TestDisk and PhotoRec review (2026): is it any good?
Free open-source tools for lost partitions and deleted files
TestDisk and PhotoRec report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for free recovery of lost partitions and deleted files
TestDisk and PhotoRec are free, open-source tools for repairing partition tables and recovering deleted files on Windows, Mac and Linux. They run in a text window, and PhotoRec generally doesn't bring back file names or folders.
Who TestDisk and PhotoRec is for
- Fits if you've lost a partition and can work in a text menu
- Works for people who care about getting files back and not about their names
Who TestDisk and PhotoRec is not for
- Not for you if you want a graphical tool, as the main programs are text-based
- Skip it if you need file names and folders back, since PhotoRec generally doesn't restore them
- Watch out: the 7.2 Mac build listed is 64-bit Intel and M1 Macs can run it
- Too light on hand-holding for a first-time rescue, as the site points graphical-tool seekers to a partner product
Why TestDisk and PhotoRec gets a 2.6
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree under GPL v2 or later, with no paid edition.
- AFree plan and trialFree outright with no cap. No cap, no trial and no paid tier.
- CFeaturesPartition repair, undelete and signature-based recovery on many media, but PhotoRec recovers by type and names and folder structure are generally not restored.
- DEase of useNo rating on record. The main programs are text-based and menu-driven, and the graphical QPhotoRec ships separately.
- CPlatforms and integrationsWindows, Mac and Linux, desktops only. Windows, Mac and Linux desktops only; no phone or web version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from CGSecurity's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/testdisk-and-photorec#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/testdisk-and-photorec.svg" alt="TestDisk and PhotoRec: 2.6 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where TestDisk and PhotoRec stands among desktop utilities
TestDisk and PhotoRec's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 69 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 46.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 107 of 186) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).
TestDisk and PhotoRec has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 187 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. TestDisk and PhotoRec’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 55 of 186, level with 131
- AFree plan and trialAbove 107 of 186, level with 79
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 186, level with 110
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 186, level with 4
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 111 of 186, level with 60
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 desktop utilities. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep TestDisk and PhotoRec, or make your own?
Keep it
TestDisk and PhotoRec is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
What you could not
- A file manager working directly on your disk.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. TestDisk and PhotoRec’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is TestDisk and PhotoRec?
TestDisk and PhotoRec are two free, open-source recovery programs shipped together. TestDisk repairs partition tables and boot sectors and can undelete files from some file systems. PhotoRec ignores the file system and carves lost files out of the raw data using file signatures.
Worth knowing
- PhotoRec recovers files by type, so names and folder structure are generally not restored.
- The main programs are text-based; a graphical front end, QPhotoRec, is shipped separately.
- The 7.2 download page lists a 64-bit Intel macOS build (macOS 10.15 or later) and notes Apple M1 Macs can run it.
- The site's own pages point buyers who want a graphical Mac or Windows tool to a partner product, Disk Drill.
Key features
- Partition table repair
- TestDisk can fix a partition table, recover a deleted partition and make a disk bootable again when faulty software or human error caused the problem.
- Boot sector and table repair
- Rebuilds or restores FAT and NTFS boot sectors from backups, fixes FAT tables, repairs the NTFS MFT from its mirror, and locates ext backup superblocks.
- Undelete and copy files
- TestDisk can undelete files from FAT, exFAT, NTFS and ext2 and copy files off deleted FAT, exFAT, NTFS and ext partitions.
- Signature-based recovery
- PhotoRec searches for known file headers, so it still works when a file system is damaged or reformatted. Its file list covers more than 480 extensions.
- Read-only access
- PhotoRec reads the drive or card read-only and warns you not to save recovered files to the same partition.
- Many media types
- Works with hard disks, SSDs, memory cards, USB drives, CD-ROMs and raw or EnCase E01 disk images.
TestDisk and PhotoRec pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, TestDisk and PhotoRec is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free software under the GNU GPL v2 or later, with no paid edition.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Both programs, as portable downloads with no installer. |
Read from cgsecurity.org on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with TestDisk and PhotoRec before you buy.
TestDisk and PhotoRec alternatives
- TestDisk and PhotoRec vs Disk Drill
Free plan · from $49/yr
- TestDisk and PhotoRec vs Recoverit
Free plan · from $45.99/mo
- TestDisk and PhotoRec vs Stellar Data Recovery
Free plan · from $39.99
- TestDisk and PhotoRec vs R-Studio
Free trial · from $49.99 one-time
Common questions
Does TestDisk and PhotoRec have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. TestDisk and PhotoRec is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does TestDisk and PhotoRec have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. TestDisk and PhotoRec is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is TestDisk and PhotoRec open source?
Yes. TestDisk and PhotoRec is open source, according to its own site.
Does TestDisk and PhotoRec work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.