This is a review of Yodot File Recovery, an inexpensive data recovery tool for Mac and Windows.
I’ve offered IT training and support over several decades and written software reviews and how-tos for business users. I’ve taken an in-depth look at Yodot File Recovery to let you know how likely it is to recover your lost data.
Yodot File Recovery is quite easy to use and capable of locating lost and deleted files on your Mac or PC. However, its scans are a little slow, the newest Mac file system isn’t supported, and it hasn’t achieved the same high reputation as the alternatives I recommend later in the article.
In this Yodot File Recovery review, I’ll explore the types of data the application can restore, how long this is likely to take, and weigh up your chance of success. I’ll also list other features that are offered and whether it’s suitable for beginners or advanced users.
Let’s get started.
Contents
Yodot File Recovery Overview
Yodot File Recovery can recover erased and lost files and folders, even after the recycle bin or trash has been emptied.
There are several data recovery products for Windows:
- Yodot File Recovery: $39.95
- Yodot Photo Recovery: $49.95
- Yodot Recovery Software: $69.95
The same products are available for Mac users:
- Yodot Mac File Recovery: $39.95
- Yodot Mac Photo Recovery: $59.95
- Yodot Mac Data Recovery: $79.95
The cheapest option recovers deleted or lost files only, while the second option is focused on images and other media files, such as video and music files. The most expensive option includes the features of both other programs plus the recovery of formatted drives and lost partitions.
In this review, we’ll look at Yodot Mac File Recovery. A free trial will show you if your files can be recovered before you need to pay.
Recovery Features
How is data recovery possible? A deleted file isn’t actually removed from the folder or drive, but simply marked “deleted” and the space it occupies is not available. In time, as you create new files, both the directory entry and data are likely to be overwritten.
Methods of data recovery offered:
- Deleted file recovery: A quick scan of the directory structure for deleted files
- Lost file recovery: A deep scan of a partition for lost files and file fragments no longer listed in the directory structure
Supported storage media: Hard drives and “all other external drives.” Optical storage such as CDs, DVDs, and Blueray discs are not supported.
Disclaimer: It is difficult to recover data from solid-state drives (SSDs). The TRIM technology that increases their efficiency also makes it impossible to recover your files once the trash has been emptied.
Supported file systems: FAT, NTFS, exFAT, ReFS, HFS, HFs+, and HFSX.
The Windows NTFS format is only supported on the Windows version. The new APFS Mac format is not supported at all, nor are any Link formats, such as ext2.
Supported file types: 400+ file formats including:
- Documents: PDF, RTF
- Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Picture: BMP, JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PNG, ICNS
- Music and video: WAV, MID, MOV, MP3, MPEG Type 1, MPEG Type 2, MPEG-4, AVI, 3gp, 3g2, AIFF
- Archives: ZIP, BZIP2, WinRAR
Additional Features
Yodot File Recovery offers a number of additional features:
- Saving scans for recovery at a later time
- Sorting and searching the files located to narrow down the results to a more manageable number
- Previewing located files
However, it lacks a few features offered by some other recovery applications:
- Pause and resume
- Bootable recovery drive
- Recovery Vault to store deleted files for guaranteed recovery
- Imaging and cloning
- File overwriting (secure delete)
- Defragmentation
- Deleting duplicates and other cleanup features
- SMART monitoring for early warning of failing hard drives
- Mail-in recovery service
User Experience
Setup and installation are easy and no technical knowledge is required to use the software. It doesn’t have the same focus on ease-of-use as some alternatives, and the software offers additional options for advanced users.
There are some user interface inconsistencies. For example, the “Back” button is sometimes displayed at the bottom right, and at other times the bottom left of the window.
Performance
Scanning for lost files can be time-consuming. How fast is Yodot File Recovery? Performing a deleted file recovery scan on a 4 GB USB flash drive took just over a second, and a lost file recovery scan took 18 minutes.
How does that compare with other data recovery apps? Some scanned the same drive in just four or five minutes, and others took 8-10 minutes. Selecting fewer file types would result in a faster scan, but it’s certainly not the fastest recovery tool on the market.
Effectiveness
Data recovery can never be guaranteed. How successful was Yodot File Recovery?
Unfortunately, it hasn’t been included in any comparative industry tests that I’m aware of, so I can’t compare its effectiveness with similar apps. I’m also unable to find any consumer ratings or reviews, so I can’t gauge how satisfied users are with the software.
It certainly seems to locate lost data and the lowest tier product is more affordable than similar apps. I suggest you try it. If the free trial version is able to locate your lost data, then purchase a license. Otherwise, try one of the alternatives I recommend below.
Customer Support
The Yodot Support Page [1] offers answers to a long list of frequently asked questions. The support team can be contacted via an online ticketing system or live chat.
FAQS
Is Yodot File Recovery safe?
Yes. Scanning for lost data will not overwrite or harm your existing data. A scan with Bitdefender Virus Scanner found no malware.
Is Yodot File Recovery free?
No. The free trial version will locate lost files but you need to buy a license in order to recover them.
Alternatives
If Yodot File Recovery isn’t right for you, here are some alternatives I recommend.
Stellar is an easy-to-use application with a wide variety of features. It is a reliable and effective application, but like Yodot File Recovery, its scans can be time-consuming. It’s available on both Windows and Mac.
Data Recovery offers an easy-to-use wizard that will scan your drive quickly for lost files. It’s available for both Windows and Mac.
R-Studio is an advanced tool suitable for data recovery professionals. It’s available for both Windows and Mac.
Final Verdict
Yodot File Recovery will scan your Windows or Mac computer for lost files and will likely find some, as long as you don’t need to scan the internal drive of a recent Mac. The application is easy to use and is relatively inexpensive, but its scans are slower than its competitors.
It hasn’t won a firm place in the marketplace, so few user reviews have been published and it hasn’t been included in comparative industry testing. There are strong alternatives that have achieved a high level of customer satisfaction, such as those listed above. I recommend you choose one of those instead.
References
