Head-to-head · Data Recovery Software
TestDisk vs 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
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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 |
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| Cons |
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| 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 → |
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
- TestDisk9.1/10 · Free plan
A capable free choice for partition repair, filesystem recovery, and file undelete.
Visit CGSecurityFull verdict → - DMDE8.6/10 · Free plan
A deep recovery toolkit for disks, partitions, images, and RAID across major desktop OSes.
Visit DMDEFull verdict →
More comparisons
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- TestDisk vs UFS Explorer
- TestDisk vs GNU ddrescue
- Recoverit vs DMDE
All data recovery software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update






