Overview

TestDisk works with hard drives, USB drives, memory cards, disk images, direct-attached and network storage, and Linux RAID devices. It can address damage caused by software faults or human error, from lost partitions to disks that no longer boot. Support spans Windows, macOS, Linux, DOS, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and SunOS.

The portable distribution runs after extraction, without an installer. TestDisk is open source under GNU GPL v2 or later, and the maker says it neither connects to the internet nor sends information about the user, computer, or data. The download page lists version 7.2, dated February 22, 2024, and a 7.3-WIP beta.

Key features

Partition recovery: It can repair partition tables and restore deleted partitions. The listed filesystem coverage includes APFS, FAT, exFAT, HFS+, ext2/ext3/ext4, NTFS, XFS, and ZFS, making this the product's broadest recovery strength.
Boot repair: TestDisk can rebuild or restore FAT and NTFS boot sectors, fix FAT tables, and repair an MFT from its mirror. That makes it relevant when boot failure stems from these structures, rather than a general remedy for every startup problem.
File recovery: It can undelete files from FAT, exFAT, NTFS, and ext2, and copy files from deleted partitions using FAT, exFAT, NTFS, or ext2/ext3/ext4. The distinction matters: its file recovery targets these formats, while partition support is broader.
Recovery workflow: Memory-card, RAID, and bootable recovery are supported, and file preview is available. The maker also describes use by novices and experts, including gathering drive information for a technician and onsite recovery.

Pricing

TestDisk costs 0.00 USD per free. The free software plan includes partition recovery, boot-sector repair, and file undelete; donations are optional. There is no paid tier or free trial, so teams can use the same core utility without a subscription or per-seat charge. The trade-off is that support requests go through the forum: users are asked to post a problem description, testdisk.log, and information about previous partitions. Bug reports and feature requests are directed to the developer by email.

Platforms

The listed platforms are Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its supported operating-system range also includes DOS, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and SunOS, an unusual breadth for a free recovery utility. The portable format avoids an installer, but does not remove the need to understand disk-recovery operations.

Who it's for

Choose TestDisk when partition recovery, boot-sector repair, or supported-filesystem file undelete is the priority, especially in environments that value open-source licensing, portability, and broad operating-system support. It is also a practical tool for technicians who need to collect drive information or perform onsite recovery. Look elsewhere if the requirement is a broadly oriented recovery product with a paid support channel or a different recovery focus.

Pros and cons

Pro: Partition repair, deleted-partition recovery, and boot fixes cover disk-level problems that a file-only recovery tool would not address.
Pro: Portable, GPL-licensed distribution and no internet connection or data transmission, according to the maker, suit teams that want a lightweight tool and local handling.
Pro: Filesystem and operating-system coverage extends across several families, including Linux and BSD variants.
Con: File undelete is limited to FAT, exFAT, NTFS, and ext2, with copying from deleted partitions covering ext2/ext3/ext4 alongside the other supported formats.
Con: Support relies on a forum post with logs and partition history, rather than a paid support plan.
Con: The download page includes a beta release as well as version 7.2, so users need to choose deliberately between them.

Alternatives

For broader comparisons, see Data recovery software, Partition Recovery Software, RAID Data Recovery Software, SD Card Recovery Software, and Photo Recovery Software.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a freemium alternative for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows; consider it when mobile platforms matter.
Disk Drill offers a free edition, but Windows recovery is capped at 100 MB; choose it if that allowance is sufficient.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery provides home users a free license with a 1 GB recovery limit; it may suit a small recovery job within that cap.
Wise Data Recovery is a Windows freemium option with an unlimited-validity free plan that allows 2 GB recovery and unlimited computers.
AOMEI FastRecovery offers Windows scanning, full-file previews, and up to 500 MB of free recovery; consider it when those limits fit.
EaseUS MobiSaver is a freemium alternative for macOS and Windows, with a free edition limited to one photo and video each time and five contacts each time.
Recuva is a Windows freemium alternative with a free advanced file-recovery plan.
Hasleo Data Recovery is a Windows freemium option whose home-user free plan includes a default 2 GB recovery allowance.

Verdict

TestDisk is the right choice for technically capable users and teams that need free, portable partition and boot repair across varied filesystems and operating systems. Its strongest reason to choose it is that focused disk-recovery scope at no cost; its main reason to look elsewhere is that file recovery is format-bounded and support is forum-based.

	CardRecovery	TestDisk
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	—	Free
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Windows	Linux, macOS, Windows
Free plan	No	Yes
Paid from	39.95 one-time	—
Supported platforms	windows	—
Scan modes	deep	—

CardRecovery vs TestDisk

CardRecovery

TestDisk