8 Finest Free OCR Software program in 2024

Are you and your enterprise nonetheless drowning in paperwork? Precise bodily paperwork? It’s 2024. Let’s change that.  

Your paperwork nonetheless maintain worth. You, together with workers and stakeholders, would possibly obtain and work on them for a wide range of enterprise selections daily. By switching to a free optical character recognition (OCR) software program device, you may convert non-parsable or post-data format paperwork into editable file codecs and construct an organized information repository.  All this with out paying one other bill!

Companies may also swap to the free OCR software program to arrange and handle venture information for workforce collaboration.

Let’s have a look at the listing of the 8 finest free OCR software program to make doc scanning, modifying, and digitization straightforward and handy.

How will we choose and consider OCR software program on G2?

At G2, we rank software program options utilizing a proprietary algorithm that considers buyer satisfaction and market presence primarily based on genuine person evaluations. Our market analysis analysts and writers spend weeks testing options towards a number of standards set for a software program class. We offer you unbiased software program evaluations – that is the G2 distinction! We didn’t settle for fee or trade hyperlinks for product placements on this listing. Please learn our G2 Analysis Scoring Methodology for extra particulars.

8 Finest Free OCR Software program in 2024

OCR software program offers companies with all-in-one doc help and administration providers. It permits customers to scan, search, edit, and modify pictures and convert them into editable paperwork. 

These OCR person evaluations come from G2’s finest OCR software program class web page. Please word that within the context of this listing, distributors providing a trial are thought of free.

To qualify for inclusion on this class, software program should:

• Course of digital pictures of varied file sorts 
• Seize information from scanned PDFs and convert them into Phrase paperwork
• Determine and parse non-editable plain textual content and convert it into editable textual content
• Set up digital recordsdata both on-premise or within the  cloud 
• Provide engine compatibility throughout Mac, iPhone, Linux, Android, and Microsoft Home windows

This information was pulled from G2 in 2024. Some evaluations might have been edited for readability. 

1. Laserfiche

Laserfiche, a doc creation and storage device, digitizes your complete paper path. It’s been a pioneer in offering enterprise content material administration providers to create, edit, modify, and share content material throughout inside and exterior stakeholders. Laserfiche comes with appropriate OCR integrations you could deploy to your present content material infrastructure. 

Laserfiche helps digital recordsdata and automates doc scanning and processing in order that paperwork might be shared throughout groups.

What do customers like finest:

“We love utilizing Laserfiche. It’s an especially secure storage alternative for worker and donor recordsdata that aren’t to be accessed by anybody unnecessarily. We’ve got workers that use this each day for his or her function. Implementing and administering it is rather easy, particularly when workers by accident make adjustments they didn’t imply to. Buyer help is fantastic once we run into one thing that we’ve a tough time supporting ourselves with.”

– Laserfiche Evaluate, Heidi H. 

What do customers dislike:

“Non-responsiveness on direct emails. No follow-up by sure workers. No customizable views on the monitor. I need to transfer to the cloud, however I do not need to lose performance. Cloud or prem, options ought to be the identical – all the time. Do not make us select.”

– Laserfiche Evaluate, DIANNA D. 

2. FineReader PDF for Home windows and Mac

FineReader PDF for Home windows and Mac converts PDFs into file codecs like .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .txt so you may add, parse, edit, and retrieve textual content. It additionally provides on-line OCR  to course of massive volumes of paperwork.

The software program additionally helps current scanned paperwork and converts them into machine-readable textual content. As soon as parsed, you may retailer paperwork securely in your cloud storage or on-premise.

What do customers like finest:

“I discovered FineReader’s free model to be a one-stop all-in-one device when utilizing PDF. To start out with, I just like the clear interface and the way straightforward it’s to make use of. It’s my go-to device every time I would like so as to add a digital signature to my paperwork in PDF format. I additionally like the truth that I can classify my paperwork, as this helps me in organizing my confidential paperwork. As an IT skilled, I’ve had earlier expertise utilizing ABBYY FineReader OCR answer in tasks, and seeing its seamless integration into the device looks like a sport changer for me. I simply love the OCR evaluation a part of the device.”

– FineReader PDF for Home windows and Mac Evaluate, Sreyas V.

What do customers dislike:

“In some circumstances, utilizing Abbyy’s PDF to Reside PDF conversion might have a foul impact on the doc print high quality (decision) and its file measurement.”

– FineReader for Home windows and Mac Evaluate, Yohai C.

3. TextIn 

TextIn processes and aligns texts from non-editable file codecs into an easy-to-understand and correctable file format. This doc customization and alteration device captures, extracts, and modifies textual content recordsdata in accordance with the person’s discretion.  It additionally automates document-based workflows throughout groups to extend transparency and visibility.

TextIn is understood for clever picture and doc processing and may analyze, kind, and classify information throughout a number of industries. 

What do customers like finest:

“I like that it could scale back the quantity of paper that you must carry round – you may simply scan every little thing. I additionally like that it auto-crops the picture and you may edit utilizing filters. I additionally like having the ability to save pictures in numerous file codecs.”

– TextIn Evaluate, Aarifah B. 

What do customers dislike:

“It typically crops abruptly as an alternative of cropping the required web page. It all the time places the watermark brand on the backside of the web page. It doesn’t permit optical character recognition, and within the pdf file, it saves the web page as a picture as an alternative of textual content.”

– TextIn Evaluate, Dev A.

4. Ephesoft

Ephesoft provides database automation and administration providers for companies utilizing synthetic intelligence (AI). The tip-to-end file automation promotes workforce collaboration, venture administration, and team-wide doc accessibility. Ephesoft works on delicate copies of PDF recordsdata and extracts vital information from the textual content. It additionally has a number of add-ons like type indentation, textual content alignment, and quotation help.

What do customers like finest:

“We respect a number of qualities of Ephesoft. Particularly, the software program is a wonderful and user-friendly means to assist us manage and interpret information that was much less helpful in its earlier format. The platform additionally saves money and time by robotically figuring out all file sorts and processing strategies, which reduces the necessity for human intervention. We’re additionally followers of how adaptable the interface is; we have made a number of modifications to make it work higher for our wants. All this makes Ephesoft a useful asset to our workforce as a result of it may be adopted shortly with out requiring specialist data or expertise.”

– Ephesoft Evaluate, Stephanie W. 

What do customers dislike:

“It is slower than different on-line classification and extraction instruments. Additionally, a number of options that Ephesoft advertises are discouraged by its skilled providers and help workers. Lastly, it takes substantial effort to maximise the answer’s potential, and the time required to replace can shortly add up.”

– Ephesoft Evaluate,  Shanil Okay. 

5. Nanonets

Nanonets assist scan, add, edit, re-scan, and re-save paperwork in an organized repository. It provides AI automation to autocorrect doc textual content and spotlight inconsistencies in content material. Nanonets additionally has an intuitive cellular app that means that you can scan, save and edit PDF paperwork with ease immediately from cellular gadgets. Its massive storage capability and quite a few doc modifying and formatting options make it appropriate throughout platforms.

Nanonets’ clever AI automation offers providers to 34% of Fortune 500 corporations.

What do customers like finest:

“Due to Nanonets we had been in a position to digitally course of advanced invoices and affirmation orders. The AI’s self-learning capabilities had been probably the most exceptional function for us – with the mannequin enhancing constantly as extra information was supplied.”

– Nanonets Evaluate, Nadim A. 

What do customers dislike:

“The mannequin coaching at first could be a bit tedious and arduous to visualise correctly, particularly for big and complicated recordsdata, comparable to monetary statements from suppliers from a number of international locations. However as soon as every little thing is ready up, it’s properly definitely worth the coaching time.”

– Nanonets Evaluate, Charles E. 

6. Rossum

Rossum’s (previously Elis) AI-assisted information extraction device captures invoices. This platform can assist accounting and bookkeeping professionals refine their workflows. Customers can import PDFs or scans of invoices, and Rossum robotically extracts the related information right into a structured format with out the necessity for templates. Knowledge can then be conveniently validated throughout the interface, and exported for additional processing utilizing one of many device’s software program integrations like  Netsuite or Quickbooks Desktop Professional. 

What do customers like finest:

“The very best factor about Rossum is the saved keystrokes. I imply, that is the entire level of this. From a developer perspective, Rossum’s pretty open method to permit for modification of the UI and the way information is processed by Rossum was the true promote level. My firm has very particular wants, and the flexibility to scale the UI up or down on the fly is unimaginable and simple.”

– Rossum Evaluate, Connor S.

What do customers dislike:

“Rossum might be improved by studying methods to learn Excel paperwork, and typically the repeated behaviors we train Rossum are ignored. Rossum can also be restricted to studying “straight” strains of information. If there was a option to tilt the grid to learn orders which might be misaligned, that might be appreciated.”

– Rossum Evaluate, Steven S. 

7. Base64.ai: automated doc information extraction

Base64.ai is an ML-powered information extraction and automation device that generates editable studies and tables from massive paperwork. Base64.ai intelligently captures information and labels it internally to create newer paperwork. This simplifies enterprise workflows and hurries up transactional processing between shoppers and distributors.

Base 64.ai additionally verifies and validates textual content earlier than transferring it into a special format. It ensures that the the worth and authenticity of the textual content are maintained.

What do customers like finest:

“The superior AI fashions have enhanced efficient adaptation to new doc format and information extraction from totally different kinds. It permits my workforce to make well timed selections from dependable insights obtained from extracted information. I’ve been in a position to implement many tasks throughout the set timelines resulting from correct information that I receive from totally different information sources.”

– Base64.ai Evaluate, Ruth C.

What do customers dislike:

“There are downtime incidents which have disrupted information workflows, affecting the whole information pipeline.”

– Base64.ai Evaluate, Andrew S. 

8. DocuClipper

DocuClipper summarizes textual content from PDF recordsdata and inserts it into WORD paperwork. It helps a number of file variants like .png, .jpg, or different picture recordsdata and reads inline textual content. A number one OCR device, DocuClipper is simple to make use of and in addition provides OCR tutorials for freshmen to study extra.

DocuClipper may also scan and seize multi-page invoices and bodily textual content recordsdata containing important banking or bank card information.

What do customers like finest:

“I used DocuClipper for changing my shoppers’ financial institution statements and bank card statements to Quickbooks On-line format recordsdata. It was very easy and correct, not like different software program that I’ve used for related functions. General, it’s a very intuitive, user-friendly software program. It’s extremely really useful in case you are working with PDF statements. I haven’t explored it absolutely, however thus far, it is nice.”

– DocuClipper Evaluate, Javeria Z.

What do customers dislike:

“It could be nice to have a pay-as-you-go plan for smaller companies that do not want it repeatedly however nonetheless want it for infrequent tasks. I do not want it sufficient to warrant the price of the annual plan. I wanted DocuClipper for one venture and needed to pay the month-to-month charge after which cancel the subscription. I do not want this system a lot, however after I do, it is available in very useful and saves me a ton of time.”

– DocuClipper Evaluate, Stephanie Okay. 

Comparability of the very best free OCR software program

To get a have a look at which OCR device most accurately fits your doc workflows, try our comparability desk and consider your parameters.

Free OCR software program: Steadily requested questions (FAQs)

How precisely does free OCR software program acknowledge varied fonts and handwritten textual content?

Free OCR software program makes use of machine studying and synthetic intelligence to enhance accuracy, even with handwritten textual content. Nevertheless, the accuracy varies primarily based on the standard of the enter picture and the sophistication of the OCR algorithm. Lok for OCR software program with excessive accuracy charges and strong preprocessing capabilities to deal with numerous information sorts.

How properly does free OCR software program combine with different present doc administration methods?

Most fashionable free OCR software program is designed to combine seamlessly with well-liked doc administration methods (DMS) and doc creation software program. This integration permits for the automated importing, processing, and organizing of paperwork. Earlier than buying, be certain that the OCR software program helps the APIs or connectors required by your DMS. Integration capabilities considerably improve workflow effectivity by automating doc processing and decreasing handbook information entry.

What are the highest listed OCR software program on G2?

The highest-listed OCR software program on G2 is Adobe Acrobat, FineReader PDF for Home windows and Mac, Rossum, and DocuClipper.    

Is free OCR software program secure to make use of? Does it compromise information privateness?

Free OCR software program is encrypted software program that enables entry through safe authorization. It authenticates customers through their genuine account and a one-time generated password that provides extra safety layers to your app. Additional, it prevents unauthorized customers from making adjustments to your file by producing a password Unicode that locks sure paperwork.

Construct your digital ledgers

Free OCR packages create a easy transition from arduous copies to an digital output format, supplying you with the facility to regulate information in accordance with organizational requirements. They remove the effort of paper payments and invoices and automate your information for easy processing. Whether or not you’re working with distributors, prospects, or a brand new associate, your transactional data needn’t be scattered into stacks of paper. 

 Learn the way free PDF editors can allow you to transform, edit, and modify PDF docs from a non-editable to editable format and ease your work hassles. 

Edited by Aisha West