Free OCR Picks 2025: 7 Tools to Turn Images, PDFs, and Handwriting into Text
A Japanese deep dive comparing WriteScan, vFlat Scan, Google Lens, and other OCR services with use-case guidance and workflow tips.
Overview
A practical comparison of 7 OCR tools for images, PDFs, and handwriting. Focus: free tiers, handwriting accuracy, and how well they fit study or business workflows.
Light / free-first options
- Google Lens: Free, great for quick selection-copy; long text may lose formatting.
- iOS Live Text: Copy text from Photos; fine for short notes, depends on lighting.
Study / note-taking
- WriteScan: Notebook-level OCR with tagging and search; dark/light + line spacing for readability.
- vFlat Scan: Strong dewarping and generous free tier; ideal for textbooks and notebooks.
Business / PDF
- Adobe Acrobat Online: Stable PDF OCR, solid Japanese support; free tier page-limited.
- Notion AI OCR: Easy doc integration; quality varies with image resolution.
- Microsoft OneNote OCR: Good with diagrams; convenient in Office ecosystems.
How to choose
- Input type: Paper notes → WriteScan/vFlat; PDF-heavy → Acrobat.
- Sharing: Teams? Use Notion or OneNote.
- Search: Need tags and consistent titles? Centralize in WriteScan.
Shooting tips for better accuracy
- Avoid skew; shoot flat on a desk.
- Use dark ink; avoid neon.
- Trim edges to boost text density.
FAQ
- Is free enough? WriteScan free + Google Lens covers most personal use; bulk pages favor paid tiers.
- Messy handwriting? Write headings in block letters to anchor OCR.
- Tables? Shoot + add text clarifications; CSV by hand is often fastest.
Quick guide (who should use what)
- Organizing handwritten notes → WriteScan
- Dewarping books/reference → vFlat Scan
- Clean PDF text → Adobe Acrobat
- Team docs → Notion AI OCR / OneNote
- Fast one-off words → Google Lens