7 Best Free SD Card Recovery Software In 2024

Best SD card recovery software for you to choose this year.

Data loss from a memory card is dreadful, especially when you don’t have its backup. But you may still recover your files using an  SD card data recovery software for free. However, not all tools are gonna work as your recovery needs might be different.

So, what are the criteria for the best free SD card recovery software, and which one will fit best for your situation? The truth is, there isn’t one size fits all. So to make things simpler for you, we’ve reviewed the top 7 SD card recovery software available for Windows/Mac in 2024. So, you can consider your requirements before choosing one.

Part 1: Our Free SD Card Data Recovery Software Selection Criteria

Before choosing a free SD card recovery software, you must know which tool must come to your needs. So, you won’t have to blunder through various tools, confused about which to pick.

Here is an all-inclusive list of criteria to look for while choosing the best free SD card recovery software:

  • File System Compatibility – Make certain the software you opt for supports the most common file systems on an SD card, including FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS. Also check for such other systems as HFS+ or ext4, if available.
  • Preview Before Recovery – It should give you a free preview of recoverable data so that you can be assured that files are intact and you are recovering the right ones.
  • Ease of Use – The software for memory cards shall be user-friendly with an intuitive interface so that you can easily operate it.
  • Supported Devices and Operating Systems – Make certain memory card software is compatible with your device (such as Windows, or macOS) and can handle different SD card types and sizes, including microSD and SDXC.
  • Recovery Success Rate – Research user reviews or tests to find out how successful SD card software is at recovering data. High recovery rates can indicate more reliable performance.
  • More Features – Many tools come with advanced features like data recovery from encrypted SD cards, RAID arrays, or even with ability to create disk images which might add extra value or flexibility depending on your needs.

Part 2: 7 Best Free SD Card Recovery Software You Should Try

Following is a detailed review of the 7 best free SD card recovery software. So you won’t fall short of choice. Make certain to read each tool’s pros and cons so you can pick one that’s suitable for your needs:

1. Tenorshare 4DDiG Data Recovery

Topping our list of best free SD card recovery software, Tenorshare 4DDiG takes the cake. With its intuitive interface, recovery within a few clicks, and support for 3000+ file formats there isn’t a file type that escapes its digital Hawkeye aka scanning. It also allows you to choose specific file types to retrieve from your memory card.

Here’s how to use this tool to regain files you lost from your SD card:

Step 1: Plug in your SD card to your computer. Then, execute SD card recovery software on the same PC. When it recognizes your memory card, click “Scan.”

Plug in your SD card to your computer

Step 2: You can choose specific file types (like photos or videos) for a quicker scan. The software will thoroughly scan your SD card for recoverable files.

Step 3: You can pause or stop the scan to preview the files you need beneath “File View” or “Tree View.”

pause or stop scan to preview files

Step 4: After the scan is finished, preview your memory card files to check their quality before exporting them to your computer. Then, tap “Recover” to send them to your PC.

preview your memory card files to check their quality before exporting

2. Recuva

Recuva is also premium SD card data recovery software for free that quickly scans for deleted files. Though, the free version offers basic functionality while the paid version provides more advanced features. Furthermore, this free SD card recovery software for Mac/Windows includes a deep scan option for recovering data from formatted drives. The tool also features a secure overwrite function to permanently delete sensitive files and supports virtual hard drives (VHD files).

Recuva is also premium SD card data recovery software
What We LikeWhat We Don’t Like
1. Deep scans can be time-consuming.
2. The user interface isn’t very appealing. Limited support for badly damaged drives.
3. Not available for macOS.
1. Deep scans can be time-consuming.
2. The user interface isn’t very appealing. Limited support for badly damaged drives.
4. Not available for macOS.

3. Disk Drill

Disk Drill is free SD memory card data recovery software that can recover images, videos, documents, archives, and many others from internal and external drives. The software supports multiple storage media, including USB drives, SD/CF cards, digital cameras, and smartphones. Some more useful features of this free SD card recovery software are Quick and Deep Scans, Lost Partition Search, and byte-to-byte recovery. You can also preview files before recovering them.

Disk Drill is free SD memory card data recovery software
What We LikeWhat We Don’t Like
1. Recovers lost data effectively, with an easy-to-use interface.
2. Works well on both Windows and macOS, supporting various media types and file formats.
1. The free version has a 500MB recovery limit. The PRO version offers unlimited recovery but can be pricey.
2. May not recover all files, and recovered filenames can sometimes be meaningless.

4: DMDE Free Edition

DMDE Free Edition offers a high success rate as a free file recovery software for SD cards. It offers advanced features like low-level disk editing for detailed control and RAID reconstruction. Moreover, this free SD memory card data recovery also offers a portable app that can run from a USB drive, restoring deleted files, hidden drives, and partitions. It also includes tools for manual disk data editing.

DMDE Free Edition offers a high success rate as a free file recovery software for SD cards
What We LikeWhat We Don’t Like
1. High success rate for recovering lost files.
2. Versatile features like disk editing and RAID reconstruction.
3. Offers a portable app that can run without installation.
1. Its complex interface and limited help may make it difficult for new users.
2. The interface can be challenging for beginners.
3. The free version limits recovery to 4,000 files at a time.
5. Help resources may not be comprehensive.

5: Stellar Data Recovery Free

Stellar Data Recovery is a free SD card recovery software for Mac/Windows that offers powerful features to handle various data loss situations. It can scan for lost files across a wide range of file types, including documents, photos, and videos, and reclaim them from multiple storage devices including memory cards.

This free SD card recovery software supports bootable recovery, photo, and video repair, and RAID and virtual drive recovery as well. With deep scan capabilities and customizable search options, it allows you to refine searches by file type, size, and location. You can also preview files before recovery.

Stellar Data Recovery is a free SD card recovery software for Mac/Windows that offers powerful features to handle various data loss situations. It can scan for lost files across a wide range of file types, including documents, photos, and videos, and reclaim them from multiple storage devices including memory cards.
What We LikeWhat We Don’t Like
1. Reliable data recovery for various loss situations.
2. User-friendly interface, suitable for non-technical users.
3. Offers many tools and options for different data recovery needs.
4. Good customer support via phone, live chat, and online resources.
5. Preview feature to verify files before recovery.
1. Deep scans can be slow, especially on large drives.
2. Limited file previews for certain formats.
3. Paid plans can be pricey, particularly for advanced features.

6. UFS Explorer

UFS Explorer is the best free SD card recovery software to retrieve files from damaged devices using disk imaging and bad block management. It supports a wide range of file systems, including HFS, APFS, NTFS, and FAT, and includes low-level data analysis features like a hex viewer and parity calculator. This free file recovery software for SD cards can also retrieve RAID data through automatic reconstruction and virtual disk assembly. Moreover, it can decrypt encrypted storage like LUKS, FileVault 2, and BitLocker.

UFS Explorer is the best free SD card recovery software to retrieve
What We LikeWhat We Don’t Like
1. Strong data recovery for different situations.
2. Compatible with many file systems and storage devices.
3. Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
5. A free trial version is offered.
1. Strong data recovery for different situations.
2. Compatible with many file systems and storage devices.
3. Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
4. A free trial version is offered.

7. iBoysoft Data Recovery

iBoysoft Data Recovery is our last option in free file recovery software for SD card review, This tool retrieves files from memory cards, hard drives, and USB sticks, and supports over 1000 file types, such as documents, photos, and videos. It offers a Deep Scan for recovering data from corrupted or formatted drives and lets you choose specific file types to speed up scans. This free SD memory card data recovery tool also saves scan sessions for future recovery attempts and includes a lost partition scanner to find missing partitions. iBoysoft is compatible with Windows XP and later versions.

iBoysoft Data Recovery is our last option in free file recovery software
What We LikeWhat We Don’t Like
1. Easy to set up and use.
2. Recovers data effectively from FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS systems.
3. Small app size with minimal impact on PC resources.
4. Free trial available for testing recovery.
5. Supports data recovery from BitLocker drives (with extra license).
1. Easy to set up and use.
2. Recover data effectively from FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS systems.
3. Small app size with minimal impact on PC resources.
4. Free trial available for testing recovery.
5. Supports data recovery from BitLocker drives (with extra license).

FAQs About Free SD Card Recovery Software

Q1: How much does SD card recovery cost?

The SD card recovery cost can vary based on your card size and amount of files to retrieve. However, on average software options range from free to $100, with paid versions offering advanced features. On the other hand, professional recovery services, which are more effective for severe cases or physical damage, typically cost between $300 and $500.

Q2: Does SanDisk have recovery software?

Yes, SanDisk offers RescuePRO, a recovery tool for their products. It helps recover deleted or corrupted files from SanDisk devices like SD cards and USB drives. SanDisk Extreme cards include a free 2-year RescuePRO Deluxe license.

Conclusion

Picking an SD card data recovery software for free and the best one to be precise, depends on your specific needs and preferences. Take into account factors like recovery capabilities, compatibility, ease of use, speed, and supported devices.

Among the 7 top options we’ve reviewed here, 4DDiG Data Recovery stands out. It offers a high success rate and supports a wide range of file formats. While other tools are also good, 4DDiG’s combination of features and performance makes it a strong choice for recovering lost files from your SD card.

Share your love