Recovery lab notes · August 2026

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.

By Taptu Newsroom Editorial Team Published · Updated
4.6 /10
Too Limited for Important Recoveries Basic scans work, tougher cases expose the gaps
Not recommended
Quick verdict

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.

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Do not keep rescanning a failing drive with DataNumen because repeated reads may worsen a physical problem before you create an image.

Download Disk Drill Free See full scorecard

DataNumen Data Recovery at a Glance

4.6/10

DataNumen 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

Main features
  • 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
Pricing Free download $0 · Single-user license $49.95
Standout featureA small, straightforward scanner with support for many file signatures
Disk Drill Pros
  • Low one-user price
  • Simple drive-selection process
  • Can scan image files
Disk Drill Cons
  • 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

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.

Pros
  • Recovers many recently deleted NTFS files
  • Recognizes more than 430 file signatures
  • Can scan a saved disk image
  • Preserves folders in favorable cases
Cons
  • 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

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.

Pros
  • Small installer
  • Straightforward drive selection
  • Filters reduce a crowded result list
Cons
  • 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

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.

Pros
  • Basic image previews are useful
  • Found files can be filtered
  • Original paths sometimes remain visible
Cons
  • 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

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.

Pros
  • Works with common Windows file systems
  • Accepts disk-image files
  • Low system requirements
Cons
  • 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

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.

Pros
  • Single-user license costs $49.95
  • Volume discounts are listed
  • 30-day refund policy is advertised
Cons
  • Free recovery allowance is unclear
  • License covers a narrower feature set
  • Windows-only use reduces long-term value
Free Download $0 Install plus scan trial; recovery allowance is not clearly stated
Single User $49.95 One license at the listed sale price

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

CategoryPerformanceScore
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 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.

Why We Recommend It
  • 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
Caveats
  • The 100 MB free Windows allowance is small
  • PRO costs $89 yearly or $149 for lifetime access
  • Paid licenses are generally nonrefundable
Basic $0 Free scans plus previews; recover up to 100 MB on Windows
PRO Annual $89/yr Unlimited recovery for one user on up to three devices
PRO Lifetime $149 One-time license with future upgrades
Disk Drill Review ↗ Download Disk Drill

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.
Mascha Fujimoto · DataNumen customer testimonial
A G2 reviewer reported roughly an 80% recovery result. That is encouraging, though the public review pool for this particular product is very small.
Verified G2 reviewer · G2
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.
Decent-Strawberry-97 · r/DataRecoveryHelp

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.

Top pick Disk Drill
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.

DataNumen Data Recovery Questions, Answered

Is DataNumen Data Recovery worth buying in 2026?
Usually no if you need a polished recovery tool fast. The software can work on damaged drives, but the interface feels dated, the scan flow is clunky, and the trial often pushes you toward a paid license before you can judge results.
What are the biggest problems with DataNumen Data Recovery?
The main complaints are slow scans, confusing settings, and an interface that looks old compared with newer recovery apps. It can also be hard to tell which recovery mode fits your issue unless you already know a lot about disk damage.
Does DataNumen Data Recovery actually recover deleted files well?
It can recover some deleted files, but results are inconsistent across file systems and damage types. If the deletion was recent, simpler tools may be easier to use, while severe corruption can still leave you with partial or missing files.
How much does DataNumen Data Recovery cost in October 2026?
Pricing depends on the license tier, but the app is not a bargain once you factor in the limitations of the trial. Many users end up comparing it with lower-cost tools that offer a cleaner workflow or better preview features.
Is the free trial of DataNumen Data Recovery useful?
Only to a point. It can show that the program sees your drive, but the trial experience is limited enough that you may not get a full sense of whether it can recover the files you actually need.
Why is DataNumen Data Recovery so slow?
It tends to scan deeply, which helps on damaged media but can make recovery feel painfully slow on large drives. If you are in a rush, that pace can be frustrating, especially when the preview of results is not very user-friendly.
How does DataNumen Data Recovery compare with Recuva?
Recuva is usually easier for basic file recovery, while DataNumen tries to handle more severe cases. For most home users, Recuva feels simpler and less frustrating, though DataNumen may be worth a look when the drive is badly damaged.
Is DataNumen Data Recovery better than EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard?
Not for most people. EaseUS generally offers a smoother interface, clearer previews, and a more approachable recovery process, while DataNumen feels more like a niche tool for people willing to trade usability for specialized recovery attempts.
Can DataNumen Data Recovery recover files from a formatted drive?
Sometimes, yes, if the data has not been overwritten. The problem is that the app does not always make the next step obvious, so beginners can waste time scanning the wrong partition or using the wrong recovery mode.
Does DataNumen Data Recovery work on SSDs?
It can detect SSDs, but SSD recovery is always tricky because of TRIM and background wear leveling. If the deleted files were on an SSD for long, the odds are often poor no matter which tool you use.
Can I use DataNumen Data Recovery on Windows 11?
Yes, it runs on Windows 11, but compatibility alone does not make it pleasant to use. The bigger issue is that the experience feels behind current Windows software standards.
Does DataNumen Data Recovery have a Mac version?
No, the main focus is Windows. If you need Mac recovery, you will need a different product built for macOS rather than hoping for a cross-platform workaround.
What file types can DataNumen Data Recovery recover?
It claims support for many common file types, including documents, photos, video, plus archives. In practice, file type support matters less than drive health, because heavily damaged storage can leave any recovery tool with incomplete results.
Is DataNumen Data Recovery safe to install?
Yes, it is generally safe when downloaded from the official site. The bigger risk is using it on the wrong drive or saving recovered files back to the same disk, which can overwrite data you have not restored yet.
What should I do if DataNumen Data Recovery does not find my files?
First, stop using the drive right away to avoid overwriting recoverable data. Then try a different scan target, check whether the files were on another partition, plus consider another recovery tool if the results stay empty.
Can DataNumen Data Recovery recover corrupted photos or videos?
It may recover the file itself, but not always in a usable state. Corrupted media files often come back partially damaged, so you should be ready for broken previews, missing frames, or files that will not open at all.
Is there a better alternative to DataNumen Data Recovery for beginners?
Yes, several alternatives are easier for first-time users. Tools with clearer scan results, file previews, plus simpler recovery steps are usually a better choice if you do not want to spend time learning a clunky interface.
Should I pay for DataNumen Data Recovery if I only need one file?
Probably not unless the file is extremely important plus other options have failed. For a single urgent file, it makes more sense to compare a few tools first so you do not pay for software that is hard to use.
Why does DataNumen Data Recovery feel outdated?
The layout, workflow, and visual design look like they were built for an older era of Windows software. That would be less of a problem if the experience were smoother, but the dated feel matches the rough usability.
What is the best way to test DataNumen Data Recovery before buying?
Use the trial on a non-critical recovery job, then check whether it finds the right folders, filenames, plus file previews. If the trial already feels confusing or slow, that is a strong sign the paid version will not be much better.