I Evaluated the 8 Greatest Free OCR Instruments for Doc Conversion

Are you and your small business nonetheless drowning in paperwork? Precise bodily paperwork in 2025?

Locked PDFs, scanned contracts, and image-based recordsdata sluggish groups down and make collaboration tougher than it must be. Whereas there are many superior OCR instruments in the marketplace that may assist with this, you don’t at all times want an costly, feature-heavy resolution to get actual worth.

After reviewing G2 information and evaluating 10+ instruments, I’ve curated an inventory of the greatest free OCR software program choices that assist groups scan, edit, and digitize paperwork, with out including to the software program price range.

This information is right for companies and groups searching for to streamline doc workflows, decrease handbook effort, and transition away from paper-based processes with out committing to a paid OCR platform.

To decide which OCR software most accurately fits your doc workflows, evaluation our comparability desk and assess your particular parameters.

*All pricing particulars talked about within the article are primarily based on publicly obtainable information on the time of publication and are topic to vary.

8 greatest free OCR software program I like to recommend 

As companies and people digitize paper paperwork, automate information entry, and extract actionable insights from textual content in photos and PDFs, the optical character recognition (OCR) market is anticipated to be price round $13.12 billion in 2026.

And from what I’ve seen, “greatest” doesn’t at all times imply “paid.” A number of free OCR software program platforms I’ve evaluated provide strong textual content extraction capabilities — many free and open-source instruments can convert scanned photos, PDFs, and photographs into editable, searchable textual content with out incurring any prices.

The product record under accommodates actual consumer opinions from one of the best free OCR software program class web page. It’s necessary to notice that within the context of this record, distributors providing a free trial are additionally thought of free.

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

• Course of digital photos of varied file varieties 
• Seize information from scanned PDFs and convert them into Phrase paperwork
• Establish and parse non-editable plain textual content and convert it into editable textual content
• Manage 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 2025. Some opinions could have been edited for readability and accuracy. 

Base64.ai is an ML-powered information extraction and automation software that generates editable reviews and tables from giant paperwork. Base64.ai intelligently captures information and labels it internally to create newer paperwork. This streamlines enterprise workflows and accelerates transactional processing between purchasers and distributors. Base 64.ai additionally verifies and validates textual content earlier than transferring it into a special format. It ensures that the worth and authenticity of the textual content are maintained.

Professionals and cons of Base64.ai: My take

What G2 customers like about Base64.ai:

“The superior AI fashions have enhanced efficient adaptation to new doc codecs and information extraction from completely different varieties. It permits my workforce to make knowledgeable selections primarily based on dependable insights obtained from extracted information. I’ve been capable of undertake many initiatives throughout the set timelines as a result of correct information that I get hold of from completely different information sources.”

– Base64.ai Evaluate, Ruth C.

What G2 customers dislike about Base64.ai:

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

– Base64.ai Evaluate, Andrew S. 

Docparser is a cloud-based doc information extraction software that helps companies robotically pull structured information from PDFs, Phrase recordsdata, photos, and different doc codecs. It makes use of Zonal OCR, sample recognition, and customizable parsing guidelines, permitting customers to outline precisely what data to extract (e.g., bill numbers, dates, totals). In accordance with G2 information, 69% of Docparser customers are small companies, highlighting its accessibility and effectiveness for groups that want dependable information extraction with out complicated setup.

Professionals and cons of Docuparser: My take

What G2 customers like about Docuparser:

“Docparser is extremely straightforward to make use of, providing correct information extraction, customizable parsing guidelines, and seamless integration with different instruments.”

– Docuparser Evaluate, Marc D.

What G2 customers dislike about Docuparser:

“Importing giant numbers of paperwork directly was an preliminary situation after we went to obtain the information. With the assistance of the Docparser workforce, we discovered a piece round and now we aren’t having any points.”

– Docuparser Evaluate, Grant M.

Docsumo is an AI-powered doc processing and clever information extraction platform that mixes OCR with machine studying to robotically seize and validate information from unstructured paperwork like invoices, financial institution statements, contracts, payments, and extra. It gives extra superior capabilities than easy rule-based instruments by utilizing pre-trained AI/ML fashions that may be custom-made with as few as ~10 pattern paperwork.

Professionals and cons of Docsumo: My perspective

What G2 customers like about Docsumo:

“Docsumo has considerably enhanced our operational effectivity by enabling automation throughout creditor workflows. My ongoing collaboration with Vishal has been distinctive. He constantly demonstrates a proactive strategy to problem-solving and is fast to implement enhancements. His responsiveness and technical experience have been invaluable. I sit up for persevering with our partnership and constructing on this success.”

– Docsumo Evaluate, Danielle T.

What G2 customers dislike about Docsumo:

“So, for essentially the most half, we did not have any drawbacks from utilizing Docsumo, because the few minor points we had when working with it have been solved in lower than 24 hours.”

– Docsumo Evaluate, Fabiano R.

DocuClipper summarizes textual content from PDF recordsdata and inserts it into WORD paperwork. It helps a number of file codecs, together with .png, .jpg, and different picture recordsdata, and reads inline textual content. DocuClipper ranks because the fifth best to make use of OCR software program in response to G2 Information. It gives OCR tutorials for rookies to be taught extra. DocuClipper also can scan and seize multi-page invoices and bodily textual content recordsdata containing crucial banking or bank card information.

Professionals and cons of DocuClipper: My evaluation

What G2 customers like about DocuClipper:

“I used DocuClipper for changing my purchasers’ financial institution statements and bank card statements to QuickBooks On-line format recordsdata. It was very easy and correct, in contrast to different software program that I’ve used for related functions. Total, it’s a very intuitive, user-friendly software program. It’s extremely beneficial that you’re working with PDF statements. I haven’t explored it absolutely, however to this point, it is nice.”

– DocuClipper Evaluate, Javeria Z.

What G2 customers dislike about DocuClipper:

“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 mission and needed to pay the month-to-month charge after which cancel the subscription. I do not want this system a lot, however once I do, it is available in very useful and saves me a ton of time.”

– DocuClipper Evaluate, Stephanie Ok. 

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

Professionals and cons of Ephesoft: My perspective

What G2 customers like about Ephesoft:

“We admire a number of qualities of Ephesoft. Particularly, the software program is a wonderful and user-friendly manner to assist us arrange 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 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 helpful asset to our workforce as a result of it may be adopted shortly with out requiring specialist information or expertise.”

– Ephesoft Evaluate, Stephanie W. 

What G2 customers dislike about Ephesoft:

“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 employees. Lastly, it takes substantial effort to maximise the answer’s potential, and the time required to replace can shortly add up.”

– Ephesoft Evaluate,  Shanil Ok. 

FineReader PDF for Home windows and Mac converts PDFs into file codecs resembling .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .txt, permitting you to add, parse, edit, and retrieve textual content. It additionally gives on-line OCR  to course of giant volumes of paperwork. In accordance with G2 information, 74% of small companies use FineReader PDF, indicating the software’s widespread belief and accessibility for dealing with on a regular basis doc digitization with out complicated setup or enterprise-level overhead.

Professionals and cons of FineReader PDF for Home windows and Mac: My take

What G2 customers like about FineReader PDF for Home windows and Mac:

“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 straightforward it’s to make use of. It’s my go-to software at any time when I want so as to add a digital signature to PDF paperwork. I additionally admire the power to categorize my paperwork, as this helps me arrange my confidential data. As an IT skilled, I’ve had earlier expertise utilizing the ABBYY FineReader OCR resolution in initiatives, and seeing its seamless integration into the software seems like a game-changer for me. I simply love the OCR evaluation a part of the software.”

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

What G2 customers dislike about FineReader PDF for Home windows and Mac:

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

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

Nanonets assist scan, add, edit, re-scan, and re-save paperwork in an organized repository.

It gives AI automation to autocorrect doc textual content and spotlight inconsistencies in content material. Nanonets additionally options an intuitive cell app that lets you scan, save, and edit PDF paperwork with ease immediately out of your cell machine. Its giant storage capability and quite a few doc enhancing and formatting options make it appropriate throughout platforms.

Nanonets’ clever AI automation gives companies to 34% of Fortune 500 corporations.

Professionals and cons of Nanonets: My evaluation

What G2 customers like about Nanonets:

“Because of Nanonets we have been capable of digitally course of complicated invoices and affirmation orders. The AI’s self-learning capabilities have been essentially the most exceptional characteristic for us – with the mannequin enhancing constantly as extra information was offered.”

– Nanonets Evaluate, Nadim A. 

What G2 customers dislike about Nanonets:

“The mannequin coaching at first is usually a bit tedious and exhausting to visualise correctly, particularly for big and sophisticated recordsdata, resembling monetary statements from suppliers from a number of nations. However as soon as all the things is ready up, it’s nicely definitely worth the coaching time.”

– Nanonets Evaluate, Charles E. 

Rossum’s (previously Elis) AI-assisted information extraction software captures invoices. This platform will help 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. 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.

Professionals and cons of Rossum: My perspective

What G2 customers like about Rossum:

“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 strategy to permit for modification of the UI and the way information is processed by Rossum was the true promoting level. My firm has very particular wants, and the power to scale the UI up or down on the fly is unbelievable and straightforward.”

– Rossum Evaluate, Connor S.

What G2 customers dislike about Rossum:

“Rossum might be improved by studying the best way to learn Excel paperwork, and generally the repeated behaviors we educate Rossum are ignored. Rossum can also be restricted to studying “straight” strains of knowledge. If there have been a method to tilt the grid to learn orders which might be misaligned, that will be appreciated.”

– Rossum Evaluate, Steven S. 

Discover the greatest PDF editors to shortly convert, edit, and modify PDFs as soon as your paperwork are digitized.

This text was initially printed in 2024. It has been up to date with new data.