Best Free OCR Tools List
Here are the top 10 free OCR tools for text extraction from images and PDF files.
| Rank | Name | Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FileDrop’s Free OCR Tool | Free OCR Tool |
| 2 | OCRNEW | OCRNew |
| 3 | OCR Space | OCRSpace |
| 4 | Xodo OCR | Xodo |
| 5 | i2ocr | i2ocr |
| 6 | OnlineOCR | OnlineOCR |
| 7 | OCR Editor | OCR Editor |
| 8 | OCRConvert | OCRConvert |
| 9 | Jpgtotext | Jpgtotext |
| 10 | Text-scan | Text-scan |
OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. It is a technology used to convert different types of documents, such as scanned paper documents, PDFs, or images captured with a camera, into editable and searchable digital text.
How OCR Works:
- Image Preprocessing: The input image is cleaned, straightened, and adjusted for clarity.
- Text Detection: OCR software identifies text areas in the image.
- Character Recognition: Each detected character is analyzed and matched with a known set of characters (fonts, languages).
- Post-Processing: The recognized text is corrected for errors, often using language models or dictionaries.
Common Applications:
- Digitizing Documents: Converting printed text into editable formats.
- Data Entry Automation: Reducing manual entry by extracting text from forms and invoices.
- Accessibility: Making text from images or PDFs accessible for screen readers.
- Archiving and Searchability: Organizing documents by enabling keyword search within scanned files.
Frequently Asked Questions about OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
1. What is OCR?
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is a technology that converts printed or handwritten text from images, scanned documents, or PDFs into machine-readable, editable, and searchable digital text.
2. How does OCR work?
OCR processes an image by:
- Preprocessing: Enhancing image quality and alignment.
- Text Detection: Identifying text regions.
- Character Recognition: Analyzing and matching characters.
- Post-processing: Correcting errors using dictionaries or language models.
3. What types of files can OCR process?
OCR can process various file types, including:
- Scanned images (JPG, PNG, BMP)
- PDFs (scanned and image-based)
- Photos of documents or signs taken with a camera.
4. What are common uses of OCR?
- Converting paper documents into editable formats.
- Automating data entry from invoices, receipts, or forms.
- Making scanned documents searchable for easy retrieval.
- Assisting visually impaired individuals by enabling text-to-speech conversion.