Review: Top 8 Data Recovery Softwares for Macs and Windows

Companies generate massive amounts of data on a daily basis. Losing this data can have catastrophic ramifications, especially for businesses that do not have a data recovery plan in place.

Backing up data is the first step that a company should take to protect its files. However, backup servers do fail and human errors are all too common. Fortunately, a hard drive recovery can still be instigated for files that have been deleted.

Today's data recovery software are developed to scour for missing data and recover them. These software can detect and bring back audio and video files, documents, and photographs to their initial forms.

Here's the top 8 data recovery out in the market today:

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free

EaseUs is one of the easiest recovery software to use. Searching for recoverable files is simply a matter of picking a file or folder and waiting a few seconds while the software scans the system. Users can then browse through the recovered data via a user-friendly interface that's similar to Windows Explorer. There's also a Deep Scan option, but it's very slow. The free version of the software can only recover about 2GB worth of data.

Pandora Recovery

One of the most dependable recovery software around, Pandora boasts features like the capacity to undelete FAT and NTFS-formatted files. Its surface scan allows data to be recovered even from already formatted drives. It can also recover achieved, compressed, encrypted, and hidden files. It has a user-friendly interface with an Explorer-inspired window.

PC Inspector File Recovery

The software sets itself apart by its ability to recover files from lost partitions, even if the file system or boot sector has been deleted or sustained damage. This is crucial, as it makes it possible to recover data even if the drive can't be seen in Windows. However, the software's interface and the terminology can be confusing and daunting, particularly for new users. The workflow also takes time to get used to.

Recuva

One of the best recovery software is Piriform's Recuva. It comes with an attractive and high-quality interface, a normal scan and a deep scan. Users can get back data like audio files, compressed files, documents, emails, and pictures that were previously thought of as lost. Recuva also has a magnificent built-in wizard feature that guides you through the steps of recovering your documents. It's user-friendly and one just has to plug-in relevant information, like area to scan, type of scan, data type etc. Recuva's free version is enough for hard drive recovery, but its paid version offers features like advanced file recovery, automatic updates, virtual hard drive support, and premium support.

Stellar Data Recovery

Another easy to use but effective recovery software, Stellar Data can recover files from various storage devices like hard drives, memory cards, USB drives, and smartphones. Stellar Data also lives up to its name with its stellar process. The user just downloads the installer; initiate scanning and the software will start recovering deleted or missing documents. A preview of the recovered files will be shown so that the user can check before initializing final recovery process.

TestDisk

TestDisk is a formidable tool for recovering data from lost files and partitions. The program has no graphical interface, which can be challenging for some. But its command line tool is easy enough to navigate, especially as there's a help system that will guide the user. More importantly, it supports various systems.

Undelete 360

As the name suggests, this software lets the user to basically undelete files. Undelete 360 has some kind of Microsoft Office-like vibe with its color scheme and ribbon-style toolbar. The program can recover a wide range of files and can be used on devices like digital cameras, smartphones, memory cards, and USBs. Undelete 360 also comes with data-wiping features and allows for the user to preview documents before recovery.

Wise Data Recovery

The software might have a very basic look but it can get the job done, and fast. It has a simple and clean looking interface where users can quickly launch the program and choose the drive to be scanned. The scanning process is surprisingly quick and shows all recoverable data. The software also allows for a keyword search so the user doesn't have to go through countless files.

You have two options when you lose files – look into data recovery services or use data recovery software. There are a lot of recovery softwares available today, each one has its own pros and cons. Do your research and check every feature the software offers before making a decision.