Free and open first

Best Photo recovery software in 2026

46 apps
Research read 16 Oct 2026
How the order is worked out

1

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
by EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1

The free edition and trial let users scan and preview before paying, but actual recovery in the trial requires the full version.

7.7 Free plan · paid from $69.95 Visit site
2

RecoverHelper
by RecoverHelper
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1

RecoverHelper lists a broad range of storage sources and platforms, plus raw photo recovery and previews. Note the mobile-app pairing requirement for free recovery of formats beyond JPG and PNG.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
3

PhotoRec
by PhotoRec
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

PhotoRec supports recovery from a broad range of media and file systems, including after serious file-system damage or reformatting.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
4

Disk Drill
by Disk Drill
Free plan MacWindows

Disk Drill offers a free scan-and-preview option, a defined Windows recovery limit and paid recovery licenses.

7.4 Free plan · paid from $89/yr Visit site
5

Microsoft Quick Assist

Free plan MacWebWindows

Choose Quick Assist for free, attended computer help when the person sharing the device can approve the connection and any control request.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
6

TestDisk
by TestDisk
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

TestDisk covers partition, boot, and file recovery across a wide range of listed formats and operating systems.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
7

MiniTool Power Data Recovery
by MiniTool Power Data Recovery
Free plan MacWindows

MiniTool Power Data Recovery covers a wide range of storage sources and data-loss cases. Check the 1 GB free limit and subscription renewal terms before choosing a plan.

7.3 Free plan · paid from $69/mo Visit site
8

Tenorshare 4DDiG Data Recovery

Free plan MacWindows

4DDiG offers card scanning, preview, and recovery on Windows and Mac, with a free allowance and several paid license terms. Check the platform-specific free limit and license before choosing a plan.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
9

Ontrack EasyRecovery
by Ontrack EasyRecovery
Free plan MacWindows

EasyRecovery lists a wide range of storage sources and scan options, with additional previews and repair features depending on version or plan.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
10

DiskDigger

Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+1

Choose DiskDigger when you need deleted-file recovery across supported computer storage or want Android photo and video recovery.

7.3 Free plan · paid from $19.99 Visit site
11

Glary Undelete

Free plan Windows

Choose Glary Undelete for free recovery on supported Windows systems and storage formats. Its removable-media coverage, filtering, and recovery estimates are useful when searching many deleted items.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
12

Memory Card File Rescue

Free plan MacWindows

Memory Card File Rescue covers many photo, video, and document formats on listed Sony media. It cannot guarantee recovery, and it does not address physical damage to a card.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
13

DMDE
by DMDE
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Choose DMDE if you need recovery across its listed media and want functions such as RAID recovery, bootable recovery, or file preview.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
14

iCare Data Recovery

Free plan Windows

iCare Data Recovery covers a broad range of media, file types, and Windows versions, with preview, RAID recovery, and Deep Scan.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
15

Wise Data Recovery

Free plan Windows

Wise Data Recovery covers a broad set of drives and removable media on Windows. Its free plan has a 2 GB recovery limit; paid plans raise file limits and cover one or three PCs.

7.1 Free plan · paid from $79.95/yr Visit site
16

SD Photo Rescue

Free plan LinuxMac

Choose SD Photo Rescue if you need a free, command-line recovery tool for formatted SD cards or disk images on Linux or macOS. Its read-only approach and recovery filters are useful strengths.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
17

Lexar Recovery Tool

Free plan MacWindows

Lexar Recovery Tool covers several common storage devices and file types, with a preview step before recovery.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
18

Mac Data Recovery Guru

Free plan Mac

Choose Mac Data Recovery Guru if you want to scan supported media on a compatible Mac and preview files before recovery.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
19

R-Photo

Free plan Windows

Choose R-Photo for non-commercial file recovery on Windows, especially when the source is a memory card, USB stick, disk, or undamaged RAID array.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
20

DiskGenius

Free plan Windows

DiskGenius combines recovery with partition, backup and disk utilities in one Windows application.

7.0 Free plan · paid from $69.90 Visit site
21

Windows Backup

Free plan Windows

Choose Windows Backup if you use a personal Microsoft account and want file and settings backup within Windows.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
22

UNDELETE 360

Free plan Windows

Choose UNDELETE 360 if you need Windows file recovery across its listed drive types and file systems, with preview and search tools for inspecting results.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $39 Visit site
23

Puran File Recovery
by Puran File Recovery
Free plan Windows

Choose Puran File Recovery if you need a free Windows tool for a supported drive or memory card, with bootable recovery and file preview listed.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
24

Aiseesoft Data Recovery

Free plan MacWindows

Aiseesoft Data Recovery covers many storage sources and includes specialized recovery options. The free quota and differing license terms should guide the plan choice.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $60 Visit site
25

Recoverit
by Recoverit
Free plan MacWindows

Recoverit lists recovery options for a broad range of storage sources, along with bootable recovery and file previews.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $99.95 Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

More in Cloud, Backup & PC