Freedom251 › Data recovery software
OpenSuperClone
What OpenSuperClone is
OpenSuperClone is a free Linux utility for data recovery, based on Scott Dwyer’s HDDSuperClone. It provides advanced drive cloning and logs the recovery process, which can be stopped and resumed. Virtual Disk Mode supports targeted data extraction and can read from the source, the destination or neither; it can also be used with third-party recovery software such as DMDE, R-Studio and UFS Explorer. Direct AHCI and IDE modes can bypass operating-system drivers, and the project wiki documents direct USB access. The utility can use generic USB HID relay boards and YEPKIT YKUSH switchable USB hubs to power-cycle drives. It also includes a script engine, with a Visual Studio Code language-support extension available for its script language. Downloads include DEB and RPM packages, source installation instructions and a Linux Live ISO. OpenSuperClone is licensed under GPLv2. The project says its wiki is incomplete and a work in progress. Virtual drive functionality requires a kernel module. NVMe SSDs are not shown in default passthrough mode and require Generic Source Device Mode. The v2.6.0-alpha1 release is marked for developer testing, not end users.
Who it suits
OpenSuperClone is for Linux users working on drive recovery who need cloning or targeted extraction tools. Its alpha release is specifically intended for developers testing features rather than end users.
What it does well
- Free Linux utility licensed under GPLv2.
- Recovery work is logged and can be resumed.
- Virtual Disk Mode supports targeted data extraction.
- Can power-cycle drives with supported relay hardware.
- Offers DEB and RPM packages and a Live ISO.
What to know first
- Wiki documentation is incomplete.
- Virtual drive functionality requires a kernel module.
- NVMe drives need Generic Source Device Mode.
- The v2.6.0-alpha1 release is not for end users.
Limits
Virtual Disk Mode depends on a kernel module, which can be installed manually or built and installed when DKMS is present. NVMe SSDs do not appear in default passthrough mode and require Generic Source Device Mode.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| OpenSuperClone | Linux utility · GPLv2 · Virtual Disk Mode requires a kernel module | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 10 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the OpenSuperClone project website on GitHub.
- Choose a listed DEB or RPM package, follow the source installation instructions, or use the linked Linux Live ISO.
- Install or build the kernel module if you plan to use Virtual Disk Mode.
- Use Generic Source Device Mode for NVMe SSDs.
Verdict
OpenSuperClone offers Linux drive cloning and targeted extraction tools at no cost. Users should account for its incomplete documentation, kernel-module requirement and NVMe mode limitation.
Questions
How much does OpenSuperClone cost?
The listed plan is free.
Which operating system does it support?
OpenSuperClone is a Linux utility. The project lists DEB and RPM packages, source installation instructions, and a Linux Live ISO.
Is OpenSuperClone open source?
The project states that it is licensed under GPLv2.
Does it support NVMe SSDs?
NVMe SSDs do not appear in default passthrough mode; use Generic Source Device Mode.
What does Virtual Disk Mode require?
Virtual Disk Mode requires a kernel module. It can be built and installed automatically when DKMS is present or installed manually.
Facts from OpenSuperClone's own pages
- Alpha release note
- The v2.6.0-alpha1 release is marked as a pre-release intended for developers to test features, not for end users. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Bootable recovery
- Yes · github.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Compatibility limit
- NVMe SSDs do not appear in the default passthrough mode and require Generic Source Device Mode. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Direct access
- Direct modes can communicate with drives through AHCI, IDE, or USB to bypass the operating system. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Documentation status
- The project wiki says its documentation is a work in progress and incomplete. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The project offers pre-built DEB and RPM packages, and its wiki also lists an Arch User Repository package. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Drive cloning
- It provides advanced drive cloning capability described as akin to ddrescue. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Drive power control
- The software can use generic USB-attached HID relay boards and YEPKIT YKUSH switchable USB hubs to power-cycle drives. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · github.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Kernel module requirement
- Virtual drive functionality requires a kernel module, which is automatically built and installed when DKMS is present or can be installed manually. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- License
- The software is licensed under GPLv2. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Live environment
- The project README links to a Linux Live ISO containing OpenSuperClone. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Maintainer profile
- The maintainer profile describes Julian Frohmüller as a computer repair technician interested in data recovery and lists Cologne, Germany. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- Linux · github.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- OpenSuperClone is a disk cloning and data recovery utility that creates sector-by-sector disk clones or images using a multi-phase approach for damaged or unstable media. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Recovery workflow
- The recovery process is logged and can be stopped and resumed at any time. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Relay support
- The software can use generic USB HID relay boards and YEPKIT YKUSH switchable USB hubs to power-cycle drives. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The v2.6.0-alpha1 release is marked as a pre-release intended for developers testing new features, not end users. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Script engine
- OpenSuperClone includes a script engine for advanced interaction with drives. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Script support
- OpenSuperClone includes a script engine, and a Visual Studio Code language support extension is available for its script language. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Recovery sources
- files; block devices; USB-attached drives; SATA-attached drives; PATA-connected drives; NVMe SSDs · github.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Targeted recovery integrations
- Virtual Disk Mode supports targeted data extraction with third-party recovery software such as DMDE, R-Studio, and UFS Explorer. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Virtual Disk Mode
- Virtual Disk Mode presents the device under recovery as a virtual block device and copies requested data to the destination image as it is read. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
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