8 Best Hard Drive Recovery Software to Recover Deleted Files

What is the best program to recover deleted files from a hard drive?

Unintentional deletion, system crashes, severe physical damage, disk formatting, etc., are some causes of the main problem – data loss that users may meet when using hard drives.

Accidents come without any clues. The only thing you want to do eagerly is to get the files back. If the device was severely broken, then it is indisputable that you need to send it to data recovery labs even though it costs incredibly high.

But what if the data wasn't lost due to physical damage? Do you still have to pay an exorbitant price for data recovery?

No. Wise users will rely on professional hard drive recovery software to recover deleted files since some apps offer free versions, and some are cost-effective. Then another question comes, what is the best hard drive data rescue app?

You may have a similar question as the user in the case above. Don't worry; this article picks the 8 best hard disk data recovery apps according to specific standards.

With the help of the detailed info offered here, you could easily choose one that suits you best to recover data from hard disks.

Now let's view the ranking first.

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What's more, you could navigate to the important parts directly.

• Criteria of choice
• Detailed ranking
• Check comparison
• Operation tutorial

What do we choose hard drive data recovery software on?

Generally speaking, apps should cater to users' needs and meet their expectations in specific fields/aspects to serve them. So, what criteria did we select these tools based on?

Firstly, it should be capable of recovering multiple data types under multiple data loss situations. The more, the better.

Secondly, it ought to stand in users' shoes and offer an easy and convenient data recovery process. Tools that need you to spend hours learning in operation to recover files from hard drives will not be welcomed.

Thirdly, a data recovery tool should be efficient in data searching and recovery. That is to say; we look forward it to being fast and having a high recovery rate.

Fourthly, if it is compatible, it will be good. Till today, Windows still accounts for the vast majority of the desktop operating system market. So, most of the apps offer services for Windows users. But if a tool can give support for other OS, it is good.

These standards are quite universal and will be helpful as well when you need a partition recovery tool after accidentally deleting partitions.

Top 8 hard drive recovery software ranking

Based on the above expectations, 8 hard drive data recovery software stands out. Check the overall review, pros, cons, and prices.

1. MyRecover

★★★★★

The best hard drive recovery software for Windows 11/10/8/7/Server.

Overall review

MyRecover, developed by AOMEI, the leading benchmark in the data security industry, possesses advanced scanning algorithms and methods.

It performs well in the test. The operation is easy; the scanning process consists of quick and deep scans, which last 2-10 minutes and 10-30 minutes, respectively. The waiting time is short.

It searches and recovers data in 2 patterns: recover data from the original location & recover data in different types.

Filenames, data structures, and formats can keep intact. And it supports filters and previews as well.

It can recover most of the deleted & lost files under different scenarios: deletion, recycle bin emptying, disk formatting, virus attack, etc.

Pros & Cons

◆ Pros:

• Caters to different data loss situations.
• Recovers files with original filenames/formats/directories unchanged.
• Supports data recovery while scanning.
• Promises safe purchase & a 30-day refund guarantee.

◆ Cons:

• Does not offer a full-resolution preview.
• Does not support Mac/Linux.

Prices & versions

2. Recoverit

★★★★★

Completely recover your deleted and lost files, videos, photos, audio, emails, etc.

Overall review

Recoverit, developed by Wondershare, works well in data recovery from multiple situations. With its decent data searching methods, it does well in scanning files from Windows PC, Mac computers, SUB flash drives, SD cards, digital cameras, etc.

The UI design is simple and clean, with warm tips in operation, making it easy for users to learn.

The scanning divides into quick scan & deep scan, respectively, last for 5-10 minutes and 20-40 minutes.

Also, it supports data recovery in 2 modes: file recovery from location and recovery in types. Filters and file-sorting tools are available.

Pros & Cons

◆ Pros:

• Offers corrupted photo recovery & bootable disk features in the Premium version.
• Provides a variety of versions for users with different needs to choose from.
• Supports over 1,000 recoverable data types.

◆ Cons:

• Pop-up ads. 
• Only supports a 7-day money-back policy.
• The free version only provides 100 MB of free data recovery volume.

Prices & versions

3. MiniTool

★★★★☆

Recover 100+ types of data from Windows PC/Mac under multiple data loss situations.

Overall review

MiniTool Data Recovery software scans 100+ types of files from HDD/SSD/USB/SD card, etc., under multiple data loss scenarios.

The operation is simple, with a clear user interface. It supports scanning files from a disk or a specific location.

Scanned files will be listed as Deleted Files, Lost Files, and Existing Files. But what is tricky is that there is also a Lost Files folder under Deleted Files. Unclear file type classification will add additional pressure for users.

The whole scanning costs about 20-60+ minutes. Filters are not available while scanning.

Pros & Cons

◆ Pros:

• Supports exporting and importing scan results.
• Provides a full-resolution preview in paid versions.
• Various versions for different needs.

◆ Cons

• Needs promotion in supported recoverable data types.
• Free version users have to download a previewer to preview files.
• Filters are not supported during scanning.

Prices & versions

4. Stellar

★★★★☆

Recover deleted or lost Windows data with ease in any data loss situation.

Overall review

Stellar Data Recovery software features advanced data recovery from encrypted/RAW/corrupted hard drives.

It offers customized scanning: users can choose types to scan from a specific location, thus saving some time.

Also, a preview is available while scanning. It launches a quick scan first, lasting for about 2-5 minutes; if you need a deep scan, you have to start it manually, which lasts for 20-40 minutes.

The scanned files can keep their tree structure, while some of the filenames (especially the files in Recycle Bin) can get lost.

Pros & Cons

◆ Pros:

• Supports saving scanning info and resuming it the next time.
• Keeps the directories of the scanned files.
• Provides customized scanning.
• Supports preview in scanning.

◆ Cons:

• The demo version does not allow data recovery.
• Some of the filenames might be lost.
• Conditional refund policy in 7/30 days.

Prices & versions

5. Disk Drill

★★★★☆

Recover deleted Office docs, archives, and media files from Windows & Mac.

Overall review

Disk Drill Restores deleted and missing files from PC/Mac/HDD/SSD/USB/SD/CF card/digital camera, etc.

It supports scanning for the whole drive and also the specific partitions. With a clear user interface, users can easily get started. The scanned files are divided into 2 folders: Deleted or lost & Existing.

Also, users can choose data types to recover. Tested, depending on the number of files, the software scanning time is roughly 10-50 minutes. Filters and previews are accessible while scanning.

Some of the filenames are lost. Most of them are intact.

Pros & Cons

◆ Pros:

• Offers a full-resolution preview for scanned data.
• Offers 500 MB of free data recovery volume in the free version.

◆ Cons:

• High prices. No refunds.

Prices & versions

6. R-Studio

★★★☆☆

Comprehensive hard drive recovery software for extensive data recovery needs.

Overall review

R-Studio features comprehensiveness. It offers abundant versions for different data recovery requirements, e.g., it provides dynamic volumes/VMware support and Forensic Mode in different versions.

To meet extensive requirements, its user interface is quite complex and miscellaneous; moreover, it lacks a simple guide for its operation, which might add extra pressure for users to learn how to use it.

It allows searching completely & sector by sector, and also supports extra scans for File Types.

The fastest scan (without scan view) approximately costs 20-60 minutes+ in the test. Filenames and paths are intact. Previews and filters are available.

Pros & Cons

◆ Pros:

• Caters to comprehensive data recovery need with various versions and functions.
• Functions on local & network disks.
• Supports saving and resuming scanning info.

◆ Cons

• Complex GUI.
• High Prices.
• No Refund.
• The demo version doesn't allow the recovery of files larger than 256 KB.

Prices & versions

7. Recuva

★★★☆☆

Recovers files from Windows PC/digital cameras/recycle bin/MP3 players, etc.

Overall review

Recuva features a low price and good performance.

It offers a detailed and clear user guide – Recuva Wizard to help users operate.

It provides customized scanning: users can decide to search for what types of data and from what places.

The quick scan will be completed in 1-3 minutes, while the deep scan needs to be launched manually and lasts for 30-60+ minutes.

Quite many files will lose filenames and paths.

Pros & Cons

◆ Pros:

• Offers virtual hard drive support in the Pro version.
• Possesses very quick speed in a quick scan.
• Supports data recovery from damaged hard disks.

◆ Cons:

• No preview.
• Relatively long scanning.
• Sometimes cannot keep the filenames & directories.

Prices & versions

8. PhotoRec

★★☆☆☆

Multi-platform free & open source hard drive data recovery software.

Overall review

PhotoRec is considered a good hard drive recovery software since it is open-source and free. It ignores the file system so that it can recover data from hard drives even with severely damaged file systems.

It is multi-platform, supporting various OS & file systems: Windows/Linux/Mac OS/DOS/Sun Solaris, etc., and FAT/NTFS/exFAT/ext2/3/4, etc.

It provides no graphical user interface; users need to operate it with keyboards to select options. Thus, it is a challenge to handle for most users.

The operation process is complex and lengthy: users must choose source drive/file system/scanning mode/place to save.

The scanning lasts over 30 minutes to 1 hour+, and the filenames and paths will be lost.

Notes:✎...

Since the operation is pretty challenging, you may need a guide to help you learn how to use PhotoRec to recover files.

Pros & Cons

◆ Pros:

• Free & open source.
• Multi-platform and supports several file systems.

◆ Cons:

• NO clear and simple user interface.
• Inconvenient operation process.
• Cannot keep filenames and file structures.
• Low scanning speed.

Check comparison

With the details of every app, we can conclude the differences and see which one distinguishes. Thus we can figure out which to choose.

Notes:✎...

The prices here are for the Pro Yearly versions.

After checking the differences between every hard drive recovery software, you can just follow the detailed guide to recover deleted files from your devices easily.

How to recover data from hard drives quickly & easily?

Among the eligible apps, MyRecover is the most cost-effective one. It offers excellent data recovery services at a favorable price.

With the help of its unique features, everyone can efficiently operate it to get back lost data and even recover permanently deleted files.

Comprehensive and competitive. Apply to various data loss situations, e.g., deletion, formatting, recycle bin emptying, virus, system crash, etc. 

Highly-effective. Retrieve over 200 different types of data quickly and efficiently, including photos, videos, audio, archives, Office documents, etc. 

Simple and convenient. Recover deleted/lost files while keeping the format/name/path in 3 steps. 

Highly-compatible. Support for Windows 11/10/8/7 SP1 & Server and NTFS/exFAT/FAT32/ReFS, etc.

Step 1. Install and run the software > Hover the mouse over the drive saved deleted files before, and click Scan.

Step 2. The software automatically scans your hard disks with Quick Scan and Deep Scan. Please feel free to select what you want or sort the results by Date updated, Type, Size, and so on when scanning.

Step 3. Check the Deleted files/Recycle Bin folder > go to the file's original location to recover data while retaining the filename/directory/format.

To recover a specific type of data, click Other missing files > choose Photos/Videos, etc.

Not only Windows 11/10/8/7 users but Windows Server users can also recover deleted files in Windows Server 2016/2019/2022, etc.

FAQ

This post ranks and introduces 8 excellent hard drive recovery software. Users who need to recover data from hard drives can refer to this post and check the criteria comparisons of tools.

With the detailed info in this article, you may now have your preferred choice. If you need more help, check the frequently asked questions with simple answers below.