Accidentally deleted files from your USB drive? Or maybe your USB suddenly became corrupted or unreadable? Don’t panic, with the right USB data recovery software, you can easily recover lost documents, photos, videos, and other files in just a few clicks.
In 2025, data loss is still one of the most common tech headaches, but thankfully, recovery tools have come a long way. Whether you’re a casual user, IT professional, or business owner, there’s a tool out there designed to recover your files safely and efficiently.
In this guide, we’ve handpicked the 10 best USB data recovery software (both free and paid) based on performance, ease of use, supported formats, and overall reliability. From powerful premium tools to feature-rich free options, this list will help you find the perfect solution for your data recovery needs.
Let’s dive in and recover what’s yours.
What is USB Data Recovery Software?
USB data recovery software is a specialized tool designed to help you retrieve lost, deleted, formatted, or corrupted files from USB flash drives. These programs scan your USB drive sector by sector and recover files that the operating system can no longer access, even if they were accidentally deleted or lost due to formatting, viruses, or hardware issues.
Whether it’s documents, photos, videos, or other important files, USB recovery software works by identifying the data footprints left behind and reconstructing them for retrieval.
Key Features to Look for in USB Data Recovery Tools
Not all USB data recovery software is created equal. While many claim to recover lost files, only a few offer the features that truly make the recovery process effective, safe, and user-friendly. Before you download or purchase any tool, it’s important to know what to look for.
Below are the essential features to consider when choosing the best USB data recovery software:
Deep Scan & Quick Scan Options
Good software should offer both quick and deep scanning modes.
- Quick Scan helps recover recently deleted files faster.
- Deep Scan thoroughly analyzes the drive to recover data from formatted or corrupted USBs.
Support for Multiple File Types
Ensure the tool can recover a wide range of file formats:
- Documents: DOCX, PDF, XLS
- Images: JPG, PNG, RAW
- Videos: MP4, MOV, AVI
- Audio: MP3, WAV
- Archives: ZIP, RAR
Preview Before Recovery
A built-in preview feature allows you to see which files are recoverable before committing to recovery. This helps save time and avoid restoring unwanted data.
File System Compatibility
Look for software that supports major file systems:
- FAT32
- exFAT
- NTFS
This ensures compatibility with most USB drives and external storage devices.
Easy-to-Use Interface
Even powerful recovery tools should be simple to use. A clean interface and guided steps are especially important for non-tech users.
Safe & Read-Only Process
The best USB data recovery tools work in a read-only mode — meaning they don’t overwrite or modify your data during scanning and recovery.
Recovery from Damaged or Unreadable USBs
Premium tools can recover data even if the USB is logically damaged, showing errors like “USB not recognized” or “Please format the drive.”
Free Trial or Freemium Version
Having a free trial helps you test the software’s performance before buying. Many top tools offer limited file recovery for free.
Choosing a recovery tool with these features ensures you get the best possible chance of recovering your lost USB data safely and effectively.
Free vs Paid USB Data Recovery Software, What’s the Difference?
When it comes to USB data recovery software, both free and paid options can help you retrieve lost files — but they differ significantly in terms of features, performance, and limitations. Choosing the right one depends on the severity of your data loss and your recovery needs.
Let’s break down the key differences:
Free USB Data Recovery Software
Pros:
- Completely free to use or offer limited recovery at no cost
- Ideal for small data losses (e.g., recently deleted files)
- Often lightweight and easy to install
Cons:
- Limited recovery amount (e.g., up to 500 MB or 1 GB)
- Fewer supported file types or file systems
- Lack of advanced features like deep scan or damaged partition recovery
- No customer support or updates
Best for:
- Casual users
- Minor file deletion issues
- Testing the software before upgrading
Paid USB Data Recovery Software
Pros:
- Full access to all recovery features
- Can recover large files, corrupted USB drives, and formatted partitions
- Offers technical support and frequent software updates
- Includes deep scan, file preview, and faster recovery speeds
- Higher success rates in complex data loss cases
Cons:
- Requires a one-time purchase or subscription
- May have a steeper learning curve (for advanced tools)
Best for:
- Professional or business use
- Large-scale data recovery
- Recovering data from damaged or unreadable USBs
So, Which One Should You Choose?
If you’ve only lost a few files or want to test out a tool, free USB data recovery software can do the trick. But if your data is critical, the USB is corrupted, or you’re recovering files from a formatted drive, a paid tool offers far better results and peace of mind.
For most users, starting with a free version that offers a preview of recoverable files is a smart way to evaluate before upgrading.
Top 10 USB Data Recovery Software in 2025
When it comes to recovering lost or deleted files from your USB flash drive, choosing the right software can make all the difference. Based on performance, ease of use, pricing, and recovery success rate, here are the 10 best USB data recovery software tools in 2025, both free and paid.
1. Recuva (Free & Pro)
Best For: Beginners looking for free, basic recovery
Platform: Windows
Price: Free / Pro version from $19.95
Key Features:
- Quick and deep scan options
- Recovers photos, documents, emails, videos, etc.
- Secure overwrite for deleted files
- Portable version available (no installation required)
Pros:
- Simple user interface
- Lightweight and fast
- Great for basic file recovery
Cons:
- Limited support for newer file systems
- Inconsistent results with severely corrupted drives
2. EaseUS Data Recovery
Best For: Powerful recovery with a beginner-friendly UI
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: Free up to 2GB / Paid from $69.95
Key Features:
- Recovers data from USBs, SD cards, and external drives
- Supports over 1,000 file types
- Partition recovery and deep scan options
- Preview files before recovery
Pros:
- High recovery success rate
- Excellent for formatted or corrupted USBs
- Clean, modern UI
Cons:
- Free version has limited recovery
- Slightly expensive for casual users
3. Disk Drill by CleverFiles
Best For: Mac users & advanced recovery features
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: Free up to 500MB / Paid from $89
Key Features:
- Supports FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, HFS+
- Recover files, partitions, and entire drives
- Built-in data protection features
- File preview, filters, and recovery vault
Pros:
- Intuitive interface
- Great for USBs and external storage
- Works well on macOS
Cons:
- Recovery limited in free version
- Advanced features may confuse beginners
4. Wondershare Recoverit
Best For: Video recovery and damaged file repair
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: Free trial / Paid from $69.99
Key Features:
- Specialized video recovery mode
- Supports over 1,000 file formats
- High-speed scanning engine
- Can recover data from crashed systems
Pros:
- Great UI
- Reliable for multimedia file recovery
- Repairs corrupted video files
Cons:
- Slower deep scans
- Higher pricing tiers for premium plans
5. Stellar Data Recovery
Best For: Business-level recovery & multiple device types
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: Free up to 1GB / Paid from $59.99
Key Features:
- USB, HDD, SSD, RAID, and optical media recovery
- Supports encrypted drives
- Option to clone USB drive for safer recovery
- SMART disk monitoring
Pros:
- Reliable for complex cases
- User-friendly dashboard
- Supports wide range of storage devices
Cons:
- Clunky interface compared to competitors
- Pricey for premium features
6. PhotoRec (Free & Open Source)
Best For: Advanced users who prefer open-source tools
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Price: Free
Key Features:
- Command-line based recovery
- Recovers over 480 file formats
- Works even when the file system is damaged
- Portable and lightweight
Pros:
- 100% free and open source
- Extremely powerful under the hood
- Works on heavily corrupted drives
Cons:
- No graphical user interface
- Not beginner-friendly
7. MiniTool Power Data Recovery
Best For: Reliable scanning with recovery from RAW USB drives
Platform: Windows
Price: Free up to 1GB / Paid from $69
Key Features:
- RAW file system recovery
- USB, CD/DVD, HDD support
- Filters and file previews
- Recover lost partitions
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly
- Recovers from logically damaged USBs
- Good scanning performance
Cons:
- Free version has limited recovery
- Mac version is not as strong
8. Tenorshare 4DDiG
Best For: Fast scans & real-time file filtering
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: Free trial / Paid from $45.95
Key Features:
- Recovers from USB, SD card, camera, external drives
- Supports preview and selective recovery
- Intuitive step-by-step recovery process
- Clean interface with clear categorization
Pros:
- Fast scanning
- Easy for non-technical users
- Budget-friendly pricing
Cons:
- Free version only previews files
- Doesn’t support Linux
9. iCare Data Recovery
Best For: Recovering data from formatted USBs
Platform: Windows
Price: Free / Paid from $69.99
Key Features:
- Deep scan for raw data
- Supports various file formats
- USB and memory card recovery
- No need for technical knowledge
Pros:
- Good at recovering from formatted drives
- Fast recovery speed
- Clean user interface
Cons:
- Limited features in the free version
- No macOS support
10. R-Studio
Officially discontinued
Best For: Professionals & IT admins
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Price: Starts at $49.99
Key Features:
- Advanced recovery from damaged and RAID USB drives
- Supports S.M.A.R.T monitoring and network recovery
- Can recover over a network
- Hex editor for deep file inspection
Pros:
- Extremely powerful toolset
- Great for advanced users
- Supports all file systems and USB formats
Cons:
- Not ideal for beginners
- UI can feel outdated
These tools offer a mix of simplicity and advanced features. Whether you need a quick recovery from accidental deletion or a professional solution for a damaged USB drive, there’s a perfect tool for you on this list.
Which USB Recovery Tool is Best for You?
Choosing the best USB data recovery software depends on your specific needs — whether it’s quick file recovery, handling corrupted drives, or recovering large amounts of data. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide which tool is right for you:
For Beginners / Casual Users
- Best Choice: Recuva (Free) or EaseUS (Free/Paid)
- Why? Simple interface, step-by-step recovery, works great for accidentally deleted files or minor USB issues.
For Recovering Photos & Videos
- Best Choice: Wondershare Recoverit or Stellar Data Recovery
- Why? Supports a wide range of media formats, includes features like video repair and file preview.
For Advanced Users & Professionals
- Best Choice: R-Studio or PhotoRec
- Why? Deeper control, powerful scanning, network recovery, RAID recovery, and advanced partition repair.
If You’re on a Budget
- Best Choice: Recuva or Disk Drill (Free version)
- Why? Free tools that still offer solid basic recovery features with no or minimal cost.
For macOS Users
- Best Choice: Disk Drill or Stellar Data Recovery for Mac
- Why? Native macOS support with intuitive UI and strong recovery features.
If the USB is Formatted or Corrupted
- Best Choice: EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard or MiniTool Power Data Recovery
- Why? Excellent at handling formatted drives and deep scanning corrupted USBs.
Whatever your case may be, from accidentally deleted photos to a completely unreadable flash drive. There’s a USB recovery tool built to handle it. Make sure to start with a free version if available to test recovery performance before upgrading.