Best OCR Software for PDF to Word Conversion in 2024 [Free Tool]

Are you facing trouble trying to convert your PDF files into scanned documents or images into Word? 

We have a solution- Software with OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology! They accurately recognize text within images or scanned PDFs and transform them into editable Word files.

In this article, we have talked about 6 reliable OCR PDF to Word software and enlisted their key strengths, pricing, and ease of use for you. Read below to choose the best converter for you!

Benefits of Using OCR PDF to Word Converters

‘What are the benefits of OCR PDF to Word converters?’ 

Well, imagine trying to convert a scanned PDF without using OCR technology. The result would likely be an uneditable, image-based document that prevents you from copying or altering the text. 

This would make editing documents impossible, especially if they are scanned or image-based. Without OCR, users are stuck manually retyping entire documents- a tedious and time-consuming task.

So, OCR helps us to:

• ✳️Easily convert scanned documents. Yes! OCR tools read text from scanned documents and images. This means you can quickly convert paper documents or image-based PDFs into editable Word files without having to type everything out manually. It saves you a lot of time and effort!
• ✅Accurate text recognition. OCR technology is designed to accurately recognize text, even from blurry or low-quality images. You can rely on these tools to convert documents with precision and the plus part?-they keep the text format, font style, and layout of your file as close to the original as possible.
• ✏️Edit and reuse content. Once your PDF is converted into a Word file, easily edit the content. Whether you need to update information, correct errors, or reuse content for a new document, adjust the text as needed with OCR.
• ⚡Fast processing time. OCR software speeds up the conversion process. In just a few minutes, it converts long documents. So, it is a practical solution for those who need quick results.

Top 6 PDF to Word Tools with OCR

Below, we have discussed some of the best OCR PDF to Word converters in 2024 (Free converter is included). Let’s begin!

OnePDF Free PDF to Word OCR Software

OnePDF converts PDF OCR online for free. Its user-friendly interface allows anyone, even beginners, to convert PDF files into editable Word documents easily. Unlike many paid tools, OnePDF offers this feature for free and is a go-to option for cost-conscious users.

OnePDFs’ OCR is not only effective in converting scanned PDFs but also retains the original layout of your document without losing accuracy. It is the #1 OCR software to convert PDF to Word for Mac and Windows users who work with multiple files as it supports batch conversion.

Ready to try it? 

👉Here’s how you can easily convert an OCR PDF to Word using OnePDF:

1. First of all, visit the official website of ONEPDF OCR PDF page.

2. Here, upload your PDF file by clicking the ‘Select PDF File’ button.
3. Select the option OCR PDF to convert it into Word document.

4. Now, this tool will scan your document and convert it into an editable Word format.
5. Download the converted file and save it to your preferred location.

✨✨Pros of OnePDF:

• ONEPDF is a completely free-to-use OCR-equipped tool and has other 15+ features to edit and modify your documents.
• This PDF to Word OCR software retains text and formatting from scanned PDFs.
• This PDF to doc free tool recognizes up to 16 languages including English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Russian, and more.

PDF Candy Free OCR Software

PDF Candy is another free OCR tool that provides reliable PDF-to-Word conversions. What makes it stand out is its simple, clean interface and ability to handle text-heavy PDFs with high accuracy.

The OCR feature works well for most text-based PDFs but you might struggle to handle more complex layouts.

✅Pros of PDF Candy:

• This PDF to Doc OCR online supports many file formats including docs, png, jpg, etc.
• It is a cloud-based system that does not need any software installation.

❌Cons of PDF Candy:

• PDF Candy may not always maintain the original formatting.
• It outputs a .txt file after using its OCR feature. This makes it difficult or complex to adjust the formatting, as the resulting file may require significant reformatting.

PDFelement OCR PDF to Word Converter

PDFelement is more than just a converter. It offers advanced PDF editing features alongside its OCR capabilities. This tool is perfect for users who want to not only convert files but also edit PDFs with ease.

PDFelement’s OCR works particularly well for documents with both text and images. The software ensures that even the most complicated layouts remain intact after conversion.

✅Pros of PDFelement:

• Its OCR is capable of converting in over 20 languages.
• PDFelement has advanced editing tools to refine the converted document after OCR. It allows the conversion of scanned PDFs into searchable and editable text.
• Due to its batch conversion feature, it is great for working with multiple files.

❌Cons of using PDFelement:

• This PDF OCR tool needs to download an app on your device, which may take up your computer’s space and may not be as quick and efficient as online tools.
• Its free version has only limited features. To access its advanced features, users need to buy a premium plan. You have two options here: Either get the yearly plan for $89.99 per year, which covers all platforms like Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and even cloud access. Or, if you want a one-time purchase, the lifetime license will cost you $139.99.

UniPDF PDF to Word OCR Software

UniPDF is a lightweight OCR converter that offers fast and accurate conversions. If you are looking for an offline solution that takes up minimal space, this tool is perfect. It is free OCR software PDF to Word modifications.

UniPDF is known for its speed and high-quality conversions, even for your scanned documents. You can convert scanned PDF to Word software to quickly transform paper documents into editable digital files. But it may lack some advanced features offered by other tools.

✅Pros of UniPdf:

• UNiPDF offers accurate conversions, especially for your basic text documents.
• If you constantly handle smaller PDFs, this tool can be of great use to you.  It has free and fast processing for smaller files.
• Being an offline tool, you can convert PDFs anywhere, even without internet access, which is perfect for users on the go.

❎Cons of using UniPdf:

• It provides limited features in the free version. Their Pro Version is a one-time payment of just $29.95, which gives you lifetime access.
• UniPdf is not as effective for handling complex PDFs with images or graphs.

Adobe Acrobat DC OCR Software for PDF Conversion

Adobe Acrobat is a well-known name in the world of PDFs. Its OCR capabilities make it a top choice for professionals who want a reliable, accurate, and versatile tool.

Adobe’s OCR engine is extremely powerful and offers excellent accuracy for both basic and complex documents. Although its premium pricing does not appeal to casual users. If you go for the monthly plan, it costs $24.99 per month. And if you opt for the yearly plan, it drops to $19.99 per month, billed annually at $239.88. 

✅Pros of Adobe Converter:

• Adobe converts PDF to Word with OCR technology that delivers highly accurate results.
• It allows users to edit and manipulate the converted document directly in the software.
• It supports pdf ocr to word conversions for large files and complex document layouts.
• It is highly trusted by professionals for high-quality PDF-to-Word conversions.

❎Cons of Adobe Acrobat DC:

• Requires a subscription, making it less accessible for occasional users.
• The software may feel complex for beginners due to its range of features.

Foxit PDF OCR Tool

Foxit PDF is another excellent choice for users who need a full-featured PDF solution with OCR. It is highly regarded for its speed and accuracy in converting scanned PDFs to Word format.

Foxit delivers fast OCR results while maintaining originality even for documents with intricate layouts or multiple languages. Using a scan PDF to Word converter software like this allows you to easily convert scanned documents into editable Word files and save your time and effort.

✅Pros of Foxit PDF OCR Tool:

• It provides advanced security features like document encryption.
• One of the most underrated but valuable features of this software is its small download size. It is ideal for users with limited storage.

❎Cons of Foxit PDF OCR Tool:

• It requires software installation, and some advanced features are locked behind a paywall.
• Some users complained that they faced occasional formatting issues with complex documents.

Conclusion

Choosing the right OCR PDF to Word software depends on your specific need- whether you prioritize price, ease of use, or accuracy.

From the free yet powerful OnePDF to the professional-grade Adobe Acrobat DC, each tool offers its unique advantages for PDF conversion. Evaluate your needs carefully to choose the tool that best suits your workflow.

FAQs About OCR PDF to Word

When looking for the best solution to convert scanned PDFs, you may have plenty of questions and confusion. Here are answers to some common ones:

1. How to Convert Scanned PDF to Editable Word?

To convert a scanned PDF to an editable Word document, you will need a free OCR PDF to Word online tools like OnePDF, uniPdf, or professional tools like  Adobe Acrobat DC and Foxit. 

ONEPDF and PDF Candy are perfect for users who are looking for free conversion options. These tools offer reliable, basic PDF-to-Word OCR capabilities without any cost. If you need more advanced features or handle complex documents, Adobe Acrobat DC is the right choice. 

And for offline users who prioritize speed and efficiency, UniPDF is a good fit. It is lightweight, fast, and ideal for converting smaller PDFs into different formats without requiring an internet connection.

2. What Files Can I Convert Using ONEPDF?

OnePDF supports a wide range of file formats for conversion, including PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and images such as JPG and PNG. 

You can use OnePDF to convert scanned PDFs to editable Words files, as well as converting image-based PDFs, and multi-page documents into editable Word files and also turn a PDF file into JPG format. With its OCR feature, even text-heavy or multi-language PDFs can be converted effortlessly.