Though the basic principle behind every data recovery app is the same, these solutions can still be categorized into two types of programs: those that hold the hand of users from start to finish and those that care only about performing the job of data recovery as effectively as possible. Recuva and Stellar perfectly represent each side of these two categories, with Recuva being the program that emphasizes functionality more and Stellar being a solution where the focus is to be as user-friendly as possible. Now there is only question left: which type of data recovery software is more convincing?
| Main Features | Recuva | Stellar Windows Data Recovery |
| Logo | ||
| Rating | ||
| Reviews | Reviews | Reviews |
| Visit | Visit Site | Visit Site |
| Free Versions | Free Versions | Free Versions |
| Coupons | Coupons | Coupons |
| Supported File Systems | NTFS, FAT, FAT16, FAT32, ExFAT | NTFS, FAT, FAT16, FAT32, ExFAT |
| Supported File Types |
| 223 |
| Documents Recovery |  | |
| Email Recovery | | |
| Image Recovery | | |
| Audio File Recovery | | |
| Video Recovery | | |
| Scan Mode | | |
| Customize Scan | | |
| Search | | |
| Resume |  | |
| Advanced Filtering | | |
| Supported Volumes | Recuva | Stellar Windows Data Recovery |
| Internal Hard Drive Recovery | | |
| External Hard Drive Recovery | | |
| CD/DVD Recovery | | |
| Flash Drive Recovery | | |
| Memory Card Recovery | | |
| Utilities | Recuva | Stellar Windows Data Recovery |
| Create Image | | |
| Lost Partition | | |
| Boot Disk | | |
| Repair Disk | | |
| Disk Health Monitor | | |
| Pricing | Recuva | Stellar Windows Data Recovery |
| Price |
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| License | 1 |
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| Free Trial | | |
| Free Version | | |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Available Payment Methods | Recuva | Stellar Windows Data Recovery |
| Visa | | |
| PayPal | | |
| Master Card | | |
| American Express | | |
| Wire-Transfer | | |
| Discover | | |
| Amazon Payments | | |
| Google Checkout | | |
| Customer Support | Recuva | Stellar Windows Data Recovery |
| 24/7 | n/a | |
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| Live Chat | | |
| On Call | | |
| On-Premise Data Recovery | | |
| Community | | |
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| About | Recuva | Stellar Windows Data Recovery |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | India |
| Founded | 2005 | 1993 |
| Language | EN, FR, DE, ES, IT, PT | EN, FR, DE, ES, IT |
Recuva
World-renowned Piriform is mostly known for its registry cleaning solution CCleaner but the company’s data recovery software, Recuva, is just as good as its sibling product. For instance, users can perform scans the regular way – from within the program’s interface – or they can turn to the scan wizard that only requires users to specify what Recuva should look for and where.
The program also ensures that recovery is as smooth as possible by providing multiple filters to help look for specific files and folders, and as a handy extra the program will also indicate whether the files it found can be recovered at all with a clever traffic light coloring system. Recuva can fully reconstruct the original file structure of deleted folders and even includes useful functions such as the ability to recover files from virtual disc images, securely delete files by overwriting them and therefore making them unreadable and utterly destroyed with a single click.
Setting up Scans With the Wizard
File Condition Indicator in Recuva
The Secure Overwriting Feature
This will already be convincing enough for many users, but we haven’t even revealed the cost of Recuva. The good news is that the program can be enjoyed entirely for free with no limitations on its most important features. However, even the professional version only costs $19.95, adding virtual disc image recovery, priority customer support, and automated software updates into the mix alongside a sweet 30-day risk-free trial. This price can be reduced even further, too, by purchasing licenses in bulk or as part of a special software bundle.
Stellar Windows Data Recovery
Stellar Data Recovery, which also has a Mac version, is the prime example how to combine simplicity with powerful data recovery features. However, it’s the smaller details like the built-in help guide can make the software such a worthwhile prospect for potential customers. Stellar is the epitome of user-friendliness since all it takes to begin the process of data recovery is for users to determine the file’s type and where the program should look for it, and it can present to you your lost files within mere minutes.
The software also comes with toggleable deep scans for internal hard drives, but regular scans are available for virtually any kind of media storage including HDDs, CDs/DVDs, and memory cards. Speaking of which, scans can be interrupted and resumed any time during the process but they are also available for virtual disc images as well as already deleted partitions. It’s a frustration for multi-screen users that the software always positions itself in the center of the screen, but otherwise Stellar more than makes up for this oversight.
The Built-In Help Guide
Setting up Drive to Be Scanned
Stellar Windows During Scanning
Lost Partition Finder
Similar to its rival here, Stellar also sports a free version but in this case it can only recover 1GB of data. To enjoy the program’s unlimited recovery features as well as free customer support for one year, you can pick Stellar Home for $59.99. However, opting for the Professional version costs either $79.99 per year or a $99 one-time fee, and supports disc image and optical drive recovery. Whichever version is preferred, all purchases are protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Conclusion
Although both solutions are capable of effectively bringing back seemingly lost files, there are plenty of differences between these two programs. Recuva is mostly intended for users who don’t mind sacrificing user-friendliness to gain extra functionality. Despite that, the program has fantastic value for money since it is a powerhouse that can even be used without the need to pay a dime. However, Recuva has its fair share of advanced features too, like the handy data shredder or the option to see the condition of your recovered files.
Stellar, on the other hand, is definitely one for the masses, as highlighted by its simple and user-friendly interface. Admittedly, it’s an expensive solution but if you look at smaller details that truly showcase the company’s attentiveness to the product – such as resumable scans, data recovery from lost partitions, or the integrated help guide – it’s easy to see just how worthy a competitor to Recuva it is.
Best Data Recovery Software of 2021
Best Data Recovery Software for PC
| Rank | Provider | Info | Visit |
1 | Editor's Choice 2021  |
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Best Data Recovery Software for Mac
| Rank | Provider | Info | Visit |
1 | Editor's Choice 2021  |
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2 |   |
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3 |   |
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