Losing your favorite video and photo memories can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you've never experienced such issues. If you're currently in this situation, check out the list of the best photo and video recovery solutions to help you retrieve the lost data.
We'll also discuss some of the most common causes of data loss to help you navigate the experience and learn which solution to use. Without further ado, let's jump into the list.
In this article
- Wondershare Recoverit: Best Photo and Video Recovery Software for PC
- Stellar Data Recovery: Best for Simple Photo and Video Loss Scenarios
- Recuva: Best Freemium tool
- PhotoRec: Best App to Recover Deleted Photos
- Ontrack EasyRecovery: Best for Recovery Customizations
Best Photo and Video Recovery Software/App
Here's a list of the best photo and video recovery solutions for everyone's needs.
Tool | Features | Rating |
Wondershare Recoverit | Enhanced recovery, previews, security, compatibility, recovery rate. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Stellar Data Recovery | Tape data recovery, disk cloning, lab services. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Recuva | Deep scan, permanent file deletion, recovery from damaged disks. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
PhotoRec | Compatibility, file type support, fragmented file recovery. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Ontrack | Quick scan, deep scan, RAID recovery. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Wondershare Recoverit: Best Photo and Video Recovery Software for PC
Wondershare Recoverit is undoubtedly the most reliable recovery solution on the market. Aside from its photo and video recovery capabilities, it can retrieve any lost file type in any loss scenario. Moreover, the company has over 20 years of work history and 35 patented technologies, proving its trustworthiness.Why we picked it
Wondershare Recoverit provides numerous features that help it climb the competitive ladder and reach the top of the recovery list. Let's check out some of them:
- Enhanced recovery – You can improve the quality of your photos and images if you opt for this solution.
- Security – Wondershare Recoverit utilizes advanced security mechanisms to protect sensitive data against potential threats.
- Compatibility – Recoverit is compatible with numerous devices and operating systems, meaning you can recover your data in any scenario.
The list continues. Wondershare Recoverit has the highest success rate on the market, so it will surely meet your recovery needs regardless of the loss scenario.
Pros and Cons
Who is it for?
Wondershare Recoverit is for everyone, regardless of the recovery needs. Whether you own a business or need to recover photos and videos for personal use, Wondershare Recoverit has your back. It's the most universal software, so you won't have to search for industry-specific solutions to meet your recovery goals.
Stellar Data Recovery: Best for Simple Photo and Video Loss Scenarios
Stellar Data Recovery is a simple photo and video recovery solution everyone can use. It stands out from the crowd because it also offers lab services, meaning you can take your device to its location and let professionals deal with the data loss scenario. Aside from that, the software will deal with simple and common loss scenarios.
Why we picked it
Although Stellar Data Recovery is simple, some features influence its reliability and success. Let's look at some of them:
- Trust – Numerous renowned companies like Coca-Cola have used Stellar Data Recovery and had satisfying experiences.
- Availability – You can download and use Stellar in over 190 countries worldwide.
- Tape data recovery – This feature is rare on the recovery market and allows you to recover files from old video tapes.
As you can see, Stellar has much to offer for professional data recovery.
Pros and Cons
Who is it for?
Stellar Data Recovery is ideal for all simple photo and video recovery needs. For instance, Stellar may be the way to go if you've recently deleted some files. Moreover, if you want to extract data from older storage devices, Stellar may be a solid option.
Recuva: Best Freemium tool
The company behind CCleaner has developed Recuva, a photo and video recovery solution. The primary goal was to provide users with a secure recovery experience, and they succeeded. Aside from the security features, CCleaner doesn't have much to offer, but it'll meet your recovery needs.
Why we picked it
Recuva provides simple yet advanced features to help you on your recovery journey. Below are the leading reasons this tool made it to the top of the list:
- Freemium – You don't have to pay a dime for the premium experience.
- Deep scan – Recuva can detect files in more complex loss scenarios by running a deep scan.
- Deletion – The tool can permanently delete your files if you wish to remove some of your data.
As you can see, Recuva is simple yet advanced.
Pros and Cons
Who is it for?
Since Recuva may not be the fastest or the most thorough solution on the market, we don't think professionals or businesses should use it. Instead, people with recently lost data can turn to Recuva for help and get a free image and video recovery experience.
PhotoRec: Best App to Recover Deleted Photos
PhotoRec is one of the oldest data recovery solutions. It specializes in photo recovery, as you may guess from the name, and will successfully retrieve your pictures in numerous scenarios. One of the best parts is that it's entirely free to use.
Why we picked it
PhotoRec doesn't provide too many features to begin with, but there are other reasons we've included it in our list, such as the following:
- Supported file systems – PhotoRec supports almost all file systems, making it as efficient and versatile as possible.
- Supported operating systems – You can retrieve your photos and videos regardless of your operating system.
- Pricing – PhotoRec is free, meaning you don't have to pay to get your files back.
As you can see, PhotoRec is simple and effective, so you can quickly recover your photos and videos.
Pros and Cons
Who is it for?
Since PhotoRec is a free tool, it may be less effective than other paid and advanced options. Thus, we recommend PhotoRec to individuals seeking robust photo recovery solutions. If you've recently lost your pictures, PhotoRec may be a solid option since it specializes in photo recovery.
Ontrack EasyRecovery: Best for Recovery Customizations
Although Ontrack EasyRecovery is a lesser-known tool, it deserves to have more users. The company has developed advanced search mechanisms to provide professional recovery services and help you quickly retrieve photos and videos from your device.
Why we picked it
Ontrack is a company that provides physical recovery services and has applied its knowledge to create a professional recovery tool. Here's why it deserves more attention:
- Volumes – Ontrack EasyRecovery can recover deleted volumes to retrieve photos and videos.
- Customization – You can pause the scanning process and return to it later, making the tool customizable and efficient.
- Device support – The tool supports various external devices, including SSDs, hard drives, USBs, etc.
As you can see, Ontrack designed EasyRecovery with efficiency and inclusivity in mind.
Pros and Cons
Who is it for?
A professional recovery company developed this software, making it suitable for all recovery needs. However, due to its pricing plans and advanced solutions, it's ideal for more significant data loss scenarios and businesses.
Bonus: The Most Prevalent Photo and Video File Loss Situations
You may wonder how photo and video loss may occur, and we're here to help you navigate your journey. We'll present some photo and video loss scenarios and give you insight into the common issues.
- Accidental deletion – Many users accidentally delete photos and videos when moving and organizing files.
- Viruses and other malware – If a virus enters your system, there's a high chance it'll "eat" your files one by one, causing stressful data loss.
- Formatting – You may have formatted a drive or another storage device while it had data on it. Formatting leads to data loss, calling for professional recovery solutions.
- Drive issues – Your storage device may have experienced physical damage, causing bad sectors and data loss in the affected area.
- File system errors – Using an incompatible file system for your hard drive and device can result in photo and video file loss scenarios.
- Corruption – Your data or drive may have become corrupted, preventing you from accessing your files.
These are some of the most common reasons behind photo and video loss.
Conclusion
Losing valuable photos and videos can be overwhelming. However, you can retrieve them with the best recovery solutions like Wondershare Recoverit, Stellar Data Recovery, Ontrack EasyRecovery, PhotoRec, and Recuva.
If you want the ultimate recovery experience regardless of the loss scenario, we recommend using Wondershare Recoverit. It's the most reliable software to retrieve lost or deleted data.
FAQ
What is the best way to restore videos?
The best way to restore videos is to use a professional recovery tool like Wondershare Recoverit. Aside from advanced scanning and recovery mechanisms, the software has enhanced recovery technology that allows you to increase the quality of the recovered media.Can I recover photos and videos with a single tool?
Absolutely! You only need a reliable solution like Wondershare Recoverit. It has over 35 patented technologies and 20 years in the recovery field, meaning it's a trustworthy and universal solution for all your recovery needs.Is free image recovery software reliable?
It depends on the recovery software you select for your experience. Some tools, like PhotoRec and Recuva, are reliable choices, while others may be scams and lead to even more issues. Also, free recovery solutions aren't as effective as their paid counterparts due to the power of recovery mechanisms and algorithms.