TextSnatcher

Free plan Linux

What TextSnatcher is

TextSnatcher is a free Linux desktop application that uses optical character recognition to copy text from images. Select an image area by dragging over it, then paste the recognized text into another application. It uses Tesseract OCR 4.x and supports multiple languages through Tesseract language data. The listed runtime dependencies are scrot, tesseract-ocr and the relevant language data. The project is identified as GPL-3.0 licensed and includes a Flatpak manifest for Linux. Its README documents cloning the repository, building with Meson and installing with Ninja; source builds require Granite, GTK 3, GObject, GdkPixbuf, libhandy 1 and libportal 0.5. TextSnatcher is focused on image-to-text copying rather than searchable PDFs or Word export. The README says the maker planned to resume updates and fixes after saving for a Linux PC. The application has a free plan and no free trial, with no stated usage limits or additional product integrations.

Who it suits

It suits Linux users who need to extract text from image regions and paste the result elsewhere. It is less suitable for workflows requiring searchable PDFs or Word-file export.

What it does well

OCR from selected image areas
Multiple language support
Uses Tesseract OCR 4.x
Flatpak manifest included
GPL-3.0 licensed

What to know first

Linux-only focus
No searchable PDF support
No Word export
Source builds require several dependencies

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
TextSnatcher	No pricing or usage limits stated	Free

As github.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

TextSnatcher is a focused Linux OCR utility for turning selected image text into pasteable text. Its open license and Flatpak manifest help distribution, while its scope excludes searchable-PDF and Word-export workflows.

Facts from TextSnatcher's own pages

Build: The README documents building with Meson and installing with Ninja. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Build requirements: Build dependencies include Granite, GTK 3, GObject, GdkPixbuf, libhandy 1, and libportal 0.5. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Distribution: The repository includes a Flatpak manifest and labels the project for Linux. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · github.com, 23 Sept 2026
Supported inputs: image · github.com, 23 Sept 2026
Installation: The README provides instructions to clone the repository, build with Meson and Ninja, and install the application. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Integrations: The README names Tesseract OCR and its language data as dependencies; it does not list other product integrations. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Languages: The application supports multiple languages. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
License: The repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Linux focus: The project describes itself as made for Linux. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
OCR engine: TextSnatcher uses Tesseract OCR 4.x for character recognition. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Paste workflow: The README describes dragging over an image and pasting the recognized text. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Primary platform: desktop · github.com, 23 Sept 2026
Project status: The README says the maker planned to resume updates and fixes after saving for a Linux PC. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Purpose: TextSnatcher performs OCR to copy text from images on a Linux desktop. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Runtime requirements: The listed runtime dependencies are scrot, tesseract-ocr, and Tesseract language data. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Searchable PDF: No · github.com, 23 Sept 2026
Security: The repository page does not state security or compliance claims. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Selection: Users can drag over an image to copy its text. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Support: The repository README includes a Support Me section but gives no support terms there. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Word export: No · github.com, 23 Sept 2026

Where TextSnatcher stands on Freedom251

OCR software#32 of 40