Are you and your corporation 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, may obtain and work on them for a wide range of enterprise choices day-after-day. By switching to a free optical character recognition (OCR) software program software, you’ll be able to convert non-parsable or post-data format paperwork into editable file codecs and construct an organized knowledge repository.  All this with out paying one other bill!

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

Let’s have a look at the listing of the 8 finest free OCR software program to make doc scanning, enhancing, and digitization simple 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 opinions. 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 change 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 supplies companies with all-in-one doc assist and administration companies. It permits customers to scan, search, edit, and modify photos and convert them into editable paperwork. 

These OCR person opinions 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-about free.

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

• Course of digital photos of assorted file varieties 
• Seize knowledge 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 information both on-premise or within the  cloud 
• Supply engine compatibility throughout Mac, iPhone, Linux, Android, and Microsoft Home windows

This knowledge was pulled from G2 in 2024. Some opinions could have been edited for readability. 

1. Laserfiche

Laserfiche, a doc creation and storage software, digitizes your total paper path. It’s been a pioneer in offering enterprise content material administration companies to create, edit, modify, and share content material throughout inner and exterior stakeholders. Laserfiche comes with suitable OCR integrations that you could deploy to your present content material infrastructure. 

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

What do customers like finest:

“We love utilizing Laserfiche. It’s a particularly protected storage alternative for worker and donor information that aren’t to be accessed by anybody unnecessarily. We’ve workers that use this every day for his or her function. Implementing and administering it is extremely easy, particularly when workers unintentionally make adjustments they didn’t imply to. Buyer assist is fantastic after we run into one thing that we have now a tough time supporting ourselves with.”

– Laserfiche Overview, Heidi H. 

What do customers dislike:

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

– Laserfiche Overview, 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’ll be able to add, parse, edit, and retrieve textual content. It additionally presents on-line OCR  to course of giant volumes of paperwork.

The software program additionally helps present scanned paperwork and converts them into machine-readable textual content. As soon as parsed, you’ll be able to 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 software when utilizing PDF. To begin with, I just like the clear interface and the way simple it’s to make use of. It’s my go-to software every time I want 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 initiatives, and seeing its seamless integration into the software seems like a sport changer for me. I simply love the OCR evaluation a part of the software.”

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

What do customers dislike:

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

– FineReader for Home windows and Mac Overview, 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 software captures, extracts, and modifies textual content information in keeping with the person’s discretion.  It additionally automates document-based workflows throughout groups to extend transparency and visibility.

TextIn is thought for clever picture and doc processing and might analyze, type, and classify knowledge throughout a number of industries. 

What do customers like finest:

“I like that it will probably cut back the quantity of paper that it’s important to carry round – you’ll be able to simply scan all the pieces. I additionally like that it auto-crops the picture and you’ll edit utilizing filters. I additionally like having the ability to save photos in several file codecs.”

– TextIn Overview, Aarifah B. 

What do customers dislike:

“It typically crops abruptly as an alternative of cropping the required web page. It at all times places the watermark emblem 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 Overview, Dev A.

4. Ephesoft

Ephesoft presents database automation and administration companies 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 mushy copies of PDF information and extracts vital knowledge from the textual content. It additionally has a number of add-ons like type indentation, textual content alignment, and quotation assist.

Ephesoft Professionals	Ephesoft Cons
AI-driven doc processing	Irritating person interface and navigation
Pure language processing (NLP) algorithms for contextual understanding	Restricted doc verification assist
Information customization from import information	Cluttered knowledge validation workflows

What do customers like finest:

“We recognize a number of qualities of Ephesoft. Specifically, the software program is a superb and user-friendly approach to assist us set up and interpret knowledge that was much less helpful in its earlier format. The platform additionally saves money and time by routinely figuring out all file varieties 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 precious asset to our workforce as a result of it may be adopted rapidly with out requiring specialist data or expertise.”

– Ephesoft Overview, 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 companies and assist workers. Lastly, it takes substantial effort to maximise the answer’s potential, and the time required to replace can rapidly add up.”

– Ephesoft Overview,  Shanil Ok. 

5. Nanonets

Nanonets assist scan, add, edit, re-scan, and re-save paperwork in an organized repository. It presents AI automation to autocorrect doc textual content and spotlight inconsistencies in content material. Nanonets additionally has an intuitive cell app that lets you scan, save and edit PDF paperwork with ease immediately from cell gadgets. Its giant storage capability and quite a few doc enhancing and formatting options make it suitable throughout platforms.

Nanonets’ clever AI automation supplies companies to 34% of Fortune 500 firms.

What do customers like finest:

“Because of Nanonets we had been in a position to digitally course of advanced invoices and affirmation orders. The AI’s self-learning capabilities had been essentially the most outstanding characteristic for us – with the mannequin bettering constantly as extra knowledge was supplied.”

– Nanonets Overview, Nadim A. 

What do customers dislike:

“The mannequin coaching at first is usually a bit tedious and onerous to visualise correctly, particularly for big and complicated information, equivalent to monetary statements from suppliers from a number of nations. However as soon as all the pieces is ready up, it’s effectively definitely worth the coaching time.”

– Nanonets Overview, Charles E. 

6. Rossum

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

What do customers like finest:

“The perfect factor about Rossum is the saved keystrokes. I imply, that is the entire level of this. From a developer perspective, Rossum’s pretty open strategy to permit for modification of the UI and the way knowledge is processed via 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 unbelievable and straightforward.”

– Rossum Overview, Connor S.

What do customers dislike:

“Rossum may be improved by studying the right way to learn Excel paperwork, and typically the repeated behaviors we educate Rossum are ignored. Rossum can be restricted to studying “straight” traces of knowledge. If there was a solution to tilt the grid to learn orders which can be misaligned, that will be appreciated.”

– Rossum Overview, Steven S. 

7. Base64.ai: automated doc knowledge extraction

Base64.ai is an ML-powered knowledge extraction and automation software that generates editable experiences and tables from giant paperwork. Base64.ai intelligently captures knowledge and labels it internally to create newer paperwork. This simplifies enterprise workflows and quickens transactional processing between shoppers and distributors.

Base 64.ai additionally verifies and validates textual content earlier than transferring it into a distinct 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 knowledge extraction from completely different kinds. It permits my workforce to make well timed choices from dependable insights obtained from extracted knowledge. I’ve been in a position to implement many initiatives throughout the set timelines because of correct knowledge that I receive from completely different knowledge sources.”

– Base64.ai Overview, Ruth C.

What do customers dislike:

“There are downtime incidents which have disrupted knowledge workflows, affecting your complete knowledge pipeline.”

– Base64.ai Overview, Andrew S. 

8. DocuClipper

DocuClipper summarizes textual content from PDF information and inserts it into WORD paperwork. It helps a number of file variants like .png, .jpg, or different picture information and reads inline textual content. A number one OCR software, DocuClipper is straightforward to make use of and likewise presents OCR tutorials for novices to study extra.

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

What do customers like finest:

“I used DocuClipper for changing my shoppers’ financial institution statements and bank card statements to Quickbooks On-line format information. It was very clean 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 advisable in case you are working with PDF statements. I haven’t explored it absolutely, however to this point, it is nice.”

– DocuClipper Overview, Javeria Z.

What do customers dislike:

“It might 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 initiatives. 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 payment 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 Overview, Stephanie Ok. 

Comparability of the very best free OCR software program

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

Software program	G2 score	Free plan	Paid plan
FineReader PDF for Home windows and Mac	4.8/5	Free Trial	Customized
Laserfiche	4.7/5	Free Trial	Begins at $50 per 30 days
Nanonets	4.5/5	Free Trial	Begins at $0 per 30 days to $999 per 30 days
Ephesoft	4.5/5	Free Trial	Customized
Rossum	4.4/5	Free Plan	Customized
TextIn	4.4/5	Free Trial	Customized
Docuclipper	4.8/5	Free Plan	Begins at $39 per 30 days
Base64.ai	4.9/5	Free Trial	Customized

Free OCR software program: Continuously 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. Nonetheless, 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 knowledge varieties.

How effectively does free OCR software program combine with different present doc administration techniques?

Most fashionable free OCR software program is designed to combine seamlessly with widespread doc administration techniques (DMS) and doc creation software program. This integration permits for the automated importing, processing, and organizing of paperwork. Earlier than buying, make sure 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 guide knowledge 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 protected to make use of? Does it compromise knowledge privateness?

Free OCR software program is encrypted software program that enables entry by way of safe authorization. It authenticates customers by way of 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 clean transition from onerous copies to an digital output format, supplying you with the facility to regulate knowledge in keeping with organizational requirements. They get rid of the trouble of paper payments and invoices and automate your knowledge for easy processing. Whether or not you’re working with distributors, prospects, or a brand new accomplice, 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