11 Best Data Recovery Software for Mac (Tested and Compared)

Lost files on a Mac are not always gone. Deleted photos, videos, documents, and folders can often be recovered if you act quickly and avoid saving new data in the same location.

The bigger problem is choosing the best data recovery software for Mac that can help in your situation. So, to make things easier, we tested over 50 tools in real-world situations.

In this guide, I walk you through the 11 best data recovery software Mac, explain which tool fits which situation, and share the best practices to recover deleted files safely without overwriting them.

Quick Summary: Best Data Recovery Software Mac

• Best all-rounder: Disk Drill
• Best for beginners: EaseUS, Recoverit, and Datarecovee.
• Best for advanced users: R-Studio, Stellar, and PhotoRec.
• Best free advanced tools: TestDisk and PhotoRec.

How We Tested and Ranked These Mac Data Recovery Software?

Mac data recovery tools often look impressive but fail when real recovery is needed. To avoid hype-driven picks, we tested and ranked these tools using a clear and practical framework on real outcomes, not promises. 

Here’s how we find best data recovery software Mac:

• Shortlisting the Right Tools: We started with a broad pool based on our internal testing history, past rankings (like best SD Card data recovery software for Mac), and tools frequently recommended on trusted platforms like forums and expert lists. Only apps that met our baseline standards made it to hands-on testing.
• True macOS Compatibility: Each tool had to properly support modern macOS versions, including the latest releases. Native Apple Silicon support was a strong plus since it reflects the serious Mac-first development nature of the tools.
• Real-World Recovery Performance: This mattered the most to us. We tested deleted files, formatted drives, lost partitions, and overwritten file recovery on Mac. If a tool failed to recover meaningful data consistently, it was excluded regardless of its UI or popularity.
• Ease of Use and Raw Power: We evaluated how intuitive each app felt for Mac users. However, some tools with rough or technical interfaces still ranked well because their recovery engines delivered results. Power was never sacrificed for looks.
• Transparent Pricing and Trials: We tested free and paid Mac restore software versions to see what users could realistically evaluate before buying. Tools with unclear limits, misleading trials, or aggressive subscriptions scored lower.
• Useful Extras: Features like disk imaging, advanced scan modes, file repair, or a bootable recovery environment earned bonus points.

In short, the tools that ranked highest are the ones we can trust to keep scanning, handle damaged volumes, and deliver usable files in tough situations. That’s what separates reliable and best recovery software for Mac from the rest.

11 Best Data Recovery Software for Mac (2026 Updated)

This is a straightforward breakdown of the best Mac file recovery software in 2026 that can cater to a broad set of users.

1. Datarecovee

Datarecovee focuses on simple recovery for beginners. The interface is straightforward, and it is one of the best USB drive repair tools as well. Quick scans, deep scans, and file-type filters help you check what’s recoverable without getting into technical settings. It is useful for basic deletion, USB drives, or light recovery tasks.

2. Disk Drill

Disk Drill is one of the most polished Mac recovery tools available. It balances a clean Mac-style interface with serious depth in recovery. You can run read-only scans, preview files before restoring, and even scan sessions to resume later.

It is the best video recovery software on the market. It also includes health checks and drive backup features, which help you decide whether to clone a failing drive before recovery. The free version allows you to test scans and previews, so you know its real worth.

3. EaseUS

Next in the list of best data recovery Mac is EaseUS. It focuses heavily on guided recovery. The workflow is simple: scan, filter, preview, and recover. It supports common Mac file systems and external drives and is available through both direct download and the App Store.

The preview system is reliable, which helps you avoid restoring unnecessary files. It works well for common data-loss scenarios like accidental deletion or formatted drives, especially for users who don’t want to deal with technical settings.

4. Stellar Data Recovery

Stellar is built for deeper recovery cases. It supports advanced scans, bootable recovery drives, partition recovery, and even escalation to professional lab services if software recovery fails. Moreover, it is particularly useful when dealing with formatted drives, corrupted volumes, or important work files.

The interface includes more options than beginner tools, but that also means better control when recovery gets complicated. 

5. Wondershare Recoverit

Recoverit stands out for media recovery, especially large video files. It supports a wide range of devices and includes repair tools for damaged video files in higher tiers. 

The interface is modern and easy to follow, and it also allows bootable recovery for Macs that won’t start. It is a solid option if your lost data includes photos, videos, or large creative files.

6. R-Studio

R-Studio is designed for advanced users and technicians. It offers detailed control over scanning, partition recovery, and RAID data recovery. The interface is technical, but that is intentional. It allows deeper access to damaged drives and file structures.

There is a demo mode that shows what can be recovered before purchase, which helps validate whether it is worth using for complex recovery jobs.

7. iBoysoft Data Recovery

iBoysoft is built with modern Mac systems in mind, especially APFS drives and external storage. It handles recovery from internal SSDs, USB drives, and even a Mac that won’t start up. 

One of its strengths is that it clearly shows recoverable files before you restore anything, helping you avoid wasting time. It is a Mac-first tool with a clean interface and solid recovery reliability, particularly when external drives fail to mount or recover from emptied trash on Mac.

8. Cisdem Data Recovery

Another tool in our list of the best data recovery tools for Mac is Cisdem. It keeps things simple and fast. It is designed for everyday recovery tasks like deleted files, formatted drives, or lost media. It supports internal drives, USB storage, and SD cards.

The HDD recovery software for Mac offers a simple workflow with quick and deep scan options. It does not go as deep as technician-level tools, but for most users dealing with common file loss, it gets the job done without any hassle.

9. Tenorshare 4DDiG

4DDiG focuses on ease of use across both Mac and Windows systems. The interface walks you through scanning and recovery step-by-step, making it accessible even if you have never used recovery software before.

There is also a bootable recovery option for Macs that won’t start. It performs the best file recovery for Mac in common scenarios like recovering photos, documents, and videos.

10. Prosoft Data Rescue

Data Rescue has been around for years and is still trusted for serious recovery work. It includes deep scanning, disk cloning, and bootable recovery tools. It can clone a failing drive first, then help you recover data safely from that copy. This makes it useful when hardware issues are suspected. The interface is more technical than beginner tools, but recovery reliability is strong.

11. TestDisk and PhotoRec

TestDisk and PhotoRec offer the best free file recovery for Mac. They are open-source tools used by advanced users and professionals. TestDisk focuses on partition repair and disk structure recovery, while PhotoRec recovers files based on signatures.

They both offer the best free file recovery for Mac. They are extremely powerful and can recover data from heavily damaged drives when paid tools fail. However, they use command-line interfaces, and recovered files often lose original names, which makes them less beginner-friendly.

Quick Comparison Table: Best Recovery Data Software for Mac

It is important to note that our list of the best data recovery software for Mac has no clear order. Different tools might be helpful for different people. Below is a concise and up-to-date comparison to help you pick the right tool for your case:

Data Recovery Software	Best For	Key Strengths	Free Versions	Pricing
Datarecovee	Beginner-friendly recovery	Simple workflow and basic recovery tools	Limited free tools available	$59-$240 (varies by tool)
Disk Drill	Best recovery software overall for Mac	Strong APFS support, deep scan, preview, and clean UI	Yes	$89 one-time license
EaseUS	Beginner-friendly recovery	Guided workflow, strong preview, and wide device support	Yes	Starts from $89.95
Stellar	Professional recovery	Bootable recovery, deep scan, and strong file type support	Yes	$69.99-$89.99 per year
Wondershare Recoverit	Media file recovery	Video recovery, repair tools, and bootable recovery	Yes	$89-$90 per year
R-Studio	Advanced users	RAID recovery, forensic tools, and deep control	Demo only	Starts from $79.99
iBoysoft	External drive recovery	Recover from encrypted and unbootable Macs	Yes	$89.95/month
Cisdem	Fast everyday recovery	Quick scans, simple UI, and wide file support	Yes	Starts from $59.95 per month
Tenorshare 4DDiG	Quick fixes	Easy interface and bootable recovery option	Yes	$45 to $79
Prosoft Data Rescue	Failing drives	Disk cloning and bootable recovery	Demo available	Starts from $79
TestDisk and PhotoRec	Best free recovery software for Mac	Open-source and deep raw recovery	Completely free	Free

Best Practices to Improve Mac Data Recovery Chances

Good software is important, but what you do right after data loss matters more. Consider these helpful tips to increase your chances of Mac recovery:

• Stop using the drive immediately because new files can overwrite deleted data. Once overwritten, recovery becomes more difficult.
• Most Macs use SSDs with TRIM enabled. TRIM clears deleted data quickly. So if you keep using the drive on SSD, recovery chances drop even faster.
• Never restore files to the same disk. This can overwrite what you are trying to save.
• Look for backups in Time Machine, iCloud, or any other external device before running any data recovery software. That is always the safest first step.
• Quick scans can easily handle recent deletions. Use deep scans only when dealing with formatted or damaged drives.

Furthermore, if files are critical, consider professional recovery early because repeated scans on a failing drive can reduce your recovery chances.

Final Verdict 

The best data recovery software Mac is a tool that supports modern macOS file systems, shows file previews, keeps recovery simple, and helps your case. For everyday file loss, beginner-friendly tools are enough. For formatted drives or partition issues, advanced tools perform better.

Act quickly, stop using the drive, scan once with the right tools, and recover files to a different disk. Following this order can make a big difference in whether recovery works or fails.