Best OCR Software Reviews

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software comes in many shapes and forms. Some software packages are specialized in converting digital images such as PDF files or specific images into text, while others focus on the conversion of hard copy documents into searchable electronic files. Op top of this, many of the best OCR software boast a range of other exciting features outside of the main OCR option.

As a consumer with little or no knowledge of these types of software, it can be difficult to differentiate between the various options out there. That’s why we have comprehensively reviewed the top five OCR programs out there. We have found OmniPage Standard to be the best OCR software of 2018 due to its advanced word recognition and excellent multi-application support. On the second place, the equally potent ReadIris convinced us of its great file-compression and bulky reading. 

What is OCR Software?

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software plays crucial roles in document conversion. It transforms scanned copies, images and PDF files into readable and searchable electronic texts. Instead of re-creating files by typing, you can simply convert them into the format you want with the best OCR software. The journey to create these products, also called Text Recognition Software or Word Recognition Software, began in the beginnings of 1990s. Almost two and half decades later, software developers have mastered the art of creating applications that will alter anything in the original data file layout with incredible accuracy. When used along with other business software applications, the OCR program removes data from photocopied documents and then keys in that data in into a database for future reference.

What is the best OCR software?

There are many different of text recognition software packages out there, which make the decision which to pick a tough one. From our extensive testing we can conclude that the best OCR Software of 2018 is the Omnipage Standard. It is a robust and powerful tool that has proven its accuracy over a wide range of tests. Second in our comparison of the OCR of 2018 is ReadIris. It is less user friendly but it still powerful enough to meet all your transcription needs.

How to choose the best OCR Software

To pick the best software, you would advise you to examine the points mentioned below.

Performance

Although text recognition in 2018 may have numerous features, it can’t pass as a great consumer product if it cannot serve the purpose it was made for. If it was created to convert images or PDF files into electronically searchable documents, it should do just that. We therefore gave performance the first priority in our review.

Features

When picking any type of software, it is always wise to explore the range of features included. That’s why each of the top rated OCR programs we have listed will be described in terms of the features it has.

Customer-friendliness

OCR software was designed to ease your work. In order to that, a user-friendly interface is key. Customer-friendliness or ease of use is therefore something we must consider when drafting this review.

Customer support and Help

The best OCR manufacturer will aim to create a lasting relationship with you, the customer. They will offer a 24-hour support and help system that will give live technical assistance to customers in addition to how to manuals, FAQs and tutorials.

Customer tips

We would like to warn you that software features like the money-back guarantees, limited warranties and trial periods among other freebies are short-lived. If required, you have to capitalize on them when you still have the chance.