSDs, external drives, USB flash drives, SD/microSD and other memory cards, disks from computers, single-drive NAS devices, and servers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, Ext2/3/4, XFS, Btrfs, ReiserFS, ZFS, UFS, APFS, HFS+ | — | No | 7.3 |
| 22 | DiskDigger | Yes | $19.99 one-time | — | — | — | — | 7.2 |
| 23 | Recover | Yes | None | hard drives, SSDs, USB sticks, memory cards, RAID sets, disk images | FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, ext2, ext3, ext4, XFS, Btrfs, HFS, HFS+, APFS, ReFS, UDF, UFS, F2FS, JFFS2, UBIFS, ZFS, VMFS, bcachefs | — | Yes | 7.1 |
| 24 | PhoinixDR | Yes | None | disks, USB sticks, SD cards, disk images | NTFS, FAT12/16/32, exFAT, ext2/3/4; signature-based carving for unrecognized filesystems | — | — | 7.0 |
| 25 | Tenorshare 4DDiG Data Recovery | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 6.9 |
| 26 | iBoysoft Data Recovery | Yes | $99.95/device/yr | — | — | Yes | No | 6.8 |
| 27 | AOMEI FastRecovery | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | — | 6.7 |
| 28 | SysTools Data Recovery Software | No | $39/device one-time | — | — | — | — | 6.6 |
| 29 | DiskGenius | Yes | $99.90/yr | — | — | — | — | 6.5 |
| 30 | iolo Search and Recover | No | $44.95 one-time | — | — | — | — | 6.4 |
| 31 | File Scavenger | No | $69 one-time | — | — | — | Yes | 6.3 |
| 32 | ReclaiMe File Recovery | No | $59.95 one-time | — | — | No | Yes | 6.2 |
| 33 | Cisdem Data Recovery | No | $99.95/device/yr | — | — | Yes | Yes | 6.1 |
| 34 | Recover My Files | No | — | — | — | — | Yes | 6.0 |
| 35 | Lazesoft Data Recovery | Yes | — | — | — | Yes | Yes | 5.9 |
| 36 | AnyRecover | No | — | — | — | Yes | — | 5.8 |
| 37 | Klennet Recovery | — | $49 one-time | — | — | — | Yes | 5.7 |
| 38 | Glary Undelete | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 5.6 |
| 39 | IObit Undelete | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 5.5 |
| 40 | SalvageData Data Recovery Software | Yes | None | — | — | — | Yes | 5.3 |
| 41 | iCare Data Recovery | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 5.2 |
| 42 | GiliSoft Data Recovery | — | $99.95 one-time | — | — | — | — | 5.1 |
| 43 | UNDELETE 360 | Yes | $39 one-time | — | — | — | — | 5.0 |
| 44 | BitBroom | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 4.9 |
| 45 | Foremost | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 4.8 |
| 46 | X-Ways Forensics | No | — | — | — | — | — | 4.7 |
| 47 | Avidemux | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 4.0 |
Head-to-head All 17 comparisons →
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard vs Recuva
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard vs Wise Data Recovery
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard vs Windows File Recovery
- R-Studio vs Recuva
- R-Studio vs Wise Data Recovery
- R-Studio vs Windows File Recovery
- PhotoRec vs Recuva
- PhotoRec vs Wise Data Recovery
- PhotoRec vs Windows File Recovery
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How we rank file recovery software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update