Top Data Recovery Tools for Mac and Windows in 2025: The Ultimate Guide

Disk Drill Data Recovery is a remarkable tool for recovering lost data on both Windows and Mac computers.

It’s designed to be user-friendly while using advanced scanning algorithms to retrieve data from a wide variety of devices.

Best of all, it’s a comprehensive do-it-yourself program, making it accessible even to beginners.

It’s especially useful for technicians and IT professionals who need to recover or decrypt client files, whether remotely or on-site.

Key features include complete data recovery options regardless of the cause of data loss, support for recovery from file systems like NTFS, FAT32, HFS+, EXT, and more, and multiple scan modes such as quick scan and deep scan. The software also offers continuous data protection, the Recovery Vault feature to prevent future data loss, and supports high-speed scanning with recognition of over 350 file types.

The interface is intuitive, and users can pause, save, or restart scans at their convenience. It also allows recovered files to be backed up as DMG or ISO images.

Pricing options include a free plan with limited features, as well as paid plans called ‘Pro’ at $89 and ‘Enterprise’ at $499.

Start using Disk Drill Data Recovery for Windows here, and for Mac here.

Under the second option, EaseUS also offers a powerful data recovery tool.

Kernel stands out as one of the top tools for data recovery, offering comprehensive solutions for migrating and retrieving data.

Its clean design and ease of use make it popular across industries, whether for small businesses or large organizations.

This tool is ideal for professionals at all levels, from beginners to experienced technicians, who need reliable data recovery options.

Pricing is customized based on your business needs; you’ll need to contact a sales representative for a precise quote.

DoYourData is a highly effective and user-friendly tool designed to retrieve lost, formatted, or deleted files with ease. It works seamlessly with Windows 10, Vista, and Mac OS, offering complete security and peace of mind for users. The software is focused on DIY data recovery, meaning you don’t need advanced technical skills to operate it effectively.

Primarily suited for enterprise security professionals who need reliable data recovery and erasure solutions.

A basic free version with limited features is available. The paid plans start at $49 per month, based on your license duration, with a lifetime license available for $89.

PhotoRec is a versatile, open-source recovery program available for free. It specializes in retrieving a variety of files such as videos, audio recordings, documents, texts, archives, and images.

Particularly effective for recovering data from digital camera devices, it provides excellent results even when the target system is damaged or corrupted.

This software is particularly suited for professional photographers and digital artists who frequently work with cameras and DSLR images. It’s also beneficial for both casual and professional users who seek an affordable recovery solution.

PhotoRec offers two recovery modes – ‘Paranoid’ and ‘Expert’ – both of which are available free of charge.

UNDELETE 360 is an effective tool for recovering accidentally deleted files from your PC, Recycle Bin, digital cameras, flash drives, and more.

It employs a powerful algorithm to cover accidental deletions, virus attacks, software faults, and hardware failures. This makes it a reliable choice for various data loss scenarios.

UNDELETE 360 is most geared toward IT professionals or technicians who require quick recovery solutions. It is also ideal for teams or organizations seeking to deploy on a larger scale.

This program is completely free without any hidden costs.

Remo Recover is a highly effective tool that works on both Windows and Mac systems. It is designed to retrieve lost data from a variety of devices. The user-friendly interface makes the recovery process straightforward, even for those without much technical experience.

This software is ideal for IT professionals working in technical environments, but it is also well-suited for individual users and large organizations looking to recover important data with ease.

The software is available for Windows, Mac, and Android devices, with pricing starting at $39.97 and reaching up to $79.97 depending on the version and features chosen.

Recuva is known for its ease of use and affordability as a data recovery tool. It is focused on providing quick results and supports recovery of any file type. Its ability to recover files without installation makes it particularly versatile, especially for users who need a portable option. However, this program only operates on Windows systems.

The free or basic versions are ideal for personal use, while the paid versions are suited for professionals such as software developers and consultants who require more advanced features.

The basic version is priced at $19.95. Upgrading to the full suite costs an additional $10, making the total $29.95.

Jihosoft specializes in data recovery primarily for Android devices. It operates on Windows and Mac platforms, assisting in retrieving data from over 6000 Android smartphones and tablets. The tool works best with Android OS versions from 2.1 to 9.0.

This software is suitable for smartphone repair technicians, IT professionals who frequently recover Android data, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, and freelance professionals.

Pricing includes two editions—one for Windows and one for Mac—each priced at $59.

Just like PhotoRec, TestDisk is an open-source and robust data recovery software.

It assists you in recovering lost partitions and restoring disks that cannot boot. Additionally, it is highly effective at retrieving data after issues caused by software bugs, accidental deletion, or malware attacks.

This tool is ideal for IT professionals, small and medium-sized enterprises, and freelancers because of its free and customizable nature.

It supports a wide range of file systems and partition schemes, allowing recovery from various disk types. You can restore FAT32 boot sectors from backups or rebuild boot sectors for FAT12, FAT16, and FAT32. The software also enables the recovery of data from FAT, exFAT, NTFS, and ext2 file systems, even from deleted partitions. It’s compatible with operating systems like DOS, Linux, and Windows, and can recover data from hard drives, USB drives, memory cards, and more.

While it offers detailed information about non-working drives and allows you to send data for further analysis, it features an outdated command-line interface which might be challenging for beginners. It does not support raw disk editing, which may limit some advanced recovery options. As a free tool, it is available at no cost, though donations are appreciated for ongoing development.

Moving on to R Studio, this advanced data recovery solution is built on the latest technologies. Its intuitive interface makes it accessible for professionals tasked with safeguarding enterprise data. While beginners may find the tool somewhat complex, its capabilities are unmatched for complex recovery scenarios.

R Studio offers precise raw file recovery for damaged or unknown file systems, and it functions effectively across various situations, whether on local or network drives, regardless of formatting or deletion status. It provides extensive control over recovery parameters and uses sophisticated algorithms to maximize the chances of successful file recovery. The software also integrates with DeepSpar Disk Imager for recovering data from hard drives with hardware faults.

Its features include the ability to retrieve deleted files from Recycle Bin, recover data lost due to viruses or power outages, and support for various partition schemes like MBR, GPT, BSD, and APM. It supports multiple file systems, including NTFS, HFS+, ext2/3/4, and UFS, with advanced search capabilities. R Studio boasts unique features such as damaged RAID recovery, SMART monitoring, an embedded hex editor, and support for software RAIDs, CoreStorage, File Vault, and Fusion Drive from Apple.

Despite its powerful features, R Studio lacks a pause function during recovery, which might be inconvenient during lengthy processes. It is a paid software, but its extensive capabilities justify the investment for professional and enterprise use.

The cost of R-Studio begins at $49.99 and can reach up to $899.99 depending on the version and features you choose.

Paragon Software is recognized as one of the top solutions for data recovery.

It offers an all-in-one approach to protect your data against various threats and failures such as hard drive crashes, system errors, ransomware attacks, and hardware malfunctions. The tool is designed to be straightforward and easy for users to navigate, with over 6 million people worldwide relying on it for their data protection needs.

It is particularly suitable for beginners who are just starting their careers in small or medium-sized enterprises, as well as for experienced professionals managing larger-scale operations on a limited budget.

The software for personal use and up to three licenses costs $79.95.

For business usage, you will need to opt for the ‘Hard Disk Manager’ version, which offers broader features for enterprise needs.

Note: Additional tools not covered here include Prosoft Data Rescue 5, MiniTool Power Data Recovery, Wise Data Recovery, and Piriform CCleaner.

Simply put, data recovery software allows you to back up and restore your data. These programs can analyze, scan, and extract usable copies from damaged, formatted, or deleted files, often in a format that allows reuse. In some cases, especially when systems have been compromised by cyber-attacks or espionage, they can help recover hidden data by decrypting encryption and breaking through access barriers.

Most tools also reverse common accidental deletions, such as emptying the Recycle Bin or using the Shift + Delete command. As cybersecurity threats increase, having data recovery software has become essential rather than optional. Popular options include Disk Drill Data Recovery, EaseUS, and Stellar, each offering various features to safeguard your data.

Many users depend on data recovery tools for different purposes. Some frequently use them to retrieve files lost through accidental deletion, while others utilize the software to recover data compromised by malware or hardware failures. These tools are invaluable for restoring vital information in situations where data loss could have serious consequences, making them a crucial part of digital safety and recovery strategies.To recover data from damaged or corrupted storage devices, data recovery software plays a crucial role. It can also be used to back up important files or transfer data between different storage systems. Whatever your specific needs are, there’s likely a data recovery solution that fits your situation.

One common reason to use data recovery software is to restore files that you accidentally deleted. Whether you’ve removed a file from your computer’s hard drive or a document from your USB drive, if those files were important, you want to get them back. Most data recovery tools can help recover accidentally deleted files, allowing you to continue working without losing vital information.

Another frequent scenario involves retrieving data from damaged or corrupted storage devices. If your hard drive crashes or your USB drive becomes corrupted, accessing the data might seem impossible. But with the right software, you can often extract files from these compromised devices, ensuring your important data is not permanently lost.

Additionally, data recovery tools are valuable for creating backups of your critical files, especially if they contain sensitive or irreplaceable information. Regularly backing up with these tools helps safeguard your data against unforeseen issues, providing peace of mind knowing your files are safely stored elsewhere. Moreover, transferring data from one device to another is simplified with reliable recovery software—ideal for migrating data to new hardware or sharing files across computers quickly and efficiently.

Understanding how to use data recovery software begins with recognizing the circumstances—such as data deletion or device corruption—that necessitate its use. If mishandled, data recovery attempts can lead to permanent loss. Therefore, many businesses entrust such tasks to experienced professionals. However, beginners can also navigate the process by following a few essential steps:

Start with a trial version of the software. Many programs offer demo versions that allow you to see if the tool can recover your files without committing financially upfront. Test the software’s ability to retrieve damaged files and assess its ease of use, interface clarity, speed, and advanced features. If you find that the trial version meets your expectations and offers the necessary functionalities, you are ready to purchase the full version. If you simply like the demo, chances are you’ll find the paid version equally satisfactory.

When selecting data recovery software, consider key features based on your specific needs. Important capabilities include maintaining folder structures to help you locate files in their original organization, a search function to find individual files quickly, and options to sort recovered files by name or size for easier management. The ability to recover files from emptied Recycle Bins, formatted partitions, or raw drives is also crucial in various recovery scenarios. Restoring corrupted multimedia files such as photos, audio, or videos can be equally important, especially if these files hold sentimental or business significance. Additional features like previewing files before recovery and supporting various partition types (FAT, NTFS) further enhance usability.

In frequently asked questions, it’s noted that data recovery software is necessary when files are lost or inaccessible, whether due to human error or malware. Most tools are compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems, allowing broad usability. They can recover a wide range of file types, though specific support varies by software. If your computer fails to start, you may need bootable recovery media—such as a USB or CD—to access and recover files. When files cannot be located through normal searches, the software’s search and preview features can assist in finding and verifying the data before recovery.

In summary, as cyber threats and device failures become increasingly common, having reliable data recovery tools is more vital than ever. There are many options available, from free tools like PhotoRec and TestDisk suitable for personal or limited use to advanced, feature-rich programs like Stellar Data Recovery or EaseUS, which often offer trial versions for testing. Ultimately, choose a solution that aligns with your business requirements, budget, and personal preferences, ensuring you have a dependable way to protect and recover your valuable data.