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The 5 best free OCR PDF readers online are AskYourPDF, Hipdf, OnlineOCR, FreeOCR, and i2OCR. These free online OCR PDF readers are user-friendly because they are simple and easy to use. And because they are free, you do not need to pay to read your OCR PDFs. It just comes easy.
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5 Best Free OCR PDF Readers Online
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Have you ever been sent a PDF file whose content seems inaccessible and uneditable like it was locked up in some PDF vault with no access to it forever? Yes, you say? I thought as much because I have encountered such experiences and it is common for anyone who deals with a lot of PDF files.
However, you no longer need to worry about how to transcribe such scanned documents because, with an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tool, you can seamlessly convert your scanned PDF files into editable and searchable text.
The best part is that you can use most of the tools powered by OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology for free and on any device with an internet connection, regardless of whether you are a student, researcher, or busy business professional.
In this guide, I have compiled 5 of the best free OCR PDF readers on the market and some of the benefits of using these tools. Without any further ado, let's dive in.
Key Takeaways
- OCR PDF readers are powerful tools that can recognize and convert scanned PDF files to editable text accurately.
- OCR-enabled tools like AskYourPDF are easy to use and support multiple languages.
- AskYourPDF OCR PDF reader is compatible with different file formats, making it easy to convert and export scanned documents in different file formats.
5 Best Free OCR PDF Readers
1. AskYourPDF
AskYourPDF is an AI-powered document management tool that allows you to seamlessly converse with your PDF files. It has a variety of features, which include an OCR PDF reader. This OCR PDF reader enables you to accurately and seamlessly convert scanned PDF files into editable and searchable text formats..
Pros
- Accuracy First: Boasts an impressive OCR engine that breaks down complex layouts, diverse fonts, and even handwritten content with remarkable precision.
- Conversational Interface: AskYourPDF on its own allows you to ask your questions directly, like you would with a helpful assistant.
- Extractive Power: It doesn't just pull out text; it analyzes it. Collect specific data points, identify trends, and gain deeper insights from your documents.
- Interactive Exploration: Navigate your document intuitively, highlighting, annotating, and asking follow-up questions as you go. It's like having a live dialogue with your document.
- Output Flexibility: Extract text in plain format, searchable PDFs, or even editable Word documents for further manipulation.
Cons
- It requires a good internet connection to function.
How to Use Ask Your PDF OCR PDF Reader
- Visit AskYourPDF website and click on the login button.
- Next, click on the three horizontal icons and scroll down to “other tools.”
- Click on “Other tools” and scroll down to OCR PDF Reader. Click on it and you will be redirected to another page.
- When you get to this page, simply upload the document of your choice and wait for it to load.
- Once it is done loading, click on the Read OCR PDF button and wait for it to analyze.
2. SmallPDF
Smallpdf is not just a popular document management tool with a clean, user-friendly interface but also an OCR PdF reader that enables users to seamlessly convert scanned PDF files into other file formats like Word and Excel.
The outstanding thing about this tool is that users can easily access it from any device with an internet connection without needing to first install it. And it supports multiple languages and integrates perfectly with cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox, enabling you to save and upload files from them.
Pros
- The tool is super user and beginner friendly and can be used by anyone.
- Users do not need to first install this tool on their devices as it can be accessed on any device with an internet connection.
- Users can seamlessly export files in various formats.
Con
- Limited access and features on the free version.
3. Google Drive
Google Drive is a free cloud storage tool with various document management features, including an OCR feature which enables users to quickly scan PDF files, images, etc. into editable text format. Also, this tool supports multiple languages, which means you can easily collaborate and share your documents across the globe.
Pros
- Users can use the OCR feature on their Google Drive for free.
- You do not need to install Google Drive on your device before use.
- It is easy to use, even by non-technical users.
- There is no limitation to the number of files users can convert.
Cons
- You need a strong and stable internet connection to get the best from this tool.
- Users may struggle when formatting complex documents, as it may not be able to retain the original file format.
4. OnlineOCR
OnlineOCR is a free and easy-to-use OCR tool that allows users to seamlessly convert their documents into other file formats. The good thing about this tool is that it can be used without registration or installation.
Furthermore, it is a great tool for users looking to convert a few files at once and it supports multiple languages.
Pros
- It has a sleek user interface that makes it easy to use.
- Enables users with a few small files to convert them seamlessly.
- Users from different parts of the world can easily use and share files because of its multilingual features.
Cons
- There are limited features and access on the free plan.
- You cannot process documents in batches; every document is processed separately.
5. SodaPDF
SodaPDF is a PDF editing tool with a free OCR feature that enables users to easily convert their scanned PDF files into various editable file formats. With SodaPDF, users do not need to worry about software installation as everything can be done on their web browser.
Pros
- The tool has an intuitive, beginner-friendly, and easy-to-use interface.
- Users do not need to download the tool, as it can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.
- It offers multilingual support.
Cons
- Users are required to create an account first before they can access the free features.
- The tool offers limited features on the free version.
Comparison Table
Features | AskYourPDF | SmallPDF | Google Drive | OnlineOCR | SodaPDF |
Ease of use | Has an intuitivee user friendly interface that makes it super easy to use | It has a simple drag and drop features | It is easy to use, however you need a Google accoount | Simple and easy to use | Easy to use but has too many ads on the free version |
OCR Quality | High quality OCR with advanced AI Powered features | Reliable OCR | Decent OCR | Good OCR | High quality OCR |
File size limit | 25 | 5 | 20 | 15 | 10 |
Speed | Fast | Fast | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Layout Retension | Excellent | Good | Very Good | Poor | Good |
Accuracy | Very high | High | Very high | High | High |
Output format | Various file formats | Various file formats | Google docs, Docx | Various file formats | Various file formats |
Multilingual support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What to Look for in an OCR PDF Reader?
1. Accuracy
This is an important thing to look out for when choosing an OCR PDF reader. You want to be sure that the OCR PDF reader of choice accurately reads the content of the PDF file and produces the required output, without which the entire reason for using the tool will be defeated.
2. File Format Compatibility
Before using an OCR PDF reader, it is important to go for one that is compatible with your file format and can handle it seamlessly. You would not want to choose a tool that is incompatible with your file, as doing so will give you no or poor results.
3. Protection of Original Document Formatting
One thing you want to consider when choosing an OCR PDF reader is how well it protects and retains the original content of the document. This is so important because you would not want to upload a document with all the layouts like charts, tables, images, etc, and get an entirely different output at the end of the day.
4. File Size Limit
When choosing an OCR PDF reader, be sure to check out its file size limit, especially if you are someone who processes multiple large files at once.
Go for the tool that will meet your needs and give you the utmost satisfaction without compromising the quality of the file and processing speed.
5. Speed
As earlier mentioned, speed is a very important characteristic to consider for someone who deals with large files. This is because most OCR PDF readers tend to slow down when converting or processing larger files with high-resolution images and this may alter the quality and accuracy of the document.
6. User Interface
When choosing an OCR PDF reader, go for one that has a sleek, clean, intuitive, and simple drag-and-drop interface. This is a way to use and should be intuitive and easy to use by both tech-savvy and non-technical individuals. Doing so will help you get a smoother experience.
7. Language Support
For someone who works with PDFs in multiple languages, you want to ensure that your OCR PDF reader of choice can support multiple languages, and not only support but also process the languages accurately.
8. Data Security
Above all, choose an OCR PDF reader that can protect your data and whose privacy policies you comply with. This is very essential for someone who frequently deals with sensitive documents.
Benefits of Using an OCR PDF Reader
There are so many benefits of using OCR tools. Here are some of them:
1. Saves Time
One of the advantages of using an OCR PDF reader is its ability to automate the entire process in a matter of seconds, thereby saving time and effort. Imagine manually trying to transcribe large files and the amount of time and effort it would take.
However, with an OCR PDF reader, you can simply do that in less time, especially if you are a student or researcher who frequently handles large files.
2. Seamless Document Conversion
The whole essence of using an OCR PDF reader is to be able to convert scanned documents into plain text and other editable formats, which means you can easily make changes to the original file without needing to recreate it from scratch.
3. Enhanced Search
You would agree with me that when a document is scanned, it becomes hard for anyone to search for specific keywords in the document. Here is where a good OCR PDF reader comes in, with it users can seamlessly search for specific keywords and sections in a document.
4. Improved Accessibility
One significant benefit of using an OCR PDF reader is the accessibility it gives. With it, users with disabilities can easily convert files from text to speech. This is very useful for users who are visually impaired.
5. Saves Space
Organizations and businesses that deal with large volumes of physical documents can easily save space in their business environment by converting those physical documents into digital versions using OCR technology, after which the physical documents can be destroyed.
This makes it easier for users to quickly access documents from anywhere, at any time.
6. Data Extraction
If you work in a profession where you have to handle and work with large volumes of document end data like financial reports, invoices, receipts, and so on, you would want to use an OCR PDF reader as it helps you extract those large datasets automatically which can be exported into other file formats like spreadsheets, etc.
7. Seamlessly Workflow
With an OCR PDF reader, users can seamlessly enhance their workflow and efficiency by automating the entire document conversion process, removing the need for manual labor.
Final Thought
OCR-powered tools are an excellent way to quickly and accurately convert scanned PDF documents to editable text. Each tool comes with its own AI-powered features ranging from file compatibility, batch processing, multilingual support, speed, accuracy, and ease of use, and these features determine the needs and preferences it meets for any user.
In this blog post we have mentioned some of the best free OCR PDF readers; however, I recommend you use AskYourPDF OCR PDF reader as it stands out with its AI-powered capability that allows you to not only convert your scanned PDF document but also interact with it to extract meaningful information and gain in-depth insight from it.
We look forward to getting positive feedback from you soon; till then, enjoy!
