HDShredder vs Overwrite

HDShredder erases hard disks and other mass-storage contents at the physical level, independently of partition layout, file system, and operating system. It can wipe a whole drive, individual partitions, or selected areas, and supports SSDs and removable media. Each package includes a Windows program and a self-booting version with the same interface. SCSI, FireWire, and USB 3.0 are supported in Windows and in the bootable version. The Free Edition securely erases media at up to 6 GB/min and can display supported and recognized drives, though some drives require a higher edition. Standard Edition supports 15 international data-deletion standards, while Professional Edition and higher create detailed deletion reports. A pattern editor allows custom deletion procedures. Professional Edition Portable targets service providers and IT departments using arbitrary PCs, and Enterprise editions offer parallel mass deletion. Prices range from free for Free Edition to €799, paid once for Enterprise Edition 16x. Free-version users are directed to the forum; commercial-product users can open technical-support tickets.

Overwrite is a macOS utility for sanitizing external drives, USB sticks, and SD cards. Its Mac App Store edition deletes files and overwrites free space through the file system. Overwrite Elite can instead overwrite every block the Mac can address on an external drive, using 1-, 3-, 7-, or 35-pass protocols. Completed wipes produce a locally signed Certificate of Data Erasure; Elite certificates can be checked with a free standalone verifier. Elite also offers optional read-back after a multi-pass Full Disk wipe and prints measured coverage on the certificate. The utility is designed for external and removable media and cannot erase the internal boot drive. Both editions have no accounts, analytics, or crash reporting; Elite makes three disclosed connections, while the App Store edition uses Apple’s StoreKit. The free Preview plan lets users explore drives and app screens but does not include secure wiping or certificates. Annual Pro costs $12.99 per year, Lifetime Pro costs $24.99 once, and Overwrite Elite costs $99 once.