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If you’ve ever accidentally deleted or lost an important work file, then this article is for you. We’re going to talk about the best data recovery software options on the market.
For freelancers, small businesses, and enterprises alike, data recovery software is a must-have tool to protect against data loss; and yet, it’s also often an overlooked one.
Research shows that 90% of companies don’t have robust data backup policies in place. This is a risky strategy to take, as data is the foundation of modern business. If you lose important files, or can’t access them, it’s going to hurt the bottom line.
Saying that not all data recovery software is created equal. Below, we’ll talk through everything there is to know about data recovery software – as well as our top picks.
Let’s dive in!
What Is Data Recovery?
Data recovery refers to the process of salvaging deleted, misplaced or damaged files from a device’s hard drive. This usually occurs in instances where this data is otherwise inaccessible.
There are plenty of reasons why data may suddenly become inaccessible. The device it’s stored on could have malfunctioned, become damaged, or, the owner of the device may have unintentionally misplaced the data.
Regardless of the cause, getting this data back is crucial, which is where data recovery comes in. In the most straightforward of cases, data recovery can simply be a case of heading to your device’s recycling bin and restoring deleted files. If you backup your data using cloud storage, then you may also be able to access it there.
However, if none of these options work, it’s time to turn to data recovery software…
What Is Data Recovery Software?
Data recovery software is a type of application that you install on your device. It works by scanning your device’s hard drive for lost data so that you can regain access to it.
It’s worth noting that data recovery software only works on a device that has power. If your device won’t turn on, you’ll need to turn to the professionals. At a specialist recovery company, they will try to retrieve your data even if your device won’t turn on.
Assuming your device is semi-functional, then data recovery software is an excellent option for recovering your files. So, without further adieu, here is our rundown of the top picks.
The Best Data Recovery Software
Recuva
Recuva is a straightforward option for data recovery that’s available on Windows. It uses a simple traffic light system to explain whether your files can be recovered or not, with a green icon for recovery and a red one for data that’s not salvageable.
A great thing about Recuva is that it is free to use for personal use. If you’re a freelancer who works from your own device, it’s a great option. For SMBs, Recuva costs $35.95 per computer per year, which is still cost-effective.
Wise Data Recovery
Wise Data Recovery is another solid, basic option for data recovery. Like Recuva, the application doesn’t feature any bells and whistles, but it does what it says on the tin.
Wise Data Recovery is available on both Windows and Mac, making it a good option for freelancers who have multiple devices. It’s also handy if you carry out contract work on different operating systems.
Wise Data Recovery is free for recovering up to 2GB of data. After this, it costs just under $60 for a one-year subscription for one device and $74.99 for a one-year subscription for three devices.
Ontrack
Ontrack offers the most functionality so far and is compatible with all operating systems. There is a free version available that enables you to recover up to 1GB of data.
Then, there are the Home and Professional options. These have more robust features, that help you to salvage data from a device that’s been impacted by malware. This also works for data from CDs and DVDs (although this feature does feel a little outdated).
For IT and technical freelancers, Ontrack’s Technician and Toolkit options might appeal. With these plans, you can recover damaged images, as well as duplicate your HDDs or SSDs.
All this extra functionality comes at a cost. The technician package is $499 on Windows and Mac, while the Professional package is $139 on Windows and $159 on macOS.
AnyRecover
AnyRecover is a super-fast data recovery software option that works on all operating systems. This software is able to scan your USB flash drives, hard drives, SD cards, SSDs, and more to discover lost or corrupted data.
The speed of this solution is one of its prime benefits. The interface is also intuitive to use, making this software a good option for freelance creatives and IT experts. AnyRecover offers a $59.95 per month plan or a $79.95 one-year plan.
Disk Drill
If you’re looking for privacy management and data recovery solution rolled into one, you may want to consider Disk Drill – available on Windows.
As well as including data recovery features, disk drill also offers options to help you with managing data clutter, disk cleanup, and disk cloning.
Disk Drill is a powerful and fast piece of software. It’s also slightly technical to use, so it may not be suitable for total data recovery newbies. However, if you’re after a powerful security solution, Disk Drill is a good option.
Disk Drill is free to download, but you’ll only get the data recovery features once you pay for the software, which costs $89.
How to Choose the Best Data Recovery Software
There are a few factors to consider before purchasing a data recovery software solution. Take a look at your budget, your devices’ operating models, and the level of expertise you have with data recovery.
If you’re a total newbie, it might be worth downloading one of the free data recovery options. This is so you can experiment with the solution until you become familiar. That way, if a data disaster strikes, you’ll have an idea of what to do and how to use your solution.
Price is also a huge factor. Some data recovery solutions are only available as part of a monthly or annual subscription, which can feel frustrating to pay if you never use it. If you only ever need to recover files occasionally, you may only need a free plan.
As always, remember to backup your critical data to cloud storage too, as this will reduce the likelihood of you having to turn to data recovery software.
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