Convert PDFs and Images into Searchable Text on Your Mac with These Free OCR Apps
Mac OCR Download: How to Convert Scanned Documents into Editable Text on Your Mac
If you have ever scanned a document or an image on your Mac, you may have noticed that you cannot edit or search the text on it. That's because scanned documents are saved as images, not as text files. To make them editable and searchable, you need to use a technology called Optical Character Recognition (OCR).
Mac Ocr Download
OCR is a process that converts scanned images into text that can be edited, copied, pasted, searched, or translated. It is useful for many purposes, such as digitizing paper documents, extracting information from receipts or invoices, creating searchable PDFs, translating foreign languages, or improving accessibility for visually impaired users.
In this article, we will explain what OCR is and why you need it on your Mac. We will also show you how to choose the best OCR software for Mac based on various criteria. Finally, we will review and compare three free OCR tools for Mac that you can download in 2023.
What is OCR?
OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. It is a technology that analyzes scanned images or PDFs and recognizes the text characters on them. It then converts the image into a text file that can be edited, copied, pasted, searched, or translated using any word processor or text editor.
OCR works by using algorithms and machine learning to identify the shapes and patterns of the characters on the image. It then compares them with a database of known characters and assigns them a corresponding value. For example, if the OCR software detects a shape that looks like an "A", it will assign it the value "A".
OCR can recognize text from various types of documents and images, such as books, magazines, newspapers, letters, invoices, receipts, business cards, flyers, posters, signs, logos, or handwritten notes. It can also recognize text from different languages, fonts, sizes, colors, orientations, and backgrounds.
However, OCR is not perfect. It may make errors or miss some characters due to factors such as poor image quality, low resolution, distortion, noise, blur, glare, shadows, or complex layouts. Therefore, it is important to check and correct the OCR output before using it for any purpose.
Why Do You Need OCR on Your Mac?
OCR is a useful technology that can help you with many tasks on your Mac. Here are some of the benefits and use cases of OCR on Mac:
Digitize paper documents: If you have a lot of paper documents that you want to store or share digitally, you can use OCR to scan them and convert them into editable and searchable text files. This way, you can save space, reduce clutter, protect your documents from damage or loss, and access them anytime and anywhere.
Extract information from documents or images: If you need to get some information from a document or an image, such as a name, a phone number, an email address, a date, a price, or a barcode, you can use OCR to scan it and copy the text to your clipboard. This way, you can avoid typing it manually and save time and effort.
Create searchable PDFs: If you have a PDF file that contains scanned images or text that cannot be searched or copied, you can use OCR to convert it into a searchable PDF. This way, you can easily find what you are looking for by using the search function or highlight and copy the text to another application.
Translate foreign languages: If you encounter a document or an image that contains text in a foreign language that you do not understand, you can use OCR to scan it and translate it into your preferred language. This way, you can learn new words, phrases, or sentences and communicate with people from different cultures.
Improve accessibility for visually impaired users: If you have a visual impairment that makes it difficult for you to read text on paper or screen, you can use OCR to scan it and convert it into speech or braille. This way, you can listen to or feel the text and access the information without any barriers.
How to Choose the Best OCR Software for Mac
There are many OCR software available for Mac users in 2023. However, not all of them are created equal. Some may offer better performance, Format Preservation
The third factor to consider when choosing an OCR software for Mac is format preservation. Format preservation refers to how well the OCR software can retain the original layout, formatting, and style of the documents and images that you scan. It also refers to how well the OCR software can adapt to different output formats that you may need.
The better the format preservation of the OCR software, the more faithful and consistent the OCR output will be to the original document or image. This means that you will not lose any important information or details from the document or image. It also means that you will not have to spend extra time or effort in adjusting or fixing the OCR output.
To measure the format preservation of the OCR software, you can look at its output quality, which is how well it reproduces the layout, formatting, and style of the document or image. You can also look at its output options, which are how many output formats it supports and how easy it is to choose and customize them.
However, format preservation may be affected by the type and quality of the document or image that you scan, as well as the output format that you select. Therefore, it is advisable to preview the OCR output before saving or exporting it to see if it matches your expectations and requirements. You can also try different output formats to see which one works best for your purpose.
File Compatibility
The fourth factor to consider when choosing an OCR software for Mac is file compatibility. File compatibility refers to how many file formats the OCR software can support as input and output. It also refers to how well the OCR software can handle and convert files from different sources and devices.
The higher the file compatibility of the OCR software, the more flexible and versatile it will be in scanning and converting documents and images. This means that you will be able to use the OCR software for a wider range of files and purposes. It also means that you will not encounter any compatibility issues or errors when using the OCR software.
To measure the file compatibility of the OCR software, you can look at its input formats, which are the file formats that it can scan and recognize text from. You can also look at its output formats, which are the file formats that it can save or export text to. Ideally, you want an OCR software that supports a variety of common and popular file formats, such as PDF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, DOCX, TXT, RTF, HTML, CSV, etc.
However, file compatibility may depend on the source and device that you use to scan or import your documents or images. Therefore, it is advisable to check if the OCR software is compatible with your scanner, camera, phone, tablet, cloud service, or other devices or platforms that you use. You can also test the OCR software on different file formats to see if it can handle and convert them properly. or images, such as keywords, topics, categories, sentiments, etc.
Text enhancement: This allows you to improve the quality or readability of your documents or images, such as by adjusting the brightness, contrast, color, resolution, or orientation.
You can also look at its usability, which is how easy and convenient it is to use and customize the OCR software. Some of the common aspects of usability are:
Interface: This is how the OCR software looks and feels, such as its design, layout, icons, menus, buttons, etc.
Navigation: This is how you can move around and access different features and functions of the OCR software, such as by using keyboard shortcuts, mouse clicks, gestures, etc.
Settings: This is how you can adjust and personalize the OCR software according to your needs and preferences, such as by changing the language, theme, font, mode, etc.
Help: This is how you can get assistance or guidance when using the OCR software, such as by using tutorials, manuals, FAQs, tips, feedback, etc.
However, features and functionality may vary depending on the type and purpose of the OCR software. Therefore, it is advisable to check what features and functions each OCR software offers and how they match your needs and expectations. You can also try the OCR software yourself to see how it works and how you like it.
Price and Value
The last factor to consider when choosing an OCR software for Mac is price and value. Price and value refer to how much the OCR software costs and whether it is worth it. It also refers to how the OCR software compares with other similar or alternative options in terms of cost and quality.
The lower the price and the higher the value of the OCR software, the more affordable and worthwhile it will be. This means that you will get more benefits and features from the OCR software for less money. It also means that you will not regret or waste your money on buying or using the OCR software.
To measure the price and value of the OCR software, you can look at its cost, which is how much money you have to pay to buy or use the OCR software. You can also look at its value proposition, which is what benefits and features you get from the OCR software in return for your money.
However, price and value may depend on your budget and expectations. Therefore, it is advisable to compare the price and value of different OCR software to see which one offers the best deal for your money. You can also look for discounts, coupons, or free trials that may lower the cost or increase the value of the OCR software.
Top 3 Free OCR Software for Mac in 2023
Now that you know what factors to consider when choosing an OCR software for Mac, let's take a look at some of the best free OCR tools for Mac that you can download in 2023. These are the top three OCR software for Mac that we have selected based on the criteria above. We will compare and review their pros and cons, as well as provide a link to download them.
PDFScanner - Scanning and OCR
PDFScanner is a simple and easy-to-use OCR app for Mac that allows you to scan and convert documents and images into PDFs with searchable text. It supports various scanners and cameras, as well as drag-and-drop files from your Mac. It also supports batch processing, document editing, document management, document security, text extraction, text analysis, and text enhancement. It supports over 60 languages and multiple output formats, such as PDF, TXT, RTF, HTML, etc.
Pros:
It has a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy to scan and convert documents and images.
It has a high accuracy and speed in recognizing and converting text from different types of documents and images.
It has a good format preservation and file compatibility in retaining the original layout, formatting, and style of the documents and images, as well as supporting various input and output formats.
It has a lot of features and functionality that make it a powerful and versatile OCR tool for Mac.
It is free to download and use for personal or non-commercial purposes.
Cons:
It may not work well with some scanners or cameras that are not compatible with it.
It may not support some languages or characters that are not included in its database.
It may have some bugs or glitches that may affect its performance or quality.
You can download PDFScanner from its official website: [PDFScanner - Scanning and OCR]
OCR Text Recognition: Textify
Textify is a fast and simple OCR app for Mac that allows you to convert images into text with one click. It supports various image formats, such as JPG, PNG, TIFF, BMP, etc. It also supports drag-and-drop files from your Mac or clipboard. It supports over 100 languages and multiple output formats, such as TXT, DOCX, PDF, etc. It also supports text extraction, text analysis, text enhancement, and text translation.
Pros:
It has a minimal and straightforward interface that makes it easy to convert images into text.
It has a high speed in processing and converting images into text.
It has a high file compatibility in supporting various image formats and output formats.
It has a high language support in recognizing and translating text from different languages.
It is free to download and use for unlimited conversions.
Cons:
It may not have a high accuracy in recognizing text from low-quality images or complex layouts.
It may not have a good format preservation in retaining the original layout, formatting, or style of the images.
It may not have many features or functionality besides text recognition and conversion.
You can download Textify from the Mac App Store: [OCR Text Recognition: Textify]
OnlineOCR.net
OnlineOCR.net is a popular and reliable OCR website that allows you to convert scanned documents or images into editable text online. It supports various file formats, such as PDF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, etc. It also supports uploading files from your Mac or cloud service. It supports over 40 languages and multiple output formats, such as DOCX, XLSX, TXT, PDF, etc. It also supports batch processing, document editing, document management, document security, text extraction, text analysis, and text enhancement.
Pros:
It has a user-friendly and responsive website that makes it easy to convert documents or images into text online.
It has a high accuracy and format preservation in recognizing and converting text from different types of documents or images.
It has a good file compatibility and language support in supporting various file formats and languages.
It has many features and functionality that make it a comprehensive and flexible OCR tool online.
It is free to use for up to 15 pages per hour without registration or up to 25 pages per hour with registration.
Cons:
It may not have a high speed in processing and converting documents or images online due to internet connection or server issues.
It may not have a high security or privacy in uploading and converting documents or images online due to potential data breaches or leaks.
It may not support some file formats or languages that are not included in its database.
It may have some limitations or restrictions in terms of file size, page number, or conversion frequency.
You can access OnlineOCR.net from its official website: [OnlineOCR.net]
Conclusion
In conclusion, OCR is a technology that can help you convert scanned documents or images into editable text on your Mac. It can offer you many benefits and use cases, such as digitizing paper documents, extracting information from documents or images, creating searchable PDFs, translating foreign languages, or improving accessibility for visually impaired users.
However, not all OCR software are the same. You need to choose the best OCR software for Mac that meets your needs and expectations. To do that, you need to consider various criteria and factors, such as accuracy, speed, format preservation, file compatibility, language support, features and functionality, and price and value.
We have reviewed and compared three of the best free OCR tools for Mac that you can download in 2023. They are PDFScanner, Textify, and OnlineOCR.net. Each of them has its own pros and cons, so you need to weigh them carefully before making your decision.
We hope that this article has helped you learn more about Mac OCR download and how to choose the best OCR software for Mac. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Mac OCR download:
Q: What is the best OCR software for Mac?
A: There is no definitive answer to this question, as different OCR software may suit different users and purposes. However, based on our review and comparison, we think that PDFScanner is the best OCR software for Mac in terms of accuracy, speed, format preservation, file compatibility, language support, features and functionality, and price and value. It is a simple and easy-to-use OCR app for Mac that allows you to scan and convert documents and images into PDFs with searchable text. It supports various scanners and cameras, as well as drag-and-drop files from your Mac. It also supports over 60 languages and multiple output formats. It has a lot of features and functionality that make it a powerful and versatile OCR tool for Mac. It is free to download and use for personal or non-commercial purposes.
Q: How do I use OCR on my Mac?
A: To use OCR on your Mac, you need to have an OCR software installed on your Mac. You can download one of the free OCR tools for Mac that we have recommended in this article, such as PDFScanner, Textify, or OnlineOCR.net. Once you have installed the OCR software on your Mac, you can follow these steps to use it:
Launch the OCR software on your Mac.
Select the document or image that you want to scan and convert into text. You can either use your scanner or camera to scan it directly, or drag-and-drop it from your Mac or clipboard.
Choose the language and output format that you want for the text. You can also adjust other settings or options according to your preferences.
Click on the scan or convert button to start the OCR process. Wait for a few seconds or minutes until the OCR process is completed.
Check and correct the OCR output if necessary. You can also edit or modify the text or image of the document if needed.
Save or export the text file to your desired location or application. You can also share or print it if you want.
Q: Is OCR software safe to use on my Mac?
A: Generally speaking, yes. Most of the OCR software are safe to use on your Mac as long as they are from reputable sources and do not contain any malware or viruses. However, you should always be careful when downloading or using any software on your Mac. You should only download OCR software from trusted and verified websites or app stores. You should also scan the OCR software with your antivirus or security software before installing or running it. You should also read the terms and conditions and privacy policy of the OCR software to see how they handle and protect your data. You should also backup your data before using the OCR software in case of any errors or accidents.
Q: Can I use OCR software offline on my Mac?
A: It depends on the OCR software that you use. Some OCR software can work offline on your Mac, while others require an internet connection to work. Generally, offline OCR software are faster and more secure than online OCR software, but they may have less features and functionality than online OCR software. Online OCR software are more flexible and versatile than offline OCR software, but they may have lower speed and security than offline OCR software.
To find out if the OCR software that you use can work offline on your Mac, you can check its system requirements and specificatio