59/100IFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and service focus: 4.6★ from 21 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Data recovery service”.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
Best Data Recovery Services in Ames, IA (2026)
24 data recovery services ranked by IFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Best overall in Ames: Lightedge, IFR Score 59/100; 4.6★ from 21 Google reviews; open 7 days a week.
- 2
Most-reviewed: Mobile Spot, 693 Google reviews at 4.8★, the most of 24 ranked; ranked #2.
Rankings can't be bought. IT providers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
24 Ames data recovery services are ranked here by IFR Score, from nine published factors. 8 open Saturdays and 5 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.7★ across 24 rated IT firms.
Most of this list also appears on the Data recovery services in Des Moines ranking. See Data recovery services in Des Moines
Top 10 data recovery services in Ames at a glance
Ranked by IFR Score from public data. Sponsored placements are labelled and never change the order.
| Rank | Business | IFR Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lightedge | 59 | 4.6★ (21) | Altoona, 27 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | Overall |
| 2 | Mobile Spot | 56 | 4.8★ (693) | Clive, 30 mi away | Sat | Most reviews |
| 3 | SALVAGEDATA Recovery Services | 56 | 4.9★ (34) | Des Moines, 31 mi away | — | — |
| 4 | File Savers Data Recovery | 55 | 4.8★ (40) | West Des Moines, 34 mi away | — | — |
| 5 | SALVAGEDATA Recovery Services | 55 | 5.0★ (28) | West Des Moines, 32 mi away | — | — |
| 6 | The Fix - Phone Repair, Tablet Repair and Accessories | 55 | 4.6★ (338) | West Des Moines, 34 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 7 | Iowa PC Services, Inc. | 53 | 4.9★ (301) | Des Moines, 29 mi away | — | — |
| 8 | Kemin Health | 53 | 4.0★ (8) | Des Moines, 29 mi away | — | — |
| 9 | Computer Repair of Des Moines | 53 | 4.7★ (336) | Urbandale, 28 mi away | — | — |
| 10 | Schrock Innovations Computer Repair - Des Moines Service Center | 52 | 4.6★ (97) | West Des Moines, 32 mi away | Sat · Sun | — |
The 24 best data recovery services in Ames, ranked
Ordered by IFR Score, a 0–100 score from nine published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by IFR Score from public data. Sponsored placements are labelled and never change the order.
#2 Mobile Spot
Based in Clive, 30 mi away
56/100IFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 693 Google reviews, the most in Ames.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Des Moines, 31 mi away
56/100IFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and service focus: 4.9★ from 34 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Data recovery service”.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines, 34 mi away
55/100IFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and service focus: 4.8★ from 40 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Data recovery service”.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines, 32 mi away
55/100IFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and service focus: 5.0★ from 28 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Data recovery service”.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines, 34 mi away
55/100IFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.6★ from 338 Google reviews.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Des Moines, 29 mi away
53/100IFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 301 Google reviews.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
#8 Kemin Health
Based in Des Moines, 29 mi away
53/100IFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and service focus: 4.0★ from 8 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Data recovery service”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Urbandale, 28 mi away
53/100IFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.7★ from 336 Google reviews.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines, 32 mi away
52/100IFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.6★ from 97 Google reviews.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
#11 Dymin
Based in Urbandale, 28 mi away
52/100IFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.7★ from 214 Google reviews.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Ankeny, 18 mi away
52/100IFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 44 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
#13 Lightedge
Based in Des Moines, 31 mi away
51/100IFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and service focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Data recovery service”.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
#14 Little Dog Tech
Based in West Des Moines, 32 mi away
51/100IFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 156 Google reviews.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
#15 HomeTown Tech
Based in Ames
50/100IFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.2★ from 74 Google reviews.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
#16 Iron Mountain
Based in Des Moines, 25 mi away
50/100IFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and service focus: 2.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Data recovery service”.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Ankeny, 21 mi away
50/100IFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.7★ from 37 Google reviews.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
#18 Iron Mountain
Based in Urbandale, 29 mi away
50/100IFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and service focus: 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Data recovery service”.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Des Moines, 30 mi away
49/100IFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and service focus: 4.9★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Computer service”.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
#20 US Signal
Based in Waukee, 31 mi away
49/100IFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and service focus: 4.4★ from 16 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Data center”.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
#21 TeamLogic IT
Based in Ankeny, 23 mi away
49/100IFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and review volume: 5.0★ from 39 Google reviews.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Clive, 32 mi away
47/100IFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and service focus: 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Computer repair service”.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
#23 Fidium
Based in Urbandale, 28 mi away
43/100IFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and service focus: 3.7★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Telecommunications service provider”.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
#24 US Signal
Based in Urbandale, 28 mi away
41/100IFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and service focus: 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Data center”.
Based on 8 of 9 factors; recency not yet collected.
How we ranked Ames data recovery services
We scored 24 Ames data recovery services on nine factors, weighted as shown. An IT firm is ranked when its service is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. An IT firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Ames data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Review volume | 15% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed IT firm on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 10% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 5% | Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday and 24/7 support | Measured |
| Service focus | 15% | How clearly the firm does this service (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The firm has claimed its IT Firms Ranked profile (free or paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Partnered | 5% | The firm links to IT Firms Ranked from its own website with our badge, checked periodically | Measured |
| Client reviews | 10% | Verified client reviews collected by IT Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there are | Measured |
How to choose a data recovery service
- Ask whether physical repairs are done in a clean room or clean bench, and where.
- Ask for a written quote after diagnosis and whether there is a no-data, no-charge policy.
- Check how the drive and the recovered data are kept confidential and returned or destroyed.
- Ask for two or three references from clients of your size and industry, and call them.
- Get the scope, response times and price in writing before you sign, including how you leave and get your data back.
Questions to ask a data recovery service
- Is the diagnosis free, and is there a fee if nothing is recovered?
- Where is the recovery work actually done?
- How long will it take, and what does a rush service cost?
- How will you return the data, and what happens to the original drive?
- How do you keep our data confidential?
Terms explained
- MSP (managed service provider)
- A firm that runs a business’s IT for a recurring fee: monitoring, patching, help desk, backups and security tools.
- Co-managed IT
- An arrangement where an outside firm supports an in-house IT person or team, sharing tools and tasks.
- Break-fix
- IT support paid per incident or per hour, with no monthly agreement.
- SLA (service-level agreement)
- The contract terms for response and resolution times, uptime and support hours.
- Help desk
- The support line staff call or email for IT problems.
- RMM
- Remote monitoring and management software that lets an IT firm watch, patch and fix computers remotely.
- vCIO
- A virtual chief information officer: part-time IT strategy and budgeting from an outside firm.
- MSSP
- A managed security service provider: a firm that monitors and manages security tools around the clock.
- EDR / MDR
- Endpoint detection and response software, and the managed service of people watching its alerts (managed detection and response).
- MFA
- Multi-factor authentication: a second proof of identity, such as an app prompt, on top of a password.
- Penetration test
- An authorised, simulated attack on your systems to find weaknesses before criminals do.
- SOC 2
- An independent auditor’s report (AICPA standard) on a service provider’s security controls.
Data recovery services in Ames: frequently asked questions
Who is the best data recovery service in Ames?
By IFR Score, the highest-ranked data recovery service in Ames, IA is Lightedge with an IFR Score of 59/100. It has 4.6★ from 21 Google reviews. It is open 7 days a week. Mobile Spot (#2) and SALVAGEDATA Recovery Services (#3) follow. We ranked 24 data recovery services on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many data recovery services are there in Ames?
ITFirmsRanked ranks 24 data recovery services serving Ames, IA. 1 of them is based in Ames; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which data recovery services in Ames work on weekends?
8 of 24 ranked data recovery services post Saturday hours and 5 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Lightedge (#1), Mobile Spot (#2) and The Fix - Phone Repair, Tablet Repair and Accessories (#6). Posted hours are office hours; many firms also run an after-hours support line for contract clients.
What Google rating do Ames data recovery services have?
The median Google rating among 24 rated data recovery services in Ames is 4.7★, with a median of 36 reviews. Mobile Spot has the most, 693 reviews, and ranks #2. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does ITFirmsRanked rank data recovery services?
Each data recovery service gets a 0–100 IFR Score from nine published factors, led by reputation (25%), review volume (15%), service focus (15%) and recency (10%). An IT firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only IT firms with a confirmed service and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do data recovery services outside Ames count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 50 mi of the Ames city center, our service radius for data recovery services. Each listing shows where the IT firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the IFR Score, so a nearby IT firm gets a small edge.
Can data recovery services pay to rank higher on ITFirmsRanked?
No. The IFR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured IT firms may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.
What does a data recovery service do?
Data recovery services retrieve files from failed, damaged or deleted hard drives, SSDs, RAID arrays, servers and memory cards.
How are data recovery services in Ames ranked?
By IFR Score: Google rating and review volume, recent reviews, opening hours, how clearly the firm does data recovery, distance, a claimed profile, our badge and verified client reviews. Sponsored placements never change the order.
What should we do first when a drive fails?
Stop using it. Do not keep restarting the computer, run repair utilities or open the drive yourself: each attempt can make recovery harder. Note what happened and contact a recovery service.
How is data recovery priced?
Usually after a diagnosis, by the type of failure and the urgency. Many services charge nothing if no data is recovered; ask before you send the drive.
Update log for Ames
- November 2026: IFR Scores recalculated for 24 data recovery services serving Ames.
More data recovery services and Ames pages
Data recovery services near Ames
- Data recovery services in Boone, IA24 ranked
- Data recovery services in Ankeny, IA24 ranked
- Data recovery services in Johnston, IA24 ranked
- Data recovery services in Grimes, IA24 ranked
- Data recovery services in Altoona, IA25 ranked
- Data recovery services in Urbandale, IA24 ranked
- Data recovery services in Des Moines, IA25 ranked
- Data recovery services in Clive, IA24 ranked
- Data recovery services in West Des Moines, IA24 ranked
- Data recovery services in Waukee, IA24 ranked