The best OCR software for Mac
By Himanshu Ranjan · Updated 8 November 2026
ABBYY FineReader PDF is the strongest dedicated OCR app for Mac, recognizing 198 languages for $69 a year. For copying text from a single image, macOS Live Text is free. FileDial makes scanned PDFs searchable in batches offline, and Adobe Acrobat Pro and PDF Expert include OCR as part of full PDF editors.
How we chose: FileDial is our product, so read this list with that in mind. We chose picks for OCR (text recognition) from each vendor's own published information (product pages, pricing pages, support docs and privacy statements), checked on 2026-11-09, plus FileDial's own documented behavior. We did not lab-test every tool or run size or speed benchmarks on the others, so we quote no numbers for them. Order reflects fit for this search, not who made the app. Checked 2026-11-09.
1. ABBYY FineReader PDF for Mac
FineReader PDF for Mac recognizes text in 198 languages and turns PDFs and scans into editable, searchable files, including Word and Excel. ABBYY says recognition in the desktop program runs offline, with the internet needed for activation and renewal. It requires macOS 12 or later; ABBYY lists Apple silicon support using Rosetta 2, and a free trial is offered.
- 198 recognition languages
- Converts scans to Word and Excel
- OCR runs offline, per ABBYY
- Subscription only for Mac
- Runs on Apple silicon via Rosetta 2
2. Live Text (built into macOS)
In Preview, hold the pointer over text in an image, drag to select it and Control-click to copy, look up or translate it. Live Text also works in Photos and Safari. Apple notes it is not available in all regions or languages, and it does not create a searchable PDF.
- Free and instant
- Works in Preview, Photos and Safari
- Detects phone numbers and links
- Copies text; does not make files searchable
- Not in every language or region
3. FileDial
FileDial is our app. OCR › Make searchable adds an invisible text layer to pages without text, OCR › Extract text with OCR saves every page's text as a .txt, Markup › Extract text pulls text from a photo, and Adjust › Scan to PDF… straightens document photos into a searchable PDF. A 42 MB PDF was OCR'd in about 2 seconds on a MacBook.
- Runs on many files at once
- Searchable PDFs and plain text output
- Works with Wi-Fi off
- Fewer OCR options than FineReader
- Not free after the 1-day trial
- Needs macOS 14 or later on an Apple silicon Mac (M1 or newer)
4. Adobe Acrobat Pro
Acrobat Pro uses OCR to turn scans into searchable, editable PDFs, and you can then edit the recognized text, convert to Word or Excel, and use the rest of Acrobat's tools. It is available on desktop, web and mobile.
- Edit the recognized text directly
- Full PDF toolset
- Cross-platform
- Subscription only
- Costly if you only need OCR
5. PDF Expert
Readdle lists OCR among PDF Expert's Mac tools for recognizing text in scanned documents, alongside text editing, conversion to Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and signing. It requires macOS 12 or later.
- OCR plus a full editor
- Lifetime option on Mac
- Works with iPhone and iPad
- Full features need a paid plan
- Apple platforms only
How we ranked OCR software for Mac
OCR jobs range from grabbing a phone number off a photo to turning a box of scanned contracts into searchable files. We ranked on recognition breadth (languages and output types), whether OCR runs on the Mac, batch handling and price.
FineReader ranks first because OCR is its core: 198 languages, conversion to editable Office files and offline recognition per ABBYY. Live Text is second because it is free, already on your Mac and handles the most common job, copying a bit of text. FileDial is third for batches of scanned PDFs, and Acrobat Pro and PDF Expert are best when you also need a full PDF editor.
Searchable PDF, text file or copied text
Decide what you want at the end. A searchable PDF keeps the scan's look but adds an invisible text layer so you can search, select and copy. A text file gives you just the words. Copied text from Live Text goes straight to the clipboard.
For archives and records, searchable PDFs are usually best. FileDial's OCR › Make searchable adds the layer only to pages without text. For editable documents, FineReader, Acrobat and FileDial's Convert › PDF to Word, which OCRs scans, produce Word files.
Getting better OCR results
OCR accuracy depends on the scan. Straight, evenly lit pages at a decent resolution read best; tilted phone photos and faint copies read worst. FileDial's OCR › Straighten scanned pages… fixes tilted pages before recognition, and Adjust › Scan to PDF… straightens document photos.
Always proofread names, numbers and amounts in OCR output before relying on them. No OCR engine is perfect.
Why OCR on your Mac rather than online
Documents that need OCR are often scans of IDs, contracts, medical letters and bank statements. In 2024 Cybernews reported that two online PDF services exposed 89,062 user-uploaded files, including passports and contracts. All five picks here can recognize text on the Mac, so sensitive scans do not need to be uploaded.
Questions
Does Mac have built-in OCR?
Yes. Live Text lets you select and copy text in photos and images in Preview, Photos and Safari. Apple notes it is not available in all regions or languages. It copies text but does not turn a scanned PDF into a searchable file; for that you need an app like FileDial, FineReader, Acrobat Pro or PDF Expert.
What is the best OCR software for Mac for scanned PDFs?
ABBYY FineReader PDF is the most complete, with 198 languages and conversion to Word and Excel at $69 a year. If you mainly need batches of scanned PDFs made searchable offline, FileDial's OCR › Make searchable is a one-time purchase. Acrobat Pro and PDF Expert include OCR in full editors.
Can OCR software work offline on a Mac?
Yes. ABBYY says FineReader's desktop recognition runs offline, needing the internet only for activation and renewal. FileDial's tools all work with Wi-Fi off. Live Text runs within macOS apps such as Preview and Photos.
Sources
- FineReader PDF for Mac, ABBYY
- FineReader PDF pricing, ABBYY
- Is an Internet connection required for using FineReader PDF?, ABBYY Support
- FineReader PDF for Mac technical specifications, ABBYY
- Interact with text in a photo using Live Text in Preview, Apple Support
- Adobe Acrobat Pro
- PDF Expert by Readdle
- Cybernews: online PDF maker leaks user documents