How to oCR PDF: recognize text in 3 steps
- Upload a scanned PDF or an image.
- Choose the document language and the output format.
- Click “Recognize text” and download the searchable PDF or the .txt.
Free, fast and private OCR PDF
Optical character recognition (OCR) turns the image of a scan into real text. The result is a PDF identical to the original in which you can search for words and select and copy text.
FreePDF runs the Tesseract OCR engine directly in your browser, using several CPU cores. It is the most demanding task of all, so it can take a few seconds per page depending on your device.
- Searchable, selectable PDF
- English, Spanish, Portuguese, French…
- Export to .txt
- Tesseract engine on your device
Why does FreePDF process everything on your device?
Unlike other services, FreePDF never uploads your documents to a server: the tool is downloaded to your browser and uses the processor of your own computer or phone. The result: more privacy, more speed (no waiting for uploads or downloads) and a service that is free forever, funded by a short ad.
Frequently asked questions
Which languages does it recognize?
English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Italian. You can combine Spanish and English in the same document.
Why does it take longer than other tools?
OCR analyzes every pixel of every page with AI on your device. It is slower, but completely private.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. FreePDF processes files directly in your browser using your own device. Documents are never sent over the internet, which makes it the most private and fastest option.
Is it really free?
Yes, 100% free with no sign-up. FreePDF is funded by a short ad shown while your file is processed; its length depends on the size and complexity of the job.