Have you ever had trouble reading someone else's handwriting while reviewing notes? With the latest handwriting-to-text technology, you can convert handwritten files into text for improved readability. Using OCR technology, many mobile apps are able to digitize handwritten notes into text. Learn more about the benefits of the OCR features throughout this article as we explore the best handwriting-to-text app.
Part 1. 10 Best Handwriting to Text Apps
In this section, we’ll discuss the best handwriting-to-text app that turns any handwriting into text with text recognition and OCR technology. We have gathered the top 10 handwriting-to-text apps so you don't have to roam around the internet and waste time searching for tools instead of using them:
1. PenToPRINT
This app uses a unique scanner to recognize and convert handwriting into text with accuracy. With the help of its features, you can even decipher illegible handwriting for later editing. It can easily recognize a diverse range of handwriting, such as block letters, cursive, and regular script.
Features
- The batch conversion feature can scan up to 50 images into one text file.
- It can turn the handwriting into a searchable PDF with ease.
- You can edit, copy, and email the converted text file to others online.
Supported Platforms
Android (7.0 or up) and iOS (13.4 or later)
2. Notability
With the Notability app, bring your ideas to life by scribbling your thoughts through handwritten notes and versatile editing features. Users can utilize the lasso tool to select the desired handwriting and convert it into text with various edits. Moreover, you can directly convert handwriting into text by drawing a text box and writing in it with your stylus.
Features
- You can keep your notes organized into customizable subjects and dividers.
- This app can import and mark up PDFs, DOCs, PPTs, and more files.
- With the audio recording feature, search and copy time-stamped text from the Audio Transcript.
Supported Platforms
iOS (16.0 or later)
3. Goodnotes 6
When looking for the best handwriting-to-text app, Goodnotes 6 can be your ultimate notebook. This app can combine both handwritten and typed text on one page and lets you add various annotation elements. Furthermore, the lasso tool and text box option can easily convert any type of handwriting and language into text with no errors.
Features
- You can create your digital notebook with customizable paper templates, rulers, and checklists.
- This app adds and imports stickers, stamps, and washi tape for a personalized planner.
- The AI feature helps summarize, shorten, and make your typed text perfect.
Supported Platforms
Android (7.0 and up) and iOS (16.6 or later)
4. CamScanner
CamScanner is an all-in-one scanner app with a robust text recognition OCR feature that turns handwriting into text. With this app, you can easily convert multiple pages of handwritten notes into editable and searchable text. It also auto-detects the language of the handwriting that you can proofread or translate according to will.
Features
- The extracted text can be converted into various other formats, such as PDF, JPG, and more.
- You can manage your files into different folders and reorder them to suit your needs.
- Users can upload documents to different cloud services, like Dropbox and OneDrive.
Supported Platforms
Android (5.0 and up) and iOS (13.0 or later)
5. Google Keep
Google Keep is one of the best handwriting-to-text apps that lets you capture your thoughts in notes. Additionally, by taking or adding an image of your handwritten image, you can transcribe the text from the image. Users can also modify images by adding a grid and writing with a highlighter, pencil, and more.
Features
- Using this app, you can bold, italicize, and add headings to the text to make it look professional.
- It lets you make a personalized reminder list with a set time, date, location, and more.
- Users can choose various colors, backgrounds, and labels on their notes for better searchability.
Supported Platforms
Android (8.0 and up) and iOS (16.0 or later)
6. Microsoft Lens
With Microsoft Lens's excellent text recognition technology, you can scan and digitize any handwritten notes into text. This app trims and makes your handwritten documents readable, boosting your overall productivity. Moreover, users can extract handwritten text in 30 different languages from your images.
Features
- You can capture and extract text from printed tables, contacts, and documents.
- Microsoft Lens is able to change the file size of the captured image or document from low to high.
- With the immersive reader, users can choose various voice modes and text customization options.
Supported Platforms
Android (7.0 and up) and iOS (15.0 or later)
7. mazec
mazec handwriting input technology offers a speedy conversion into readable text and is known to be one of the best handwriting-to-text apps. With great precision and accuracy, it can predict every letter of your handwriting and turn it into searchable and editable text.
Features
- mazec intelligently learns used phrases, and you can also customize them with your own terms.
- Add a personal touch to your notes by choosing over 100 emojis in 12 categories.
- With this app, it's easier to fill out web forms and documents online without needing to print them.
Supported Platforms
Android (varies with device) and iOS (8.0 or later)
8. Notein
Notein is an innovative handwriting-to-text conversion app that allows you to replace a handwritten note with text by using its AI-powered OCR feature. Furthermore, after conversion, you can copy and paste the converted text onto the same document and utilize the various editing modes.
Features
- Students can create stunning visual graphics by using graphic pens and creating flat or 3D shapes.
- This app lets you choose a traditional or unlimited workspace for structured or freeform sketches.
- The AI assistant feature organizes your files in an automatically generated and structured outline.
Supported Platforms
Android (8.0 and up)
9. Nebo
One of the best handwriting to text apps is Nebo through which users can digitally write and accurately convert their handwritten notes into text. You can even convert hand-drawn shapes and diagrams into digital forms. It allows you to enjoy a limitless canvas for a brainstorming session by writing and drawing ideas or notes and effortlessly converting it into text later on.
Features
- You can edit your notes by using intuitive gestures, like highlight, pencil, and more in various colors.
- This app lets you adjust the layout, make edits, and split the screen for better readability.
- Users can personalize content with different pen types, adding backgrounds and smart objects.
Supported Platform
Android (6.0 and up) and iOS (15.0 or later)
10. Notes Plus
Notes Plus provides the best handwriting experience and conversion of handwritten notes into text in 52 languages. Furthermore, you can add pictures of a handwritten file and turn it into editable text with precision. This app offers not only a smooth conversion feature but also various ink effects, palm rejection, and writing modes.
Features
- You can import PDFs and DOCX files and annotate them with various visual elements.
- Notes Plus has a multi-level folder management feature for a well-organized look.
- With this app, you can export notes as PDFs and images to Google Drive, Evernote, etc.
Supported Platform
iOS (11.0 or later)
Part 2. The Ultimate Solution: Afirstsoft PDF’s Mobile OCR for Handwriting-to-Text Conversion
After looking at all the best handwriting-to-text apps, it is clear that these apps do not offer an extensive range of tools. However, the Afirstsoft PDF app provides you with an advanced AI OCR feature that instantly turns handwriting into text. This tool can scan any image and document with great precision and convert it into 20+ languages.
Moreover, with its ground-breaking text recognition technology, Afirstsoft PDF can expertly extract text from the image or file which you can later edit. There are various editing and annotating features that you can perform to make your file look professional.
Afirstsoft PDF’s Essential Features
- Read PDF: You can navigate through thumbnails and access pages from one section to another for a smooth reading experience.
- Organize Pages: TheAfirstsoft PDF app can help you manage multiple PDF pages by merging or splitting them based on page number, size, and more.
- Edit Text: With the edit feature, customize your text by adding and removing text, and make suitable adjustments to the images.
- Annotate PDF: Any smartphone user can enhance their files using annotating elements, like highlighting and underlining text with a pencil.
Conclusion
Ultimately, we learned that text recognition technology delivers a way of digitizing handwriting into text. Therefore, we looked at the best handwriting-to-text apps with their respective features to gain a wider understanding of the app. However, the Afirstsoft PDF app comes out on top for providing a robust AI OCR feature that seamlessly turns any handwriting into text. Above all this, it also acts as the ultimate editor with editing, annotation, and organizing features.
