Kevin
Would you like to keep your photos and important files safe even if a virus attacks your operating system? Do you need a professional partition manager to clone a hard drive?
Whether an amateur or professional, you can benefit from using the best partition manager software. We selected the top choices currently available and reviewed them. Take a look at our analysis and find an app that suits you!
Quick Summary
- MiniTool Partition Wizard is our candidate for the best partition manager out there. Its free version is great for individuals, and paid editions offer enough variety and advanced features for professionals.
- AOMEI Partition Assistant supports all functions like merging, copying, formatting, deleting, and resizing partitions. The colors are vivid, and the interface is simple to secure and easy to use.
- EaseUS Partition Master comes from a reputable brand, but its free edition only supports hard drives with a capacity of up to 8TB. Some other features, such as migrating OS and repairing RAID-5 volumes, are also a part of the premium editions.
These are our primary choices for the best partition software on the market. If you want to learn more about the winners, continue reading our article. We prepared other free and paid alternatives so that you can pick a tool that meets your expectations.
Do You Need a Partition Manager?
How would you rate your computer knowledge? If you are a tech expert, you probably know what a partition manager is and whether you need it. You might be looking for an advanced partition software that gives you full freedom in managing your disk space.
For newbies, let’s discuss the basics of a partition manager. As the word suggests, these tools allow you to manage partitions on your computers and laptops. The main reason you would do that is to keep your data in order. Most users choose to store precious data like music, photos, and videos outside of the main partition. That way, your memories, and other important files are safe even if the system drive gets corrupted.
Another reason you need a partition manager is running multiple operating systems on the same device. You might want to have Windows and Linux on the same computer. That is possible if you install Windows on one partition and Mac on the other. By using the best partition manager choices below, dividing your HDD or SDD into volumes will be a piece of cake.
It is worth noting that partitioning could also boost your PC. That can be important for those using old computers, as well as experts who care about maximizing their machine’s performance. A word of advice – it might be wise to back up your primary system and valuable files before going through the partitioning. Partition managers are extremely safe, but it is another protection against losing critical data.
How We Tested and Picked the Best Partition Manager
Have you ever wondered what the best partition software should have? Our experience tells us that several features are crucial for these tools. That is why we used them when analyzing the apps and picking out choices that merit your attention.
Here are the features we considered when picking the tools in our list:
- Available functions – the basic features of every disk management app include dividing a partition, resizing, erasing, or renaming it. However, only premium managers can clone your hard drive, recover lost data, or offer other advanced functions. Your selection depends on your preferences and how you plan to use the tool. You might not need to pay extra if you only need basic functions.
- Ease of use – it should be simple for the users to perform any action. That is why the user interface is crucial. The best disk partition software will have a simple and clean layout and attractive graphics. Finding your way around and performing the desired actions will be easy. Additionally, the overall user experience should be fulfilling. That implies the tool should be reliable, safe, and resistant to crashes and bugs.
- Hard drive space – while you can run some partition managers from a CD or USB, others will require HDD installation. The good news is that these programs usually do not require a lot of space. However, if that is important to you, it is possible to find variations that will save as much HDD storage room as possible.
- Affordability – it would be foolish not to consider the price. Some tools are completely free, while others are only available in paid versions. You can also find disk management software whose light version is free, but a full-featured one requires payment.
Now that you are aware of the process of picking the best disk management software, let’s take a look at our choice of partition managers!
The Winners
Best Overall: MiniTool Partition Wizard
After an extensive review of numerous tools available on the market, we found that MiniTool Partition Wizard is the best partition manager. You can choose between no less than six different editions, but the basic one is free. That means it won’t cost you a single cent to use this tool.
And the best part is that there are no time limitations with the free version. You can use MiniTool Partition Wizard as long as possible and as often as you like. The difference to paid versions is in the range of features that the program offers.
What Functions Are Available in the MiniTool Partition Wizard Free?
Average users will love the available functions since all the basic ones are out there. You can resize partitions, merge, split or extend them and even set them as logical or primary. It is possible to convert files from FAT to NTFS, but not the other way around (it requires a premium version).
Apart from formatting, you can also wipe a partition so that no recovery program can recover the data you deleted. Setting the desired drive letters and labels is also possible, and you can also check file systems, scan deleted and lost partitions, and rebuild MBR. The free version doesn’t offer dynamic disk management or the Boot Media Builder. It also doesn’t support Windows Server or usage in business settings.
Pick Your Premium Edition
If you need MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro, here is an overview of features and pricing plans:
- Pro – a considerable upgrade compared to the free edition. It features dynamic disk management, an option to copy and migrate OS from MBR to GBT disks, as well as additional functions like changing the cluster size, serial number, and partition type ID. The price for a single-device license is $59.
- Pro Ultimate – the features are the same as in the Pro version, and the only difference is that you get a license for three devices for $99.
- Server – the main difference is that this edition supports Windows Server, which previous editions don’t. The price is $259 for a single device, and you get all the features that MiniTool Partition offers. Apart from the support via e-mail, you can also contact the manufacturer over the phone.
- Enterprise – the business version that allows you to install the tool on 99 devices within a company. The license costs $399.
- Technician – you can purchase a license for 299 devices of your choice for $699.
Does MiniTool Partition Wizard Really Work?
We performed a test run of this program, and our conclusion is that it is the best disk partition software. Individuals who need it for personal computers will be delighted with the features in the free version. Professionals who want additional options, such as Windows Server support, can get an advanced premium version based on their needs.
As you can see, the activity panel is on the left side, and you can see the overview of all existing partitions on your drives in the main section. Disk map helps you to understand the size of each partition, and the legend bar is also very useful.
How to Move or Resize Partition
You access all functions from the action panel on the left. Let’s say that you want to move or resize the partition. You start by choosing the command from the menu.
If you look at the Disk Map for Disk 2 on the screen above, you will find 68.5GB of unallocated space.
Clicking on the “Move/Resize Partition” allows you to resize the partition. You adjust the size by typing the desired value of pulling the arrow in the preferred direction.
Once you press “OK,” the tool will take you back to the main window. You will now see the changes in the Disk Overview section. However, please note that the changes still haven’t been applied.
If you want to finalize the process, click the Apply button in the upper left corner. It will take a couple of seconds for the changes to be applied.
Convert FAT to NTFS
Let’s say that you have a portion of your drive that utilizes the FAT32 file system, and you want to convert it to NTFS to match the rest of the drive.
Go ahead and pick the converting function in the left-side menu. A pop-up will appear, and it will look like this:
Start the process and allow the program a couple of minutes to finalize it. The time required will depend on the size of your partition. You will receive a message that the conversion is completed.
We also tried other partition management commands, such as merging, formatting, and deleting a partition. The app performed every command successfully, which confirms that it is very reliable.
Runner-Up: AOMEI Partition Assistant
AOMEI Partition Assistant comes in free and paid versions. If you are an average home user, you might find the basic version of the best partition manager out there.
The free edition supports Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8/8.1, and 10. All the basic functions are there, including resizing, creating, deleting, and formatting partitions. You can also merge and copy the entire volumes, or wipe the hard drive completely.
Splitting and aligning the partition is only available in premium versions, as well as allocating free space between the volumes. The Server, Unlimited, and Technician Editions support Windows Server, and all premium editions come with lifetime free updates.
The software features simple graphics that are pleasant to the eye. From the main interface, everything is at your fingertips. The left-side menu offers specific disk operations to choose from, as well as wizards, such as the ones for partition recovery and bootable media.
The main section gives an overview of the existing partitions, including used and free space. Apart from choosing the desired option from the left-side menu, you can also right-click the partition you want to adjust.
For example, if you want to resize the partition, click on the first command in the submenu that appeared. From there, follow the very simple instructions. The program is user-friendly, which is also why we consider it the best partition software.
Also Great: EaseUS Partition Master
EaseUS is a famous brand that has been around for over 15 years. Apart from Partition Master, they also design phone transfer, data recovery, and backup and restore tools. It is interesting to note that EaseUS Partition Master had over 10 million downloads ever since it was made.
The current version of the tool is 13.8, and it is constantly being improved. These upgrades are why it is worth considering as the best disk partition software on the market.
The free edition supports hard disk capacities up to 8TB. You can use it on all versions of Windows from XP to 10, and all the adjustment functions are available.
If you want to activate partition recovery and migrate OS options, as well as repair RAID-5 volumes, you will need a paid version. You can choose between the Professional and Server editions, which largely differ in price. The good news is that both premium versions are available via a free trial.
Working with the EaseUS Partition Master is simple. You start from the main interface that features an overview of existing partitions. Once you select the desired partition on the left, you have the available commands on the right.
Picking one will result in a pop-up screen appearing. For example, we picked the Resize/Move function for the screen above. Everything is graphical and user-friendly. Even beginners shouldn’t have any problem finding their way around the tool.
The Paid Competition
Paragon Partition Manager
Paragon Software designed Partition Manager years ago, and the current Community Edition is completely free as long as you don’t use it commercially. Paragon Partition Manager might be the best free partition software you have ever tried, but only if you are not looking for advanced functions.
You can resize, create, delete, and undelete partitions, as well as change their labels and look for errors with a surface test. Although it is easy to use, you still can’t migrate operating systems or use it on Windows Server.
The interface could not get any simpler, but it is very intuitive. The manufacturer implemented a clean layout with the smart use of colors. The partition overview takes a big part of the screen with the available operations listed on the left.
If you are looking for advanced features, they are available in Paragon Hard Disk Manager. Think of it as an upgraded version of this free tool.
Acronis Disk Director
Acronis Disk Director offers far more than pure partition management. However, that is available within this tool, and you can rely on it at all times. Whether you are creating, deleting, or re-organizing your partitions, the app will do the job efficiently.
The program is simple, and it offers a beginner-friendly interface. The Help section is always useful if you get stuck and can also be used to collect system information.
The product offers advanced features, such as cloning disks, formatting them, and even recovering volumes that you accidentally deleted.
A demo version is available to test the software and see if it works for you. If you like it, you will need to download the premium version to unlock all features.
Macrorit Partition Expert
Macrorit Partition Expert is a tool that you will like for its wide support across all Windows editions and versions. Whether you install it on a 32 or 64-bit system, it will be reliable and perform the desired operations quickly.
Can the basic version be the best free partition manager on the market? If you need a portable tool to efficiently adjust partition sizes and labels to your liking, this is a great choice.
Any action you wish to take will only require a couple of clicks. Whether you want to merge volumes or convert partition status from Primary to Logical, you start by choosing the partition in the central section. Next, you pick the preferred command on the left and run the process.
The Macrorit Partition Expert comes with a Cancel-at-Will feature. If you notice you made a mistake, you can cancel the process before it ends. That way, you keep your data safe despite the mistake you made.
A Few Free Alternatives
GParted
GParted is an open-source tool, which means it is free to use without limitations. Its great advantage is that it works on Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems. You can also run it from a flash drive or CD, which is quite convenient.
GParted is a simple tool, but it is not the most intuitive out there. The graphics are a bit outdated, and you shouldn’t expect any advanced features. However, labeling, moving, resizing, and deleting partitions is something that this tool will do reliably.
Active@ Partition Manager
Active@ Partition Manager is a part of a complex data recovery solution called Active@ Undelete. The good news is that this module is completely free, and it works as a separate tool.
The app works with multiple formats ranging from NTFS and FAT to UFS and JFS. You can create FAT32 partitions up to 1TB or even create multiple partitions on a flash drive. The interface might seem a bit cluttered, but you shouldn’t have a hard time finding the desired commands.
Conclusion
Have you already discovered the best partition manager for your needs? It all comes down to your preferences and whether you need advanced functions.
If you are looking for a tool to resize and manage partitions on your personal computer, a reliable free tool will do. But if you are a professional that needs to clone operating systems and perform complex actions easily, you will need the best disk management software out there.
The good news is that most tools come with a trial or demo version to try them out before buying. You can always start with the free version, and move on to a premium edition only if necessary. After testing it, pick a plan that suits your requirements and enjoy using a reliable tool that perfectly fits your needs!
