EasyOCR
github.com
What it is
EasyOCR is a Python module that extracts text from images, including natural scene text and dense document text. The project says it supports more than 80 languages, and compatible languages can be processed together. Its readtext method can return recognized text with bounding-box coordinates and confidence values, or provide text alone. Inputs can be image paths, NumPy arrays, bytes, or URLs. The Reader can use a GPU when available or run in CPU-only mode. Pretrained models download automatically during use, with manual downloads available for offline environments. The API also allows custom recognition networks and settings for detection, recognition, decoding, and text-box merging. Installation options include pip, source, and Docker; Windows users may need to install PyTorch manually first. A web demo is available, and the repository says EasyOCR is integrated into Hugging Face Spaces through Gradio. The public repository identifies the project as Apache-2.0 licensed. There is no paid plan listed. Handwriting recognition is not supported; the README lists it as planned work.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- EasyOCR is a Python module for extracting text from images, including natural scene text and dense document text.Read 4 Oct 2026 · jaided.ai
- Free plan
- YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Integrations
- The repository says EasyOCR is integrated into Hugging Face Spaces using Gradio and provides a web demo.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Security
- The maker pages reviewed do not state a security certification or compliance claim for EasyOCR.Read 4 Oct 2026 · jaided.ai
- Support
- The repository directs enterprise inquiries to Jaided AI for custom OCR/AI implementation, training or fine-tuning, and deployment services.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The public GitHub repository identifies EasyOCR as licensed under Apache-2.0.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Maker
- jDai Lab says it was founded in 2020 and describes itself as a small, independent AI research lab; the about page does not state its headquarters.Read 4 Oct 2026 · jaided.ai
- Compute options
- The Reader can use a GPU when available or run in CPU-only mode.Read 4 Oct 2026 · jaided.ai
- Customization
- The API supports custom recognition networks and configurable detection, recognition, decoding, and text-box merging options.Read 4 Oct 2026 · jaided.ai
- Handwriting OCR
- NoRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Input formats
- Images can be supplied as a file path, NumPy array, bytes, or URL.Read 4 Oct 2026 · jaided.ai
- Installation
- The maker documents installation through pip, from source, or with Docker; Windows users may need to install PyTorch manually first.Read 4 Oct 2026 · jaided.ai
- Issue handling
- The repository says that issues older than six months are automatically closed and can be reopened if critical.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Languages
- The project states that it supports more than 80 languages, and compatible languages can be read together.Read 4 Oct 2026 · jaided.ai
- Model downloads
- Pretrained models download automatically when EasyOCR is used, and can also be downloaded manually for offline environments.Read 4 Oct 2026 · jaided.ai
- Notable limitation
- The README lists handwritten text support as planned work.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Primary platform
- desktopRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Recognition output
- The readtext method returns detected text with bounding box coordinates and confidence values, with an option for text-only output.Read 4 Oct 2026 · jaided.ai
- Supported inputs
- imageRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Supported languages
- 80Read 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Supports more than 80 languages.
- Accepts paths, arrays, bytes, or URLs.
- Can run with a GPU or CPU only.
- Offers configurable recognition and detection options.
- Free under the Apache-2.0 license.
Limits
- Handwriting recognition is not supported.
- Windows users may need to install PyTorch manually first.
- Pretrained models download automatically unless obtained manually.
Who it suits
EasyOCR suits developers and teams that need image text extraction across many languages and can work with a Python module. It is not suited to workflows that require handwriting recognition.
Verdict
EasyOCR offers configurable, multilingual OCR for image inputs, with CPU-only operation and manual model downloads for offline use. Handwriting support remains planned rather than available.
Where Specifiction places it
- OCR API Software#7 of 298.4
- OCR software#13 of 408.4