OCR that runs in your browser using local processing instead of uploading the image first.

Is browser OCR really private?

During default browser OCR the image stays on your device. Check the network tab to verify.

When does ScanText use the server?

Only for optional Higher quality or when browser confidence is low.

Browser OCR vs iLovePDF?

iLovePDF uploads to cloud; ScanText prioritizes on-device OCR. See our iLovePDF OCR alternative guide.

Which browsers support it?

Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari on modern desktop and mobile.

What do you need?

Browser OCR (Local Processing)

Processed on your device when possible · Enhanced scan deletes files in ~60s

Drop files here

One or many images or PDFs — we pick the right tool · Ctrl+V to paste

Document language

Your file can be Arabic, Hindi, English, etc. — this setting is independent of the site language menu.

Upload or paste above — extracted text will appear here

Processed on your device when possible · Enhanced scan deletes files in ~60s

1Upload or paste a file
2We extract the text
3Copy or download the result

About this tool

Browser OCR means optical character recognition that runs in your web browser with WebAssembly and Tesseract.js — your image often never leaves your device. Searches include browser ocr, ocr in browser free, online ocr without uploading, client side ocr, and local ocr no server. ScanText at scantext.net is built around this model: open the page, drop a photo or paste a screenshot, and OCR executes on your machine when supported. That contrasts with iLovePDF, i2OCR, and imagetotext.info, which typically upload files to cloud servers by default. Browser OCR matters for IDs, medical forms, payroll screenshots, and student notes you will not send to a random SaaS. When browser confidence is low, optional Higher quality sends one image over HTTPS and deletes it within about sixty seconds — never used for training. Six languages including Arabic RTL and Hindi Devanagari. No account required in 2026.

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Frequently asked questions

: OCR that runs in your browser using local processing instead of uploading the image first.