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TOP RAID Data Recovery Software for FREE

RAID software tools can help recover readable data from supported RAID arrays, but recovery is not guaranteed. This article reviews seven RAID Recovery software apps to use on a PC. Check each product’s supported operating systems and distinguish free scanning or preview from free file export.

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What Is RAID?

How RAID Works

At its core, RAID distributes or mirrors data across multiple disks, depending on the chosen configuration. To create a RAID array, you need at least two drives, though larger arrays can incorporate many more. By pooling disks together, RAID enables:

  • 📊 Logical storage expansion — multiple drives appear as one large storage unit.
  • 🔁 Data redundancy — depending on the RAID level, data is mirrored or parity is used to protect against drive failures.
  • ⚡ Performance improvements — striping techniques can boost read/write speeds by spreading data across drives.

Benefits of RAID Storage

The advantages of RAID depend heavily on the RAID level selected, but common benefits include:

  • 🛡️ Fault tolerance — the ability to continue operating even if one or more drives fail.
  • 🔐 Data redundancy — mirrored or parity-based protection ensures files remain accessible.
  • ⚡ Performance gains — certain RAID levels improve throughput for demanding workloads.
  • 💾 Scalability — arrays can be expanded to meet growing storage needs.

It’s important to note that RAID is not a backup solution. While redundant RAID levels can tolerate specified drive failures, it does not safeguard against accidental deletions, malware, or catastrophic events affecting all drives. Regular backups remain essential for complete data protection.

Hardware RAID

Hardware RAID, as the name implies, requires the use of physical systems – controllers or RAID cards – to manage the RAID storage configuration independently from the operating system. RAID controllers handle array processing, but read and write speeds depend on the controller, disks, cache, RAID level, and workload.

You can easily remove and replace a failed disk from the array, but of course, purchasing additional hardware – the controller(s) or RAID cards – makes hardware RAID more expensive to set up. Furthermore, if the controller fails, you must find the same exact controller or a compatible one to replace the failed controller and get the RAID system working perfectly again.

Software RAID

Software RAID does not require any additional hardware to set up – you only need the disks you’d be using in the array. However, software RAIDs run in your operating system, meaning more processing power is being put on your OS, which can cause slightly lower read and write data speeds.

However, the cost of setting up a software RAID is cheaper, and you can easily reconfigure the arrays without getting a new RAID controller. Software RAID is not universally slower than hardware RAID. Portability across operating systems depends on the RAID implementation and metadata format, and disk replacement procedures vary.

What Are the Benefits of Using RAID?

RAID offers a bunch of benefits you may find difficult to overlook. The main benefits include redundancy and faster speeds, depending on the RAID level and workload. Redundant layouts can tolerate specified disk failures, but RAID does not replace backups.

1. Improved performance | Faster Speeds

One of the great benefits of RAID is providing faster speeds for data storage. For example, if you want to save a 2,000 MB (2 GB) file on a storage drive with a maximum read & write speed of 200 MB/s, the ideal transfer time would be 10 seconds for the transfer to complete. On the flip side, if you have a RAID array of 10 x 200 MB/s hard drives, the ideal transfer time for the 2 GB file on RAID 0 would be 1 second before overhead as the 2,000 MB would be split among the ten disks – each disk saving just 200 MB of the data.

2. Data Redundancy

Redundancy means you can still access your files after disk failures within the RAID level’s tolerance. Redundant layouts use mirroring or parity and sacrifice some usable capacity. RAID does not back up your files or protect against accidental deletion, ransomware, or corruption.

What Is RAID Recovery?

RAID recovery refers to the process of retrieving the files and data lost from a storage disk used in a RAID array. Yes, as secure and reliable as the RAID storage technology may appear, it is not formidable against data loss. Your RAID array disks may fail or get corrupted; thus, you’d need to get back your important files using a RAID recovery software app.

Different types of RAID arrays have different tolerance levels; RAID 0 arrays do not offer data redundancy, so lost files may require restoration from a backup or an assessment of recovery options. If the layout is supported and enough data remains readable, you can attempt recovery with professional RAID Recovery software.

Need to Verify Your RAID Setup?

Use our RAID Calculator to quickly understand your array configuration and find the best recovery approach. It’s simple, accurate, and can save you valuable time before starting data recovery.

Open RAID Calculator

When Is RAID Data Recovery Needed?

There are pretty many scenarios that can lead to data loss on RAID array disk; the most common scenarios are discussed below.

User Mistakes

You can call this “accidental deletion,” in the sense that this data loss scenario occurs when the RAID storage user mistakenly or accidentally deletes one or more important files or folders and need to recover them back.

Data Corruption or Malware Attack

RAID technology does not actually offer protection against data corruption, which may occur due to third-party software bugs, disk errors, or malware attacks. When a saved file is corrupted, you need to retrieve a previously uncorrupted version of the file to regain access to the content.

Physical damage

For pretty many reasons, one or more of the disks in a RAID array may get physically damaged, which may affect the accessibility of the drive by the user or system’s OS. Recovery software cannot repair physical damage. Stop using unstable drives and consider professional assessment before further scanning.

Overwriting Existing Data

New writes can overwrite deleted data on RAID disks. Recovery software cannot restore sectors whose original contents have been overwritten.

Formatting Gone Wrong

When you attempt to format a disk – maybe to another file system format – and along the line, the formatting process gets interrupted, you may end up losing some important files saved on the disk.

Steps to Recover Data from RAID Hard Drives

Need to recover data from RAID drive? Hereunder are steps to how you can recover files from your RAID drives using professional RAID Recovery software. Check the current edition’s license and export limits before saving files.

1. Connect the Available RAID Members or Images To Your Computer

Record the member order and connect all available RAID disks, or their disk images, to a working computer where DiskInternals RAID Recovery is installed.

2. Scan The Drive

Launch the recovery app, reconstruct the virtual RAID array from its members, and choose a scan mode for that array.

There are two modes available: Fast Scan and Full Recovery mode. Whichever you choose, DiskInternals RAID Recovery will check the status of your RAID array, controller, file system, and disks, then search for recoverable files.

3. Recover Lost Files From The RAID Drives

The retrieved files will be available as “Read-Only.” You can preview them to confirm that they are the files you want to recover. Export recovered files to a separate healthy destination. Check whether your recovery case requires a license before exporting.

Scan the reconstructed array rather than treating striped members as separate file systems. If you can’t recover your files using the DiskInternals app, you can request for Guided Repair Service to have a DiskInternals expert attempt the recovery in a more professional and manual way.

Comparison table for RAID Data Recovery Software 2026

ProductProsCons
 1. DiskInternals RAID RecoveryRecovery from supported RAID layouts, lets you mount and access virtual drives via File Explorer as though they are local disksIt only runs on Windows OS systems
 2. ReclaiMe RAID RecoveryCompatible with multiple RAID typesYou may need to use another compatible data recovery software to complete the RAID data recovery process
 3. Stellar Data Recovery TechnicianRebuilds probable RAIDs even when the parameters are not knownDocuments RAID 0, 5, and 6 recovery; check edition support for other layouts
4. Get Data Back RAID ReconstructorOffers an intuitive interface that simplifies the recovery processThe software can be expensive compared to some other data recovery options
 5. EaseUS RAID Data RecoveryAvailable for Windows OS and macOS platformsSome recovered files may be broken – not usable
6. R-Studio TechnicianSeparate Technician downloads for Windows, macOS, and LinuxCheck the current Technician demo’s file-export limits
 7. Zero Assumption RecoveryIntegrates multiple RAID data recovery featuresNo longer active – discontinued by the developer

Review RAID Recovery Software [Free Trial Version]

These applications support different RAID layouts and licensing models. Check compatibility and export limits; Zero Assumption Recovery is discontinued:

1. DiskInternals RAID Recovery

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The DiskInternals Free RAID Recovery software app is designed for all PC users, thanks to the super-easy-to-understand interface and many handy features to help recover readable data. This free RAID recovery software solution runs on supported Windows systems and supports all DiskInternals Partition Recovery software features. There’s a built-in Recovery Wizard to guide users on how to use this app to recover their lost data.

DiskInternals RAID Recovery can attempt to recover your lost data from documented RAID layouts, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10, as well as from damaged RAID controllers. It effectively reconstructs RAID arrays and recognizes your RAID configuration with ease. Regardless of whether the RAID disks are connected to a controller or a motherboard with RAID support, you may retrieve your files from RAID arrays with DiskInternals RAID Recovery.

Pros:

  • Easy RAID data recovery from software and hardware-based RAIDs
  • Supports Microsoft’s Dynamic Disks, JBOD, RAID 0, 1, and other documented RAID layouts
  • Lets you mount and access virtual drives via File Explorer as though they are local disks
  • Automatically detects disk arrays
  • Integrates all DiskInternals Partition Recovery features
  • Restores data from Apple, Linux, NAS, and UNIX RAIDs.

Cons:

  • It only runs on Windows OS systems
  • Requires a working Windows system; recovery from supported disk images is available.

Note: learn more about Buffalo NAS recovery!

2. ReclaiMe RAID Recovery

ReclaiMe RAID Recovery

One of the reasons to go with this RAID recovery solution is that it is completely free to use and does not contain any adware or spyware. The interface is quite easy to use – even for a novice computer operator – and there are a number of handy features to flex. ReclaiMe RAID Recovery stands out in recovering data from RAID 0, RAID 5, RAID 10, RAID 6, and RAID 5E.

With the ReclaiMe, you can recover RAID configuration parameters like disk order, block size, and start offset. Furthermore, this software solution works for hardware, software, and NAS (QNAP, NETGEAR, Synology, and Buffalo) RAID disk sets. However, you can’t use this software for file-by-file recovery.

Pros:

  • Intuitive and simple interface
  • Compatible with multiple RAID types
  • Supports NAS devices such as QNAP, Buffalo, NETGEAR, and Synology.

Cons:

  • You may need to use another compatible data recovery software to complete the RAID data recovery process
  • No support for Linux and macOS systems.

3. Stellar Data Recovery Technician

Stellar Data Recovery Technician

The Stellar Data Recovery Technician software is a comprehensive tool that helps users to recover various file formats from their RAID drives. It can access and retrieve files from formatted RAID logical volumes and create bootable USB media for data recovery from a crashed system. This software program is designed for Windows OS users, and current versions require supported 64-bit Windows systems; check the vendor’s requirements for your release.

Stellar Data Recovery Technician supports NTFS, FAT, and exFAT file systems and documents RAID 0, 5, and 6 recovery; check edition support for other layouts. Furthermore, this recovery program works to recover lost files from hardware and software RAIDs. It is simply an advanced RAID recovery solution with a ton of decent features and built-in tools.

Pros:

  • Recovers files from NAS-formatted RAID drives
  • Fast and easy to use
  • Rebuilds probable RAIDs even when the parameters are not known
  • Supports RAID partition recovery.

Cons:

  • Documents RAID 0, 5, and 6 recovery; check edition support for other layouts
  • Only available on Windows OS.

4. Get Data Back RAID Reconstructor

RAID Reconstructor reconstructs supported RAID 0 and RAID 5 layouts and can save an image or virtual image of the array. It does not scan for files itself. Open the reconstructed result in a compatible tool, such as GetDataBack or Captain Nemo, to access or recover files.

Pros:

  • RAID Reconstruction: Reconstructs supported RAID 0 and RAID 5 layouts for use with compatible file-recovery software.
  • User-Friendly Interface: The software offers an intuitive interface that simplifies the recovery process.
  • Advanced Recovery Options: Provides detailed options for more technical users to maximize recovery potential.

Cons:

  • Steep Learning Curve: Can be challenging for users unfamiliar with RAID systems and data recovery processes.
  • Limited Support for Newer RAID Technologies: May not support some of the latest RAID configurations and technologies.
  • Cost: The software can be expensive compared to some other data recovery options.
  • No Mac or Linux Version: Primarily designed for Windows, limiting its use for Mac or Linux users.
  • File Recovery Requires Another Tool: It can analyze supported hardware RAID members, but file recovery from the reconstruction requires a compatible tool such as GetDataBack or Captain Nemo.

5. EaseUS RAID Data Recovery

EaseUS RAID Data Recovery

Here is a RAID data recovery solution you can run on Windows and macOS computers. The EaseUS RAID Data Recovery software is a tool for attempting recovery of readable data from supported RAID drives. It features a built-in Wizard interface that guides the users through the recovery steps seamlessly.

With the EaseUS RAID Data Recovery app, you can retrieve your lost files from multiple RAID levels and failed RAID drives. This software can recover files from RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 10 arrays. Furthermore, supported file systems and RAID features depend on the platform and edition. The Free edition’s export allowance differs from the Trial edition, which previews files without exporting them.

Pros:

  • Available for Windows OS and macOS platforms
  • Intuitive and easy to use with a built-in Wizard
  • Recovers data from a variety of RAID array types
  • Recovery is done at a decent speed.

Cons:

  • Some recovered files may be broken – not usable

6. R-Studio Technician

R-Studio Technician is a comprehensive data recovery tool aimed at professionals, offering advanced features for recovering data from various types of storage media and file systems, including RAID arrays.

Pros:

  • Versatile RAID Reconstruction: Capable of reconstructing complex RAID setups, which is beneficial for recovering data from damaged or corrupted RAID arrays.
  • Network Recovery Support: Allows for data recovery over a network, which is useful for working with remote systems or servers.

Cons:

  • Complex Interface: Its feature-rich interface can be overwhelming for inexperienced users.
  • Cost: As a professional-grade tool, it is relatively expensive.
  • Limited Guidance for Novices: The software assumes a level of expertise in data recovery, which might not be suitable for beginners.
  • Resource Intensive: May require a significant amount of system resources to operate efficiently, particularly for large-scale recoveries.
  • Demo Export Limit: Check the current Technician demo’s file-export limits before recovery.

7. Zero Assumption Recovery

Zero Assumption Recovery

The Zero Assumption Recovery tool is a piece of utility that allows users to get back the files and data they lost from RAID drives, from supported RAID configurations. However, this software has been discontinued by the developer after being active for about twenty years. The ZAR software is replaced by Klennet Recovery, another impressive tool for all kinds of data recovery needs.

Pros:

  • Its free photo recovery function does not make full RAID file recovery unrestricted freeware
  • Integrates multiple RAID data recovery features
  • Simple to understand interface
  • Supports NAS data recovery.

Cons:

  • No longer active – discontinued by the developer.

How we tested the best data recovery software

  1. 1. Performance. A common issue with many of these recovery programs' rescue functions is that they only support a few different file formats. When a recovery application supports the restoration of a wide range of file formats, you may safely recover deleted pictures, videos, audio files, and other file types. Check each product’s support for your external storage device, RAID layout, and file system.
  2. 2. Speed. Nobody has enough time in this day and age. Scanning a large or damaged array can take many hours or more than a day, depending on its size, condition, and connection speed. Most efficient data recovery software packages include options for fast scanning. Some even provide customized scanning while concentrating on the recovery of a specific file.
  3. 3. Preview. The ability to preview already-identified files is a crucial feature. Preview representative files to assess their condition; a preview does not guarantee that every recovered file is intact.
  4. 4. User-Friendly. Having the finest data recovery program in the world is useless if only the creator can use it. Any software must have a straightforward user interface and be simple to use. Many recovery solutions have bright icons and ostensibly advanced functions that are actually fairly pointless. Most of the time, all the end user really needs is a clearly defined interface that works.

Common Causes of RAID Failure

Quite a lot of actions can cause RAID disk failure, but the most common causes are listed below:

  • Multiple disk failures due to bad sectors or malware
  • Power surges
  • Incorrect configurations
  • Partitions losses
  • Wrong replacement drives
  • RAID controller problems
  • Power surges.

Summary

This article reviews free and professional RAID data recovery software options, as well as highlights much important information you need to know about RAID storage technology and application.

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