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Best PDF OCR tools in 2026

PDF OCR tools recognize text in scanned PDF pages, making the content easier to search or work with. This list is for people who need OCR on a computer, phone, tablet, or in a browser.

  1. 1

    NAPS2

    Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+1

    NAPS2 combines document scanning, page adjustments and searchable OCR across Windows, macOS and Linux, with no ads or restrictions.

    9.1 Free plan Visit site
  2. 2

    OCRmyPDF

    Free plan APILinuxMac+2

    OCRmyPDF provides a configurable, free way to add searchable text to scanned PDFs, with library and plugin options.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  3. 3

    PDFgear

    by PDFgear
    Free plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+3

    PDFgear brings several PDF utilities, including OCR, into a free product available across mobile, desktop, and web. The stated 100 MB cap applies to PDFs in its online editor.

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  4. 4

    Soda PDF

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    Soda PDF covers common PDF production, editing, signing, and conversion tasks on many platforms.

    7.1 Free plan · 7-day trial Visit site
  5. 5

    UPDF

    by UPDF
    Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1
    7.0 Free plan Visit site
  6. 6

    Prizmo

    by Prizmo
    Free plan iPhoneMac

    Prizmo combines scanning, OCR, image correction, and several export options across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Check the free-version limits and separate Cloud OCR requirement against your needs.

    6.9 Free plan Visit site
  7. 7

    PDF-XChange Editor

    by PDF-XChange Editor
    Free plan Windows

    PDF-XChange Editor covers document editing, review, conversion, and page operations in a client-side Windows application.

    6.8 Free plan · paid from $62/user Visit site
  8. 8

    Foxit PDF Editor

    by Foxit PDF Editor
    Free trial AndroidiPhoneMac+2

    Foxit PDF Editor covers document editing, conversion, OCR, forms and collaboration, with multiple platform options. Compare the subscription and perpetual-license inclusions before choosing a plan.

    6.5 From $10.99/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
  9. 9

    PDF24 Creator

    Free plan Windows
    6.3 Free plan Visit site
  10. 10

    Sejda PDF Desktop

    by Sejda
    Free plan WindowsLinux
    6.1 Visit site
  11. 11

    ABBYY FineReader PDF

    by ABBYY FineReader PDF
    Paid iPhoneMacWindows

    ABBYY FineReader PDF brings editing, recognition, conversion, and form tools into one paid application.

    6.0 7-day trial Visit site
  12. 12

    Tungsten OmniPage

    Free trial APILinuxMac+2

    OmniPage covers document conversion, batch workflows and developer integration, with features varying by edition.

    5.9 Visit site
  13. 13

    SoftMaker FlexiPDF

    by SoftMaker FlexiPDF
    Free trial Windows

    FlexiPDF provides broad PDF editing and document-management tools on Windows. The NX plan adds translation and AI character allowances, while FlexiPDF 2025 is described as a one-time purchase.

    5.5 From $3.99/mo Visit site
  14. 14

    Adobe Acrobat Pro

    Paid AndroidiPhoneMac+2

    Pick Adobe Acrobat Pro for cross-platform PDF editing and signing with accessibility, OCR, batch, and API capabilities.

    5.3 Visit site
  15. 15

    Wondershare PDFelement

    by Wondershare PDFelement
    Paid AndroidiPhoneMac+2

    PDFelement covers several PDF tasks across five platform types and offers recurring or perpetual plans. Consider the trial period and unlisted plan pricing when evaluating it.

    5.3 14-day trial Visit site
  16. 16

    Kofax Power PDF

    by Tungsten Automation
    Paid Windows
    4.7 Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Compare pricing models, free-plan limits, trial terms, supported platforms, and whether the code is open source. Check the licence before choosing a tool if you need to read or change its code.

Questions

What does a PDF OCR tool do?

It recognizes text in scanned PDF pages so the content can be searched or worked with.

Can I use PDF OCR software for free?

Yes. Tools in this category offer free plans, including software listed as free or freemium.

Which platforms are supported?

The category includes tools for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, the web, and Linux. Check the platform listed for a tool before choosing it.

Are open-source PDF OCR tools available?

Yes. Open-source code is offered by tools in this category. Review the licence if you need to inspect or modify code.

Do PDF OCR tools offer free trials?

A free trial is offered by tools in this category. Check its duration, limits, and payment terms before starting.

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