Disk Drill

Overview

Disk Drill is file-recovery software for macOS and Windows, aimed at people trying to retrieve deleted, lost, or damaged files from a broad range of storage. Its free edition lets you scan and preview results before paying, while Windows users can recover up to 100 MB at no cost. That makes it a practical first step when you need to see what may be recoverable, but the personal-use restriction on PRO rules it out for commercial recovery work.

Key features

Disk Drill supports internal and external hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, SD/CF and other memory cards, cameras, virtual drives, RAID arrays, and disk images. It also supports bootable recovery and memory card and RAID recovery. The breadth is useful if files may be spread across different media, though it does not guarantee that any particular file can be restored.

Basic scans storage and previews recoverable files, so you can inspect results before buying. Windows Basic also allows up to 100 MB of free recovery; that cap is useful for a small recovery, but is quickly restrictive for larger jobs. The listed free plan does not give a macOS recovery allowance.

Paid PRO adds unlimited data recovery and methods including Quick & Deep Scan and Lost Partition Search. The product says it can reconstruct more than 400 file types. Free protection tools include Recovery Vault metadata protection and byte-level backups. On Mac, Disk Drill can scan Time Machine backup disks and local snapshots; the Mac product page also describes recovery from iOS and Android devices, including rooted Android devices. Windows comparison material includes NAS and Linux scanning via SSH.

Pricing

PlanPriceWhat it includesBasicfreeFree scanning and previews; Windows recovery up to 100 MB.PRO Subscription$89 a yearUnlimited recovery; one user and three simultaneous activations; macOS and Windows under one license.PRO Lifetime License$149 as a one-time purchaseOne-time purchase; one user and three simultaneous activations; future updates and upgrades included permanently.EnterpriseCustom pricingMultiple users across company and client computers, priority technical support, and forensic data export in DFXML format.Basic is the sensible starting point if scanning and previewing may be enough, or if a Windows recovery fits within 100 MB. PRO removes the recovery cap, and its annual option costs less upfront than the lifetime license but renews automatically unless canceled before renewal. You can cancel at any time and retain use through the billing period. The lifetime option avoids renewal and includes future upgrades permanently, but cannot be canceled.

PRO is for personal use only, not money-making purposes. Its license is personal, non-transferable, and cannot be resold or shared. PRO purchases are non-refundable except where consumer protection laws require a refund. Paddle processes orders as merchant of record and authorized reseller; payment methods include major cards, PayPal, and wire transfers. Enterprise is the fit for company or client work, with custom pricing and multi-user terms.

Platforms

Disk Drill runs on macOS 10.15+ and Windows 10+. One PRO license covers both platforms, with activation on up to three devices for one user. That is useful for someone working across a Mac and a Windows PC, but the personal license does not extend to colleagues or commercial recovery services.

Who it's for

Disk Drill suits individuals who want to inspect recovery prospects before committing, need support for several kinds of storage, or want one personal license across Mac and Windows. It is less suitable when a Windows recovery exceeds 100 MB and there is no budget for PRO, or when recovery is being performed for commercial purposes; those users should consider Enterprise or another license with appropriate terms.

Pros and cons

Pros: Free scanning and previews let users check recoverable files before purchase; Windows Basic adds up to 100 MB of recovery.

Pros: PRO covers macOS and Windows and allows three device activations for one user, avoiding separate platform licenses.

Pros: Support for RAID, memory cards, disk images, and a wide range of storage sources makes it relevant beyond ordinary internal drives.

Cons: The Windows free recovery cap is 100 MB, limiting its usefulness for larger recoveries.

Cons: PRO is restricted to personal use, and its license cannot be shared or transferred.

Cons: PRO purchases are generally non-refundable, and the annual plan renews automatically unless canceled before renewal.

Alternatives

For a broader category comparison, see Data recovery software. If the job centers on RAID, compare RAID Data Recovery Software; for camera media, see Photo Recovery Software or SD Card Recovery Software; and for lost partitions, see Partition Recovery Software.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is worth considering if Android or iOS support matters alongside desktop recovery; its One-Month plan is $69.95 a month for one computer, with no renewal fees and one month of free upgrades. Choose DiskGenius if you want a Windows-only option with a free trial as well as a free edition. Hetman RAID Recovery is a RAID-focused alternative with a free trial and Linux, macOS, and Windows support. TestDisk is the free choice for partition recovery, boot-sector repair, and file undelete. R-Studio offers paid, file-system-specific editions, including FAT/exFAT and NTFS/ReFS recovery. Raise Data Recovery has a trial that limits recovered files to 256 KB when using a file-system scan. UFS Explorer offers a personal Standard Recovery license with unlimited duration and 360 days of free updates. DMDE is another freemium option for users comparing recovery tools across Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Verdict

Disk Drill is a strong starting point for personal users who want to scan broadly, preview results, and recover small Windows jobs free before deciding whether to pay. Choose PRO for unlimited personal recovery across Mac and Windows, especially if its three-device allowance fits your setup. Look elsewhere for commercial recovery work or if the Windows free cap is too small and a paid license is not an option.