Head-to-head · Photo Recovery Software
Hetman Photo Recovery vs SFWare Photo Recovery
Hetman Photo Recovery leads on 0 checks, SFWare Photo Recovery on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreHetman Photo Recovery · 8.7/10
- Free planonly SFWare Photo Recovery
- Most featuresHetman Photo Recovery · 3 of 3
Hetman Photo Recovery scores higher on our rubric for photo recovery software: 8.7 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #22.
SFWare Photo Recovery offers free plan; Hetman Photo Recovery doesn't.
Hetman Photo Recovery is the better fit for dedicated photo recovery with imaging support. SFWare Photo Recovery is the better fit for free photo-focused recovery with a large allowance.
- Hetman Photo Recovery fits best
Dedicated photo recovery with imaging support
- SFWare Photo Recovery fits best
Free photo-focused recovery with a large allowance
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Side by side
| Feature | Hetman Photo Recovery 8.7/10 Visit ↗ | SFWare Photo Recovery 7.1/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.7 | 7.1 |
| Ranking | #6 in Photo Recovery Software | #22 in Photo Recovery Software |
| Best for | Dedicated photo recovery with imaging support | Free photo-focused recovery with a large allowance |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | — | — |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs · 24/7 | Tickets · 24/7 |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business |
| Features Hetman Photo Recovery 3/3 · SFWare Photo Recovery 2/3 | ||
| Raw photo recovery | ✓ | ✓ |
| Disk image support | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Photo preview | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Multi-platform | Multi-platform |
| Recovery sources | HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, SD and other memory cards, digital cameras, disk images | SD, microSD, SDHC, SDXC, CF, XD, MMC, memory sticks, internal and external hard drives, USB flash drives, iPods, cameras |
| Scan modes | Both | Both |
| Free recovery limit | Not checked yet | 500 GB |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Hetman Photo Recovery is desktop software for recovering deleted or lost photos from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, memory cards, digital cameras, and supported disk images. It is aimed at photographers, home users, offices, and commercial… Read the review → |
SFWare Photo Recovery is desktop recovery software for Windows and Mac users who need to retrieve deleted, lost, formatted, corrupted, or inaccessible photos. It works with memory cards, internal and external hard drives, USB flash drives,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Hetman Photo Recovery — where it wins
- Content-aware scans and Fast Scan cover varied recovery needs
- Recovers camera RAW files from drives, cards, and cameras
- Previews, filters, and disk-image analysis support careful recovery
Where it doesn't
- A license is required to save recovered files
- Each listed license is valid for one computer
- Plans separate personal, office, and third-party commercial use
SFWare Photo Recovery — where it wins
- Recovers deleted, formatted, corrupted, and inaccessible photos
- Supports camera RAW formats and broad storage media
- Offers Quick Scan, Deep Scan, previews, filters, and file search
Where it doesn't
- Saving recovered data requires a paid license
- Monthly and six-month plans cover one PC
- Supports Windows and macOS, not other listed platforms
- Hetman Photo Recovery8.7/10 · Paid
A photo-focused recovery tool with RAW support, previews, filtering, and disk-image analysis.
Visit HetmanFull verdict → - SFWare Photo Recovery7.1/10 · Free plan
A photo-focused recovery tool with Quick and Deep Scan modes and a 500-file free allowance.
Visit SFWareFull verdict →
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All photo recovery software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update