SSD recovery test · September 2026

Stellar Data Recovery Review 2026: SSD Recovery Limitations

Stellar handles ordinary deleted-file jobs reasonably well, yet its SSD claims need a large asterisk. Once TRIM clears the blocks, a deep scan cannot bring the data back.

By Pjirc Blog Editorial Team Published · Updated
4.8 /10
Too Uncertain for SSD Recovery Usable scans, weak SSD outcomes, muddled licensing
Not recommended
Quick verdict

Stellar Data Recovery is not our pick for SSD recovery. Its clean workflow cannot overcome TRIM, while scan results sometimes preserve filenames without yielding usable file contents. Download Disk Drill first for clearer previews, disk imaging, broader recovery tools, plus one license covering Windows or macOS.

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The biggest risk is paying after a promising scan, only to discover that TRIM has already replaced the recoverable SSD data with zero-filled blocks.

Download Disk Drill Free See full scorecard

Stellar Data Recovery at a Glance

4.8/10

Stellar Data Recovery is a desktop utility for retrieving deleted files, lost partitions, plus data from formatted or inaccessible storage. Its SSD support remains constrained by TRIM, controller behavior, encryption, plus later writes.

Best forWindows users recovering a small number of recently deleted files from an HDD, USB drive, or memory card

Main features
  • Quick Scan plus Deep Scan
  • Lost-partition search
  • RAW-volume recovery
  • BitLocker drive scanning
  • Disk imaging plus cloning
Pricing Free 1 GB recovery, plus 1 GB after sharing · Professional $99.99/yr list price · Premium $209.99/yr list price
Standout featureA relatively generous free recovery allowance for small jobs
What we liked
  • Simple guided workflow
  • Free previews before payment
  • Useful imaging tools
What we didn't
  • TRIM defeats many SSD recoveries
  • Separate operating-system licenses
  • Advanced features are split across editions

How We Tested Stellar Data Recovery for SSD Limitations

We assessed Stellar around deleted-file recovery, formatted-volume scans, preview behavior, disk-image handling, plus the distinction between intact metadata versus intact file contents. Extra weight went to how clearly the app explained TRIM because that detail changes the likely outcome before a scan even starts.

We also reviewed the September 2026 Windows editions, free recovery cap, system support, plus current license structure. Results from removable flash media served as a control because an SD card without active TRIM behaves very differently from a system SSD.

When to Avoid DIY Recovery on an SSD

Skip DIY software if the SSD disappears from Disk Management, disconnects, overheats, reports the wrong capacity, or contains irreplaceable business records. Repeated power cycles or scans can make a failing device worse.

A lab is also the safer route after electrical damage, liquid exposure, controller failure, or encryption trouble. If ordinary deletion triggered TRIM, even a lab may find nothing usable, but opening several recovery apps will not improve the odds.

How Stellar Data Recovery Scored for SSD Recovery

CategoryPerformanceScore
01 SSD Recovery Results
3.2/10
02 Scan Experience
6.8/10
03 Preview Reliability
5.1/10
04 Recovery Toolkit
6.3/10
05 Cost and Licensing
3.9/10

Stellar Data Recovery SSD Performance in Detail

01

SSD Recovery Results

TRIM sets a hard ceiling

3.2/10

Stellar can scan an SSD, locate old file records, plus display filenames after deletion. That does not mean the file data still exists. On a modern Windows SSD with TRIM active, deleted blocks may be cleared or returned as zeros before the scan begins.

This creates the review's central problem. A successful-looking scan can still produce empty, damaged, or unplayable files. Stellar acknowledges that SSD results depend on TRIM plus overwriting, but that warning deserves more prominence before users spend money.

What we liked
  • Recognizes internal SATA SSDs
  • Can scan SSD disk images
  • Lists files that retain readable metadata
What we didn't
  • Cannot reverse completed TRIM commands
  • Found filenames may point to zero-filled data
  • Continued SSD use quickly lowers recovery odds
02

Scan Experience

Simple enough for a first attempt

6.8/10

The scan process is Stellar's best part. You select file types, choose a volume, then start with Quick Scan before moving to Deep Scan. Results can be viewed by folder, file type, or deleted-file status.

That simplicity helps with an accidentally deleted folder on an HDD or memory card. SSD cases are less straightforward because the interface cannot tell you whether the controller has already purged the underlying blocks. The scan may take hours without changing that outcome.

What we liked
  • Clear drive-selection screen
  • Quick Scan keeps simple jobs short
  • Deep Scan is easy to start
  • Scans can be paused or saved
What we didn't
  • Long scans may create false hope on trimmed SSDs
  • Technical SSD status is poorly explained
03

Preview Reliability

Useful evidence, not a recovery promise

5.1/10

Preview is the most useful checkpoint before paying. A photo that opens at full size or a video that plays beyond its opening seconds has a better chance than a file represented only by a name, icon, or thumbnail.

Still, a filename is not proof of intact content. Large videos, fragmented media, uncommon formats, plus partially overwritten documents may preview poorly or fail after export. Disk Drill presents previews, recovery chances, filters, plus advanced camera recovery in a more useful workflow.

What we liked
  • Preview works before purchase
  • Results can be filtered by type
  • Tree view may retain familiar paths
What we didn't
  • Thumbnails can outlive the original file data
  • Fragmented video recovery is inconsistent
  • Preview support varies by file format
04

Recovery Toolkit

Good basics with awkward edition splits

6.3/10

Professional includes lost-partition searches, RAW-drive scans, BitLocker recovery with the key, bootable-media support, disk imaging, plus drive cloning. Those are relevant tools rather than decorative extras.

The trouble is packaging. Photo or video repair requires Premium, while RAID work moves to Technician. Disk Drill keeps its core personal recovery features, byte-to-byte backup, recovery-chance estimates, plus camera-focused scanning under one PRO license for Windows or macOS.

What we liked
  • Creates disk images before scanning
  • Supports RAW volumes
  • Can search for lost partitions
  • Includes BitLocker recovery when the key is available
What we didn't
  • Photo or video repair sits in a pricier edition
  • RAID features require Technician
  • Windows or Mac licenses are sold separately
05

Cost and Licensing

A poor fit for a one-time SSD emergency

3.9/10

Stellar Free recovers 1 GB at no charge, with another 1 GB unlocked through a social share. Professional is listed at $99.99 per year, while Premium has a $209.99 annual list price. Temporary discounts appear often, so the checkout total needs careful reading.

The free allowance beats Disk Drill's 100 MB Windows limit. Disk Drill pulls ahead on paid licensing because its $89 annual plan or $149 lifetime license covers both Windows plus macOS on up to three devices. That is easier to live with after the immediate recovery job ends.

What we liked
  • 1 GB can be recovered without payment
  • An extra 1 GB is available after a social share
  • Scanning plus previewing are free
What we didn't
  • Professional uses an annual license
  • Windows or macOS purchases are separate
  • Repair features raise the price further
Free $0 1 GB recovery, plus 1 GB after a social share
Professional $99.99/yr Individual Windows license at list price
Premium $209.99/yr Adds photo plus video repair at list price

Stellar Data Recovery vs Disk Drill — SSD Recovery Head to Head

We compared both apps around the same practical problem: deleted files on SSDs, plus control tests using removable media where TRIM was not a factor. Previews, imaging options, licensing, plus result clarity carried more weight than the number of files merely listed.

Metric Stellar Data Recovery Disk Drill
SSD result clarity Lists recoverable records, but TRIM risk is easy to underestimate Clear previews plus per-file recovery-chance estimates
Disk imaging Disk image plus drive cloning in Professional Free byte-to-byte backup with flexible image scanning
Camera media recovery Signature scanning, with repair placed in Premium Advanced Camera Recovery for fragmented video files
Free Windows recovery 1 GB, plus 1 GB after a social share 100 MB
Platform license Windows or macOS sold separately One license covers Windows plus macOS
Paid personal license Professional $99.99 per year at list price $89 per year or $149 lifetime
Overall score 4.8 / 10 8.8 / 10

Use Disk Drill Instead of Stellar Data Recovery

Disk Drill gives you better evidence before payment, a stronger removable-media workflow, plus licensing that makes sense if you use both major desktop platforms.

01

Disk Drill

A clearer first choice for DIY recovery

8.8/10

Disk Drill is the better starting point for deleted files, formatted memory cards, RAW drives, plus SSD cases where data may still remain. Its free edition lets you scan, inspect unlimited previews, create byte-to-byte backups, plus recover 100 MB on Windows.

It cannot defeat completed TRIM either. No honest recovery app can. What it does better is show recovery chances, handle disk images cleanly, support fragmented camera media through Advanced Camera Recovery, plus package Windows or macOS access under one personal license.

Why We Recommend It
  • One license covers Windows plus macOS
  • Byte-to-byte backup is available free
  • Strong preview filters plus recovery-chance labels
  • Advanced Camera Recovery handles fragmented media
  • Lifetime license includes future upgrades
Caveats
  • Windows free recovery stops at 100 MB
  • Mac Basic mainly scans plus previews
  • Paid licenses are generally nonrefundable after delivery
Basic $0 Unlimited scanning plus previews, 100 MB Windows recovery
PRO Annual $89/yr Unlimited personal recovery on up to three devices
PRO Lifetime $149 One-time license with future upgrades
Disk Drill Review ↗ Download Disk Drill

What Users Report About Stellar Data Recovery

One Reddit user said Stellar found most project files during an SSD scan, though the discussion stressed that visible results do not bypass TRIM or guarantee usable recovery.
Reddit user · r/AskADataRecoveryPro
Trustpilot reviewers commonly praise the support team's patience plus quick replies. Critical reviews mention files that could not be repaired, software that failed to deliver the expected result, plus refund trouble.
Trustpilot reviewers · Trustpilot
A Reddit user described Stellar working well in a previous recovery, though the current case involved an SSD that had been repurposed as boot media, a scenario with serious overwrite risk.
Reddit user · r/techsupport

Should You Use Stellar Data Recovery for an SSD?

Stellar Data Recovery is not recommended for SSD-focused recovery. It is approachable, plus the free 1 GB allowance is useful, but filenames or thumbnails can create misplaced confidence after TRIM has cleared the real data. It remains reasonable for a small HDD or memory-card job, though most buyers should scan with Disk Drill first for stronger previews, imaging, camera recovery, plus better cross-platform licensing.

Top pick Disk Drill
Power the affected SSD off immediately, connect it as a secondary drive, create a byte-to-byte image if it remains readable, then scan the image rather than repeatedly scanning the original device.

Stellar Data Recovery SSD Questions, Answered

Can Stellar Data Recovery recover deleted files from an SSD in 2026?
Sometimes, but only if TRIM has not wiped the blocks yet. On most modern SSDs, deleted data is often gone fast, so the tool is hit or miss for plain file deletion.
Why does Stellar Data Recovery struggle more with SSDs than hard drives?
SSDs use TRIM, wear leveling, plus controller-level management that can overwrite or invalidate deleted data quickly. That makes traditional scan-based recovery far less reliable than it is on spinning drives.
Does Stellar Data Recovery work after an SSD format?
A quick format may still leave some recoverable traces, but success is inconsistent. After a full format, the odds usually drop sharply because the SSD often clears data more aggressively.
Is Stellar Data Recovery a good choice for NVMe SSD recovery?
It can detect NVMe drives, but detection is not the same as recovery. For NVMe SSDs, especially newer models, results are often weak once TRIM or secure erase has run.
What files are most likely to be recovered from an SSD with Stellar?
Small, recently deleted files have the best chance, especially if the drive was idle right after deletion. Large media files, older documents, plus heavily used drives tend to be much harder to recover.
Does Stellar Data Recovery recover data from a failed SSD that is not showing up in Windows?
Only sometimes. If Windows cannot see the drive at all, the software may not be able to scan it, which means you may need a hardware-level repair or a professional lab.
Can Stellar Data Recovery undo an SSD secure erase?
No, not in any realistic way. Secure erase is designed to make recovery impossible, so software tools like Stellar usually have nothing useful left to scan.
How much does Stellar Data Recovery cost for SSD recovery in 2026?
Pricing varies by edition, but the real cost issue is that buying a license does not guarantee SSD results. If your data is already trimmed or erased, paying more will not change the outcome.
Is the free version of Stellar Data Recovery enough for SSD recovery testing?
It is fine for checking whether the drive is detected and whether any files are visible. The free scan can help you judge the odds before you spend money, which is useful because SSD recovery failures are common.
What are the biggest signs Stellar Data Recovery will fail on my SSD?
If the SSD was deleted from days ago, has been used heavily since, or TRIM is enabled, recovery chances are usually poor. A drive that was encrypted, then wiped, is another bad sign.
Can Stellar Data Recovery recover files from a corrupted SSD partition table?
Yes, partition damage is one of the better cases for software recovery. If the actual file data still exists on the SSD, Stellar may rebuild the view of the drive even when the partition map is broken.
Should I run Stellar Data Recovery right after deleting files from an SSD?
Yes, if you plan to try software recovery at all, stop using the drive immediately. Every write after deletion can replace the blocks you are hoping to recover.
Is Stellar Data Recovery better than Recuva for SSDs?
Neither is magic on SSDs, but Stellar usually offers more scan controls plus broader format support. Recuva can be simpler for quick checks, while Stellar is the heavier tool when the drive is still readable.
What should I do before using Stellar Data Recovery on an SSD?
Clone the SSD first if possible, then run recovery against the clone instead of the original drive. That keeps you from making the damage worse if the original drive starts failing.
Can Stellar Data Recovery recover photos from a Samsung or Crucial SSD?
Maybe, but the brand matters less than TRIM, encryption, plus how long the files have been gone. Consumer SSDs from Samsung, Crucial, or others all face the same core recovery limits.
Does encryption make Stellar Data Recovery useless on an SSD?
If the encrypted drive is unlocked plus the data blocks still exist, some recovery is possible. If the drive was erased while encrypted, the tool usually cannot reconstruct anything meaningful.
What is a better alternative if Stellar fails on my SSD?
If the SSD is still detected, try another recovery tool with deep scan options, but do not expect miracles. If the drive is not visible, a professional data recovery service is often the only real next step.
Where can I read the official Stellar Data Recovery details before buying?
Start with the company site at Stellar Info so you can compare editions, supported devices, plus current limits. For SSD cases, the fine print matters more than the marketing copy.