Accidental file deletions, formatted drives, corrupted partitions—data loss can strike at the worst possible moment. Whether it’s critical work documents, treasured family photos, or entire project directories, losing data is stressful, and often feels irreversible. Fortunately, modern recovery tools have evolved dramatically. In 2025, the best data recovery software not only salvages files quickly and securely, but also does so with impressive precision—even in the most complex scenarios.
As file systems grow more sophisticated and storage media shifts toward solid-state drives, data recovery tools have had to keep up. Today’s leading solutions use intelligent scanning algorithms, file signature matching, and even AI-assisted pattern recognition to reconstruct and retrieve everything from common file types to obscure formats. Whether you’re working with NTFS, FAT32, APFS, or exFAT, top-tier tools are now designed to work seamlessly across a wide range of file systems and devices—including USB drives, SD cards, SSDs, and even mobile storage.
In our testing and research for 2025, we looked at dozens of options—free and paid—evaluating each based on recovery performance, ease of use, supported file systems, scan depth, and trustworthiness of the developer. We consulted lab benchmarks, user feedback, and expert opinions from TechRadar, PCMag, Tom’s Guide, and Digital Trends to bring you only the most dependable and effective tools available this year.
Whether you accidentally cleared your Recycle Bin or suffered a more serious drive failure, this guide will help you choose the right solution. From beginners needing a simple click-and-recover process to IT professionals requiring forensic-level recovery features, here are 10 of the best data recovery software options you can rely on in 2025.
1. Recuva Free 2025 by CCleaner
Recuva Free 2025 remains a gold standard for lightweight, user-friendly file recovery—especially for casual users or those who need fast results without technical complexity. Developed by the creators of CCleaner, Recuva is known for its ease of use and ability to recover files deleted from hard drives, memory cards, external drives, and even damaged or formatted disks.
In its 2025 release, Recuva introduces improved support for SSDs and exFAT file systems, expanding its usefulness for modern storage environments. Its “Deep Scan” mode digs below the surface, identifying file remnants long after deletion. According to TechRadar’s March 2025 review, Recuva successfully restored over 90% of recently deleted JPEGs, PDFs, and Office documents during benchmark tests.
While it lacks some features of premium software—such as RAID support or advanced file previews—Recuva Free is a dependable recovery solution for common scenarios. Its clean interface, secure overwrite function, and compact install size make it one of the best data recovery software options for anyone looking to quickly rescue lost files without cost.
2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free 2025
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free 2025 continues to lead the market with its exceptional balance of deep recovery capabilities and user accessibility. The free version allows up to 2GB of data restoration, making it suitable for rescuing accidentally deleted documents, lost partitions, or corrupted files from a wide array of storage devices.
The software offers two scanning modes—Quick Scan and Deep Scan—allowing users to first attempt a fast pass, and then follow up with an in-depth search if needed. It supports all major file systems (NTFS, FAT, HFS+, exFAT) and can recover over 1,000 file types. In PCMag’s 2025 roundup, EaseUS scored high in both usability and recovery accuracy, especially in scenarios involving lost partitions and SD card recovery.
Though the 2GB limit might feel restrictive for those recovering larger file sets, the reliability and polish of the interface make EaseUS a top-tier choice for personal recovery. Its real-time preview feature is particularly helpful when trying to retrieve specific files without wasting time or storage space.
3. Disk Drill for Windows Free 2025
Disk Drill Free 2025 by CleverFiles brings a professional-grade data recovery engine into a well-designed, intuitive platform that’s ideal for both beginners and power users. The Windows version supports recovery from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and even Android and iOS devices via mounting tools, setting it apart as one of the most versatile recovery tools available.
Its standout feature is the Recovery Vault, which proactively monitors deleted file activity to improve chances of complete recovery. In addition to standard recovery modes, Disk Drill offers advanced scanning by file signature and supports deep scan algorithms for severely damaged or reformatted drives. SafetyDetectives noted in April 2025 that Disk Drill restored full folder structures in over 80% of their test recoveries—something few free tools can match.
The free version offers 500MB of recovery, which is enough for smaller rescues or emergencies. While it doesn’t support RAID arrays or encrypted drives in the free tier, its modern interface and consistent performance make it one of the best data recovery software options for users who want intelligent features with minimal fuss.
4. PhotoRec 2025 (TestDisk Project)
PhotoRec 2025, part of the open-source TestDisk project, is a no-cost powerhouse for file recovery—especially when dealing with raw or unbootable disks. Unlike commercial tools, PhotoRec is completely free and open-source, making it a favorite among tech professionals and forensic analysts who need low-level access and flexibility.
PhotoRec doesn’t rely on the filesystem to retrieve data. Instead, it scans sectors directly, identifying file signatures and carving them from disk—even when the partition table is lost or the file allocation table is damaged. This makes it particularly effective for recovering photos, videos, documents, and archives from memory cards, HDDs, and external drives. In CyberInsider’s 2025 testing, PhotoRec retrieved data from a corrupted SD card that had failed in three other recovery tools.
Its major trade-off is the command-line interface, which can be intimidating for beginners. However, for users willing to follow a guided process (or refer to documentation), PhotoRec offers unparalleled depth and zero cost—making it a highly trusted solution in the open-source security community.
5. Stellar Data Recovery Free Edition 2025
Stellar Data Recovery Free Edition 2025 brings the reputation of Stellar’s premium recovery engine into a simplified, no-cost package for Windows users. The free version allows recovery of up to 1GB of data, with support for document recovery, deleted emails, videos, and photos—even from encrypted drives and BitLocker volumes.
Stellar’s 2025 engine has been refined to improve scanning speed and accuracy across SSDs and high-capacity drives. In AV-Test’s February 2025 evaluation, Stellar recovered 96% of accidentally deleted Microsoft Office files during a formatted partition test—outperforming many commercial competitors. It also includes smart file previewing and filtering by type or date to accelerate recovery workflows.
While larger-scale recoveries will require a paid upgrade, Stellar Free remains an excellent emergency tool for personal use or light data loss scenarios. Its ability to restore data from crashed or non-bootable systems also adds to its versatility. If you’re looking for a trusted, polished solution with enterprise DNA, Stellar delivers reliability without overwhelming casual users.
6. MiniTool Power Data Recovery Free 2025
MiniTool Power Data Recovery Free 2025 stands out for its clean interface, strong partition recovery capabilities, and ease of use for non-technical users. Its free edition allows users to recover up to 1GB of lost or deleted data from internal drives, external storage, or even optical media like CDs and DVDs—something rarely supported in other tools.
MiniTool shines in damaged or corrupted partition recovery, thanks to its ability to rebuild directory structures and retrieve data from unallocated space. It supports NTFS, FAT, and exFAT systems, and its guided recovery wizard simplifies the process without sacrificing control. In TechRadar’s 2025 testing, it was especially effective in rescuing files from accidentally formatted USB drives, outperforming some paid alternatives in recovery depth.
While the 1GB cap limits its utility for larger recoveries, MiniTool is ideal for quick rescues or restoring recently lost documents. Its built-in file previewer helps ensure you’re recovering exactly what you need—especially important when time and storage space are limited.
7. iBoysoft Data Recovery Free 2025
iBoysoft Data Recovery Free 2025 is a relative newcomer that has rapidly gained attention for its impressive scan depth and minimalist design. It supports both Windows and macOS, but the Windows version excels in recovering files from formatted, RAW, or inaccessible drives—making it a solid choice for complex recovery cases.
The software supports over 1,000 file formats, from office documents to multimedia files, and includes native support for recovering data from BitLocker-encrypted partitions. Its “Fast Scan” and “Deep Scan” modes are clearly labeled and intelligently structured, helping users get started without needing extensive guidance. In April 2025, SafetyDetectives praised iBoysoft for its ability to recover structured folder hierarchies and preserve original filenames even after severe drive damage.
The free edition offers up to 1GB of recovery, and while it lacks some advanced tools like disk imaging or RAID support, it’s a well-rounded option for users seeking a fresh, focused alternative to older giants in the field. For laptop users recovering from accidental deletions or OS crashes, iBoysoft offers both elegance and power.
8. Puran File Recovery 2025
Puran File Recovery 2025 is a lightweight Windows-only tool that often flies under the radar, but remains a favorite among IT technicians for one key reason: it works extremely well, even on older machines and damaged file systems. Unlike many other tools, Puran allows for deep scanning of lost file signatures across formatted or inaccessible drives.
Its interface is barebones, but functional. Users can choose between regular scans, deep scans, or full raw scans depending on the severity of the loss. It also includes a useful file filter to target specific extensions, saving time during large-scale recoveries. In benchmark testing by CyberInsider (2025), Puran successfully retrieved documents and images from a corrupted 500GB HDD where other tools timed out or crashed.
Puran is completely free for home use, with no data limit or registration required. It may lack polish or modern UI appeal, but it more than makes up for it with performance and stability. It’s a great emergency tool for those who value functionality over aesthetics.
9. Glary Undelete 2025
Glary Undelete 2025 brings simplicity and speed to the forefront, focusing solely on recovering files deleted from the Recycle Bin, formatted drives, and removable media. As part of the Glary Utilities ecosystem, it integrates smoothly with other system maintenance tools but also works well as a standalone undelete program.
The software provides a straightforward interface with a tree-view of deleted files, complete with details on recoverability status (excellent, good, poor, overwritten). This transparency makes it easier for users to prioritize recovery efforts. While Glary Undelete lacks deeper partition recovery and doesn’t support encrypted or RAW drives, it’s still a dependable solution for accidental deletions.
Best suited for light data loss scenarios, Glary Undelete is a strong pick for users who want a small, no-setup-required app that just gets the job done. It works quickly, consumes minimal system resources, and helps recover files in seconds—ideal for restoring deleted work documents or mistakenly removed photos.
10. Wise Data Recovery Free 2025
Wise Data Recovery Free 2025 wraps up our list as a smart, fast, and surprisingly capable file recovery tool tailored for Windows users who value portability and speed. It’s a portable app—meaning it can be run from a USB stick without installation—perfect for field technicians or anyone troubleshooting multiple systems.
Wise’s real-time status indicator (Good, Poor, Lost) lets users immediately understand the likelihood of recovery, and its fast scanning engine is optimized for SSDs and USB 3.0 drives. In March 2025 tests by PCWorld, it recovered recently deleted Word and Excel documents in under three minutes with 100% data integrity.
The free version doesn’t include deep partition scanning or repair tools, but it performs reliably in typical deletion scenarios. If you’re looking for one of the best data recovery software solutions for quick, clean recoveries—especially when on the move—Wise Data Recovery delivers dependable performance with minimal effort.
Data loss is no longer a dead end. With the right tool, even files that seem permanently gone can be brought back to life—quickly, safely, and often for free. The best data recovery software of 2025 proves that reliable file recovery doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Whether you’re salvaging work documents, restoring precious memories, or recovering from a serious disk failure, these tools offer real solutions for real problems. Don’t wait until disaster strikes—equip your system with the right recovery software today and take back control of your data.
