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Head-to-head · Data Recovery Software

TestDisk vs DMDE

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score TestDisk #3 in Data Recovery Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit CGSecurity
DMDE #7 in Data Recovery Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit DMDE

TestDisk leads on 0 checks, DMDE on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreTestDisk · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth

TestDisk scores higher on our rubric for data recovery software: 9.1 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

TestDisk is the better fit for free partition and filesystem recovery. DMDE is the better fit for advanced recovery across disks, RAID, and OSes.

  • TestDisk fits best

    Free partition and filesystem recovery

  • DMDE fits best

    Advanced recovery across disks, RAID, and OSes

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. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature TestDisk 9.1/10 Visit ↗ DMDE 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.6
Ranking #3 in Data Recovery Software #7 in Data Recovery Software
Best for Free partition and filesystem recovery Advanced recovery across disks, RAID, and OSes
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Email, Docs · 24/7
Features TestDisk 4/4 · DMDE 4/4
Memory card recovery ✓ ✓
RAID recovery ✓ ✓
Bootable recovery ✓ ✓
File preview ✓ ✓
Specs
Recovery sources hard drives; USB drives; memory cards; disk images; DAS; SAN; Linux RAID devices disks, partitions, memory cards, RAID arrays, disk images, VHD/VHDX images
Operating systems Windows; macOS; Linux; DOS; FreeBSD; NetBSD; OpenBSD; SunOS Windows, Linux, macOS, DOS
Free recovery limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Supports partition repair, boot structures, RAID, and disk images
  • Can inspect files before copying and run from a live USB
  • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and DOS
  • Reconstructs virtual RAID across multiple layouts
  • Combines recovery, partition repair, cloning, and disk imaging
Cons
  • Command-line workflows may require technical recovery knowledge
  • Filesystem undelete support is limited to listed supported filesystems
  • Less feature-rich than DMDE for advanced reconstruction and diagnostics
  • Free recovery is limited to 4,000 files per selected directory per request
  • Express covers one OS family and lasts one year
  • Advanced features may be more than casual recovery requires
Our verdict

TestDisk is free, open-source data recovery software from CGSecurity for recovering lost or deleted partitions, repairing partition tables and filesystem boot structures, and undeleting files. It is suited to people recovering data from…

Read the review →

DMDE is a portable desktop utility for searching, analyzing, editing, and recovering data from physical disks, logical volumes, disk images, RAID arrays, memory cards, and flash memory. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and DOS, with…

Read the review →
  1. TestDiskData Recovery Software 9.1Free plan
  2. DMDEData Recovery Software 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • TestDisk — where it wins

    • Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Supports partition repair, boot structures, RAID, and disk images
    • Can inspect files before copying and run from a live USB

    Where it doesn't

    • Command-line workflows may require technical recovery knowledge
    • Filesystem undelete support is limited to listed supported filesystems
    • Less feature-rich than DMDE for advanced reconstruction and diagnostics
  • DMDE — where it wins

    • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and DOS
    • Reconstructs virtual RAID across multiple layouts
    • Combines recovery, partition repair, cloning, and disk imaging

    Where it doesn't

    • Free recovery is limited to 4,000 files per selected directory per request
    • Express covers one OS family and lasts one year
    • Advanced features may be more than casual recovery requires

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update