GNU Project· Software

GNU ddrescue

A free command-line tool that copies a failing disk to an image or another disk, saving the easy areas first and coming back for the hard ones.

Price: Free (open source, GNU GPL)
Used for: Hard disk tools SSD tools Pen drive and memory card tools Recovery software
Facts checked: 24 October 2026

Visit the official website ↗

Runs on Linux and other Unix-like systems
Licence Free, open source (GPL)
Resumes From its map file
Main use Imaging failing disks

What it does

ddrescue is the classic free tool for the first and most important step: getting a copy of a failing drive before working on it.

Copies the readable areas first, then returns to the difficult ones automatically
Keeps a map file, so a stopped copy carries on where it left off
Never overwrites data it already saved, so each run only fills gaps
Can merge several damaged copies into one good image

What it supports

Disks: Any disk the system can see
SATA
SCSI
USB
SD cards
Runs on: Linux and other Unix-like systems
Extra tool: ddrescuelog (edits and compares map files)
Licence: GNU GPL

Editions and prices

GNU ddrescue

Free and open source (GNU GPL)
Latest release

1.30 (2 January 2026)

From the maker's website on 24 October 2026. Prices change; confirm with the maker.

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Sources: the maker's official pages

https://www.gnu.org/software/ddrescue/

Checked on 24 October 2026.

Before you buy

Check the maker's supported list for your exact drives or chips.
Prices and features change; ask the maker or its official reseller.
Never use cracked copies: they break drives and carry malware.

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