In today’s digital age, smartphones have become an essential tool for productivity and convenience. With the advancements in technology, there is an increasing demand for mobile scanner apps that can effectively scan documents, receipts, and photos on the go. In this article, we will explore some of the best free scanner apps available in the market.
The need for a scanner app
Gone are the days when you had to rely on bulky scanners or printers to digitize your documents. With a scanner app installed on your smartphone, you can easily turn your device into a portable scanner. These apps eliminate the need for additional hardware and allow you to scan, edit, and share documents right from your phone.
Top free scanner apps
1. Adobe Scan
Adobe Scan is a popular scanner app that offers advanced features for free. It uses Adobe’s powerful image processing technology to deliver high-quality scans. It can automatically detect edges, correct perspective distortion, and enhance the quality of scanned documents. Additionally, it allows you to convert scans into editable PDFs and perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to extract text from scanned images.
2. Microsoft Office Lens
Microsoft Office Lens is another top-rated scanner app that integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office products. It offers excellent scanning capabilities and allows you to scan documents, whiteboards, and business cards. With the OCR feature, you can convert scanned images into searchable and editable text. Office Lens also lets you save scanned files to OneDrive or other cloud storage for easy access across devices.
3. CamScanner
CamScanner is one of the most widely used scanner apps available for both iOS and Android. It offers a user-friendly interface and a range of powerful features. Apart from basic scanning functionality, CamScanner allows you to collaborate with others by sharing documents and adding comments. It also provides options to extract text from images, annotate PDFs, and sync scanned files across multiple devices.
4. Evernote Scannable
Evernote Scannable is a simple yet effective scanner app designed primarily for iOS devices. It offers fast and accurate scanning, with the ability to automatically crop and enhance images. Scanned documents can be saved to Evernote or shared via email, text, or other apps. Evernote Scannable also integrates with Evernote’s note-taking app, making it a convenient choice for users already using Evernote services.
5. Google Drive
Google Drive may not be a dedicated scanning app, but it offers a built-in scanning feature that is worth mentioning. With the Google Drive app, you can easily scan documents using your smartphone’s camera. It automatically enhances the scanned image and allows you to save it as a PDF. The scanned files are stored in your Google Drive account, making them easily accessible from any device.
While there are numerous free scanner apps available, the best one depends on your specific needs and personal preferences. Adobe Scan, Microsoft Office Lens, CamScanner, Evernote Scannable, and Google Drive are all excellent options to consider. Try out a few apps and choose the one that offers the features and usability that align with your requirements.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, company, or individual.