Optical character recognition helps you convert written images to a text format that you can share and edit, like PDF files. Having your passports, bills, bank statements or any printed document at your disposal in digitized format can save you a lot of time and energy. Fortunately, there are many simple and free versions of this software on the market.
In this article, we will list the best free OCR software currently available.
Tesseract OCR
TesseractThe open source OCR can be customized to your liking and works with over 100 languages. It works with both horizontal and vertical text images, as well as documents written in multiple languages. This software can be used with various programming languages such as C++, Python, Java, and others. It is important to note that although Tesseract will extract text from images, it works best with horizontal images.
Microsoft OneNote OCR
Supported by MicrosoftOneNote, OCR allows you to scan text from images and paste them into your notes. You can then edit the text and use it in Word, email, or anywhere else. It’s a useful OneNote feature that not many users are familiar with. OCR works its magic when you right-click the image, select Copy text from image, and paste it wherever you want.
OneNote OCR works with multiple images in a single file, as well as handwritten notes.
Google OCR
Google cloud service Google Drive, also has optical character recognition. It works with most image formats, as well as notes you’ve written. Like most similar programs, it performs better when you load clear images. Google OCR is free, easy to use, and supports most languages. The OCR translation is fast and you can move on to editing the text if necessary.
Simple OCR
Although you might think Simple OCR is outdated, it is, as the name suggests, easy to use. Simple OCR is a free, easy-to-use option for scanning your images. Works with handwritten notes and machine-printed images. Simple Software offers a guide on its services, including receipt scanning, data capture, invoice processing, etc.
File Stack
You may be familiar with File Stack as a file management service that allows you to upload, manage and deliver your documents. Its OCR is a high-precision intelligence service that can detect every detail of your images, including lines, text areas, and most importantly, words. Filestack works with passports, IDs, invoices and handwritten notes and aims to minimize errors in data extraction.
Capture2Text
Capture2Text The OCR service is a convenient solution that uses keyboard shortcuts to capture images from your desktop and convert them to text. Save your data to the clipboard, which you can paste wherever you want. You can customize keyboard shortcuts to your liking and convert data quickly.
Nanonetworks
Based on artificial intelligence, Nanonetworks helps you transform your manual data entry into an automatic model. What makes this software stand out from the crowd is its ability to read and convert images that other services might consider unreadable. Your documents don’t need to follow common templates for Nanonets to work. The AI learns and improves every time you use the app.
Nanonets has over 10,000 customers converting financial documents, such as invoices and receipts, as well as personal documentation such as passports and IDs.
Lightweight PDF
Lightweight PDF allows you to edit, annotate and manage your PDF files, also allowing you to OCR your files with just a few clicks. Convert images accurately without loss of quality. Additionally, it is available on all platforms including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
You can extract your files in many formats, from PPT, JPG, PNG and TXT. There are no ads and LightPDF deletes your data after editing, making it a safe option. It’s easy to use and editable documents are ready in seconds.
Boxoft
BoxoftThe free OCR detects texts with multiple columns and a large number of languages, such as Spanish, Dutch, French, German and more. It is free for both personal and commercial use. It has a useful feature that allows you to place the original image and the converted text side by side. This helps make your tasks quick and easy as you don’t have to go back and forth while editing.
Boxoft also has options to crop, rotate, and deskew images, so you don’t have to worry about using additional apps for editing.
Readiris 17
As a PDF publishing and OCR software, Readiris 17 allows you to convert your files in an easy way. One of its main advantages is the recognition of more than 130 languages. Readiris uses dictionaries, which makes it precise. It also has many different conversion output formats.
This software edits the text embedded in your images, while using OCR and preserving the original formatting. If you want to convert business cards, Readiris may not be for you as it does not support these types of documents.
Wondershare
With built-in OCR function, Wondershare offers users accurate text recognition from images and conversion to PDF files. Your portable document is then ready to be edited and shared. Wondershare OCR is available for Windows, Mac, and iOS and supports over 20 languages.
This software aims to preserve the original formatting of your documents, including headers, footers, page numbering, and notes.
Easy Screen OCR
Easy screen is a smart app that extracts words from your screenshots. It allows you to select the specific part of the screenshot you want to focus on or you can convert the entire image. It is easy to use and supports more than 100 languages. Easy Screen also has a translation service for users who wish to edit and translate their content. Please note that this feature does not work in the 100 languages that Easy Screen supports during conversion.
You can use the software on any device, regardless of the operating system you use. The OCR process is done online, so your files will be much smaller (less than 8 MB).
Finding the OCR Software That Works Best for You
Using free OCR software helps you stay organized and archive all your documents. You can store them all in one place and email them when needed. Digitizing your documents saves you a lot of trouble and space. Always try to take clear photos of your documents to ensure the software can make the most of them and be accurate.