Best OCR Software for Android & iOS
With home offices the new norm for most of us, capturing high-resolution pictures of your documents has never been easier with OCR software. You point your smartphone at a document and take a photo, even if the picture is not centered or a bit misaligned, the OCR software does it for you. The output is neat and you can simply import in different formats and the document is ready to send.
OCR or optical character recognition is a technology that converts images that are handwritten or printed to a digital format.
In today’s digital landscape, OCR can also take advantage of AI to implement more advanced strategies of intelligent character recognition which simplifies identifying handwriting and more languages.
The basic function of OCR software is to read, identify, extract and repurpose data from images, documents and PDFs.
In this blog, we are going to look at some of the most popular and the best OCR software that can scan and convert them to texts and more.
1. Cam scanner
Cam scanner is an all-in-one OCR app that helps you turn your digital device to a portable scanner. It boasts text recognition and easily converts documents of different types into text. Accessible from both Android and iOS, the app allows users to digitize documents using their smartphone cameras.
Features
Some of the best features of the application include auto-edge detections and OCR. And here are some more features that the Cam scanner boasts:
Automatic background removal.
Signing digital documents.
Merge, split, and compress PDF files.
Intelligent document straightener.
Exporting to email or social media.
Pros
The document automatically straightens the scanner image, even if you don’t place the document in the center.
Provides different filters you can use to improve the readability of scanned images.
Comes with different PDF tools ruling out the need for a different PDF editor.
Syncs smoothly across different devices.
Cons
Not free and a trial is available just for 3 days.
Scanned documents contain watermarks in the free version.
Pricing
While Cam Scanner is free to download and use, you need to upgrade it to a premium version to access features like more storage, watermark removal, exporting as Word docs, and more. It is available at $4.99 per month and $34.99 annually.
2. Adobe Scan
Another great OCR software compatible with both Android and iOS is Adobe Scan which is perfect in handling different types of documents- images, business cards, tax documents, receipts, etc. Not only is it free to use, but the functionality is simple and it offers editing features that include editing features to help produce scans that are competent enough.
Features
Out of all the features, the OCR feature of the app is top-notch. It extracts the text from scanned images effortlessly. Let’s explore more features of this OCR app.
A variety of scanning modes including Documents, ID cards, books, business cards, books, and whiteboards.
Multi-page document creation is a breeze.
Extracts texts from docs.
Adobe Acrobat integration to edit the images.
Integration with Adobe Document Cloud.
Pros
Different scanning modes for different doc types.
Adobe document cloud integration for easy accessing and sharing of documents
Ability to remove and edit imperfections from scanned pictures.
Cons
The OCR feature of the software extracts text from the doc and adds it to the clipboard. But you can’t edit the text within the document.
Users have to create an account to use the app.
Pricing
Adobe Scan is free to use and features a premium subscription priced at $10 per month which offers perks including more storage, saving to different file types, and password protection. But, most people can thrive on the free version.
3. SwiftScan
SwiftScan is another OCR app that works perfectly on both Android and iOS. The intuitive UI makes the process of capturing and managing documents on the go. The app also features OCR functionality allowing you to extract and work with text from your scanned documents.
The OCR app caters to the diverse requirements of users by offering different export options.
Users can also save the scans in different formats and easily share them with others ensuring that document management is both versatile and efficient.
Features
The most prominent feature is the intuitive interface that makes scanning and document management a breeze even for users who aren't tech savvy.
Excellent OCR functionality allowing extraction of texts from scanned documents.
Comes with different export options which makes it easy to save scanned docs in various formats for sharing.
Efficient organization and management of documents within the app.
Pros
A varied collection of image scanning tools, including OCR.
Reliable image capture and text recognition.
Cons
No distinction between document types like recipients or business cards.
Pricing
SwiftScan comes with a free version for both Android and iPhone and a pro version The premium version is priced at $7.99 which covers OCR, extended storage, text search, and more. The free version includes basic scanning features, QR code scanning, saving docs to both JPEG and PDF, Dropbox and iCloud integration, and more.
4. Tiny Scanner
Another OCR app for image and document scanning is Tiny Scanner. While the app is free, its free COR capabilities can be applied to two pages which is just to test it out. To enjoy the OCR features, you must upgrade to its paid version.
Features
The software detects page edges automatically.
Quick search and document protection using a passcode.
Capability to set page size for PDFs.
Pros
Easy to convert pictures into scanned documents with clear text.
Cloud storage for easy storage and access to scanned documents.
Cons
Confusion during multiple-page scanning and large scanning tasks.
Pricing
The TinyScanner is free for two pages and all the major features are available at its premium version including OCR. The premium version also gives access to ID scanning, signing documents, exploring texts without any limits, and more.
5. Google Lens
Google Lens is another popular and trending OCR app from the tech giant powered by its AI technology. With the capability to recognize and understand any information in pictures and offer related search results, Google Lens is the go-to choice for many. It also helps with translating texts, and giving shopping suggestions, and is free of charge.
Features
Very convenient and user-friendly and works like any other camera app.
Can open the camera, scan the image and use images from your gallery as well. Images taken on Google Lens aren’t stored anywhere.
Integration with all Google services and users can use it directly from the screen across some devices without even opening the app.
Available on different Google services like Google app for Android and iOS, Google Camera, Google Chrome, and Google Photos, and multiple platforms. A downloadable version is also available.
Pros
Translates texts to different languages.
Text copying from the camera with COR technology
Scan barcodes easily.
Recognize objects through image recognition.
Scan handwritten text and paste it to Gdocs.
Read text aloud to users.
Cons
Face recognition is not yet prominent.
The objects identified may not be accurate.
Pricing
Google Lens is free to use.
6. Microsoft Office lens
Microsoft Office Lens is the best choice for users who are already ingrained in the Microsoft ecosystem. Compatible with both Android and iOS devices, Microsoft Office Lens seamlessly integrates with Onenote Word and other Microsoft Office applications. Equipped with document scanning abilities, it also features OCR functionality allowing users to convert scanned text to searchable and editable documents.
Features
Microsoft Office Lens easily connects with other Microsoft apps ensuring an excellent user experience inside the Microsoft ecosystem.
Cross-platform compatibility is a great feature as it suits a wide user base.
Features robust OCR functionality allowing users to convert scanned texts in searchable and editable format.
Streamlined document management for better productivity.
Support different types of tasks including handwritten note scanning, capturing printed documents, and more.
Seamlessly integrates with One drive making the storage and access across different devices much easier.
Pros
Doesn’t need a OneNote or Microsoft account to start using Office Lens.
The ability to capture content from different angles and convert it to readable and shareable formats.
OCR for documents saved to Word and OneNote.
Cons
Issues with image clarity.
Saving the document can be redundant and slow.
Pricing
Microsoft Lens is available for free.
Conclusion
OCR technology simplifies the conversion of physical documents into digital formats, streamlines workflows, improves data accuracy, and thereby reduces operational costs.
OCR has made the task of scanning images and getting the text from a PDF on your Android and iOS devices relatively easy. However, finding the right tool is important if you aim for accurate results. With advancements in machine learning and AI, the future of OCR looks quite promising.
Trends like real-time processing, enhanced handwriting recording and integration of AI open up the scope for new OCR software solutions in the market.
If you are looking to develop an OCR app for both Android and iOS to meet the diverse needs of modern businesses, look nowhere beyond Zartek. We can be your trusted tech partner, so be ready to position yourself as the pioneer in the market.