Like the other paid-for options on this list, Stellar offers a free version of its software allowing users to recover 1GB of data without paying, but be warned – you can only recover files that are under 25MB in size. The default options are all large and clearly labeled, but you’ll have to dig a little deeper for more granular options as an example, the scan process doesn’t allow you to preview recovered files until you toggle an optional slider, while systems like Minitool display that info automatically. Stellar Data Recovery Wizard is among the better-looking tools in this category, with a clean, modern interface, but it suffers a little from being over-simplified. Price: £90/year Stellar Data Recovery Wizard

Unlike other entries in this list, Minitool offers a lifetime plan for personal users, in addition to monthly and annual subscriptions, which may offer better value if you’re looking for a long-term solution. Scans take a little longer with Minitool than with some other software, but that’s paid off by the depth of information that they return, including dates when files were last modified. We were great fans of the detailed file-explorer window for previewing recovered data, complete with indicators for whether specific files are lost or deleted. Minitool's user interface pitches the right balance between an uncluttered, clear layout, and one that still impresses with a solid amount of flexibility and technical depth. It can get a little frustrating when using the filtration options to identify and recover specific types of data, and unfortunately, the full drive scans aren't as quick as some others you'll find on this list, but it's definitely a well-rounded system that delivers on its promise. It only gates the support for Windows Server and bootable recovery media.Īlthough the interface is a little dated, with what some may call a Windows Vista-esque appearance, the functionality is definitely solid. Most free data recovery tools limit the user to a certain (usually fairly small) maximum quantity of data that can be restored, Lazesoft Data Recovery Free provides almost all of its features right off the bat. Lazesoft immediately impresses as it is one of the few data recovery tools on this list that offers a genuinely useful free tier.

Price: £84.95 a year Lazesoft Data Recovery

Recover free software