7 Best Free Data Recovery Software for Mac You Can't Miss

How We Choose the Data Recovery Software for Mac?

We didn't just download random software and call it a day. Testing the free data recovery software for Mac meant putting each tool through real recovery scenarios. Here's what we looked at:

• Data Recovery Performance – Can it actually recover your files? We tested with deleted photos, formatted drives, and crashed systems to see what each tool could handle.
• Scanning Speed – Nobody wants to wait forever. We measured how long each software took to scan drives of different sizes, from small USB sticks to massive external drives.
• Recovery Chance – Some tools quit when things get tough. We checked which ones could handle corrupted file systems, damaged drives, and overwritten data.
• User Reviews – Real people's experiences matter. We dug through hundreds of reviews to see what works (and what doesn't) outside our test lab.
• Pricing – "Free" doesn't always mean free. We checked what you actually get for free and whether the paid versions offer fair value.

7 Best Free Data Recovery Software for Mac

Now that you understand our evaluation criteria, let's explore the top contenders. Each of these tools has earned its place through proven performance, but they excel in different areas. Whether you need a user-friendly interface, support for specialized file systems, or maximum free recovery capacity, you'll find your match here.

1. 4DDiG Data Recovery for Mac

Best For: Anyone wanting robust recovery without the headache of complicated software.

4DDiG Free Mac Data Recovery stands out as a professional-grade solution that doesn't sacrifice usability for power. This tool excels at recovering data from various loss scenarios, including accidental deletion, formatted drives, system crashes, and even lost partitions.

Its intelligent scanning algorithm can identify over 2,000 file types, making it versatile enough for both personal and professional use.

Editor's Review

4DDiG impressed us right away with its deep scanning tech that recovered files from formatted drives and crashed systems that other tools missed. What really stands out? Full APFS support and the ability to pull data from those tricky T2 and M-series Macs that give other software headaches.

You get both a quick scan (for recently deleted stuff) and a deep scan (for the complex cases). The preview feature saves time, you can check files before recovering to make sure they're what you need. Yeah, the free version ensures that you can recover 500MB of data for free, but the paid version delivers unlimited recovery with professional customer support that responds fast.

Supported Mac OS: Supports macOS 26 Tahoe to macOS 10.12 Sierra

Supported Storage Types: Internal hard drives, external hard drives, SSD, USB flash drives, SD cards, digital cameras, camcorders, Time Machine backups

Supported File Systems: APFS, HFS+, FAT32, exFAT, NTFS...

Pricing: Free version has 500MB recovery capacity. The Monthly plan is for $44.95, while the Lifetime plan is for $119.95.

2. PhotoRec

Best For: Tech-savvy individuals who need entirely free, open-source recovery programs.

PhotoRec is a powerful open-source file recovery program that operates at the file system level; i.e., it can restore files even from significantly damaged or reformatted drives. It was initially used to salvage pictures from digital cameras, but has since been modified into a multipurpose application with over 480 file extensions.

Editor's Review

It is entirely free Mac data recovery software that does not require payment and provides unlimited recovery, though it is built on a command-line interface.

PhotoRec is one of the most stable free data recovery programs available today. Being an open-source product under the GNU General Public License, it really is free and does not carry any hidden charges or restrictions. File signature detection is used by the software to find and restore files, making it useful even when the entire file system is destroyed.

Supported Mac OS: Available with the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard version and newer, but would need modernization to work with macOS 14 Sonoma.

Supported Storage Types: Hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, memory cards, CD/DVD, and virtually all storage media

Supported File Systems: Supported NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, ext2/3/4, and HFS+. APFS is encouraged yet to some extent restrained.

Pricing: It is an open source program, which means it is absolutely free, no strings attached.

3. R-Studio

Best For: IT pros needing RAID recovery and forensic features.

Editor's Review

R-Studio packs serious firepower for complex scenarios—RAID arrays, network drives, virtual disks. The hex editor and disk imaging features are gold for IT departments. But here's the thing: the interface is overwhelming unless you're a tech professional. The demo lets you recover files under 256KB, which is enough to test if it finds your data.

While it offers a free demo version for evaluation, its true power is unlocked in the paid editions, making it a semi-professional solution that bridges consumer and enterprise-level recovery tools.

Supported Mac OS: From old MacOS 15 Sequoia down to OS X 10.10 Yosemite, it is even compatible with 32-bit Intel and 64-bit Power Macs

Supported Storage Types: In practice, many storage types are supported, including internal/external HDDs and SSDs, USB drives, memory cards, RAID arrays, network drives, optical discs, virtual disks, and so on.

Supported File Systems: The file systems contain APFS, HFS+, HFS, FAT12/16/32, exFAT, NTFS, ReiserFS, and Btrfs

Pricing: The demo version is absolutely free, but it only recovers small files up to 256 KB. R-Studio for Mac is available as a single license for $79.99, or the Technician version is available for $899 if you need the commercial version.

4. Data Rescue 6

Best For: Users needing disk cloning for failing drives.

Data Rescue 6 has 20+ years in the game with solid cloning features. The FileIQ feature lets you teach it custom file types. The problem is that the updates are rare, and pricing is steep.

Editor's Review

Data Rescue 6 offers decent scanning and great disk cloning for dying drives. FileIQ is clever, you can show it sample files to help it recognise custom formats. But the $399/year subscription feels expensive, especially when updates have slowed down. The interface looks dated compared to modern alternatives.

Supported Mac OS: macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) through macOS 15 and later

Supported Storage Types: Support of internal and external hard, SSD, USB flash, SD cards, CF cards--literally any memory card you may have.

Supported File Systems: Supports APFS, HFS+, FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS. Free trial recovers up to 1GB.

Pricing: Normal costs are $79, but it is only for 30 days. Pro costs $399 per year.

5. Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery

Best For: Old Mac systems (OS X 10.10 and earlier only).

Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery takes a streamlined approach to data recovery, focusing on the most common scenarios without overwhelming users with advanced options. The free version offers 1GB of recovery capacity, making it a practical choice for recovering smaller collections of essential files without spending money.

Editor's Review

Lazesoft is technically free Mac data recovery software with no limits, but its compatibility issues kill it. It won't even install on anything newer than OS X 10.10 Yosemite (released 2014). No APFS support means no modern Macs. Unless you're running a decade-old system, skip this one.

Supported Mac OS: Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) and earlier.

Supported Storage Types: Hard drives, SSD, USB flash drives, memory cards, external storage devices.

Supported File Systems: Works well with recovering hard disks, USB drives, memory cards, and obsolete iPods. It will read HFS+, FAT32, NTFS, exFAT, T, but not a bit of APFS.

Pricing: Free version (1GB recovery limit) , Professional Edition: $49.99, Server Edition: $99.49, Unlimited Edition: $499.29, Technician Edition: $599.39

6. iBoysoft Data Recovery

Best For: Users who want modern features at fair pricing and free testing.

iBoysoft Mac Data Recovery distinguishes itself with specialized capabilities for handling encrypted drives and damaged storage devices. This free Mac data recovery software excels in situations where drives won't mount properly or have suffered physical damage.

Editor's Review

iBoysoft nails the Mac experience with its Finder-style interface. It boots in macOS Recovery Mode without requiring a bootable USB drive, massive when your Mac won't start normally. The free version offers 1GB of recovery, and the software has the ability to work with T2-, M1-, and M2-chip Macs. Full APFS encryption support and responsive email support seal the deal.

Supported Mac OS: It is compatible with all versions of macOS 26 Tahoe and even older OS X 10.11 El Capitan.

Supported Storage Types: Internal drives, external hard drives, SSD, USB drives, SD cards, RAID, BitLocker-encrypted drives

Supported File Systems: Supports APFS (and encrypted), HFS+, FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS. They let you recover 1GB at no charge to try it.

Pricing: 1-Month License: $89.95 | 1-Year License: $99.95 | Lifetime License: $169.95

7. UFS Explorer Standard Recovery

Best For: Data recovery professionals and forensic specialists.

UFS Explorer Standard Recovery represents the upper echelon of data recovery software. This professional tool is designed for data recovery specialists, IT departments, and users facing catastrophic data loss scenarios.

While expensive and complex, it offers unparalleled capability with RAID systems, virtual machines, and complex multi-disk configurations. The free trial provides full functionality but limits recovery size.

Editor's Review

UFS Explorer delivers professional firepower—RAID arrays, SANs, virtual machines, and forensic tools. The hex editor and advanced imaging features are essential for recovery labs. But at $64.95 with a super-limited free trial, this is strictly for specialists who need these specific capabilities and can justify the enterprise pricing.

Supported Mac OS: This works not only on the latest macOS 26 Tahoe but also on OS X 10.11 El Capitan and any other version of Mac available.

Supported Storage Types: Local drives, RAID arrays (all levels), NAS, virtual disks, network storage, disk images

Supported File Systems: HFS+, APFS

Pricing: Personal: $64.95 | Commercial: $134.95 | Corporate: $199.95

Comparison of 7 Free Mac Data Recovery Software

With seven capable tools to choose from, selecting the right free data recovery software for Mac for your specific needs requires a clear comparison. The following table breaks down the key differences that matter most when you're trying to recover lost data.

Which Is the Best Free Data Recovery Software for Mac Users?

After extensive testing and evaluation, we've identified three standout solutions that represent the best free data recovery software for Mac across different user needs.

Rather than declaring a single winner, we recognize that the "best" tool depends on your technical expertise, recovery scenario, and budget. Here are our top three picks with clear guidance on who should choose each.

Editor's Top Pick for Most Users: 4DDiG Data Recovery for Mac

4DDiG delivers the best balance of power and usability for most Mac users. With 99% recovery rates for deleted files and 98% for formatted drives, it consistently outperformed competitors. The intuitive three-step process (Select > Scan > Recover) and comprehensive preview functionality make recovery straightforward, even for non-technical users.

While the free version offers just 500MB, the 1-month license at $44.95 provides exceptional long-term value. Its native APFS support and ability to recover from encrypted T2/M1/M2 chip Macs make it ideal for modern Mac users seeking professional results without complexity.

Best Truly Free: PhotoRec

PhotoRec is a relatively fair free choice: it has no hidden expenses, no recovery restrictions, and no purchased improvements. Installing the command-line interface means you will have to master Terminal commands, but once you do, you will have a free, professional-grade recovery tool indefinitely.

It managed to salvage information from drives in such a bad condition that even graphical tools appeared unable to identify them.

Best Value for Professionals: R-Studio

R-Studio hits the sweet spot between features and professionalism. As promoted, the raw file recovery can be used for heavily damaged or unknown file systems. Suitable for those who needs in-depth file analysis and is fine with complex steps. The Technician version has more supports for advanced features as well.

FAQs about Mac Data Recovery Software

Conclusion

Finding the best free data recovery software for Mac depends on what you need and what you're willing to spend. PhotoRec allows you to recover all your files if you are willing to use Terminal commands. R-Studio is a modern solution that works for professionals.

For the majority of users seeking overall recovery, ease of use, and dependability, the 4DDiG Data Recovery software for Mac offers the best balance of power and simplicity and is worth investing in.