What is the best data recovery software for Mac?

Data loss..yep, it happens to the best of us. It could be a random computer crash, a system update gone wrong. Whatever the cause, when you lose important files, whether it’s a work project, a vacation photo, or a crucial document, it’s a big deal. And honestly, it can feel like the world is falling apart for a minute.

However, feel secure because data recovery software is often the solution! The only drawback is that many choices may be too much to consider to find the best data recovery software for your needs. We are familiar with the experience. That’s why we’ve done the testing and research for you! 

So without further ado, let’s go through the best data recovery software for Mac available, starting with the most user-friendly ones first and then moving to the more advanced options. 

Best 6 data recovery software for Mac

Here 6 best Mac data recovery software tools, along with a brief description of what they do well, what they are best for, and any major drawbacks.

1. Disk Drill for Mac

Best for: Simple, fast recovery for beginners and pros alike.

If you want something that’s easy to use but still powerful enough to do the job right, Disk Drill is an excellent choice. Seriously, it’s one of the best out there. You don’t need to be a tech whiz to use it, just open the app, select your drive, and let it do its thing. The software is perfect for anyone who needs to recover files fast, without any complicated steps.

Features:
Disk Drill uses multiple scanning methods to give you the best chance of recovering your lost files. It runs three scans at once: Quick Scan, Deep Scan, and Signature Scan. These three types of scans look for lost files in different ways, making it more likely that you’ll get everything back.

It also comes with an “Advanced Camera Recovery” feature, which is pretty cool. This special tool focuses on recovering video files that may be damaged or corrupted. Most other recovery tools can’t handle this, but Disk Drill does a great job.

Supported Devices: It works with a range of devices including SSDs, HDDs, iPhones, iPads, Android devices, USB drives, and even networked drives.

2. R-Studio for Mac

Best for: Advanced users and complex data recovery (like RAID systems).

If you’re a bit more tech-savvy or you need to recover data from a really tricky situation like a corrupted RAID setup, then R-Studio could be your perfect choice. While it’s not the easiest app for beginners, it’s a serious powerhouse when it comes to recovering data from complex systems.

Features:
R-Studio offers support for a wide range of file systems. Whether you’re dealing with APFS (Mac), NTFS (Windows), or even Linux file systems. It’s great for data recovery on heavily damaged or corrupted systems.

R-Studio’s main advantage over other recovery software is its advanced features. You get a hex editor, network recovery capabilities, and the ability to work with custom recovery parameters. If you’re dealing with a professional-grade RAID system, it even has a RAID reconstructor to help you rebuild your array.

That said, R-Studio isn’t the easiest tool to use for beginners. It’s a bit more complicated, and it doesn’t always have the best preview functionality, but if you’re comfortable with tech, it’s one of the most powerful tools around.

3. Recoverit Data Recovery for Mac

Best for: Video-heavy users and easy recovery.

If you work with a lot of video files and need something simple to recover your lost footage, Recoverit is the best option. It’s especially great for those who need to recover large video files from Macs, which often have specific file types.

Features:
Recoverit is really easy to use. You can recover lost files in just three simple steps. Additionally, it comes with a video repair tool (premium license only) that helps fix damaged video files. While it’s not perfect (it won’t work 100% of the time), it can definitely help recover video files that other tools might miss.

The tool does a great job at recovering file types like AVI, MOV, and WMV, though it can struggle with MP4 files. So, if you work a lot with videos, it might be worth checking out.

4. UFS Explorer Professional Recovery

Best for: Businesses and high-end recovery needs.

If you’re running a business or managing a large data set, UFS Explorer is the kind of software you’ll want to have in your toolkit. It’s powerful but comes at a price. It’s made for commercial and enterprise-level users, so it might not be the best choice for casual home use, but it’s a fantastic option if you need something more robust.

Features:
UFS Explorer shines when it comes to complex data recovery. It has a built-in RAID tool, so it’s perfect for companies that rely on RAID systems to keep their data safe. It also supports advanced recovery for multiple file systems and can recover data from nearly any device.

While the interface is a little less user-friendly compared to simpler tools like Disk Drill, the power it packs makes it well worth it for anyone handling larger-scale data recovery.

5. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac

Best for: Free recovery of up to 2GB of lost data.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money but need to recover some files, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a good option. It lets you recover up to 2GB of data for free, which can be enough to get back some important documents or a few photos. To note, it’s super easy to use with just a few clicks and you’re done.

Features:
EaseUS supports a wide range of file types and works with both HFS+ and APFS file systems. It also supports Time Machine backups, so if you’ve lost something from a backup, this tool can help recover that as well.

It’s a great option for recovering photos, videos, documents, emails, and more. If you need more than 2GB of data recovery, you can always upgrade to the paid version for more space.

6. PhotoRec for Mac

Best for: Free, no-frills recovery of commonly used file types.

If you’re looking for a totally free tool, PhotoRec could be the one for you. It’s open-source and doesn’t come with all the fancy bells and whistles, but it gets the job done especially if you’re trying to recover photos, videos, or documents.

Features:
PhotoRec uses a signature-based scanning method to locate lost files. It supports all the major file systems, including APFS, HFS+, NTFS, FAT32, and ext4. While it doesn’t have the sleekest interface (it’s a bit old-school and runs through a command line), it’s reliable for recovering commonly used file types like images, documents, and videos.

Conclusion

Data loss can happen at any time, and it’s always stressful when it does. With a few clicks though, you can usually recover your lost files with little hassle using the right data recovery software for your Mac. Whether you’re a beginner looking for something simple like Disk Drill, or a tech expert needing something more advanced like R-Studio, there’s a tool out there for you..

Remember: Choose based on your needs if it's just files you want back, a free app may suit your needs. However, if you are dealing with something more complex,  it’s worth investing in a more powerful tool.

And if you find yourself completely overwhelmed, remember there are data recovery services available to help! Contact Call Louder now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is data recovery software for Mac?

Data recovery software for Mac helps you in recovering files you have either lost or deleted from your Mac, hard drives, SSDs, and other storage devices. It scans your device in order to find and restore missing data.

2. Can I recover data from a broken Mac?

Certainly! If your Mac is down but the drive is still working, you can get recovery software to retrieve your files. If it is completely broken, professional services might be needed.

3. Is it safe to use data recovery software?

Yes, it’s safe as long as you use software that you can verify as legitimate, you won't have any issues. Just don't download anything apart from tools that are from official sources.

4. How long does it take to recover lost data?

The time it takes depends on how much data you’re recovering and the type of scan being performed. Typically, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.

5. Can data recovery software recover every type of file?

Most data recovery tools can recover common file types like photos, videos, and documents. However, it may struggle with heavily corrupted or very specific file formats.