10 best data recovery tools for Mac: Free and paid

Picture this: It’s late at night, and you’re rushing to meet a deadline when you accidentally delete an essential folder (like, for good). Panic sets in, and you ask yourself — “Can I recover this? Is there any hope?” If this scenario sounds like you (probably right now, since you’re reading this), you’re not alone. 

As a writer juggling multiple projects on the latest macOS Sequoia, I’ve faced my share of data mishaps. Let me walk you through the best data recovery for Mac solutions that have saved my day — and might save yours, too.

Here’s a roundup of tools and tips to help you restore deleted files and folders, tackle hard disk recovery, and even recover data from iPhone to Mac. 

Which data recovery software is best

As someone who has explored both built-in data recovery in macOS and professional software solutions, I’ve learned that not all tools are created equal. Choosing the right software for macOS to recover files depends on your situation — whether you need a quick fix with data recovery freeware, a reliable free file recovery tool, or a more advanced, paid option for critical data. 

Here’s a roundup of tools and tips to help you restore deleted files and folders, tackle hard disk recovery, and even recover data from iPhone to Mac: 

Let’s compare!	Supported file systems	Recovery speed	Superpowers	Best for	Pricing
Disk Drill	HFS+, APFS, FAT, NTFS, exFAT	Fast	Recovery Vault for easier file recovery after deletion.	General recovery, user-friendly	Available on Setapp from $9.99
Time Machine	HFS+, APFS	Dependent on backup size	Automatic backups	Regular backups	Free (macOS built-in)
Disk Utility	APFS, exFAT	Slow (disk repair only)	First Aid disk errors and partition repairment	Drive errors fix	Free (macOS built-in)
iBoysoft Data Recovery	HFS+, APS, FAT32, NTFS	Fast	Deep Scan data recovery for corrupted drives	Unbootable system recovery	From $89.95
Data Rescue	HFS+, APFS, FAT, NTFS, exFAT	Fast	Smart Scan for intelligent & quick scan recovery	Damaged hardware recovery	Limited free version with paid plan from $79
EaseUS Data Recovery	HFS+, APFS, FAT, NTFS	Fast	Partition Recovery for damaged partitions	External drives recovery	From $69.95
Recoverit	HFS+, APFS, FAT, NTFS, exFAT	Fast	Raw File recovery from severely damaged drives	Specialized media recovery	From $79.99
Stellar Data Recovery	HFS+, APFS, FAT, NTFS	Fast	Search Filters for filter recovery by file type or date	Encrypted drives management	From €69.99
DiskWarrior	HFS+, APFS, FAT, NTFS	Slow (for repair)	Directory Rebuilding corrupted directory fixes	Directory-level repairs	Lifetime from $119.95
TestDisk	FAT, NTFS, ext3/ext4	Slow (manual process)	Open-Source Flexibility for advanced partition and boot recovery	Tech-savvy users	Free (for basic recovery)

To help you decide which recovery app is best in your case, I’ve taken the time to test each one myself. By exploring their capabilities to restore deleted files and folders, I’ll outline their pros and cons based on firsthand experience. Let’s dive into the results of my test drive and see how each tool performs in real-life scenarios.

Best data recovery software for Mac

Welcome to the results of my hands-on testing of the best recovery tools for Mac — a challenge worthy of a Top Gear episode. Each app faced real-world scenarios like accidental deletions and corrupted drives, and I’ve tested them to see how they perform under pressure.

1. Disk Drill 

Disk Drill is one of the most reliable and user-friendly data recovery tools for Mac, as well as SD cards, external hard drives, etc. The app works for data corruption, accidental deletions, macOS errors, and more. It supports over 400 file types. 

During my tests, I found its interface pretty intuitive — it was easy to recover a document I had intentionally deleted. 

To recover data on Mac with Disk Drill: 

1. Install and open Disk Drill.
2. Choose your hard drive.
3. Click Search for lost data.

Good to know: Additional features like Deep Scanning and preventive tools make it worth the investment for more complex needs.

2. Time Machine

Time Machine, macOS’s built-in backup tool, is a lifesaver. Well, only if you’ve set it up ahead of time. When Time Machine is turned on, it automatically backs up your Mac and performs hourly, daily, and weekly backups of your important and not-so-important files. 

Here’s how to use the Time Machine:

1. On your Mac, open a window for the item you want to restore. For example, to recover a file you accidentally deleted from your Documents folder, open the Documents folder.
2. Go to Launchpad > Time Machine (you’ll find it in the Other folder). Your Mac will connect to the backup disk, and a message might appear if it’s still loading.
3. Use the arrows and timeline on the right side of the screen to navigate through your local snapshots and backups.
4. Highlight the file(s) or folder(s) you want to restore. You can even select an entire disk if needed.
5. Click Restore.

Good to know: Time Machine only works if you’ve been proactive about backups, so if you don’t have it configured, you’re out of luck. 

3. Disk Utility

Disk Utility is another great built-in macOS tool. Its First Aid feature is a reliable option for diagnosing and repairing disk issues. Whether your Mac is behaving unpredictably or struggling to boot, Disk Utility can address many formatting and directory-related errors. From my own experience, it’s been a lifesaver for troubleshooting external drives and resolving system-level storage problems.

Here’s how to use it effectively:

1. Go to Launchpad > Disk Utility (you’ll find it in the Other folder). 
2. If your Mac isn’t booting, use macOS Recovery: 

• For Macs with Apple silicon: hold the power button until startup options appear, then click Options > Continue. 
• For Intel-based Macs: restart while holding Command + R until the recovery screen appears.

3. Once in Disk Utility, choose View in the menu bar > Show All Devices to display all storage components, including disks, containers, and volumes.

4. Start with the last volume in the sidebar. Select it, click First Aid, and click Run. 

5. Repeat this process for each volume, then move up to containers, and finally, the main disk.

6. Disk Utility will indicate if repairs were successful or if further action is needed.

4. iBoysoft Data Recovery

If you’re trying to recover a small file (up to 1GB), iBoysoft Mac Data Recovery is definitely worth a look. It was super easy to use and compatible with the latest macOS versions and M1 and M2 Macs like mine. 

Good to know: It even works on unbootable systems and external drives, which is a lifesaver in tricky situations.

5. Data Rescue

Another tool I tested, Data Rescue, works on a variety of devices, including SSDs, HDDs, USB drives, and SD cards. If that’s your case, you can also check out our guide on how to recover SD on Mac. 

I found its Quick Scan helpful for recent deletions, while the Deep Scan mode excelled at digging up files from a reformatted drive. 

Good to know: The app’s preview feature was especially useful for ensuring the files I recovered were intact.

6. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a simple tool that does a great job recovering lost files. I found it easy to install and use (even for beginners like myself). 

Good to know: The free version lets you recover up to 2GB of data (which is perfect for small tasks or just testing the app).

7. Recoverit

Another tool in my recovery app test drive, Recoverit, works with over 2K devices (including hard drives, USB sticks, SD cards, cameras, and whatever you can think of). It also supports more than 1K file types (I don’t even know as many).

Good to know: When you accidentally deleted that super important file, formatted a drive, or lost data because of a virus or hard drive crash — it’s going to be a perfect solution. 

8. Stellar Data Recovery

Stellar Data Recovery for Mac is a solid tool that can help, too. It supports all kinds of files (documents, photos, videos, audio) and works on the latest Macs and macOS versions.

Good to know: The interface might feel a little “meh,” but it was still easy to use. The free version lets you scan and preview the files it can recover.

9. DiskWarrior

DiskWarrior has been around for years, and while it might not have the best design, it’s incredibly effective. If you’re dealing with major data problems, it is what you are looking for. 

I’ve even used it before writing this article to fix issues that even Disk Utility couldn’t handle, like repairing corrupted directories. 

Good to know: It even warns you if your drive might fail soon, which can save you from losing more data in the first place.

10. TestDisk 

If you’re looking for a free tool to recover lost files or partitions, TestDisk is an option — but, honestly, it’s not the easiest to use. Instead of a simple interface, you’ll be using the command line, which will make you feel like the Matrix character. If that sounds like “meh,” you might want to consider a tool like Disk Drill instead. 

During testing, TestDisk worked but required a lot of patience and careful reading of instructions. It’s also not updated frequently, so if you’re using a newer Mac with Apple Silicon, compatibility might be an issue. 

Good to know: Free tools like TestDisk are tempting, but they may not offer the security you need for sensitive data. Sometimes, paying for peace of mind is the better option.

How to choose file recovery software for Mac

After this Top Gear-worthy challenge, I’ve come to one main realization: choose your recovery app based on the specific use case you want to solve. Some apps work best for particular scenarios. Also, make sure the app isn’t too complex for you to use. For example, when I tried TestDisk and quickly realized that using the command line just isn’t my thing,

Personal experience: Let me share a story from the week I did this test drive. I forgot to record a super important work meeting. Since I was already in a research mood, I decided to check if there were any tools to recover it. And guess what? There are! That’s when I discovered Backtrack.

Backtrack listens, records, and overwrites audio throughout the day, storing everything locally on your Mac. It lets you recover any recording from up to 5 hours in the past. All you need to do is grant the necessary permissions and connect it to your calendar. Problem solved. 

Recovery apps testing experiment: results

Now that you’ve seen the results of my recovery apps testing experiment, you’re fully prepared to handle lost files on your Mac (at least, I hope so). If we had to pick a favorite, Disk Drill stands out for its power and simplicity — it’s likely the only recovery app you’ll need. Pair it with Backtrack to ensure you never lose important recordings and use tools like CleanMyMac to keep your Mac running smoothly and your files organized.

The best part? You can try Disk Drill, Backtrack, and CleanMyMac for free for seven days with a trial of Setapp, a platform featuring over 250 curated apps for Mac and iOS.