18.2
FreeOCR.AI converts photos, scans, and screenshots into editable text through OCR.
Free planWebAPImacOS
Best OCR Software in 2026
FreeOCR.AI leads this chart of 40 (8.2/10, free plan). Tesseract OCR is next (7.9/10, free plan), and Open-Capture is the next highest-placed with a free plan (7.9/10). OCR software turns images and scans into searchable text, and the choice depends on platform support and the outputs you need. If you use a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone or tablet, check whether an Android app is available before choosing. Compare supported inputs, searchable PDF and Word export, handwriting OCR, languages, page limits and the platform you use.
27.9
Free OCR software for images, with searchable PDF output and no handwriting recognition.
Free planAndroidAPILinux
37.9
Open-Capture captures documents, extracts information with OCR and AI, and exports results to management software.
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinux
- 4
Tungsten OmniPage
Paid OCR software with searchable PDF and Word export; a free trial is available.
APILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.7€99 one-time - 57.7CN¥30 one-time
- 6
Prizmo
Prizmo scans and edits documents and business cards on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, then uses optical character recognition to make their contents readable as text.
Free planiOSmacOS7.7Free plan - 7
PaddleOCR
Free Android and iOS OCR for images and documents, with Word export and handwriting support.
Free planAndroidiOS7.5Free plan - 8
7.5Free plan - 9
Surya
Free OCR model for 91 languages that detects page structure and tables.
Free planAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.3From $400 a month - 10
Avidemux
Free planOpen sourceWebLinuxmacOSWindows7.3Free plan - 11
Readiris PDF
Paid OCR for Windows and Mac, with searchable PDFs, Word export, and 138 languages.
macOSWindows7.2$99 one-time - 12
OCRmyPDF
Free PDF OCR software that adds searchable text; it does not recognize handwriting.
Free planAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.2Free plan - 13
NewOCR
Convert document scans and pictures to text online, with 122 languages and Word export.
Free planWebAPI7.2$0.50 one-time - 147.1Free plan
- 15
DocuOCR
DocuOCR is a web service that extracts text and structured data from invoices, contracts, receipts, forms, statements, IDs, and other documents.
Web7.1From $24 a month - 16
i2OCR
Web OCR with a free plan, handwriting recognition, searchable PDFs, and Word export.
Free planWeb7.0Free plan - 17
ChronoScan
Free planAPIWindows7.0€245 one-time - 186.9
- 19
EasyOCR
Free OCR for images in 80 languages, including natural-scene and dense document text.
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows6.9Free plan - 20
OCR4all
Free OCR software available for desktop, web, and self-hosted use.
Free planWebLinuxmacOSSelf-hosted6.9Free plan - 21
PaperSurvey.io
WebAPI6.9From $200 a year - 226.8Free plan
- 236.8Free plan
- 24
Captika
Free planWindows6.8$515 one-time - 25
Easy Screen OCR
Mac software reads text in screen selections and can translate it across 100+ OCR languages.
Free planmacOS6.8From $19.99 a year
Choosing well
Which platforms does it need to run on?
Choose a primary platform that matches your workflow, then check support for Windows, macOS, Linux, web access, self-hosted setups or an API.
Android support is not shown by the platform figures here, so verify that an Android app or mobile-friendly web option meets your needs.
Does it offer a free plan or trial?
A free plan lets you test OCR without paying, while a free trial can provide temporary access to paid features.
Compare the paid-from price, plan limits and licence terms before moving documents into a paid workflow.
Can it create searchable PDFs or Word files?
Choose software that lists searchable PDF support when you need text search inside scans, and check for Word export when you need editable documents.
These are separate comparison fields, so confirm the output you need rather than assuming one format includes the other.
Can it read handwriting and the languages you need?
Check the handwriting OCR field if your documents contain handwritten notes, forms or signatures.
Review supported languages as well, because language coverage can determine whether a tool fits your documents.
What inputs and page limits fit your work?
Match supported inputs to the files or images you plan to process, then compare the monthly page limit with your expected volume.
A tool that accepts the right input types and has a suitable limit will fit more smoothly into a regular workflow.
Questions people ask
Which OCR software works on Android?
Check the software's platform details for an Android app or mobile web support. The platform figures here cover Windows, macOS, Linux, web, self-hosted and API options, not Android.
What is the best free OCR software?
Compare the free-plan field, supported inputs, languages, searchable PDF and Word export. Free options listed include Tesseract OCR, PaddleOCR, OCRFeeder, OCRmyPDF, GNU Ocrad and EasyOCR.
Can OCR software turn scans into searchable PDFs?
Yes, searchable PDF is a comparison field for this list. Confirm that the software you choose supports it and accepts your scan format.
Which OCR tools recognize handwriting?
Use the handwriting OCR comparison field to find a suitable option, then check its supported languages and input types for your documents.
Does OCR software export to Word?
Word export is a comparison field. Check the product details to confirm that editable Word output is available for your workflow.