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OCR Software Guide from ScanStore |
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There are several OCR applications 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 applications cost about $100 while
others cost $500.
The main features that differentiate OCR applications are:
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   OCR 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,
Transym and
SimpleOCR and have
determined that ABBYY
FineReader 9
is the best overall value. The key deciding factors were the
user interface design, new page layout reconstruction capabilities, language
support and stability of the engine when processing large documents.
Though independent tests have ranked OmniPage's overall accuracy slightly
higher, the difference is negligible, especially when you take into account the
time saved fixing margins, fonts, headers and other page layout elements once
the file is exported.
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 Software
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.
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Desktop OCR Applications |
ABBYY FineReader
Professional - FineReader Professional is
a highly
accurate and easy to use OCR application that includes host of features
including digital camera OCR, intelligent document layouts, image
enhancement, barcode recognition and command line integration.
FineReader 9 is our pick for desktop OCR because its document layout
retention will save you much time in reformatting documents you convert
for editing.
ABBYY FineReader 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 and
a user interface that many users find preferable, we think FineReader is
the best choice of OCR software for business.
Nuance
OmniPage Pro 16 - OmniPage is widely considered the fastest,
most accurate and fully featured OCR application.
OmniPage 16 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. Also, despite
having high accuracy, the OmniPage engine is much more prone to crashing
than ABBYY or IRIS. For these reasons we recommend the ABBYY and
IRIS products instead.
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IRIS
ReadIRIS Pro 11 - 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 software includes.
IRIS ReadIRIS Corporate 11 - Adds support for files over 50
pages, business card recognition, as well as automatic processing of hot
folders.
OCR for Asian and Arabic Languages
IRIS provides specialized versions of their OCR for Arabic
and Asian languages. English is included in these versions as well.
The Corporate version is required to OCR documents over 50 pages, hot
folders and business cards.
IRIS ReadIRIS Pro 11 Asian
IRIS ReadIRIS Corporate 11 Asian
Support for Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and Korean
characters.
IRIS ReadIRIS Pro 11 Middle East
IRIS ReadIRIS Corporate 11 Middle East
Support for Arabic, Farsi and Hebrew characters. |
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Personal OCR Software |
 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 software 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
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Transym TOCR - A less expensive OCR alternative that offers
great accuracy for may types of documents. It is designed to be a
very powerful OCR conversion software that only converts images to text,
giving affordability with comparable accuracy to more expensive
OCR software.
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
software. Developers can use the
command-line and
SDK versions to integrate SimpleOCR with their custom applications. |
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Apple Macintosh OCR Software |
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Nuance OmniPage X for MAC - OmniPage OCR 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. |
IRIS
ReadIRIS Pro 11 for MAC - Affordable OCR solution 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. |
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Server-Based OCR Solutions |
ABBYY
Recognition Server - Innovative server-based solution
 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. |
IRISPdf Server 6 - IRISPdf is a lower cost solution
compared to
 recognition server, but lacks some of the more advanced
features and has slightly lower accuracy.Several versions are
available with varying monthly page processing limitations, letting you
scale your solution to meet your budget requirements. |
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