OCRFeeder vs PaperScan

OCRFeeder is a Linux system for analyzing document layouts and recognizing text in images. It automatically outlines image content, separates graphics from text, and applies OCR to text regions. Its GTK graphical interface lets users correct recognition errors and bounding boxes, set paragraph styles, and clean input images. Users can import PDFs and save or load projects. The application exports to multiple formats, with ODT as its main format, and provides both a graphical interface and a command-line interface. It works with system-wide OCR engines, including command-line OCR engines. Documentation for the graphical interface is available from its Help menu or with F1. OCRFeeder is free software under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or any later version chosen by the user. The GNOME project page links to source code and release packages, and the project page links to a GitLab issue tracker. Its listed roadmap includes proposed additions such as plain-text export and undo/redo support. The README states that the software is provided without warranty.

PaperScan is a Windows scanning application that acquires documents through TWAIN and WIA and includes OCR for searchable output. It accepts more than 100 input formats and supports PDF-OCR output in more than 60 languages. Image tools include deskewing, rotation, border and punch-hole removal, blank-page removal, color adjustment, filters and effects. Annotation options include highlights, freehand marks, shapes, lines, pens, rubber stamps, text, sticky notes and a ruler. It can save to SharePoint on-premises or online, send email through Outlook, read encrypted PDFs, create encrypted PDFs and support digital signatures. Output options include PDF/A, TIFF, JPEG, PNG, DOCX, XLSX and other listed formats. The Free Edition allows 10-page batch scanning or import. Home Edition costs $79, paid once for unlimited batch work; Professional single license costs $149 as a one-time purchase for one user on one computer. Home and Professional trials include all features for 30 days without a credit card, then require a license key to continue.