Losing your important data in an instant due to accidental deletion, formatting, or corruption is a nightmare. When you start looking for the best data recovery software 2024, it can be overwhelming due to so many options.
Some tools are for Windows, others for Mac, and not all are free or can recover data from all loss scenarios. But no need to stress. We’ve compiled the top 8 data recovery software reviews 2024, including pros, cons, pricing, and supported file systems to make your choice easier. So, check them out!
Part 1: Top 8 Best Data Recovery Software 2024
If you’re pressed for time, just glance at the table for a quick summary.
| Software | Supported Systems | Pricing | Rating/5.0 |
| Tenorshare 4DDiG | Windows&Mac | Free version available, 1-month license for $29.78. | 4.2 at G2 |
| PhotoRec | Windows, Mac and Linux | Free | 4.0 at TechRadar |
| TestDisk | Windows, Mac and Linux | Free | 4.0 at TechRadar |
| Disk Drill | Windows&Mac | Free version available, Pro costs $89 for 1 user | 3.2 at G2 |
| Wise Data Recovery | Windows&Mac | Free version available, Pro costs $31.98 for 1-year license | 4.0 at TechRadar |
| Puran Data Recovery | Windows | Free | 4.7 at G2 |
| Recuva | Windows | Free version available, 1-year license for $24.95. | 3.5 at PC Magazine |
| Stellar Data Recovery | Windows&Mac | Free version available, 1-month license for $69.99. | 3.3 at Capterra |
From our list of top data recovery software reviews 2024, the 4DDiG Data Recovery tool stands as its impressive success rate and simplicity. This software allows users to retrieve files from over 2000 storage devices, including the emptied recycle bin, NAS storage, internal and external disks, crashed systems and more.
Additionally, this top data recovery software 2024 also supports 2000+ file types and provides a free preview before recovery. You can choose specific file types or folders for scanning instead of the entire drive.
| Pros | Cons |
| Best data recovery software for Windows 2024 and Mac with a high recovery rate.Recover files from severe corruption and complex data loss scenarios.Supports more than 2000 file types, including videos, audio, emails, archives, images, documents, etc.Recover lost data in 3 simple steps.Supports the latest Mac Sonoma and Windows 11. | Free recovery is limited to 100MB.Advanced features may need some technical expertise.Unable to customize window size. |
Pricing:
- Free version available, 1-month license for $29.78(After entering the discount code).
Supported OS:
- Windows&Mac
Step 1: Install 4DDiG Data Recovery on your computer, open the tool, choose the drive where you lost your data, and hit “Scan.”
Step 2: Pause or stop the scan when you spot your desired files. Use File View or Tree View to explore categories and file types and employ search or filtering for refined results.
Step 3: Preview and restore files to a safe location once found. Avoid saving restored data to the same partition to prevent permanent loss from disk overwriting.
- PhotoRec
When it comes to powerful and free data recovery software in 2024, PhotoRec remains one of the highly regarded choices. It works independently of the file system, making it effective even after severe damage. This data recovery software is open source, distributed under the GNU General Public License, and operates alongside TestDisk. It prioritizes safety by using read-only access during the recovery process.
| Pros | Cons |
| Open-source software.Free to use.Supports multiple operating systems. | Slow data recovery process.Can’t recover most file formats.The command line interface needs tech knowledge to handle. |
Pricing:
- Free of cost.
Supported OS:
- Windows, Mac and Linux.
- TestDisk
TestDisk is another best data recovery software 2024 for Windows and Mac that is free of cost and helps with lost partitions and non-booting disks. It works with memory types such as Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Optical Drives, etc, and is compatible with DOS, Windows, Linux, and Mac X operating systems. Moreover, it offers features for reconstructing NTFS and FAT32 boot sectors and is great for on-site recoveries. Users can also undelete files and copy data from deleted partitions.
| Pros | Cons |
| Used in conjunction with PhotoRecFix partition tables and recover deleted partitions.Fix non-booting devices.Great for on-site data recoveries.Open source. | Require a learning curve.Not suitable for in-depth file recovery.Not friendly for computer novices. |
Pricing:
- Free of cost.
Supported OS:
- Windows, Mac and Linux.
- Disk Drill
Developed by CleverFiles, Disk Drill is the best data recovery software for Windows 2024 and Mac that retrieves deleted or lost files from various storage media. It offers free recovery of up to 500 MB, features a Recovery Vault for data protection, and provides free byte-level backups. Moreover, this tool allows previewing of lost files before recovery and helps assess the likelihood of successful file recovery.
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers two scan modes for personalized recovery.User can choose specific file types for recovery.Offers additional data protection features.Scan results can be exported for next use. | The free version restricts recovery to 500 MB.No portable version is offered.Recovery vault folder names are confusing.Has difficulties recovering data from Bitlocker-encrypted devices.Slow update frequency. |
Pricing:
- The PRO version costs $89, while the Enterprise one is $499 (the cost is exclusive of Lifetime Upgrades).
Supported OS:
- Windows&Mac
- Wise Data Recovery
Wise Data Recovery is the best Windows data recovery software 2024 that can retrieve data from crashed systems using advanced WinPE bootable media technology. It is also available for Mac and can recover various file types, including documents, videos, audio, and emails. Besides, it supports recovery from a wide range of storage devices like hard disks, USBs, memory cards, digital cameras, and more. It also offers a portable version, allowing you to use it without installation and writing to the hard drive.
| Pros | Cons |
| The free version offers up to 2GB of recovery.User-friendly interface.Works with diverse file formats and devices.The portable version is accessible.Small footprint on system resources. | Lacks the ability to scan specific folders.The preview feature only show a part of the file.Customer support relies solely on email.Not suitable for complex data loss scenarios.exFAT file system not supported. |
Pricing:
- $31.98 for 1 PC, 1 year usage. If you want to upgrade to 3 PCs, the cost is $39.99.
Supported OS:
- Windows&Mac
- Puran Data Recovery
The next best data recovery software for Windows 2024 is Puran Data Recovery, which excels in retrieving lost files from various storage devices. The interface is user-friendly, with Quick Scan for speed and Deep Scan for a thorough check. A Full Scan recovers files after formatting. This tool supports 50+ formats and shows full paths of deleted files, even on formatted drives.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free to use.Preview is available before data recovery.A portable version is available that works with the BartPE environment.Suitable for those with limited computer experience. | Fewer features compared to competitors.Doesn’t support Mac devices.No Technical Support.Unable to pause scan midway.Deep scans are very slow. |
Pricing:
- Free of cost.
Supported OS:
- Windows
- Recuva
Recuva, another top data recovery software 2024, restores pictures, music, documents, videos, and more. It can work on all rewritable media like memory cards, external hard drives, and USBs. Furthermore, this top data recovery software 2024 can recover files, even from damaged or recently formatted drives. If you want a file permanently deleted, it offers a secure overwrite feature to ensure the files stay erased, using industry- and military-standard deletion techniques.
| Pros | Cons |
| Allow users to permanently erase files.Supports 500+ file types and storage media.The Pro version allows users to take a snapshot of recovered files and create a virtual disk image.Fast scans and low resource usage. | Limitations on free file recovery.Not as feature-rich as comparable tools.Not suitable for Mac users.Can’t sort and search scan results.Inability to detect corrupted drive. |
Pricing:
- $24.95 for 1-Year.
Supported OS:
- Windows
- Stellar Data Recovery
Stellar Data Recovery is the best Mac data recovery software 2024 that also offers a Windows version. It can recover data from various data loss scenarios, from accidental deletions to drive corruption. In addition, this tool can handle both internal and external drives, encrypted APFS, Time Machine, and 4K drives. Plus, it offers dual monitor support for simultaneous work on two screens without toggling.
| Pros | Cons |
| Recover files from all listed media.The preview feature shows which files will be recovered.Includes disk testing and cloning functions.offers multiple subscription options.Efficient customer support. | Doesn’t display a complete list of all deleted files.Lists too many irrecoverable files in the recoverable category.The deep scan feature may consume a significant amount of time and resources.The free version has a 1GB data recovery limit. |
Pricing:
- The Standard version costs $39.99, Professional $69.99 and Premium $79.99 for one month.
Supported OS:
- Windows&Mac
Part 2: Why Is Data Recovery Software Necessary?
Data recovery software 2024 is crucial due to common and unexpected data loss incidents. It helps retrieve lost or deleted data from various devices like hard disks, USBs, and SD cards, and much more. A data recovery tool can help in multiple situations, such as:
- Formatting errors can result in data loss, but recovery software can often retrieve lost data.
- Viruses or malware can corrupt or delete files, but data recovery software aids in recovering lost or corrupted files.
- System crashes or software failures may lead to data loss, but recovery software can help in such situations.
- Deleted files aren’t permanently removed; recovery software can retrieve them before being overwritten.
Part 3: How to Choose the Best Data Recovery Software in 2024?
Choosing the best data recovery software 2024 involves considering various factors:
- Features and Capabilities – Look for software that can deep scan, customize searches, and handle various file types.
- User-Friendly Interface – Choose software with an easy-to-use interface for smoother navigation.
- Compatibility – Make sure the software works with your operating system and supports different storage devices.
- Speed of Recovery – Consider how quickly the software can recover data, especially for large amounts.
- Technical Support – Ensure the software provider offers reliable technical support for any issues during recovery.
- Trial Versions – Test trial versions whenever possible to ensure the software meets your needs before buying.
Bottom Line
Losing important files can be heartbreaking, but fortunately, there’s a glimmer of hope. As we delved into data recovery software reviews 2024, we found the top 8 contenders, each with its own pros and cons. Among these, 4DDiG Data Recovery is the best choice for Windows and Mac. Supporting 2000+ file types, it excels in recovering diverse data from all kinds of loss scenarios, boasting a high success rate.
