OpenSuperClone
OpenSuperClone is a free Linux data recovery utility based on Scott Dwyer’s HDDSuperClone.
What OpenSuperClone is
OpenSuperClone is a free Linux data recovery utility based on Scott Dwyer’s HDDSuperClone. It provides advanced drive cloning, with a recovery workflow that is logged and can be stopped and resumed. Virtual Disk Mode enables targeted data extraction and can read from the source, the destination or neither; it can also work alongside third-party recovery software such as DMDE, R-Studio and UFS Explorer. Direct AHCI and IDE modes can bypass operating-system drivers, and the project wiki documents direct USB access. The software can use USB HID relay boards or YEPKIT YKUSH switchable hubs to power-cycle drives, and includes a script engine. Downloads include DEB and RPM packages, source installation instructions and a Linux Live ISO. OpenSuperClone is licensed under GPLv2. Its wiki is a work in progress and incomplete. Virtual drive functionality requires a kernel module, which can be built and installed when DKMS is present or installed manually. NVMe SSDs are not visible in default passthrough mode and require Generic Source Device Mode.
Good
- Free Linux utility licensed under GPLv2.
- Recovery work can be stopped and resumed.
- Offers DEB, RPM, source and Live ISO options.
- Can power-cycle drives using supported relay hardware.
Watch out
- Virtual drive functionality requires a kernel module.
- NVMe SSDs require Generic Source Device Mode.
- Wiki documentation is incomplete.
- The v2.6.0-alpha1 release is intended for developer testing, not end users.
Who it suits
It suits Linux users undertaking drive cloning or targeted data recovery who can work with its modes and kernel-module requirement. Users considering NVMe recovery should note the required Generic Source Device Mode.
Verdict
OpenSuperClone offers Linux drive cloning and targeted recovery features, including a resumable workflow and direct access modes. Be mindful of the kernel-module requirement, incomplete wiki, and NVMe mode limitation; the v2.6.0-alpha1 pre-release is not intended for end users.
Plans and prices
From OpenSuperClone's own pricing page, checked 10 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| OpenSuperClone | Free | Linux utility · GPLv2 · Virtual Disk Mode requires a kernel module |
The facts
Each one read from OpenSuperClone's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Alpha release note
- The v2.6.0-alpha1 release is marked as a pre-release intended for developers to test features, not for end users.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Bootable recovery
- Yeschecked 19 Sep 2026
- Compatibility limit
- NVMe SSDs do not appear in the default passthrough mode and require Generic Source Device Mode.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Direct access
- Direct modes can communicate with drives through AHCI, IDE, or USB to bypass the operating system.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Documentation status
- The project wiki says its documentation is a work in progress and incomplete.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The project offers pre-built DEB and RPM packages, and its wiki also lists an Arch User Repository package.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Drive cloning
- It provides advanced drive cloning capability described as akin to ddrescue.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Drive power control
- The software can use generic USB-attached HID relay boards and YEPKIT YKUSH switchable USB hubs to power-cycle drives.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Kernel module requirement
- Virtual drive functionality requires a kernel module, which is automatically built and installed when DKMS is present or can be installed manually.checked 10 Oct 2026
- License
- The software is licensed under GPLv2.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Live environment
- The project README links to a Linux Live ISO containing OpenSuperClone.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Maintainer profile
- The maintainer profile describes Julian Frohmüller as a computer repair technician interested in data recovery and lists Cologne, Germany.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- Linuxchecked 19 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- OpenSuperClone is a disk cloning and data recovery utility that creates sector-by-sector disk clones or images using a multi-phase approach for damaged or unstable media.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Recovery sources
- files; block devices; USB-attached drives; SATA-attached drives; PATA-connected drives; NVMe SSDschecked 19 Sep 2026
- Recovery workflow
- The recovery process is logged and can be stopped and resumed at any time.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Relay support
- The software can use generic USB HID relay boards and YEPKIT YKUSH switchable USB hubs to power-cycle drives.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The v2.6.0-alpha1 release is marked as a pre-release intended for developers testing new features, not end users.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Script engine
- OpenSuperClone includes a script engine for advanced interaction with drives.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Script support
- OpenSuperClone includes a script engine, and a Visual Studio Code language support extension is available for its script language.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Targeted recovery integrations
- Virtual Disk Mode supports targeted data extraction with third-party recovery software such as DMDE, R-Studio, and UFS Explorer.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Virtual Disk Mode
- Virtual Disk Mode presents the device under recovery as a virtual block device and copies requested data to the destination image as it is read.checked 10 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 19 Sep 2026
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