10 Best File Recovery Software for Mac: Recover Deleted or Lost Files

Have you ever deleted a crucial file in error and felt a sudden wave of fear? There’s no reason to be alone. It happens more frequently than you think. AS someone who’s experienced it more than once, I understand how difficult it can be.

The positive side is that most of the time, you can recover lost files on Mac. To assist you, I’ve compiled a list of the best data recovery software for Mac. We have tested these in real-world settings, and they all worked.

Let’s look at the 10 best file recovery software for Mac that will help you recover.

10 Best File Recovery Software For MAC

Tested and proven! We explore the 10 best file recovery software for Mac. I put together this list after testing a variety of Mac data recovery software during real-life situations. Let’s look at which ones are successful when problems arise.

1. Disk Drill

Disk Drill is the best file recovery software for Mac. It can recover deleted files from many formats and devices, including the native Mac formats (like HFS+ and APFS).

You can retrieve up to 500MB for free, or upgrade to the Pro or Enterprise version for the most advanced data recovery. In addition, it monitors your hard drive health and cleans up disk space, locates duplicates, and even retrieves data from iPhones and iPads.

Pros

• Supports APFS & HFS+ file systems
• Recovers 500MB of data for free
• Clean, beginner-friendly interface
• Extra tools like disk health monitoring & duplicate finder
• Works with external drives, iPhones, and SD cards

Cons

• Free version has a limited recovery size
• Deep scans can be slow on large drives
• Premium version is relatively expensive

Also read: 10 Best Hard Drive Repair Software to Fix Errors and Recover Data

2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

EaseUS is among the top recovery programs for Mac. It is renowned for its partition tools; however, its data recovery program is also handy. You can recover up to 2 GB of free data, even from formatted drives and Time Machine backups.

The interface is clean, simple, and suitable for free file recovery software for non-tech users. Although it doesn’t offer excessively fancy options, it’s solid and compatible with the latest macOS versions.

Pros

• Recovers up to 2GB for free
• Simple and intuitive interface
• Supports recovery from Time Machine backups
• Works on formatted and corrupted drives

Cons

• Limited advanced features
• Scan speed can be slower than competitors
• Pricing is slightly high for the full version

3. Stellar Data Recovery for Mac

Another best file recovery software for Mac is in the top 10 list. Stellar is focused on depth and can handle hundreds of different file types. Stellar allows deep scans, file-type search, and even a full disk image for future recovery.

You can recover lost files from formatted drives or create a byte-by-byte image for future recovery. Additionally, it is an exclusive “Recovery Non-Booting Mac” feature that you use recovery tools from the Mac’s Terminal. This feature is useful when the device you’re using is bad state, and the OS will not start.

Pros

• Powerful deep scan capabilities
• Supports recovery from non-booting Macs
• Allows disk image creation
• Recovers a wide range of file formats

Cons

• Expensive compared to alternatives
• Interface can feel slightly outdated
• Deep scans take significant time

4. Wondershare Recoverit

Recoverit is a simple, user-friendly tool that can help you recover deleted data from hard drives and is a superb SD memory card recovery tool. It handles quick and deep scans with ease and can also repair damaged images and videos.

Recoverit can also save deleted files directly to NAS and ICloud. The only drawback is that creating a bootable USB when testing didn’t go smoothly.

Pros

• Excellent for photo & video recovery
• Simple and modern UI
• Includes video repair feature
• Supports NAS and cloud recovery

Cons

• Bootable USB creation can be unreliable
• Full features require paid version
• Slightly heavy on system resources

5. R-Studio

R-Studio is yet another great software on this list of the best Mac file recovery software. It was designed for advanced users and IT professionals. It is compatible with a variety of file systems (including Windows, Mac, Linux, and Band SD), and has advanced tools such as RAIS recovery and network recovery. There is even the ability to edit hex files.

The interface, however, is complicated and requires more effort to recover deleted files on Mac compared to other best file recovery software for Mac.

Pros

• Advanced recovery for professionals
• Supports RAID and network recovery
• Works across Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Powerful hex editor included

Cons

• Complex interface (not beginner-friendly)
• Steep learning curve
• Overkill for basic recovery needs

6. iBoysoft Data Recovery

iBoysoft is a small and powerful tool, particularly useful for recovering external drives. It works with the most popular file systems and allows users to select specific file types to scan. It can also help you in showing hidden files on Macs.

The problem is that iBoysoft supports common image formats and doesn’t have the advanced features you’d expect from premium SD card data recovery software for Mac.

Pros

• Great for external drive recovery
• Supports encrypted drives
• Allows selective file scanning
• Lightweight and fast

Cons

• Limited advanced features
• Supports fewer file formats compared to competitors
• Premium version required for full recovery

7. DiskWarrior

DiskWarrior isn’t flashy; however, it is renowned as a reliable tool. It’s a straightforward and efficient option for our list of top disk recovery software for Mac.

It’s great for fixing damaged directories, and it even indicates that your drive is on the verge of failure. It’s more about repairing the damage, which is why it is ideal if your disk suddenly starts getting up.

Pros

• Excellent for repairing corrupted disks
• Reliable and stable performance
• Can rebuild damaged directories
• Alerts about potential drive failure

Cons

• Not ideal for full file recovery
• Outdated interface
• Limited feature set compared to competitors

8. Ontrack EasyRevocery

Ontrack assists you in recovering the deleted and lost data from a variety of storage devices. It can be used on formatted drives, volumes that have crashed, and accidental deletions. It supports APFS, HFS+, and HFS as well as both fast and deep scanning. This is a solid and reliable tool that is the best file recovery software for Macs in all situations.

Pros

• Reliable recovery from formatted and crashed drives
• Supports APFS, HFS+, and HFS
• Offers both quick and deep scans
• Good customer support

Cons

• Expensive pricing tiers
• The interface could be more modern
• Slower scanning compared to the top tools

9. iBeesoft Data Recovery

iBeesoft offers a range of backup, life recovery, and video repair tools. The interface is easy to use and efficiently categorizes files. It performs solid recoveries from damaged drives and allows you to create backups.

However, it appears that the Crashed Mac recovery module did not function as planned because of the broken download link.

Pros

• Easy-to-use interface
• Supports recovery from damaged drives
• Includes backup and file repair tools
• Good file categorization

Cons

• Crashed Mac recovery feature can be unreliable
• Limited brand trust compared to competitors
• Fewer advanced recovery options

10. TestDisk

TestDisk is a completely free, open-source, and best file recovery software for Mac. It doesn’t have a GUI, and everything is run via commands. It is recommended for those at ease to use a bit of tinkering. Although it is simple, it’s a powerful tool, particularly when dealing with various files or making partition table adjustments.

Pros

• Completely free and open-source
• Powerful partition recovery
• Works on multiple operating systems
• Highly effective for advanced users

Cons

• No graphical interface (command-line only)
• Not beginner-friendly
• Requires technical knowledge

What Makes the Best File Recovery Software for Mac?

Before diving into the list of best file recovery software for Mac, here are the key factors to consider:

• Recovery success rate
• Support for APFS & HFS+ file systems
• Ease of use (UI/UX)
• Deep scan capabilities
• Preview before recovery
• Pricing & free trial options

Modern Mac systems use SSDs and advanced security layers, making specialized recovery tools essential for retrieving lost data effectively.

Also read: Top 7 SSD Data Recovery Tools 2025 to Restore Lost Files

Comparison of the Best File Recovery Software for Mac

How to Choose the Best File Recovery Software for Mac?

I have tried to provide all the essential information regarding the 10 best file recovery software for Mac. Also, it’s essential to recognize that the top Mac recovery software will depend on your particular requirements. Some are affordable, while others are ideal for a single occasion, and some are perfect for regular use.

We only recommend truly effective products. If the tool isn’t mentioned, it may not have worked as well. Make sure you choose a product that you’re comfortable with. For instance, TestDisk is powerful but too complicated for most users.

The main thing to remember is to select the best recovery program for Mac that fits your task and is easy enough to use with confidence. Not to mention, do not compromise your privacy or security.

Wrap Up: Best File Recovery Software for Mac

I’m sure that if you lose data on your Mac, you’ll have a complete listing of the best file recovery software for Mac. According to my suggestion, Disk Drill or Recoverit is a top option for speed and power, and it could be the only recovery tool most users will require.

Take a look at your needs and make a well-informed choice when selecting the best file recovery software for Mac. This informative blog should be shared with your family and friends.

FAQs: Best File Recovery Software for Mac