Version 16 introduces an all-new user interface that makes the software easier to use, thanks to a toolbar with convenient one-click conversion options across the top and tools to analyze, adjust, and preview consolidated along the right edge of the window. If you frequently convert scanned documents into editable text files, it’s hands-down the fastest way to get the job done. Readiris Pro 16 ($99) is the latest edition of the company’s consumer OCR software. If you need OCR on the Mac, the reigning heavyweights are Abbyy and Canon-owned I.R.I.S., whose respective FineReader and Readiris products continue to offer affordable alternatives to OmniPage, which abandoned the platform nearly 15 years ago. In recent years, OCR has found its way into numerous cloud services and mobile apps, allowing consumers to take advantage of the technology without the need for standalone software.

Optical character recognition (OCR) software provides a way to quickly convert printed or scanned documents into editable text or searchable PDF files.