OwlOCR

Instant On-Device OCR and Text Capture for macOS

Freemium

Description

OwlOCR is a powerful OCR solution designed exclusively for macOS users, enabling fast and secure text extraction from screens, images, and documents. All processing is handled locally using Apple's text recognition algorithms, ensuring user data never leaves the device and privacy is fully protected.

The application supports instant conversion of images and scans into searchable PDFs, drag-and-drop document handling, and seamless workflow integration through customizable shortcuts, Finder Extensions, and command line. OwlOCR is optimized for modern macOS versions and requires no registration or online connectivity, making it an ideal choice for privacy-conscious users.

Key Features

On-Device OCR: Processes screen captures, images, and PDFs instantly with all processing performed locally on Mac
Searchable PDF Export: Converts images and scanned documents into searchable PDFs with invisible text layers
Workflow Integration: Launches OCR from keyboard shortcuts, Finder Extensions, menubar, or command line interface
Batch Processing: Processes multiple images or multipage PDFs in a single fast run (Pro feature)
Privacy Secured: No personal data or files ever leave your device; uses Apple's text recognition algorithm
Finder Integration: Triggers main OCR use cases directly from Finder via extensions
Customizable Shortcuts: Supports configurable keyboard shortcuts for screen grabs and OCR operations
QR and Barcode Scanning: Reads QR codes, barcodes, and easily opens encoded URLs
Drag and Drop: Imports images and multipage PDFs directly by dragging files into the app
Multi-Language Support: Recognizes text in multiple languages, dependent on macOS version

Use Cases

Extracting text from screenshots on Mac
Converting scanned documents to searchable PDFs
Copying text from images, videos, or app windows
Batch OCR of multiple files or multi-page PDFs
Scanning and opening QR codes or barcodes
Integrating OCR workflow with Finder and CLI
Digitizing printed study material
Preparing legal or business documents for electronic search

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OwlOCR require an internet connection or registration?

No, OwlOCR processes all data locally on your Mac and does not require any sign-up, registration, or internet connectivity.

Which macOS versions are supported by OwlOCR?

OwlOCR requires macOS 10.15 or newer, with maximum features and language support available on macOS 13 (Ventura) or later.

What languages are supported for OCR?

Language support varies by macOS version: macOS 13 supports English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese, Ukrainian, and Russian.

Is my data secure with OwlOCR?

Yes, all image processing and text recognition are performed locally on your Mac, ensuring your files never leave your device.

Can OwlOCR create searchable PDFs from scanned documents?

Yes, OwlOCR can export processed images and scanned documents as searchable PDFs with invisible text layers.