What is the best image to text converter for accurate text recognition?

Image to text converters read text in PDF documents, photos, or scans and convert them into digital text. There are numerous commercial and free OCR tools, but even the best text recognition software, despite high accuracy, is not one hundred percent exact.

What are image to text converters?

Image to text converters (also known as OCR software – ‘Optical Character Recognition’) are used to automatically recognise printed or handwritten text in photos, scans, documents, or PDF documents and convert it into machine-readable, searchable, and editable text. Modern image to text converters analyse characters, words, and structures in the image and then make the recognised content available for further processing—such as digitising documents, extracting text from images, or creating accessible documents. Depending on the program and technology, the accuracy and functionality can vary significantly.

What is text recognition software used for?

A common use for OCR text recognition, or image to text conversion, is when you’ve ever received a document or letter in a personal or professional context and wanted to digitally archive it. While you can scan the paper, that format is not suitable for further use. Instead of painstakingly transferring the content by hand, OCR software reads it and allows you to archive and edit it on your computer or mobile phone.

Image to text converters are also used in other areas. Some of these you might already be using yourself without being aware of it. Translator apps that use your smartphone’s camera to read text, for example, use OCR text recognition. Additionally, vehicles that automatically recognise street signs and inform the driver use this technology. Tools that capture credit card information via the camera also use OCR text recognition. Government agencies and companies automatically read address data, personal information, or number plates.

Image to text converters are particularly useful tools for people with visual impairments and are often used in conjunction with a screen reader.

OCR software and the Equality Act (2010)

Under the Equality Act 2010, organisations that provide services to the public must avoid discriminating against disabled people and make reasonable adjustments, which in the digital context includes providing accessible online documents and services. This includes documents, forms, and PDF content provided online for customers. For accessible digital offerings, it is critical that texts are machine-readable so that screen readers, read-aloud functions, or assistive technologies can interpret them correctly.

This is where OCR software and image to text converters play a crucial role, which is to allow scanned or photographed documents to be converted into searchable, structured text, making them accessible for people with visual or reading impairments. Companies can use modern OCR software to transform old or scanned PDFs, forms, or invoices into accessible versions—an important step toward providing Equality Act-compliant content. However, OCR does not replace a full accessibility check. Structural information such as headings, table logic, alternative texts, or correct PDF tags must be added manually or with additional software to ensure true accessibility.

How do OCR tools work exactly?

In the first step, the tools typically optimise the images to make the text easier to recognise. For instance, they remove noise, sharpen edges, increase contrast, straighten skewed pages, and separate the text area from the background. Next, the image is divided into smaller sections consisting of text blocks, lines, words, and individual characters.

Now it’s on to character recognition. This phase involves the crucial step, which sees the image to text converter software converting visual shapes—such as the pixels of a letter or symbol—into real, digital characters. Modern OCR systems typically no longer use rigid templates but instead employ AI-supported methods, which are much more flexible and accurate. Initially, the software analyses the shape of a character based on contours, lines, curves, and contrasts and breaks it down into patterns that are compared with a learned model. Neural networks play a central role and are trained to recognise typical features of letters and numbers, even if these are poorly printed, distorted, or partially obscured.

Additionally, the AI uses contextual knowledge because a character is not interpreted in isolation but in connection with surrounding characters and the whole word. This way, the software can, for example, determine whether a recognisable shape is more likely to be a ‘0’ or an ‘O’ by checking if the result is linguistically plausible.

How accurate is OCR text recognition?

The accuracy of OCR tools varies from program to program. Research in this area has been ongoing for many years, and modern text recognition software now delivers significantly better results than in the past. However, lean tools offered for free typically do not achieve the same accuracy as high-priced professional solutions. A general judgement is difficult because the source material also plays a major role. While most programs perform well with printed black letters in Latin script on a white background, deviations from this ideal template are much harder to identify.

East Asian characters pose significant challenges for even professional OCR software due to their fine but meaningful lines. Logos, graphics, special characters, small letters, or blurry copies also heavily challenge OCR programs. Typos in the source material are another hurdle, as many programs recognise not just individual letters but entire words.

The greatest variations, even within individual OCR tools, occur when reading handwritten texts. If the document is written in print, the results are better than with a hastily written note in cursive. Overall, OCR text recognition does not offer one hundred percent accuracy and should always be checked for correctness.

What OCR programs are available?

The market for OCR software is broad today, ranging from integrated solutions in well-known office programs to highly specialised AI tools. Depending on whether you work offline, need a mobile solution, or just want to convert a document occasionally, different programs are suitable.

Offline programs for Windows and macOS

Many users already have software with integrated OCR functions—often without knowing it.

Adobe Acrobat Pro is the best-known example here: In addition to extensive PDF tools, it features powerful text recognition. Numerous Acrobat alternatives also offer similar functions.

Established specialised solutions include:

• ABBYY FineReader: One of the most precise OCR engines on the market. It is highly AI-driven and ideal for professional demands, but the price is also very high.
• Kofax OmniPage: An industry standard for years, known for high accuracy and extensive automation options.
• Readiris: A feature-rich and more affordable alternative for Windows and Mac.

Additional features include native functions such as Apple Live Text (integrated into iOS and macOS), which allows text to be extracted directly from photos, screenshots, or camera captures.

OCR in popular Office programs

Large office platforms now also have integrated OCR functions:

• Microsoft Word and OneDrive: Word can automatically convert PDFs into editable documents, and OneDrive performs OCR in the background for images and documents.
• Google Drive / Google Docs: When uploading an image or PDF, Google Docs can automatically extract the text—free and surprisingly reliable.

These solutions are particularly attractive because they work without additional software and are part of the existing work environment.

Mobile OCR Apps

• Adobe Scan: One of the most popular free OCR apps for iOS and Android, very reliable thanks to Adobe’s AI.
• ABBYY TextGrabber: Specialised in instant text recognition via camera.
• Prizmo: Strong in recognising documents, business cards, and handwritten notes.

Open-source solution for professionals

For developers and technically skilled users, Tesseract is the most important free OCR engine. The software has been continuously developed for decades, supports over 100 languages, and is the foundation for many modern OCR projects. However, it requires command line knowledge and optionally in training your own models.

Image to text converters for every purpose

The OCR text recognition field is not only expanding but also becoming more accurate and reliable with advancements in AI and other technologies. Paid OCR software, which offers a wide range of features, is generally best suited for professional or frequent use due to its higher costs, such as when working with simple payment software. For occasional tasks, a free online OCR tool is usually sufficient.