Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Rescuezilla

rescuezilla.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
Visit rescuezilla.com
Spec score 7.6 #98 of 151 in Backup software

What it is

Rescuezilla is a free, open-source disk imaging app for computer backup, restore, and recovery. It starts from a USB stick or CD-ROM in a Linux live environment, so it can be used when the computer’s regular operating system will not boot. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux computers, and its images are compatible with Clonezilla in both directions. Supported image types include raw images and virtual machine formats from VirtualBox, VMware, Hyper-V, and QEMU. Graphical tools can edit, manage, and resize partitions, and the app can recover deleted files to another drive. A beta feature lets users browse files inside supported backup images, though large gzip- or zstandard-compressed images may be slow to browse. Rescuezilla can connect to SMB/CIFS network shares, some of which may require SMB 1.0. The USB environment runs read-only, so changes made during a session disappear after reboot. To restore to a smaller disk, the source disk must first be resized with GParted.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Rescuezilla is an open-source disk imaging app for backup, restore, and recovery.Read 30 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Supported platforms
Windows,macOS,Linux (computers); Rescuezilla boots from USB using a Linux live environmentRead 23 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Free plan
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Support
The help page directs users to GitHub issues and the SourceForge forum, where it says the developer provides direct assistance with restoring data.Read 30 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Backup scope
mixedRead 23 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Bootable live system
It runs from a USB stick or CD-ROM and can be used when the computer’s regular operating system cannot boot.Read 30 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Clonezilla compatibility
Rescuezilla can restore backup images made with Clonezilla, and Clonezilla can restore images made with Rescuezilla.Read 30 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Computer backup
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Data recovery
The feature page says Rescuezilla can recover deleted files and save them to another drive.Read 30 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
File access
A beta feature lets users access files inside supported backup images, though large gzip or zstandard-compressed images may be slow to browse.Read 30 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Network sharing
The help page describes connecting to SMB/CIFS network shares and notes that some shares may require selecting SMB 1.0.Read 30 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Nonpersistent session
The USB environment runs in read-only mode and changes made during a session disappear after reboot.Read 30 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Partition tools
Rescuezilla includes graphical tools to edit, manage, and resize partitions.Read 30 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Requirements
The download page lists an Intel/AMD-compatible PC, 1 GB of RAM (2 GB recommended), a USB stick, and an external USB hard drive as system requirements.Read 30 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Restore limitation
Restoring to a smaller disk requires a workaround that resizes the source disk with GParted first.Read 30 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Restore modes
mixedRead 23 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com
Supported image formats
It supports virtual machine images from VirtualBox (VDI), VMware (VMDK), Hyper-V (VHDx), and QEMU (QCOW2), as well as raw images and open-source imaging frontends.Read 30 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com

Plans and prices

Free Free No license or serial number; runs from bootable USB or CD-ROM Read 30 Sep 2026 · rescuezilla.com

Every Rescuezilla plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free, open-source disk imaging app
  • Runs from USB or CD-ROM without a booting OS
  • Compatible with Clonezilla images in both directions
  • Includes partition tools and deleted-file recovery

Limits

  • Session changes disappear after reboot
  • Smaller-disk restores require resizing the source first
  • Browsing large compressed images may be slow

Who it suits

Rescuezilla suits people who need to image or recover a Windows, macOS, or Linux computer, including when its normal operating system will not start. It may also suit users who need to restore Clonezilla images or work with virtual machine image formats.

Verdict

Rescuezilla covers bootable imaging, restoration, partition work, and recovery without a listed price. Note the read-only session behavior and the extra source-disk step when restoring to a smaller disk.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to RescuezillaAll alternatives →