Nothing can be worse than losing important files, photos, or documents all at once, and more so when you don’t have a backup. So, what’s your alternative other than seeking free data recovery software 2025 if you want to reclaim all your files without any cost as well? However, with so many tools available for retrieving data, it is hard to find the right option.
Not all of them work for all types of data loss scenarios. So, that leaves you with finding the best free option for your situation. Moving forward, we’ve reviewed 7 best free data recovery software in 2025 with their features, pros and cons listed in detail. Pick the right one!
7 Best Free Data Recovery Software in 2025
Here are 7 best free data recovery software in 2025 you should know:
1.4DDiG Data Recovery
Topping our list of best free data recovery software is 4DDiG Data Recovery which allows you to reclaim up to 2GB worth of file size. It can recover 2000+ file types from various data loss scenarios like system crashes, virus attacks, lost partitions, unbootable drives, formatting, and accidental & permanent deletion. The tool also allows you to choose what file types to scan for recovery and provides video and photo repair features as well.
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers free preview of recovered files.Get recovery of different kinds of files like images, videos, audio, documents, archives, etc.It can regain files from various storage media, including SD cards, USBs, hard disks, etc.Features search filters and various preview categories.Allows Windows users to recover lost files for free.Provides a clean, simple interface. | The free version has recovery limitations.Does not provide the feature to create disk images. |
Following are steps to use this tool to reclaim lost files from your computer:
Step 1: After installing this data retrieval tool on your computer, execute it and choose a storage device where you lost your files. Select specific file types to scan. Tap “Start.”
Step 2: The tool will scan your chosen drive for lost data. You can pause or stop scan to examine recovered files beneath “File View” or “Tree View.” Use “Filter” option to narrow your search.
Step 3: Once you’ve found files you wish to reclaim, hit “Recover” to export them to a secure place.
2.Disk Drill
Disk Drill is a free data recovery software for PC in 2025 that you can utilize to regain your lost files whose size does not exceed 500MB without any cost. It can extract 400+ file formats and supports an assortment of internal and external storage media. Among the features offered are Recovery Vault and Drive Backup. You can also pause or resume scanning on this free data recovery software in 2025.
| Pros | Cons |
| Recovery Vault creates byte-level backups to protect important files.It features an easy-to-use interface for both beginners and professionals.File preview helps confirm files before recovery.It supports multiple file systems e.g. NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT.It supports various devices e.g. hard drives, USBs, and SD cards.Maintains original file names and folder structure.Includes lost partition search. | Can only recover up to 500 MB of data for free.Cannot create boot disks.Does not support network recovery.The Pro version costs $89, which may be pricey for infrequent users.No mobile support. |
3.Recuva
Recuva by Piriform is another premium free data recovery software for Windows 10 in 2025, allowing you to recover various file types without size limitations. It provides super-quick scans for fast results and deep scans to find files by their unique signatures. This free data recovery software for PC in 2025 securely overwrites files to erase sensitive data permanently. It also supports virtual hard drives (VHDs) and can create virtual disk images.
| Pros | Cons |
| It provides a user-friendly wizard that simplifies installation and recovery steps.Recovers a wide range of common file types effectively.Fast scanning for quick file recovery.Minimal impact on system performance.Free version available with important recovery features.The free version includes advanced recovery tools suitable for many users.Effective for recovering recently deleted files, even after emptying Recycle Bin. | Doesn’t support macOS.Incompatible with Windows RT tablet editions.Bland interface looks less user-friendly.Limited recovery in complex cases compared to pricier tools.Scan speeds are slower than some competitors.The deep scan must be enabled manually, which is inconvenient.Advanced features, like disk imaging, require paid Pro version. |
4.DMDE Free Edition
DMDE is a free software for data recovery in 2025, that allows recovery of up to 4,000 files from a selected directory without any cost. It can retrieve files and folders from disks, even in complex scenarios. You can get this data recovery software for free download in 2025 including tools for editing disk data, managing partitions, creating disk images, and cloning drives. DMDE also supports RAID reconstruction for various configurations like RAID-0, RAID-5, and custom setups.
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast and efficient file recovery.Robust free version for small recovery tasks.Advanced features like RAID reconstruction and disk management.High success rate, even with damaged drives.Affordable one-time purchase, no subscription is needed.Portable, and can run from a USB drive. | Requires technical knowledge and is not ideal for beginners.Overwhelming for new users due to excessive information on its interface.No timer is shown during recovery process.Limited customer support, mostly via email. |
5.TestDisk and PhotoRec
TestDisk and PhotoRec are both free software for data recovery in 2025 and partition repair. On one hand, TestDisk restores lost partitions, fixes boot sectors, and undeletes files on FAT, NTFS, and ext2 file systems. On other hand, PhotoRec recovers files like images, documents, and archives from various storage devices. It relies on file signatures, making it effective for damaged or overwritten media.
| Pros | Cons |
| Can get TestDisk and PhotoRec data recovery software for free download in 2025.Open source.Compatible with a wide range of platforms.Effective for low-level disk repair and recovery.Can run as a Live CD/DVD for non-bootable systems. | Limited customer support.Command-line interface of TestDisk may be difficult for some users.PhotoRec has an outdated graphical design with a basic command-line look.Setup and log creation can feel unnecessary. |
6.R-Photo
R-Photo specializes in recovering erased photos and videos in multiple file formats, including RAW. It uses file signature analysis and Windows file system properties for data retrieval. This free software for data recovery in 2025 supports several storage media e.g. HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, RAID arrays, and virtual disks. It also comes with a shredder to fully erase sensitive files.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free for personal use without registration.It features an easy-to-use interface, good for beginners.It’s compatible with various Windows file systems and storage devices.Lifetime automatic updates. | Lacks support for file systems like XFS, ZFS, JFS, and more.Available only for Windows.Not effective for overwritten data. |
7.Stellar Data Recovery
Stellar Data Recovery is also a top-quality and free data recovery software for PC in 2025, retrieving 200+ file types up to 1GB without any charges. It can reclaim files from partitions, BitLocker-encrypted drives, and unbootable systems via bootable drives. The tool can also regain files from scratched CDs/DVDs. Not to mention, it can create disk images of drives with bad sectors.
| Pros | Cons |
| It can retrieve files from formatted, corrupted, or inaccessible drives.Includes file previews.Saves scan information to resume later.It supports a wide range of file formats.It comes with advanced features like S.M.A.R.T., backups, and disk cloning.Premium versions offer photo and video repair.Responsive customer support. | Scans and recovery processes are slower than competitors.The free version limits recovery to 1GB of data.More expensive than similar tools.Limited and slow file preview for certain formats.Does not alert users about bad sectors. |
Our Free Data Recovery Software 2025 Selection Criteria
To choose the best free data recovery software in 2025, we evaluated certain crucial factors. This was to ascertain that all our chosen 7 options are reliable and effective. Here’s a summary of our criteria:
- Ease of Use – Focus on intuitive interfaces with features like free file previews, and clear navigation for all users.
- Recovery Capabilities – Prioritized tools that recover a wide range of file types, like photos, videos, RAW, documents, and system files, even from formatted or corrupted drives.
- Free Recovery Limit – Preferred tools offering generous free recovery limits or unlimited recovery.
- Device Support – Pick tools that recover files from a broad range of internal/external disks such as HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, and more.
- Performance – Balanced thorough recovery with reasonable scan speeds and modes for quick, efficient, and in-depth recovery.
- Advanced Features – Look for extras like disk imaging, S.M.A.R.T. monitoring, file shredding, and file repair options.
- Platform Compatibility – Prioritized software compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and sometimes mobile platforms.
- Free Version Limitations – Choose tools that offer meaningful features and minimal restrictions in their free versions.
- Customer Support – Preferred tools with accessible resources like guides, forums, or email support.
- Security – Make certain to get data recovery software for free download in 2025 from trusted developers or official sources.
Conclusion
You can reclaim your lost files for free with the right tool. However, take into account certain factors such as ease of use, recovery features, compatibility, and other extra features in selecting a free data recovery software in 2025.
Among 7 options we’ve chosen to review earlier, 4DDiG Data Recovery takes the cake with its simple interface and strong recovery capabilities in complex data loss scenarios. It supports 2000+ file types, is compatible with various platforms, allows you to choose files to scan, adjust search filters, and provides various categories to preview recovered files.