Top 11 Free and Open Source Data Recovery Software in 2023

Data loss happens frequently. It can result from malware, a defective update, or negligence. It is a troublesome event in either case.

Many people think it’s impossible to restore a deleted file. That is a false impression.

There is a good probability that a file you delete from the recycle bin can still be recovered. A free open source data recovery software can come to your aid here!

Let’s learn more about data recovery software open source and the best open source data recovery software systems.

How to Select the Best Open Source Data Recovery Software?

Keeping a few critical aspects in mind before choosing the best open source data recovery software is essential. To select the best open source data recovery software, keep the following points in mind.

1. Features

   There are hundreds of possibilities for paid and open source file recovery tools, but you’ll discover that their feature sets vary. Before making a purchase, it’s wise to purchase a trial version of the solution to ensure it works as guaranteed. For more thorough data recovery, seek features like multiple scanning methods, mobile data recovery and the option to preview found files.

2. File Formats

   Recovery software’s ability to restore various file formats and numbers is crucial. Make sure the software can recover the kinds of files you’ve lost. All significant audio, graphics, videos, documentation, and archive file formats must be recoverable using a good solution.

3. Types of Equipment

   Reliable data recovery software works with all disk-based storage units and enables you to retrieve files even if you unintentionally partition a drive or empty your recycle bin.

4. Credibility

   The tool you choose must meet expectations and restore your most recent data. It must have a track record of success and be prepared to provide a free, limited trial so that users can evaluate its features.

11 Best Free and Open Source Data Recovery Software to Help Recover Your Lost Data

Let’s take a look at some of the best open source data recovery software that will help companies recover their lost data in no time!

You can choose the one that fits your business needs. 

1. Recuva (Windows)

Recuva is one of the leading data recovery software. It can recover files from hard drives, memory cards, and external drives. Of all the free open source data recovery software, only a few compare to Recuva when it involves disk drive and photo recovery actions. This recovery performs its work by checking out unreferenced data.

Features

• Recover files on hardware
• Deep scan advanced mode
• Secure overwrite features
• Recover files from damaged drives
• Secure approach to delete files

Pros

• Easy to use
• Clear interface design
• Preview screen
• Fully portable version 

Cons

• Inability to recover multiple files
• Cannot toggle back from advanced mode
• Takes up more space

Pricing

Recuva has a free version. The professional version costs $19.95.

2. PhotoRec (Windows/Mac/Linux)

PhotoRec is an easy-to-use and widely acclaimed free data recovery software. Its fame is due to the powerful file recovery program, which can recover files from various devices, including digital cameras, CD-ROMs, and hard disks. The data recovered can be in pictures, videos, documents, etc. It is supported on Windows 10, 8, 8.1, 7, Vista, XP, & older versions of Windows, Linux, BSD, DOS, and macOS.

Features

• Recover files of nearly 450 different formats
• Adds custom file types
• Supports many file systems, such as FAT, NTFS, exFAT, ext2/ext3/ext4, and HFS+

Pros

• Optional graphical user interface
• Portable application
• Supports a large number of signatures
• Runs on low-end computers

Cons

• Complex interface
• Not for beginners
• Average customer support

Pricing

It is a free open source file recovery software distributed under GNU General Public License (GPLV v2+).

3. Restoration (Windows)

Restoration (Windows) is among the simplest recovery tools in the market. Though this is an ultralight application, it allows the recovery of files quickly and efficiently without any complications. Simply the unit where the search would be performed has to be established. It also has the option to filter and search among the targeted drives. It supports Windows Vista, XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98, and 95. 

Features

• Simple and easy interface
• Takes up very little disk space, less than 500 KB
• Allows the recovery of multiple files at the same time

Pros

• Lightweight software
• Easy to use 
• Clear user interface
• Portable data recovery open source software

Cons

• Contains malware
• Technical glitches
• No help menu

Pricing

Restoration has a free version available. For customized plans, please connect with the vendor. 

4. Undelete Plus (Windows)

Undelete Plus locates and recovers files from several storage devices, such as flash drives, laptops, and memory cards. It can recover photos, documents, emails, music, and videos. 

The software can restore deleted files in a variety of scenarios. Accidental formatting and deletion are two examples of these situations.

 By setting a filter, you can look for a file using its name, the date it was updated, and its size. You can quickly read through the results list to determine if your lost file is one of them because it gives a neatly arranged list of results grouped by file type.

Features

• Recovery program to retrieve lost files
• Powerful scanning mode
• Supports NTFS, FAT16, and  FAT32 file systems

Pros

• Easy to use
• Easy to restore files
• Clear user interface
• Structurally organized file formats

Cons 

• Supports limited data loss situations
• Does not support all storage devices
• Technical glitches

Pricing

It has a free version available. The pricing starts at $40. 

5. Disk Drill

Disk Drill is an efficient free, and open source data recovery software. Although, only 500 MB files are recovered within the free version of the software. For more recoveries, the paid version has no restrictions.

Disk Drill data recovery can also perform scans on pause and resume, preview files prior to recovery, filter files by date or size, run quick scans as opposed to full scans for quicker results, and save scan results to help you quickly import them to recover deleted files in the future.

Features

• Displays the total storage present on your machine
• Displays scanned data in various formats
• Allows filtering of scanned files
• Efficient search bar
• Preview option available
• Retains original names

Pros

• Organizes deleted files categorically
• Supports quick scan
• Enables deep scan mode
• Works with multiple file systems

Cons 

• Needs installation on HDD
• Technical glitches
• Recovers only 500 MB of data

Pricing

Disk Drill has a free version. The pricing for the pro version is $89, and the enterprise version is $199.

6. TestDisk

TestDisk was created to recover lost partitions and repair non-booting disks. It has a large number of features and a potent file recovery system. It is suitable for both novices and experts.

 The TestDisk recovery tool is command-driven; thus, it might not be ideal for all users. It is supported on Windows 10, 8, 8.1, 7, Vista, XP, and older versions of Windows, Linux, BSD, macOS, and DOS.5

Features

• Allows users to recover/rebuild the boot sector
• Fix or recover deleted partition table
• Recover files with FAT, exFAT, NTFS, and ext2 file systems

Pros

• Portable open source data recovery software
• Compatible with all partition tables
• Fast file recovery software
• Simple command line window

Cons

• Complicated initial setup
• Command line in the interface is not suitable for new users
• No graphical user interface

Pricing

 TestDisk is a free open source recovery software.

7. DoYourData

DoYourData is for those that fall victim to data loss on a large scale. This free and open source data recovery software allows you to choose between quick and advanced recovery. Once scanned, you get a preview of the files before the eventual recovery of your lost data. It is supported on Windows 10, 8.1, 7, and macOS.

Features

• Preview the files before the recovery
• Sorting based on file types, time, and path
• Export of scanned results for reference
• Erases files and folders

Pros

• Recover lost data easily
• No fixed limit to file recovery
• Easy to use
• Intuitive user interface

Cons

• Takes time to upload large files
• Issues with importing files
• No preview options

Pricing

The software has a free version. The paid version is available for $14.99.

8. Pandora Recovery

Pandora Recovery is a reliable and effective data recovery software. Your private files won’t ever be transferred to the internet because Pandora Recovery doesn’t require an internet connection. Additionally, the software has no advertisements.

The software analyzes and retrieves your deleted fat file systems. The drive’s other files are unaffected. Pandora Recovery is a comprehensive, secure data recovery tool.

Windows 8, 8.1, 7, Vista, XP, and older versions of Windows support Pandora Recovery.

Features

• Ability to recover FAT and NTFS data
• Preview without recovery
• Recovers data from formatted drives
• Recover archived, encrypted, compressed, and hidden files

Pros

• Safe to use
• Reviews lost files fast
• Easy navigation
• User-friendly interface

Cons

• Tedious implementation process
• Lacks portability
• Technical glitches

Pricing

The software offers a free version. Please connect with the vendor for customized plans. 

9. MiniTool Power Data Recovery

MiniTool Power Data Recovery is a specialist application to recover an entire data partition. With MiniTool Power Data Recovery, users can restore lost data in various ways. It can adapt to almost any circumstance, and you may launch a fresh scan in seconds.

 The download time for the MiniTool application is exceptionally short, at under 18MB on Mac and 2.5MB on Windows. It doesn’t provide any facilities for data backup. MiniTool only allows premium users to view prior scans. It is supported across several versions of Windows. 

Features

• Wizard-based interface 
• Specialized in data recovery of large volumes of data
• Scans the missing partition

Pros

• Easy to use
• Clear user interface
• Excellent customer service
• Supports micro SD devices

Cons 

• Supports a single language
• Limited features for a trial version
• Finding and recovering files takes a long time

Pricing

MiniTool Power Data Recovery has a free version. The pricing for the paid version starts at $69 per month.

10. Puran File Recovery

In Puran File Recovery, you can recover lost or deleted data from partitions and modify the custom scan list containing the file signatures for accurate recovery. It functions on most of the available versions of Windows.

Puran File Recovery is an excellent option if you need to recover lost or deleted files because the disc scans are speedy, and the tool is simple.

In Puran File Recovery, the Tree View option makes it incredibly simple to search through deleted files and locate the specific ones you want to restore. 

Features

• Reads the FAT or NTFS filing logs for deleted files
• Deep scan method for file searching
• Checks space thoroughly on the device

Pros

• Lightweight data recovery open source software
• Portable versions available
• User-friendly interface
• Fast scan of lost files

Cons

• Limited to Linux systems
• Tedious to run deep scans
• Corrupted recovery files at times

Pricing

It has a free version. Please connect with the vendor for customized plans.

11. Undelete 360

Developed by File Recovery Ltd., Undelete 360 can be used on Windows OS to restore files from various devices. The core functionality is free.

Due to its feature set, which includes things like the capability to preview files before recovery and its focused recovery feature, which can assist in shortening the time it takes to recover files, Undelete 360 is a powerful data recovery application. 

Features

• Recover all types of files
• Preview before recovery
• Display results in a file and a folder format
• Recovers compressed and encrypted files

Pros

• Unlimited amount of data recovery for free
• Translation available in many languages
• Quick scanning features finds recently deleted files easily
• Filtering by file type available

Cons

• Lacks signature scanner
• Limited file system support
• Not optimized for high-resolution monitors

Pricing

Undelete 360 has a free version. The pricing for the professional version is $39, and the ultimate version is $69.

Final Words

Although the above tools are essential, they are only effective under specific circumstances. The most crucial thing to remember with data recovery software is that it is impossible to retrieve the original file using the software after it has been overwritten.

To stop utilizing the storage device that contained the lost files is the most crucial thing you can do as soon as you realize you’ve experienced data loss. Your chances of having them back increase as soon as you cease using the device.

It’s recommended to do an extensive study before choosing recovery software to get your crucial files back as quickly as possible.

It is advised to utilize trustworthy, commercial software to restore your data if you have significantly corrupted files. You have a fair chance of recovering a small number of files with these open-source options, and they will also offer you an understanding of how data recovery software functions.

Choose the program best suited to your needs, and never lose your data again.