Wise Data Recovery claims to recover more than 1,000 file types. It supports common storage devices like USB drives, SD cards, SSDs, and HDDs.
The tool promises a decent recovery rate and fast scans. But is Wise Data Recovery really as good as it claims?
In this complete review, we will explore its features, safety, pricing, real-world test results, and user feedback. Also, We’ll compare it with a modern alternative to help you make the right choice.
Part 1: Wise Data Recovery Overview
Wise Data Recovery is a good option for recently deleted files. It works well for simple recovery tasks. The software includes a 2 GB free recovery limit—enough for most users to test results.
However, its scan time was slow on large drives. The recovery results were inconsistent after formatting and other complex scenarios.
Overall, this software from Wise Cleaner is acceptable for basic recovery. However, you shouldn’t rely on it if you are dealing with a complex data loss scenario.
Main Features
File Types and File Systems
Wise Data Recovery supports main Windows file formats:
- NTFS, FAT32, FAT, exFAT
It also supports more than 1,000 file types. This covers most common formats including ZIP, PDF, JPG, DOCX, MP4, and more. In this area, Wise doesn’t stand out—most recovery tools offer similar file support.
Note that Wise doesn’t support media reconstruction. It restores files as they are found. Recovery depends on whether the original data remains intact.
User Interface
One of Wise Data Recovery’s strengths is its simple, clean interface. The software is easy to use for anyone.
Upon launching, users see a list of connected drives and select a drive to start the scan, then recover files. There are no advanced settings that could complicate the process.
Portable Version
A portable version is available. It runs without installation, reducing the chance of overwriting data on the target drive.
The program is lightweight and uses minimal resources. In our tests, it consumed only 100 MB of memory with normal CPU usage.
Pros
- Easy to use with clean interface
- Supports all common file types
- Lightweight and portable version available
Cons
- Recovery rate drops in complex scenarios
- File preview doesn’t always work
- No advanced features
- Slow scan speeds on large drives
Part 2: Is Wise Data Recovery Free?
The software comes in two tiers: Free and Pro. The free version allows recovery up to 2 GB. After that, users must upgrade to Pro. So, it’s not completely free.
Free Version Limitations:
- 2 GB recovery limit
- No automatic updates
- No customer support
Pro Version Includes:
- Unlimited data recovery
- Automatic updates
- Technical support
How Much Does Wise Data Recovery Cost?
The Pro version doesn’t have any limit on the data recovery. So, users can recover as much data as they want.
Is Wise Data Recovery Safe?
Yes. VirusTotal scan results show the setup file is safe. All security vendors found no virus or malware in the executable. We also scanned the installed version with Microsoft Defender—no malicious files detected.
The software uses read-only mode during scanning. Therefore, your actual data on the drive is not altered.
Part 3: How to Use Wise Data Recovery?
Ensure you download Wise Data Recovery from its official website to avoid malware risks.
Let’s look at how you can use this software to recover data:
- Download and launch it. Then click “Click here to select a location” at the top left. Choose a drive or specific folder to scan.
- The scan starts automatically after selecting a location. Use filters to narrow results by file type (images, videos, documents, etc.).
- After that, you can select the files you want and click “Recover.” Then choose a location to save the restored files.
Part 4: Wise Data Recovery Test Results
We tested Wise Data Recovery in real-life scenarios. Here’s what we found:
Test 1: Simple Deletion
We deleted 120 files from a healthy 8 GB USB drive. The software detected 103 files during scanning.
We recovered 90 files—a recovery rate of approximately 75%. Most photos and documents were intact with original filenames. The scan took about 10 minutes—slower than most modern tools.
Test 2: Quick Format
We performed a quick format on a 16 GB USB drive. The software found only 60 of 100 files.
It recovered 50 files—a 50% recovery rate. Original folder structure was lost, and some large files were corrupted. And the scanning time took around 12 minutes. This test showed the software struggles with complex scenarios.
Test Summary:
The average recovery rate of Wise Data Recovery is only 62% across different situations. The scan times are also slow when compared with other modern tools.
Part 5: Real Customer Feedback on Wise Data Recovery
In the end, what really matters is the feedback from real users of Wise Data Recovery. Let’s look at what they like and what they don’t.
What Users Like
- Easy-to-use interface, ideal for non-technical users
- Lightweight design with portable version
- Works well for recently deleted files
- 2 GB free recovery limit for testing
What Users Don’t Like
- Struggles with complex recovery situations
- Recovery rate drops with formatted drives
- Scan performance is inconsistent on large drives
- Some recovered files cannot be opened
Wise Data Recovery Real User Reviews:
Seth Said:
“Scans are very slow. I only wanted to recover data from one partition, but it scanned the entire HDD and took 2 hours. It doesn’t let me select one partition.”
Jessica Said:
“The interface is very easy to use. Perfect for non-technical users.”
Chris Said:
“I faced problems with scanning. I had to try multiple times to complete the scan.”
Sophia Said:
“Some recovered files couldn’t be opened. It’s decent software, but not perfect for complex cases.”
Part 6: Better Alternative to Wise Data Recovery
A standout alternative is iToolab RecoverGo Windows Data Recovery. Why? RecoverGo handles complex data loss scenarios effectively—including deletion, formatted drives, and RAW storage.
The biggest advantage is its 99% recovery rate. You can recover nearly all your lost data. Its scan time is fast on both small and large drives.
Key Features of RecoverGo:
- 1,000+ file types: Supports all common file formats.
- 2,000+ devices: Works with SD cards, USB drives, HDDs, SSDs, and more.
- Fast scans: Quick scan with minimal memory usage, recovering files from exFAT drives in just minutes.
- User-friendly: Clean, modern interface for easy recovery.
Wise Data Recovery vs iToolab RecoverGo:
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How to Use RecoverGo:
- Install RecoverGo on your computer. Then you can select the drive you want to recover data from. Click “Search for lost data” to start the scan.
- The software starts scanning to locate deleted or lost files. Three scan modes can increase the success rate.
- Preview the found files to confirm they are intact. Select the files you need and click “Recover.”
Conclusion
Wise Data Recovery is a decent option for simple recovery tasks. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and offers a 2 GB free recovery limit for testing.
However, the 62.5% average recovery rate and slow scan speeds are significant drawbacks. What’s more, its recovery success drops dramatically with formatted drives or corrupted data.
A better choice is iToolab RecoverGo Windows Data Recovery. It offers a 99% recovery rate and handles both simple and complex data loss scenarios effectively. Given all these features, RecoverGo offers better value for your money.