Blog Summary:
Scanning software can help you digitize your paper documents and images, convert them into various formats, edit and enhance them, and store and share them easily. There are many scanning software available for Windows PC, but not all of them are equally effective and user-friendly.
In this post, we review and compare the top 10 scanning software for Windows PC in 2023, and recommend Adobe Acrobat DC as the best one for its features, quality, and versatility.
Looking for the best scanner software for Windows? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Gone are those days when we had to stock massive piles of documents and files to store and record information on paper. Now we prefer to store everything digitally, from our grocery lists to photos to almost anything.
Here are the 12 best free scanning software for Windows that will allow you to scan your documents and photos in the best quality effortlessly.
What is Scanning Software?
In this rapidly evolving digitization world, scanning software can prove to be a boon to create, scan, edit, or evaluate documents and images with ease. A scanning software comes power-packed with many nifty features that allow you to make instant edits to your documents or photos before you store them digitally.
Apart from this, scanning software also allows you to convert your photos into PDF format to easily make quick changes and do the required editing to process your documents and photos.
Here are the 10 best scanner software for Windows, highlighting the best feature set and pros & cons.
Ideal Features of A Document Scanner For PC:
- Converts paper documents and images into digital files.
- Allows PDF creation from various sources.
- Supports batch processing, indexing, and image pre-processing.
- Compatible with TWAIN and WIA standards for scanner communication.
- Supports file formats such as PDF, JPEG, TIFF, and RAW.
- Includes OCR for text recognition and editing.
- Provides editing and annotation tools.
- Provides backup, sync, and file-sharing
These are some of the basic features of a document scanner for PC. Depending on the software you choose, you may find more or less features.
Scan Documents Like a Pro with These 10 Free Software for Windows 10 PC (2023)
Supercharge your Windows 11/10 PC with the unbeatable power of the scanning software solutions.
1. Adobe Acrobat DC
USP: It’s an all-in-one PDF tool that lets you do more with your documents, from creation to collaboration.
Adobe is a renowned brand when it comes to creating, storing, and handling documents. It comes power-packed with a high-end feature set with additional capabilities. Adobe Acrobat’s easy to use interface makes it ideal for both beginners and professionals.
Pros:
- Possesses advanced collaboration features where you can efficiently work on shared PDF documents.
- Includes a text indexing feature that allows you to search within a document.
- Convert your smartphone images into PDF format.
- Combine two or more PDF files.
- Allow you to add a digital signature.
- Device compatibility across various platforms.
Cons:
- Only a limited set of features available along with the free version of this software. To access more advanced features, you would require to opt for the paid versions.
- Product licensing is required.
2. ABBYY Fine Reader
USP: A versatile OCR software that can scan and convert any document or image into the format you need.
ABBYY Finereader can be an ideal pick if you’re looking for a professional document and photo scanning tool with high accuracy. It offers you a customized digital space to easily create, edit, and collaborate documents and images.
Pros:
- High document accuracy.
- Capable of converting documents into multiple formats.
- Allows you to create fillable forms.
- Compare documents in different formats.
- Includes the Digital signature feature.
- Allow you to edit documents with ease if you have to correct or re-frame a sentence or paragraph.
3. ScanSpeeder
USP: One of the best scanner software for Windows 10 that holds the potential to scan multiple photos at once and add text to them.
Next on our list of best free scanning software for Windows comes ScanSpeeder. ScanSpeeder is a nifty document and photo scanning tool that speedily does the job for you with efficiency and accuracy.
Pros:
- Scans multiple docs and images at once.
- Cost-effective.
- Also scans slides and negatives. (Paid version)
- High auto-detection rate.
- Supports advanced batch editing features and toolset.
- Comes back with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Cons:
- The 16-bit true gray scanning feature that scans black and white images is only supported along with the software’s paid version.
4. VueScan
USP: Advanced color management and support for over 6000 scanners. This makes it one of the best scanner programs for Windows 10 & other versions.
VueScan is an all-in-one utility tool to effectively scan your documents, images, and slides. Whether you want to scan a single document or image, or an entire batch, the tool works swiftly. Here are many pros and cons that you should consider before picking this free scanner program for Windows.
Pros:
- Automatic color detection.
- Scans multiple photos and documents.
- Supports all popular document and image formats.
- Photoshop integration is included.
- Available for both Windows and macOS.
Cons:
- The user interface still needs a bit of re-touch.
5. PaperScan
USP: A universal scanning software that can work with any scanner and provide a range of image enhancement and editing tools.
PaperScan is undoubtedly one of the best scanner software for Windows, which allows you to perform digitization with ease. From documents to photos to films, it effortlessly converts documents into a digital format with high-end accuracy.
Pros:
- Supports more than 30+ languages.
- Possesses post-scanning editing capabilities.
- Cross-platform compatibility.
- User friendly and affordable.
Cons:
- Batch editing and scanning are not supported along with the free version. You might have to upgrade to a higher “Home Edition” or “Professional” plan.
6. Readiris 17
USP: Has the potential to recognize text in over 130 languages and export to various cloud services.
Readiris is an intelligent, unique, and powerful document and photo scanner tool for the Windows platform. It allows you to easily edit, annotate, and collaborate with your documents in just a few clicks.
Pros:
- Supports a wide variety of file formats.
- Compatible with both Windows and macOS.
- You can even edit texts embedded in images.
Cons:
- You cannot use the free version for an unlimited duration.
7. Kofax OmniPage
USP: A reliable scanning software known for its high accuracy.
OmniPage is a powerful OCR software that comes packed with a variety of advanced features. With the help of this nifty scanner for Windows, you can easily convert documents, images, and PDFs into a digitized format.
Pros:
- Batch editing is supported for multiple file formats.
- Allows you to compare and edit files, side by side.
- More than 120+ languages are supported.
- Cloud integration is embedded so that you can easily share your files across platforms.
Cons:
- Becomes a bit unresponsive during batch editing, still room for improvement.
8. Microsoft Office Lens
USP: A convenient scanning app that can scan documents, whiteboards, business cards, and more.
Microsoft Office Lens is one of Windows’s best free scanning software that effortlessly converts images and documents into a readable format.
Pros:
- Allows you to save images on OneDrive, OneNote, or locally.
- Trims and removes shadows.
- Enhances the colors of documents and images.
- Images can be converted into any desired format including .docx, .pdf or .ppt.
Cons:
- The interface still has a scope to get better and more intuitive.
9. NAPS2
USP: It’s a free and open-source scanning software that can scan documents to PDF and other file types without any hiccups.
NAPS2 free scanner program for Windows 10, also tagged as “Not Another PDF Scanner,” offers a significant amount of justice to its name. NAPS2 is a free, open-source scanning tool for Windows that is compatible with both WIA and TWAIN. It can prove to be the best photo scanning software for Windows because of its exceptional capabilities to scan any kind of document or image format in just a few clicks.
Pros:
- Supports multiple file formats.
- Clean, simple, easy to understand user interface.
- Easy editing features like crop, rotate, brighten to enhance the document or image.
Cons:
- Only available for Windows OS.
10. SimpleIndex
USP: An easy-to-use scanning software that can scan and index documents using barcode, OCR, or database lookup.
SimpleIndex can undoubtedly prove to be the best scanner for Windows to meet and fulfill all sorts of scanning needs.
Pros:
- Live chat support.
- Streamlined user interface ideal for both personal and professional setup.
- Multiple language support.
- Watermark support for PDF files.
- Batch editing supported.
Cons:
- Lacks mobile integration and is only available for Windows OS, as of now.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Does Windows have scanning software?
Yes, Windows does have a built-in scanning feature that you can use to scan documents or pictures with your scanner or printer. You can use the Windows Fax and Scan tool, which is a built-in utility in Windows 10 and
2. How do I scan a PDF file in Windows 10?
To scan a PDF file in Windows 10 using the Windows Scan app, follow these steps:
– Connect your scanner to your computer and make sure it is turned on.
– Open the Windows Scan app.
– Place the document or image you want to scan on the scanner.
– Click on the “New Scan” option in the Windows Scan app.
– Choose your scanner from the list, adjust any settings if needed, and click “Scan.”
– Click on the “Save” option and choose PDF as the file format.
3. Is the Windows Scan app free?
Yes, the Windows Scan app is free to use. It comes pre-installed with Windows 10, so you don’t need to purchase any additional software.
4. What is the best scanner for Windows 10?
The best scanner for Windows 10 depends on your specific needs and requirements. Some popular options include the Epson WorkForce ES-500W, Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500, and Canon imageFORMULA DR-C230. It’s recommended to consider factors like scanning speed, image quality, connectivity options, and budget when choosing a scanner for Windows 10.
Conclusion
This wraps up our list of 10 best free scanning software for Windows that can effortlessly scan your documents and images most efficiently. You can use any of the above-mentioned software to create accurate and readable documents and photos in high-resolution quality.
Go Paperless!
ТОП-10 программ для сканирования документов
Необходимо оцифровать важные бумаги? Для этого вам потребуется программа для сканирования документов. Существует большое количество платных и бесплатных приложений, которые позволят настроить параметры оцифровки, обработать материал, а также произвести оптическое распознавание символов. В этой статье мы расскажем о 10 лучших утилитах.
Как редактировать отсканированные PDF файлы
Программа PDF Commander подходит для редактирования отсканированных документов и позволяет объединить листы в многостраничный ПДФ, конвертировать его в другие форматы и менять содержимое страниц: добавлять фото, электронные подписи и штампы.
Также софт позволит настроить порядок страниц, удалить лишние и добавить новые, установить пароль на открытие или изменение. Вы можете извлечь текст и картинки из файла, отправить информацию на печать с возможностью настроить параметры вывода.
PDF Commander
Программа имеет удобный интерфейс на русском языке и подходит начинающим. Вы можете установить ее на Windows 10, 8, 7 и сразу же приступить к редактированию!
Скачайте PDF Commander прямо сейчас:
Скачать бесплатно!
Подходит для Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7
ТОП-10 программ, чтобы сканировать документы на компьютер за считанные минуты
Чтобы настроить сканирование, воспользуйтесь специальными приложениями. Они позволят подключиться к большинству принтеров и изменить параметры вывода. Некоторые ПО также предлагают опции OCR и коррекции страниц.
ABBYY FineReader
Программное обеспечение для оцифровки материалов, извлечения текста и графических элементов. Оно также позволяет редактировать медиафайлы, устанавливать защиту и открывать доступ для совместного использования. Вы можете применить софт для изменения существующих PDF или создания их из сканов страниц. Последняя версия ABBYY FineReader также включает функцию распознавания слов на базе искусственного интеллекта. Вы можете скачать ПО бесплатно и использовать его в течение пробного периода. Затем необходимо приобрести бессрочную лицензию или подписку на 1 год.
Плюсы:
Из минусов можно отметить высокую стоимость: базовый пакет, позволяющий просматривать, сканировать и корректировать данные, стоит 8990 рублей. Корпоративный пакет обойдется организации в 48 990 рублей.
ABBYY FineReader
OCR CuneiForm
OCR CuneiForm — это программное обеспечение для опознания слов на отсканированных или сфотографированных материалах. Оно позволит преобразовать сканы в редактируемые текстовые файлы и сохранять их в форматах Word, Excel и другие. Система умеет распознавать данные на английском, русском, немецком, украинском и других языках.
Плюсы:
Недостатком является отсутствие поддержки от разработчика. Последнее обновление вышло в 2011 году. Сейчас установить ПО на Виндовс можно только со сторонних сайтов. Открытую версию для Linux можно использовать в качестве библиотеки.
CuneiForm
RiDoc
RiDoc подходит для оцифровки медиаданных, а также определения символов. RiDoc работает с большинством TWAIN или WIA принтеров и сканеров. У вас будет возможность сохранить сканы в различных медиаформатах: BMP, JPG, PNG, Word. Затем можно отправить их по электронной почте или загрузить в облачное хранилище.
Плюсы:
Из минусов отметим короткий пробный период: ПО можно использовать бесплатно в течение 30 дней. Затем на результате будет размещен водяной знак. Для снятия ограничений потребуется приобрести лицензию за 450 рублей.
RiDoc
VueScan
VueScan — это простая программа для сканирования документов на компьютер и расширения функционала планшетных и пленочных сканеров. Она позволяет получить четкие изображения с точными и сбалансированными цветами, а также содержит опции для коррекции картинок. Программное обеспечение сканирует данные и превращает их в многостраничные ПДФ или создает отдельные файлы JPEG и TIFF. Также оно предлагает функцию для оптического распознавания слов. Софт содержит инструменты для пакетной обработки и совместим с большим количеством устройств.
Плюсы:
Из недостатков можно отметить возможность использовать ПО бесплатно только в течение пробного периода. Лицензионный пакет стоит 2 тысячи рублей.
VueScan
Scanitto Pro
Scanitto Pro предназначен для перевода бумажных носителей в различные цифровые форматы. С его помощью можно создать многостраничные файлы или сохранить отдельные листы. Также он содержит инструменты для распознавания слов, которые позволяют редактировать текст со сканов.
Плюсы:
Из минусов можно отметить ограниченный пробный период, который действует 30 дней. Затем нужно купить ПО за 598,80 руб.
Scanitto Pro
PaperScan
PaperScan — это софт для сканирования, позволяющий обрабатывать, комментировать, сжимать и сохранять изображения в виде многостраничных файлов. Пользователю также доступны инструменты для обработки изображений: автоматическое выравнивание, поворот, удаление границ и перфорированных отверстий, перевод негатива, настройка цвета, эффекты, кадрирование и другие. Также здесь вас ждут функции пакетной обработки, шифрования и установки пароля на чтение, двустороннего копирования, автоматического удаления пустых страниц и режим быстрого сканирования.
Плюсы:
Недостатком является отсутствие русскоязычного меню. Также для использования ПО потребуется приобрести лицензию за 79 долларов.
PaperScan
Readiris Pro
Readiris Pro — программное обеспечение, которое работает на ОС Windows и Mac. Оно предназначено для преобразования сканов в PDF. Их можно будет не только просматривать, но и редактировать благодаря функции определения символов, которая поддерживает более 100 языков. Также Readiris имеет свое облачное хранилище. Итоговую работу вы сможете потом экспортировать в облако, а затем использовать для совместного доступа или коррекции данных в дороге.
Плюсы:
Минусом софта является высокая стоимость: 99 долларов. Также программное обеспечение совершает ошибки в распознавании слов, поэтому перед сохранением окончательного итога потребуется вычитка и редактура.
Readiris
NAPS2
NAPS2 подходит для сканирования, т.к. ориентированно на простоту и удобство использования. У вас будет возможность преобразовать бумажные носители в цифровой контент с помощью WIA- и TWAIN-совместимых аппаратов и сохранить их в TIFF, JPEG, PNG и других медиаформатах. NAPS2 полностью бесплатен и имеет открытый исходный код.
Редактор позволяет выбрать или создать свои профили сканирования: указать устройство, источник бумаги, размер, глубину цвета, разрешение и т.д. Результат импортируются непосредственно в NAPS2, и затем вы можете сохранить его как изображение или ПДФ.
Плюсы:
Недостатком является отсутствие поддержки Виндовс XP и Vista. Также для работы требуется .NET Framework 4.0 или выше.
NAPS2
EasyScan
EasyScan — это инструмент для оцифровки и расширения функционала подключенного сканирующего оборудования. EasyScan обрабатывает материал с различной глубиной цвета, а затем конвертирует его перед выводом в подходящем расширение.
Плюсы:
Минусом софта является отсутствие поддержки разработчика. Он не обновлялся с 2011 года и его можно загрузить только со сторонних онлайн-сервисов. Интерфейс редактора на английском языке и может показаться сложным начинающим.
EasyScan
WinScan2PDF
WinScan2PDF — это бесплатное приложение, способное сканировать документы и сохранять их на компьютер в PDF с помощью любого установленного сканирующего оборудования. Оно поддерживает большое количество моделей сканирующих устройств и предлагает удобное русскоязычное меню. Программа не требует установки и предлагает portable-версию, которая весит всего 40 КБ. Она также не требовательна к ресурсам компьютера и может быстро работать на старых ПК и ноутбуках.
Плюсы:
Недостатком софта является экспорт в одном формате. Также ПО не имеет функции для коррекции контента и добавления графических элементов.
WinScan2PDF
Заключение
Теперь вы знаете, как сканировать документы на компьютере и настраивать параметры вывода. Специальное программное обеспечение позволит обработать скан, а затем вывести в подходящем медиаформате. Однако такие приложения часто не содержат опций для объединения нескольких файлов, размещения текста и фото, подписей и штампов.
Для изменения отсканированных ПДФ воспользуйтесь редактором PDF Commander. Он позволяет объединить листы в один файл и редактировать их содержимое. Помимо этого здесь вы сможете оформить контент с нуля, настроить порядок страниц, извлечь текст и картинки. Скачайте программу и приступайте к редактированию прямо сейчас!
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There are numerous improvements that a scanner software for Windows 10 can bring into your life. The general task is easy – to allow you to store documents in a digital form. But a good program offers flexibility in formats, you can create not only images or PDFs but also Word and other files.
Naturally, quality is the thing users are concerned about the most because the program needs to be able to handle large files without damaging them. If the software can’t maintain the sharpness of various characters, it is needless in our times.
Top 7 Free Scanner Software For Windows 10
-
Adobe Acrobat —
Industry standart
-
Abbyy FineReader —
Convenient UI
-
NAPS2 —
Open source
-
PaperScan —
Available in multiple languages
-
OmniPage Standard —
Impressive portability
-
ScanSpeeder —
Can add text to images
-
VueScan —
High scanning quality
The most advanced and thus enterprise-focused options are presented by Adobe but there are others on the market that you can rely on. Below, you will find a substantial list of options that are rich in features and collect satisfactory user reviews. You can find programs for personal and professional use easily.
1. Adobe Acrobat
- Enables quick searching with text indexing
- Standard template set is available for consistency
- Both text and data can be edited in tables
- Easy to use
- None
Verdict: This free scanner software will allow you to create, edit and view PDF files, work with content, convert, improve the quality of content and work with scanners. The program supports a large number of formats and recognizes several hundred languages.
Despite its compactness and lightness, the utility is capable of performing OCR with high quality and minimal errors. Particularly impressive is the program’s ability to normally perceive a huge number of fonts and maintain the original structure of the document during processing.
2. Abbyy FineReader
- Intuitive software
- Comes with all functions you might ever need
- Terrific performance
- Multi-language support
- Doesn’t have a versioning feature
Verdict: The program uses special patented algorithms to recognize text even using low quality images, for example, images from mobile phone cameras.
In addition to high accuracy of text recognition, the program recognizes and transforms the entire structure of the document, its entire appearance. Photos, tables, pagination, and all other elements remain in their places. Therefore, now there is no need to reprint the document when you have an assistant in the form of ABBYY FineReader.
3. NAPS2
- Simple to use interface
- Free and open source
- Supports WIA and TWAIN
- Built-in OCR engine
- None
Verdict: NAPS2 (Not Another PDF Scanner 2) is a very handy program for scanning documents and saving them in PDF format or as a graphic image. The program allows you to create several scan profiles depending on the required quality parameters of the scanned file. Batch scanning is also supported, which is convenient when working with a large volume of documents.
Setting the output parameters of a PDF document is quite flexible: here you can specify the name, author, topic, and keywords, enable encryption (owner password and user password), control access to the file (print, edit, copy, etc.).
4. PaperScan
Available in multiple languages
- It provides a free version
- Works on a variety of devices
- PDF encryption
- Supports more than 30 languages
- Only basic functionalities are available in free version
- A lot of display ads
PaperScan
Verdict: If you are looking for a good scanner for your computer then PaperScan free scanner software for Windows 10 should be one of the first programs that you check out. The software comes with a free 30-day trial so you have time to check it out for yourself.
PaperScan free scanner software for Windows 10 will be able to recognize different document types including posters, paintings, drawings, receipts, manuals, and many other forms of printable material. The scanner software can also handle some common formats such as PPT, PDF, TIFF and BMP.
5. OmniPage Standard
- Good customer service
- Clean UI
- Allows exporting images/documents straight to Facebook
- Can add text to images
- Paid version is expensive
OmniPage Standard
Verdict: The OmniPages Standard free scanner software for Windows 10 offers a great number of features and functions that will be greatly appreciated by anyone that owns a Windows computer. This program comes with a scanning feature that works with a high-speed scanner and can even read Pads and touch screen monitors.
Users of this software will find that they are able to download all sorts of documents into their computers. This scanner software will be able to handle a variety of different types of formats, including PDF documents. Being able to open and view these documents will help anyone to get just about any document that one would like to have scanned into the computer.
6. ScanSpeeder
- Automatic backups
- It is available for business and personal
- Notifications if backups fail
- Easy restore process
- Weak functionality
ScanSpeeder
Verdict: ScanSpeeder is very easy to use photo scanning software that will speed up the process of scanning your old photos. Place as many photos as you can on the flatbed scanner at once. ScanSpeeder will split photos into separate image files.
Photos can be found automatically even when scanned directly from the photo album page. Easy-to-use features allow you to control the selection of your photos if needed. Save both archived and post quality versions, and upload photos directly to your Facebook account.
7. VueScan
- Various customization options available
- Trial version is available for free
- It can scan PDF and JPEG formats
- High scanning quality
- Occasional slow performance
- Dated interface
VueScan
Verdict: If you are wondering if VueScan is a good free scanner for your Windows 10 computer, the answer is yes. One of the best things about VueScan is that there is no limit as to how many documents you can scan at one time. This is great for someone who works with a large company and needs to have a constant flow of documents in the office. You could literally spend all day scanning documents and never run out of space.
Another great thing about this scanner is that it automatically starts scanning when your computer starts up. You do not have to worry about manually starting the scanning process or even keeping track of when the scanning process starts.
Check our list with best scanning software for Windows
by Matthew Adams
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- When choosing a scanner software for Windows 10 look for one that features image editing options.
- The majority of the solutions are quite handy for scanning various file types and include optical character recognition.
- Our top Windows 10 scanner software list is precisely what you need to pick which one is ideal for you, whether for business or personal purposes.
Software bundled with scanners or printers is not unusual these days. However, if you’re looking for better tools than what came with the scanner there are plenty of alternatives.
There are various types of applications for image processing, OCR (Optical Character Recognition), and batch scanning.
These are some of the best scanner software for Windows 11.
What is the best scanning software for PC?
- What is the best scanning software for PC?
- Soda PDF — User-friendly and high performance
- Adobe Acrobat — Best overall
- ABBYY FineReader — Edit, reviews and convert docs
- Readiris Pro — Easy text extraction from pictures
- Icecream PDF Converter PRO — Supports password-protected files
- PaperScan — Simple and straightforward
- OmniPage Standard — Best for multiple documents
Soda PDF – User-friendly and high performance
Retyping an old document is time-consuming. You can save time by using Soda PDF’s OCR engine to convert scanned documents and images into searchable PDF files.
With this OCR feature, you can also automatically detect the text along with images. You can manually choose which part of your PDF you want to scan.
This PDF editor is among the best in its field, especially if we consider the quality-price ratio. Just like the other programs mentioned so far, Soda PDF also allows you to easily edit PDFs.
The software exists in two different versions: Standard and Pro. The Pro version allows you to transform scanned PDF files into editable and searchable documents.
Both versions only allow you to edit and convert PDF files. The only difference is that you have some plus-minus advanced functions.
Pros
- The OCR function is really effective.
- It allows you to protect and sign PDFs.
Cons
- Protection and signature functions are also included in the Pro version only.
Compatible Systems: Soda PDF is compatible with both Windows and macOS & IOS.
Soda PDF
Turn any PDF, image, or scanned document into a fully editable file with the OCR feature!
Adobe Acrobat – Best overall
You might recognize Adobe Reader since it is the most used software to open PDF files.
You can use Adobe Acrobat to scan documents, create and annotate PDFs and even recognize text using OCR. Since Adobe created the pdf file format, what better software to use, right?
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All you need to do is open Adobe Acrobat, go to Tools -> Create PDF, and from there click on Scanner. You will be presented with a lot of presets and options so that you get the best results.
The presets available cover the most common documents that you might need to scan:
- a black and white document preset: useful for scanning text documents and running OCR
- color document preset: similar to the one above but it includes colors
- grayscale document
- color photograph
For scanning documents and creating a PDF with multiple text files in it we recommend using the black-and-white preset from Adobe Acrobat and also setting the scanner to 300dpi. This is the optimum value for OCR.
Once you finished scanning, it’s time to continue with Adobe Acrobat to combine all files into a single PDF, adjust the text, edit images, add password protection, or create an interactive form.
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Check out the best scanner software that perfectly matches your Windows 10 computer.
ABBYY FineReader – Edit, reviews and convert docs
ABBYY is an international software producer specializing in creating programs for OCR reading and working with scanned documents. FineReader has top reviews and awesome ratings from big publications.
We’ll see below what it has and how is it the perfect software for your work with scanned documents. FineReader allows you to edit, review, and convert scans and PDf documents.
The editing feature comes in handy as it allows you not only to edit but also to annotate the documents opened in FineReader and share the work with other users.
The compare feature helps you to track the changes that have been made to a document. Also, it has one of the best OCR engines in the world, and this is probably the most used feature of this software.
You can easily convert scanned documents to Word, Excel, PDF, and other formats with great precision. Forget about copying manually texts, just use ABBYY FineReader.
You can get this software for free from the official website, but it will have only some basic features. However, it is good to try such a tool, especially if you really need it and will like to buy it after.
ABBYY FineReader
Abby FineReader not only helps you scan but also lets you edit digital and scanned PDF documents.
Readiris Pro – Easy text extraction from pictures
Readiris Pro is more specifically OCR software for scanning documents into an editable format.
This is one of the best software packages for OCR scanning that’s compatible with all Windows versions and all TWAIN scanners and can convert documents and images to a variety of formats.
The software scans documents to PDF, ePub, RTF, TXT, ODT, HTML, GIF, BMP JPEG, PNG, and TIFF file formats, which is more than most.
Note that the OCR scanning isn’t just limited to documents, as the software also extracts text from image formats.
With this program, users can convert their MS Office documents into audio, ePub, or image file formats. Readiris has a variety of PDF options for merging, indexing, compressing, and organizing PDF pages.
Batch OCR is also a handy tool that enables you to convert a batch of documents from a selected folder. Another great thing about Readiris Pro is that it dramatically compresses file sizes for saved documents.
So this scanning application has plenty of more advanced options and tools.
Readiris Pro
Readiris Pro will surprise you with the best OCR engine and will convert PDF documents to Office formats.
Icecream PDF Converter PRO – Supports password-protected files
Icecream PDF Converter is obviously focused on PDF conversion to and from practically any format including ODC, JPG, TIFF, XLS, EPS, GIF, WMF, HTML, PNG, and more.
You can even OCR a document into an editable PDF format or even better, convert multiple files with just one click thanks to the batch processing feature.
Privacy-sensitive Icecream Converter is compatible with all versions of Windows including older ones such as Vista and XP, which makes things even simpler for you.
Let’s quickly look at its key features:
- Convert any file format to PDF and vice versa
- Supports password-protected files
- Batch processing to convert multiple files simultaneously
- Supports OCR (Text Recognition) technology to turn scanned files into editable documents
- Customize layout settings (content position, margins, page size, orientation, and more)
- Built-in PDF editor (merge, split, convert, and more)
Icecream PDF Converter PRO
Drag & drop multiple files, keep your private information safe, merge files into one PDF, and immediately edit Word documents.
PaperScan – Simple and straightforward
PaperScan is another software dedicated to scanning. This app comes with a free version and paid one that is more dedicated to professionals.
The software is pretty straightforward, a tool that is used for scanning documents, and as such it has a lot of features towards that end.
PaperScan supports over 30 languages and 100+ formats, it allows you to scan documents in batch by using separator sheets.
This software also comes with PDF encryption and digital signature, which will help you protect your documents.
Also, you can enhance or correct images right in the app due to its many tools. The software also supports SharePoint, making it much easier to share the documents you want.
Some other key features of PaperScan:
- Storage efficiency
- Blank page detection and removal
- Remove punch holes automatically
- Convert to black and white, greyscale, or color
- Magnifier mode
- Area selection, resize, crop
PaperScan
All your scanning needs can be solved with this very easy to use document scanner.
OmniPage Standard – Best for multiple documents
OmniPage Standard is another highly rated OCR software package that provides very accurate text scanning. This software has Standard and Ultimate versions that are both compatible with Windows.
The Standard version should be perfectly sufficient for most as it still incorporates the best OCR technology. The Ultimate version has extra drawings, a digital signature, and scan-to-folder tools.
OmniPage Standard is compatible with any TWAIN, WIA, or ISIS scanners.
The software supports a greater range of output formats than most alternatives including MS Office applications, PDF, HTML, Corel Word Perfect, XML, CSV, and more besides.
OmniPage’s 3-D correct technology gives it an edge when it comes to accuracy, and you can further enhance scan accuracy with some of the software’s enhancement tools.
For processing multiple documents, Omnipage includes a Batch OCR tool with which users can select a folder for automatic processing.
This program can also do OCR conversions in 123 languages. As such, it’s little wonder this is one of the industry-leading scanner software packages.
OmniPage Standard
Business-oriented software has an in-built scanner for translating sensitive data and is ideal for sharing and finding files in real time.
Those are several Windows 10 scanner software packages that can enhance scanning in various ways.
They’ll give you more accurate scans, faster scans, OCR text extraction, batch-scanning tools, PDF options, image-editing options, and more besides.
Does Windows 10 have scanning software?
Windows 10 has, in fact, a built-in scanning tool, which you can easily access from the printer context menu.
What scanner is best for Windows 10?
There are a lot of great scanner software options you can choose from, such as Soda PDF, Adobe Acrobat, ABBYY FineReader, and more.
Do scanners come with software?
Scanners typically connect with a computer system and go together with scanning software, but you can always pick your preferred application to get the best performance.
What scanner works best with Windows 10?
There are many good scanners, but for Windows 10 most professionals recommend and use scanners from Epson, especially model Epson V600. Of course, SodaPDF and Acrobat Reader work flawlessly with that hardware.
Searching for best document scanning software for your Windows device? We got it covered for you. Stay glued till the end of the article to find the best free scanner software for Windows 10, 11 or other older version devices.
Let’s not talk about the tremendous programs and hacks that this temporary technology is gearing up with everyday. Since we are not living in an oblivion far from the reach of this steady evolution, we are perhaps introduced with the convenience of many free document scanning software that, once upon a time, used to be traditional. Today, through this article, we are going to shed some light upon the best document scanner software that you can use in 2023.
Why Free Scanner Software?
You have a bountiful of reasons to acknowledge that have accelerated the need of document scanning software for PC and mobile phones and have vanquished the hustle and bustle of to-dos. Here are the results that can prompt you to ease yourself with this helpful and quick tool.
- The first and most important reason to install a scanner software free is that using it rids you of the baggage of physical documents and more or less, aids in the contribution towards the environment. (Don’t underestimate the less paper-faced clutter in your office.)
- With free scanner software you can preserve the documents you cannot afford to cast off.
- Scanner software for PC or mobile phones will help you in effortlessly editing the documents.
- It favors efficiency and promotes easy sharing.
Read Also: Best Free PDF Editing Software For Windows
What Are the Best Free Document Scanner Software for Windows 10?
There is more than just a single best free scanning software for Windows 10 because of amplified and varied features offered by many PDF scanners that touch different standards of requirements. We have collected the best free scanner software that certainly makes the document errands run smoothly and efficiently along with many other well-engineered features that you may want to use in future. Go through the list to find the perfect document scan software freeware or a paid version that fits in well with your requirements.
1. NAPS2
NAPS2 (Not Another PDF Scanner 2) is an amazing free scanner software to humble you with its relaxing functionality. For those who are keen to save their precious time and avoid hand-wringing on multiple clicks, this best document scanner software is a boon.
Notable Features of NAPS2:
- This PDF scanner is compatible with all file formats.
- The OCR tool (Optical Character Recognition) supports over 100 languages.
- It supports WIA and TWAIN.
- It allows you to combine documents along with tweaking and finishing the resolution, paper size and more.
- It is open source and also makes the process of scanning documents fast and effortless.
Pros
- Easy-to-use interface
- In built OCR engine
- WIA & TWAIN support
- Open source
- Available for Free
Cons
- Lacks advanced features
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2. CamScanner
CamScanner is another free scanner software for Windows PC users to help them with the editing, conversion and even, wireless printing functions. It is one of the best photo and document scanning software available out there.
Notable Features of CamScanner:
- OCR is supported by this document scanning utility.
- It allows you to sync, share and combine the data.
- You can go for wireless printing.
- It features auto-correction of images.
- It has a user-friendly interface.
Pros
- Intuitive and clear User interface
- Combine multiple images
- Advanced Features
- Eliminate background elements.
Cons
- Multiple in app purchases
- Occupies large space
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3. ScanSpeeder
The next alternative for a free scanner app Windows 10 is ScanSpeeder. It is one of the best document scanner software for Windows 10 to use easily. Even if you are not a techy person, this tool will help you in the smoothest and most efficient way possible, be it editing the documents and photos or sharing them.
Read Also: How to Turn PDF into Word Document
Notable Features of ScanSpeeder:
- ScanSpeeder allows you to crop, straighten and adjust the overall composition of documents and photos.
- It is easy-to-use and delivers the functionality in a snap.
- It has a free trial version to let you explore its supersmooth service.
Pros
- Can be used for both personal and professional purposes
- Automatic backup to keep data safe
- Notifies if automatic Backup process fails
- Restoration of data is easy
Cons
- Functionality is weak
- Basic features only
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4. PaperScan
Get yourself relaxed with this best free scanner software with a graphic user interface. It converts documents into PDF and supports multiple file formats at your best convenience. It offers free as well as pro version.
Notable Features of PaperScan:
- It features the flatbed support.
- It supports multiple file formats including PDF, JPEG, PNG, JBIG2 and TIFF.
- It has integration with WIA and TWAIN.
- It features auto-correction of images.
Pros
- Free Version Available
- Encrypted PDFs
- Multiple device support
- Over 30 languages supported
Cons
- Annoying ads
- Free version offer basic functions only
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5. CloudScan
Made for the hassle-filled times when you just wish to save added office tasks, or to convert them into the quickest pace, CloudScan is everything you need. This free scanner software for PC features a user-friendly interface and allows you to share the files with other networks.
Notable Features of CloudScan:
- It features easy sharing with networks.
- It allows you to scan and convert files steadily.
- It allows you to edit the documents easily.
Pros
- Beginner friendly interface
- Simple settings
- Does not require any additional set up
- Reads invoice layout for any doc
Cons
- Advanced features missing
- Pricing is comparatively higher
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6. SimpleIndex
Make most of the digital perks to use for documents with this amazing PDF scanner application for PC. It comes with a number of easy to use features, making it one of the best document scanner software for Windows 10, 8, and 7.
Notable Features of SimpleIndex:
- It is time-saving and affordable.
- It indexes the documents in sequence.
- It supports ISIS and TWAIN.
Pros
- Clean and easy interface
- Electric Imprinting
- Reliable software
- OMR option to mark checkboxes
- Cons of SimpleIndex
Cons
- Bit Expensive
- Cannot be integrated with mobile device
- Compatible with Windows device only
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7. HP Scan and Capture
Rejoice in this free document scanning software made for Windows 10. HP Scan and Capture tool allows you to convert the document into PDF and then save it in the local storage. Let’s have a look at some of its other potent offerings that make it one of the best free document scanner software available for Windows users.
Read Also: How to Convert PDF to Excel Offline
Notable Features of HP Scan and Capture:
- It features easy document management as it detects HP devices and allows users to scan and edit the documents.
- It is compatible with other devices.
- Files can easily be saved in local storage.
Pros
- Scan documents in bulk
- Handwritten docs can also be scanned
- Simple UI
Cons
- Only available for Windows
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8. Office Lens
Office Lens is known as the best PDF scanner application for Windows 10 operating system and lets you convert your documents into PDF and share them. It betters productivity and is incredibly useful in enhancement of various types of files.
Notable Features of Office Lens:
- It can be accessed in both the Windows and the mobile phones.
- This free scanner software supports OCR (optical character recognition) functionality.
- The files can be saved in local storage types such as PDF, picture, Word or Excel.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Scan documents through different devices
- Complete integration with OneDrive
- Easy sharing and accessibility
- Available for free
Cons
- OCR feature requires manual work
- Default options are ordinary
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9. Free Scanner
As the name suggest the free scan software Free scanner is packed with essential features. This free scanning software for Windows 10 may prove to be of big help to you. Enhance document scanning efficiency with this amazing free scanner software which features an user-friendly interface.
Notable Features of Free Scanner:
- It is compatible with the network scanners.
- It supports various file formats.
- It supports Windows 10, 8 and 7.
Pros
- Simple to use
- Beginner friendly
- Supports multiple languages
- Multiple scanning options
- Customisable
Cons
- Poor UI
- Performance issues
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10. PDF Document Scanner
This easy-on-mind PDF scanner software free features important functions such as scanning, editing, conversion of files into other formats. Apart from this, below are some of its prominent features that make it one of the best scanner applications to scan documents to PDF.
Notable Features of PDF Document Scanner:
- It allows adjustment and enhancement of documents.
- The digitized files can be saved to external sources and cloud storage.
- It is free to use.
Pros
- Customize documents
- Scan multiple file formats
- Open source and Free
- Available for multiple formats
Cons
- Does not support low end devices
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11. Readiris Pro
Readiris Pro is one of the best document scanner software for PC offering you multiple choices in editing and converting any document in required format. Moreover, it is user-friendly and is compatible with all editions of Microsoft Windows operating system.
Read Also: Best Duplicate Photo Finder for Windows 10
Notable Features of Readiris Pro:
- It supports all file formats such as PDF, JPEG, HTML, TXT, GIF, PNG and more.
- It features GUI and supports TWAIN.
- It supports over 130 languages.
- It features easy sharing.
Pros
- Graphical user Interface is highly intuitive
- Share Text with users for reviews
- Convert video to audio files
- Add digital signatures to your docs for data security
- Convert docs to PDFs
Cons
- Keyboard shortcuts are missing
- Multiple pricing plans makes it complicated to work on Free version
- Toggle between different functions is difficult
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12. Alaris Capture Pro
Alaris Capture Pro is one of the best document scanning software for Windows 10 that comes with a lot of amazing features. It has functions such as data indexing, neat scanning along with its ability to scan multiple documents and data capturing.
Features of Alaris Capture Pro:
- It features OCR and barcode reader.
- It allows the conversion of PDFs into editable documents.
- It features the barcode reader.
- It supports WIA and TWAIN.
Pros
- HD images with the Perfect Page feature
- Workflows are streamlines
- Microsoft SharePoint integration
Cons
- Free version has limited features
- No option for single document scans
- Rotate, crop, or other basic features missing.
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13. Adobe Acrobat DC
If there is a software in this list which you may already be familiar with, it has to be Adobe Acrobat DC. It is a go-to PDF scanner for its exciting features that you cannot skip. View, edit, print the documents and you can share them with multiple users. Let’s stretch a little more to the parameters of its multiple features.
Notable Features
- Share, edit, scan, and even sign.
- It renders your data secure if you are an individual user.
- It makes words such as collaborate and organise sound handy and easy.
- It is integrated with Adobe Document Clouds and thus, the commenting and sharing come easy.
- Not to mention, you have a choice to archive and store the files.
Pros
- Simple User interface
- Quick searches with indexing feature
- Edit data and texts even in the tables
- Maintain consistency through Templates
Cons
- Issues while launching
- Frequent Freezes and crashes
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14. ABBYY Fine Reader
Here comes the next one on our list of best document scanning software i.e ABBYY fine reader. For all those who are looking for a professional photo and document scanning tool, ABBYY Fine Reader can be the best free document scanner software to use. This file sharing software offers a huge list of features that makes it easy for you to scan and edit the document easily. Apart from just editing all the documents single-handedly, you can collaborate with your colleagues and edit in real-time.
Notable Features of ABBYY Fine Reader
- Using ABBYY Fine Reader you can convert into various formats.
- It lets you compare various documents of different formats easily.
- The software offers high document accuracy.
- You can edit in real time with your colleagues.
Pros
- Supports multiple languages
- Advanced functionalities available
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Excellent performance
Cons
- Versioning is unavailable
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15. OmniPage Standard
Nextly, we have OmniPage Standard on our list of the best document scanning software. It is highly popular for its high-speed scanner and the ability to read touchscreen monitors and pads. As far as the features are concerned, below is what you should know about this software before giving it a well-deserving try.
Notable Features of OmniPage Standard
- High accuracy
- Easy-to-use tools and flexible options
- Retains the formatting of the original document
- One-step Kindle integration
- Recognizes 120+ languages
- Supports multiple formats such as PDF
- Support for Microsoft Office, HTML, and Corel WordPerfect
- Converts any photo into a readable format
- Best-in-class OCR capabilities
Pros
- The user Interface is clean
- Great Customer support
- Add the required text to your images
- Export docs or images to your social channels such as Facebook
Cons
- Limited features in Free version
- Paid option is quite Expensive
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16. VueScan
The next best free document scanning software on our list is VueScan. If you are looking for an easy alternative this one right here is a beginner friendly tool. One major advantage of the software is you can scan unlimited documents. So if you are working with an organization and have multiple documents to scan make use of VueScan.
Notable Features of VueScan:
- Scan PDFs as single or multiple page documents
- Automatically detects colors
- Scan JPEG, TIFF, and other format images.
- Automatic naming of files
- Integrated Photoshop to edit
- Scan films
- Available for Windows, Linux, and macOS
- Advanced controls for Scanning
- Timely updates
Pros
- Free Trial version available
- Multiple options to customize
- Scanning quality is High
- Scans PDF, JPEG, and other file formats
Cons
- Outdated user interface
- Performance issues
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17. Online Photo Scanner
The last tool on this list of the best free document-scanning software is Online Photo Scanner. Just like the name of the tool, Online Photo Scanner allows you to scan your pictures and images online. This makes it quite feasible for beginners and professionals to scan the images instantly without downloading any tool.
Notable Features of Online Photo Scanner:
- Works on multiple OS
- No need to download a standalone tool.
- Instant results
- Simple user interface
- Smart performance
- Reliable scanning features
Pros
- Completely free
- Drag and drop support
- Download as an image or PDF as required
Cons
- Limited features for scanning
- Can not match the relevance of paid tools.
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Scanning Software – FAQs
Q1. What is scanning software?
Answer: Scanning software is a tool that enables editing documents or pictures instantly before storing them digitally. In addition to this, the software can help you convert the scanned docs or photos into a PDF format and make changes or edit them quickly. Go through the full list in the article above to find the best scanning software for Windows 11, 10, 8,7.
Q2. What is the best free scanning software for Windows 10?
Answer: The most commonly used and one of the best free scanner software for Windows 10 is Adobe Acrobat DC. The free version of the software has restricted functionalities that can be unlocked by switching to the upgraded premium version.
Q3. How do I scan a PDF file in Windows 10?
Answer: The above article mentions a list of free scanner software for Windows 10, 11, or older version devices. These doc scanner for PC can scan PDF file and allows users to edit or make changes to them quickly and easily. Adobe Acrobat Dc is one of the best scanner software to scan PDFs, images, or other documents.
Q4. Can I scan documents using Adobe Acrobat for free?
Answer: Yes, Adobe Acrobat enables users to scan documents for free. But the free version of this best document scanning software has restricted features. To use the whole capability of the tool upgrade to the premium version.
Q.5 What is the best free photo scanning software?
The best free photo scanning software for Windows is CamScanner, ScanSpeeder, CloudScan, and OfficeLens. These tools provide some of the best and the most advanced features ever for your scanning requirements.
Q.6 What is the best scanner for Windows 10?
Tools like CamScanner, ScanSpeeder, CloudScan, and OfficeLens are some of the best scanner for Windows 10. Using these, you can scan any type of document with ease.
Q.7 Is the Windows Scan app free?
Yes, the Windows Scan app is free to download and use on any supported Windows device for every user globally.
Conclusion
That’s a wrap from our end on our list of best scanning software for Windows10, 11 or older version devices. These best free scanner software are bagging increased popularity due to their efficient features and added functions that we all have been deprived of in traditional scanning. Besides, the fact that it cuts costs, reduces the utility of paper and of course, eliminates the loss of important documents and of course, saves the ever-growing size of bundles of documents.
And returning back to here, we hope this list helps you in figuring out the best document scanner software. Tell us about it in the comment section below.