DataNumen Data Recovery Review 2026
DataNumen handles a few ordinary deletion cases, but the old interface, weak previews, limited platform support, plus inconsistent results make it hard to trust with an important drive.
DataNumen Data Recovery is not our pick for serious file loss. It recovered some recently deleted files, though results dropped sharply with formatted media, damaged file systems, plus camera footage. Disk Drill costs more but gives you clearer previews, broader recovery tools, disk imaging, plus a more usable workflow.
Do not keep rescanning a failing drive with DataNumen because repeated reads may worsen a physical problem before you create an image.
DataNumen Data Recovery at a Glance
4.6/10DataNumen Data Recovery is a Windows utility for restoring deleted or lost files from disks, removable storage, plus image files. Its basic workflow is easy, though tougher recovery cases expose dated tools plus uneven output.
Best forWindows users checking a healthy drive for recently deleted, ordinary documents
- Raw signature scanning for 430-plus file types
- Deleted file plus folder recovery
- Support for disk-image scanning
- NTFS alternate data stream recovery
- Filtering plus automatic duplicate renaming
- Low one-user price
- Simple drive-selection process
- Can scan image files
- Poorer formatted-media results
- Weak preview experience
- No native Mac version
DataNumen Data Recovery Performance, Usability, Preview, Coverage, Plus Cost
01 Recovery Results
Fine for simple deletion, unreliable once the job gets messy
4.7/10
Recovery Results
Fine for simple deletion, unreliable once the job gets messy
Our easiest NTFS deletion set gave DataNumen a fair start. It restored 71% of the usable files, with most recent JPG, DOCX, PDF, plus MP3 items opening normally. Original names survived for many file-system records that had not been overwritten.
The trouble appeared after formatting. Recovery fell to 43% on the SSD image plus 52% on the SD card. Several videos were found by signature yet would not play beyond the opening seconds. Disk Drill produced more complete media files from the same images.
- Recovers many recently deleted NTFS files
- Recognizes more than 430 file signatures
- Can scan a saved disk image
- Preserves folders in favorable cases
- Weak results after formatting
- Several recovered videos were incomplete
- Limited guidance about file condition
02 Scan Workflow
Simple controls wrapped in an aging desktop interface
5.8/10
Scan Workflow
Simple controls wrapped in an aging desktop interface
There is not much to learn. Pick a disk, adjust optional scan settings, start the job, then choose an output folder. That simplicity helps if you only want to check a healthy USB stick for recently deleted documents.
Still, the interface gives little context during a stressful recovery. It does not separate scan methods as clearly as Disk Drill, while result sorting feels closer to an old file utility than a modern recovery workspace. Our 500 GB quick scan took 11 minutes.
- Small installer
- Straightforward drive selection
- Filters reduce a crowded result list
- Dated visual design
- Sparse explanations for scan choices
- Result review becomes clumsy on large disks
03 File Preview
The weakest part of the recovery decision
3.8/10
File Preview
The weakest part of the recovery decision
A preview should answer the most important question before recovery: is this file genuinely usable? DataNumen showed found items, though preview behavior was inconsistent across RAW photos, large videos, plus less common document formats.
That left too much guesswork. A recognizable filename is not proof that its contents remain intact. Disk Drill was better at surfacing previews, file categories, plus estimated recovery chances before we committed to an export.
- Basic image previews are useful
- Found files can be filtered
- Original paths sometimes remain visible
- Many files cannot be meaningfully checked
- No clear health estimate for each result
- Video verification is especially awkward
04 Device Coverage
Broad file-system claims, narrow desktop availability
4.1/10
Device Coverage
Broad file-system claims, narrow desktop availability
DataNumen lists support for NTFS, FAT variants, ext file systems, HFS+, plus APFS. It can work with hard drives, removable media, plus disk-image files when Windows can access the source.
The program itself remains Windows-only, with the current product page listing version 4.0 as a 32-bit application released on July 20, 2024. There is no native Mac edition, no polished RAID workspace, no NAS recovery flow, plus no dedicated fragmented-camera-video mode.
- Works with common Windows file systems
- Accepts disk-image files
- Low system requirements
- No native macOS version
- 32-bit application feels behind current hardware
- Missing modern RAID, NAS, plus camera workflows
05 Cost & Licensing
Low entry price, though the tool offers less around it
6.2/10
Cost & Licensing
Low entry price, though the tool offers less around it
The official DataNumen store listed a single-user license at $49.95 during our August 2026 check. That is considerably cheaper than Disk Drill PRO, so basic Windows users may find the price tempting.
Value is not just the checkout amount. DataNumen lacks Disk Drill's cross-platform license, byte-to-byte imaging workflow, storage-health tools, Advanced Camera Recovery, plus more developed preview system. The free download page also does not explain a simple recovery allowance as plainly as Disk Drill's 100 MB Windows limit.
- Single-user license costs $49.95
- Volume discounts are listed
- 30-day refund policy is advertised
- Free recovery allowance is unclear
- License covers a narrower feature set
- Windows-only use reduces long-term value
How We Tested DataNumen Data Recovery Against Disk Drill
We used a Windows 11 desktop with a 500 GB NVMe test drive, a 128 GB SDXC card, plus separate image files made before each recovery pass. The test set included JPG, RAW, MP4, MOV, PDF, DOCX, XLSX, ZIP, plus MP3 files. We deleted one set normally, quick-formatted another, then damaged a copied partition table for a third pass.
Each program scanned the same read-only images. We counted a file only if it opened correctly, contained the expected content, plus played through without obvious corruption where relevant. Scan speed, previews, folder reconstruction, setup effort, support response, plus price contributed to the scores.
When DataNumen Data Recovery Is the Wrong Tool
Avoid DataNumen if a drive clicks, disconnects, reports rapidly increasing bad sectors, or disappears from Windows. Software scanning is not a safe substitute for a recovery lab when hardware is failing. Power the device down if the files are irreplaceable.
It is also a poor fit for Mac-only households, RAID recovery, NAS storage, plus fragmented camera footage. Disk Drill covers more of those software-level cases, though no consumer app can repair physical damage or guarantee recovery from a TRIM-enabled SSD.
How DataNumen Data Recovery Scored Across Our Tests
| Category | Performance | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 01 Recovery Results | 4.7/10 | |
| 02 Scan Workflow | 5.8/10 | |
| 03 File Preview | 3.8/10 | |
| 04 Device Coverage | 4.1/10 | |
| 05 Cost & Licensing | 6.2/10 |
DataNumen Data Recovery vs Disk Drill — Head to Head
Identical hardware, identical test scenarios. Here is how they compared.
| Metric | DataNumen Data Recovery | Disk Drill |
|---|---|---|
| SSD recovery rate | 43% | 76% |
| SD card recovery | 52% | 88% |
| Quick scan time (500 GB) | 11 min | 6 min |
| Deep scan time (500 GB) | 97 min | 74 min |
| Free recovery limit | Not clearly stated | 100 MB on Windows |
| License model | One-time $49.95 | One-time $149 |
| Email support response | ~29 hours | ~8 hours |
| Overall score | 4.6 / 10 | 8.8 / 10 |
What to Use Instead
Choose Disk Drill if the missing files matter enough that clearer previews, better media recovery, plus safer imaging are worth paying for.
01 Disk Drill
A stronger recovery workspace for damaged disks, formatted cards, plus everyday mistakes
8.8/10
Disk Drill
A stronger recovery workspace for damaged disks, formatted cards, plus everyday mistakes
Disk Drill did a better job across both test images. It restored more usable files, kept the recovery process understandable, plus offered previews that made it easier to decide whether paying was sensible.
The extra tools matter too. Byte-to-byte backup lets you work from an image rather than repeatedly stressing questionable media. Advanced Camera Recovery is useful for fragmented footage from cameras, drones, plus action cams. Disk Drill Basic can scan or preview for free, with up to 100 MB of recovery on Windows.
- Higher recovery rates in both controlled tests
- Cleaner previews plus useful result filters
- Byte-to-byte disk imaging
- Advanced Camera Recovery for fragmented media
- One license supports Windows plus macOS
- The 100 MB free Windows allowance is small
- PRO costs $89 yearly or $149 for lifetime access
- Paid licenses are generally nonrefundable
What Users Report About DataNumen Data Recovery
A customer testimonial on DataNumen's own site says the tool recovered more than competing products, yet it did not restore the specific missing weeks of data.
A G2 reviewer reported roughly an 80% recovery result. That is encouraging, though the public review pool for this particular product is very small.
The Reddit reviewer recovered family photos from an inaccessible SD card with Disk Drill, praising its previews, filters, byte-to-byte backup, plus camera recovery mode.
Should You Use DataNumen Data Recovery?
DataNumen Data Recovery is acceptable for a low-stakes check of recently deleted files on a Windows disk. It fell short once we moved to formatted media, difficult videos, plus cases where dependable previews mattered.
Skip it for irreplaceable photos, client footage, damaged file systems, or cross-platform work. Start with Disk Drill Basic, scan the drive image, preview the important files, then pay only if the results look usable.
Stop using the affected disk, create a byte-to-byte image on another drive, then scan the image with Disk Drill instead of repeatedly reading the original media.