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OCR Freeware Comparison Guide
There are several OCR Freeware solutions available to convert scanned images to
text, Word, HTML or searchable PDF. The differences between them can often
be obscure, leaving many to wonder why some OCR Freeware cost about $100 while
others cost $500.
The main features that differentiate OCR Freeware are:
  
- Character recognition accuracy
- Page layout reconstruction accuracy
- Multi-engine voting technology
- Support for languages
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Support for searchable PDF output
- Speed
- User interface
We have tested the latest versions of
FineReader,
OmniPage,
ReadIRIS,
TextBridge and
SimpleOCR and have
determined that ABBYY
FineReader 9
is the best overall value for business users, while
ReadIRIS is the best
OCR Freeware for under $150. The key deciding factors were:
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User interface design
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Page layout reconstruction capabilities
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Extensive language support
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Stability of the engine when processing large documents
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Helpful (and free!) technical support staff
Though other testing labs have ranked OmniPage's overall accuracy slightly
higher, we find the difference is pretty negligible. All modern OCR Freeware have very good accuracy, so we recommend going with the one that
has
particular special features like IRIS's
Arabic and Hebrew and
Asian
Language versions.
Because of the infinite combinations of document types, OCR engines and
settings, it may be possible that one engine may perform better with your
particular documents than another. For this reason,
ScanStore provides demo downloads for
all its OCR Freeware
with your ScanStore User
Account. Because of this variability and the subjectivity of user
interface preferences, we recommend using the demos to see which performs best
with your documents.
OCR Freeware |
Use the
Buy Now buttons to download and activate your software immediately when you order.
Other download orders take 1-2 hours (8AM-5PM EST M-F) to generate a license. |
ABBYY FineReader
10 Professional - FineReader Professional is
a highly
accurate and easy to use OCR Freeware that includes host of features
including digital camera OCR, intelligent document layouts, image
enhancement, barcode recognition and command line integration.
FineReader 10 is our pick for OCR Freeware because its document layout
retention will save you much time in reformatting documents you convert
for editing.
ABBYY FineReader
10 Corporate - FineReader Corporate Edition offers unique
concurrent licensing that makes it possible for many users who need
occasional use of OCR to share a small
pool of active licenses. With accuracy comparable to OmniPage,
superior technical support services and
a user interface that many users find preferable, we think FineReader
Corporate is
the best choice of OCR Freeware for business.
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IRIS
ReadIRIS Pro 12 - Affordable OCR solution for business
 and home users.
ReadIRIS Pro provides a extremely accurate OCR recognition rate at a low
cost, but still has some of the advanced features that higher priced
professional OCR Freeware includes.
IRIS ReadIRIS Corporate 12 - Adds support for files over 50
pages, business card recognition, as well as automatic processing of hot
folders.
 Nuance
OmniPage Pro 17 - OmniPage is widely considered the fastest,
most accurate and fully featured OCR application.
OmniPage 17 Professional has a unique new feature that lets you convert
any type of document to searchable PDF or Word.
OmniPage does not have a downloadable demo. Nuance also does not provide free technical
support after the first call. For these reasons we recommend the ABBYY and
IRIS products instead.
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Apple Macintosh OCR Freeware |
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ABBYY FineReader Express for MAC - an easy to use OCR Freeware for creating
editable and searchable files from scanned documents, PDFs and digital camera
images. The one-click conversion feature instantly turns paper documents into various
electronic formats, including MS Word, Excel, Outlook attachments and searchable PDF
Nuance OmniPage X for MAC - OmniPage OCR Freeware for Macintosh users.
This version does not use the latest OmniPage engine, but provides good
accuracy nonetheless. Once again, Nuance does not make a demo
download available.
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IRIS
ReadIRIS Pro 11 for MAC - Affordable OCR Freeware for Macintosh
users using the latest version of the IRIS OCR engine.
IRIS ReadIRIS Corporate 11 for MAC - Adds support for files over
50 pages, business card recognition, as well as automatic processing of
hot folders. |
Server-Based OCR Freeware |
 ABBYY
Recognition Server - Innovative server-based OCR Freeware
for
performing centralized enterprise-wide OCR processing. Processor
license allows anyone on the network to submit files for OCR.
Complex XML job specifications can be submitted to control output.
Support available for Arabic and Asian languages. |
 IRIS
Document Server - IRIS Document Server is a lower cost solution
compared to recognition server, but lacks some of the more advanced
features like web services integration and has slightly lower accuracy and language
support.
Asian,
Arabic and
Hebrew language packs
are also available. |
Chinese, Japanese, Korean & Thai OCR Freeware |
Arabic, Farsi & Hebrew OCR Freeware |
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 ABBYY FineReader
10 Professional - FineReader Professional 10 now includes Chinese, Japanese and Thai languages in their base package. No special version or add-on is required.
ABBYY FineReader
10 Corporate - FineReader Corporate 10 also includes Chinese, Japanese and Thai character recognition.
IRIS ReadIRIS Pro 11 Asian
OCR software with support for Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and Korean
characters.
IRIS ReadIRIS Corporate 11 Asian
Adds the ability to recognize files over 50 pages, business cards and
monitor a hot folder to automatically process images in the background.
IRISPdf Server
Asian Language Pack
Enables Chinese, Japanese and Korean character recognition in a
server-based solution.
ABBYY
Recognition Server
Add 30% to the cost of the Recognition Server license to add Chinese,
Japanese & Korean (CJK) language support. Thai character
recognition language pack is also available, but is sold separately from
CJK. |
 IRIS ReadIRIS Pro 11 Middle East
OCR Freeware
with support for Arabic, Farsi and Hebrew character recognition.
IRIS ReadIRIS Corporate 11 Middle East
Adds the ability to recognize files over 50 pages, business cards and
monitor a hot folder to automatically process images in the background.
IRISPdf Arabic
Language Pack
Enables Arabic and Farsi character recognition in a server-based
OCR software.
ABBYY FineReader
10 Professional - FineReader Professional 10 supports Hebrew OCR, but does not include Arabic or Farsi support.
ABBYY FineReader
10 Corporate - FineReader Corporate 10 also includes Hebrew character recognition.
ABBYY
Recognition Server
Add 30% to the cost of the Recognition Server license to add Hebrew
language character recognition support. |
Personal OCR Freeware |
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ABBYY FineReader Express - Gives you the accurate FineReader engine in a
low-cost, easy to use package. The one-click conversion feature instantly
turns paper documents into various electronic formats, including MS Word, Excel,
Outlook attachments and searchable PDF--without ever leaving the applications.
Does not support custom zone layouts, batch processing and other advanced
features you get with Professional or Corporate versions.
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SimpleOCR - Our own freeware
OCR application provides acceptable accuracy for those who just need to
convert a few pages and can't justify the cost of commercial
OCR Freeware. Developers can use the
command-line and
SDK versions to integrate SimpleOCR with their custom applications.
 Nuance
TextBridge - The classic TextBridge engine is still available as
an affordable alternative to high priced engines. It gives you an
ultra-low cost, yet still accurate OCR Freeware with out all the extra
features. Allows you to output to web pages, Word documents and
more while retaining the layout of the page, but does not include PDF
output.
**NOT Compatible with Windows Vista**
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Search Results for OCR Freeware
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SimpleOCR Freeware Application (DONATION ONLY - NO PURCHASE REQUIRED!) |
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Website
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Brochure/Info
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Login for Demos
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Add to Cart $25
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Simple Software SimpleOCR Freeware Application - DONATION ONLY (no purchase required) - Please create an account on ScanStore if you have not already done so and come back to this page to download the item in the bar above where it will either say Login for Demos (if you're not currently logged into ScanStore) or Demos & Downloads (what it will say when you are logged in, and where you get the FREE download).
REPEAT: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY THE $25, that is only a suggested donation amount if you like the product and want to make an OPTIONAL contribution.
If you want to use the Freeware without donating DO NOT ADD TO CART!
Instead follow the instructions above or below.
Overview:
SimpleOCR is the 100% freeware OCR application developed by ScanStore's
software division, Simple Software. SimpleOCR demonstrates the
capabilities of the
SimpleOCR SDK,
which allows developers to add royalty-free OCR to custom software applications.
SimpleOCR is useful for those who just need to convert a few pages to text or
MS Word to avoid retyping. SimpleOCR is a lifesaver for anyone
faced with retyping a file from a hardcopy. However, if your documents
have multi-column layouts, pictures or other formatting you wish to preserve,
you should try one of our
commercial OCR
applications instead.
Please login to access the download or
click here to create an account and
download SimpleOCR. Once you are logged in click Demos & Downloads to find the Freeware download link.
Maintenance & Options:
Installation, training and professional services
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User Reviews: |
Add Your Review |
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Good scans are a must! ScanStore Review
(ScanStoreAaron - 9/10/2007 10:07:19 AM)
Please keep in mind this is a FREE OCR application and you should not expect the robust performance of a commercial OCR. SimpleOCR works great when you have clean, black & white TIFF scanned images of documents using common fonts and without a lot of complex layout. It does not work with color images. Fortunately, most text is on black & white documents, so meeting this criteria is a matter of setting your scanner settings properly.
If your documents don't meet this criteria, please try one of the several commercial OCR applications we offer here.
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Limited Languages
(gpanadero - 12/30/2007 7:10:05 AM)
I would like to be able to ocr Spanish language documents, but SimpleOCR doesn't do them. It would be great to have an option "no language" on the startup screen so that the program just OCRs what it sees without referencing any particular language dictionary. The documents I have scanned in English have come out fine.
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This page was designed to help you find OCR Freeware
quickly and easily. Click Here to
find OCR Freeware.
On-Site Support Available for much of the
Eastern US
Online support available worldwide!
We will perform on-site installation and
training services at any location within a 3 hour drive of one of our offices
without charging extra for airfare. However, our extensive online support
options make on-site visits unnecessary for many applications.
From our headquarters in Knoxville, TN we
are able to provide on-site service and support for East Tennessee (Knoxville,
Oak Ridge, Maryville,
Alcoa, Chattanooga, Nashville, Tri-Cities, Kingsport, TN), Western North
Carolina (Asheville, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Durham, NC), North
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Kentucky (Louisville, Lexington, Georgetown, KY) Southern Ohio (Cincinnati, OH),
and Southern Virginia (Bristol, Roanoke, Richmond, VA).
From our branch office in Boston we are able
to provide on-site service and support for Massachusetts (Boston, Worcester,
Springfield, MA), Rhode Island (Providence, Newport, RI), Connecticut (Hartford,
New Haven, Bridgeport, Danbury, CT), Southern New Hampshire (Nashua, Manchester,
NH), Eastern New York (New York City (NYC), Yonkers, Long Island, Albany, NY),
New Jersey (Newark, Trenton, NJ) and Eastern Pennsylvania (Philadelphia,
Allentown, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, PA).
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