18 rules in 4 groups, worth 100 points in all. They were set before any product was scored and apply the same way to all 12.
Version 1, published 9 Oct 2026
In short
Each rule is a yes-or-no fact, a list (such as the systems with an app) or a number with published thresholds, read from the vendor's own pages.
A fact the vendor does not publish earns nothing. A feature in beta or preview does not count.
The list follows the points. A tie goes to the lower price on "cheapest paid edition", then to the name.
Partition managers that run on Windows PCs, as an app, built into Windows, or from a bootable disc or USB stick that starts a Windows PC. Counts editions licensed for personal use on 1 or 2 PCs; business, server and technician editions are left out. Disk imaging and backup suites, data recovery suites and Mac-only tools are left out.
Partition tools 26 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Resize and move partitions
The vendor says you can shrink, extend or move a partition and keep the files on it, on at least one edition for individuals.
8
Merge partitions
The vendor says you can merge two partitions into one and keep the files from both, on at least one edition for individuals.
4
Give free space to another partition
The vendor documents one operation that moves free space from one partition to another, including a partition that is not next to it, on at least one edition for individuals.
3
Split a partition
The vendor says you can split one partition into two and keep the existing files, on at least one edition for individuals.
4
Convert FAT32 to NTFS
The vendor says you can convert a FAT32 partition to NTFS without formatting it, on at least one edition for individuals.
3
File systems named
A vendor page names the file system as one the product can create, format or resize (not just read). Each one earns 1 point.
4
Disks and system 31 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Convert MBR and GPT without data loss
The vendor says you can convert a disk between MBR and GPT and keep the data, on at least one edition for individuals.
8
Migrate Windows to another drive
The vendor says you can move or copy the Windows system to a new HDD or SSD so it still starts, on at least one edition for individuals.
8
Clone a whole disk
The vendor says you can copy an entire disk, with all its partitions, to another disk, on at least one edition for individuals.
7
Recover lost partitions
The vendor says it can find and restore deleted or lost partitions, on at least one edition for individuals.
5
Disks over 2 TB
A vendor page states that it supports GPT disks larger than 2 TB on at least one edition for individuals.
3
Safety and media 15 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Bootable disc or USB
The vendor offers a bootable disc or USB image that starts a PC with no working Windows, on at least one edition for individuals.
7
Protection if an operation is interrupted
A vendor page names a specific feature, such as rollback, power-loss protection or cancel-at-will, that restores or keeps the disk intact if a resize or move is interrupted on at least one edition for individuals. General claims of 'safe' or 'secure' do not count.
5
Open source
The source code of the app is public under an open-source licence.
3
Price and licence 28 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Free edition
A free edition or free product for home use with no time limit (not a trial) that can resize or move a partition.
8
Cheapest paid edition
The cheapest paid edition licensed for personal use, in US dollars before tax: the lower of the 12-month price and any one-time lifetime price. Use the price the vendor's price or checkout page shows on the day it is read, with no coupon code; ignore crossed-out 'original' prices. A product with no paid edition counts as $0; a product with no public price records null. $40 or less earns 10 points, $50 or less 8, $60 or less 6, $70 or less 4, $100 or less 2.
10
One-time licence
The vendor sells a perpetual or lifetime licence for an edition for individuals, so no yearly renewal is needed. Free products and subscription-only products do not earn it.
6
Money-back period of 30 days or more
The vendor's refund policy or purchase page states a period of at least 30 days to ask for money back on a paid edition for individuals. 'All sales final' is false.