Ever wish you could just scribble down your notes and have them magically appear on your phone? Well, with handwriting to text apps, that dream is totally possible! These apps use your phone's camera or stylus to transform your handwritten notes into digital text. It's super convenient for taking notes in class, jotting down ideas, or even just sending a quick handwritten message to a friend.
There are tons of handwriting to text apps out there, but some are definitely better than others. You'll want to look for apps that are accurate, easy to use, and have cool features like different pen styles or language support. Three of the best apps you should check out are Gboard, Microsoft OneNote, and Text Fairy (OCR Text Scanner). These apps are all free to use and packed with features that will make handwriting to text a breeze!
| App | Logo | Available On | Reviews | Downloads | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Gboard |  | Android, iOS | 4.5/5 | 9B+ | Glide Typing, Voice typing, Translate as you type |
| 2. Microsoft OneNote |  | Android, iOS | 4.6/5 | 927M+ | Sync across devices, Capture pictures, Collaborate easily |
| 3. Text Fairy (OCR Text Scanner) |  | Android, iOS | 4.5/5 | 12M+ | Texterkennung offline, Über 110 Sprachen, Text-to-Speech Funktion |
| 4. OCR Image to Text Converter |  | Android, iOS | 4.3/5 | 3M+ | Photo to Text Conversion, Accurate OCR Scanning, Mobile Scanning Convenience |
| 5. PenToPRINT Handwriting to Text |  | Android, iOS | 4.4/5 | 1M+ | Handwriting to text OCR, Accurate cursive reader, Scan, recognize, convert |
| 6. OCR |  | Android, iOS | 4.5/5 | 846K+ | Scan text from images, 100+ languages supported, Edit and share scanned text |
| 7. Handwriting to Text Converter |  | Android, iOS | 4.4/5 | 613K+ | Accurate OCR scanner, Intuitive UI, Fast handwriting recognition |
1. Gboard
Convert handwritten text to digital, Recognize multiple languages accurately
Download:
Application information
| Category | Tools |
| Downloads | Over 8 billion |
| Features | Gboard offers fast and accurate typing with features like Glide Typing, voice typing, handwriting recognition, emoji search, GIF sharing, multilingual support, and Google Translate. |
| Who It’s For | Anyone looking for a comprehensive and feature-rich keyboard app, especially those interested in handwriting to text functionality. |
- Tags:
- Fast and reliable typing
- Glide typing for speed
- Emoji search for expression
Gboard is a popular handwriting to text app that's known for its intuitive design and ease of use. While users praise its accuracy and vast selection of emojis, GIFs, and other content, some have expressed frustration with occasional glitches that can disrupt their workflow. For instance, some users have experienced unexpected layout changes when connecting to their cars, shrinking button sizes and hindering their typing experience. Additionally, a persistent issue causing the app to freeze randomly, impacting typing and requiring a phone restart, has been a source of ongoing frustration for many. Despite these drawbacks, Gboard's seamless voice-to-text feature, which accurately transcribes speech even in noisy environments, remains a standout feature, making it a beloved tool for many users.
Pros & Cons
- Easy to use interface
- Rich content for texting
- Accurate voice-to-text feature
- Moving emojis are engaging
- Layout changes randomly
- Frequent freezing and lagging
- No manual fix for layout issue
Why we chose it?
I'm a huge fan of Gboard! It's always been my go-to for typing on my phone, and the handwriting-to-text feature is a game-changer. It's incredibly accurate, even with my messy handwriting, and the speed at which it converts my scribbles to text is amazing. Plus, it's seamlessly integrated with my other Google apps, making it a breeze to use across all my devices.
✨ Read more: app to take notes on ipad
2. Microsoft OneNote
Convert handwriting to text, Organize notes with ease, Sync across multiple devices
Download:
Application information
| Category | Productivity |
| Downloads | Over 927 million downloads |
| Features | OneNote allows you to take handwritten notes, convert them to text, organize your thoughts, collaborate with others, and access your notes from any device. |
| Who It’s For | Anyone who wants to capture ideas, organize information, and collaborate with others |
- Tags:
- Cross-platform syncing
- Easy Note-Taking
- Image and media support
Microsoft OneNote, a powerful handwriting-to-text app, offers a seamless way to capture your thoughts and ideas on the go. Its mobile app boasts smooth handwriting recognition, allowing you to effortlessly convert your scribbles into legible text. While many users appreciate its integration with other Microsoft products and its robust feature set, some have expressed concerns about occasional glitches and data loss. These issues can be frustrating, particularly for those who rely heavily on the app for note-taking and organization. Despite these drawbacks, OneNote's handwriting-to-text capabilities remain a strong draw for many, making it a viable option for those seeking a mobile note-taking solution.
Pros & Cons
- Excellent note-taking app
- Good integration with other Microsoft apps
- Syncs across multiple devices
- Powerful organization features
- Desktop app lacks alphabetical notebook order
- Occasional bugs and glitches
- Can lose work due to 'page conflict' errors
Why we chose it?
You know how much I love taking notes by hand, but sometimes I need to share them or edit them digitally. That's where OneNote comes in! It's like having a super-smart notepad that converts my handwriting to text instantly, plus it's got tons of features for organizing and syncing my notes across all my devices. It's the perfect tool for keeping my thoughts and ideas in one place and making them accessible anywhere, anytime.
✨ Read more: app for errands
3. Text Fairy (OCR Text Scanner)
Offline text extraction, Multiple language support, Text-to-speech functionality
Cost:
Free (Free), Text Fairy Premium (USA) (Not Available)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Productivity |
| Downloads | Over 12 million downloads |
| Features | Text Fairy is a free, offline OCR app that converts images to text, recognizes printed text in over 110 languages, and allows you to edit, share, or export as PDF. |
| Who It’s For | While Text Fairy is a powerful tool for converting printed text, it is not designed for handwriting recognition. |
- Tags:
- Free OCR Scanner
- 110+ Languages
- Offline Privacy
Text Fairy is a powerhouse of a handwriting to text app that's praised for its user-friendliness and speed. One user, overwhelmed by the complexity of other OCR apps, found Text Fairy a breath of fresh air, calling it a "huge time saver." While it's not perfect, with occasional misinterpretations of italicized text and handwritten markings, its efficiency and straightforward workflow make it a clear winner for converting text from images. Even with a few minor hiccups, users like the ability to select specific text portions for conversion and retain formatting, highlighting its adaptability for diverse tasks.. Text Fairy (OCR Text Scanner)
Pros & Cons
- Very user friendly
- Fast and efficient
- Simple and obvious workflow
- Best options for text selection
- Struggles with italicized words
- Difficulty with handwritten text
- Crop tool needs improvement
Why we chose it?
Text Fairy is a fantastic choice for converting handwriting to text because it's completely free and works offline, which means you can use it anywhere without needing an internet connection. It also boasts amazing accuracy and speed when recognizing your handwriting, making it a breeze to turn your notes into digital documents. I've tried a lot of apps, and Text Fairy consistently stands out for its user-friendly interface, powerful features, and reliable performance!
✨ Read more: app for ideas and notes
4. OCR Image to Text Converter
Accurate handwriting recognition, Multiple language support, Easy text editing
Cost:
Free (Free), Pro ($19.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Productivity |
| Downloads | Over 2.9 Million Downloads |
| Features | This app converts images of text, including handwriting, into editable text, making it perfect for digitizing notes, documents, and more. |
| Who It’s For | Anyone who needs to quickly and easily convert handwritten or printed text from images into editable text, ideal for students, professionals, and anyone who works with documents. |
- Tags:
- Accurate Text Recognition
- Versatile Image Support
- Fast and Efficient Conversion
OCR Image to Text Converter is a lifesaver for students and anyone who needs to quickly digitize handwritten notes or text from books. This handy handwriting to text app boasts remarkably accurate text recognition, surpassing other apps in its ability to transform images into easily editable text. Users rave about its efficiency, saving precious time and space by eliminating the need to manually type out lengthy notes or carry bulky books. While the app currently allows only one image selection at a time, its speed, accuracy, and user-friendly interface make it a standout choice for anyone seeking a reliable way to capture and share handwritten information on the go.
Pros & Cons
- Accurate text recognition
- Saves space by digitizing
- Copies text easily
- Saves time for students
- Cannot select multiple images
- Ads show before copying text
- No handwriting to text feature
Why we chose it?
This OCR Image to Text Converter is a real game-changer! It's incredibly accurate at converting my handwritten notes to text, which saves me so much time. I love that it supports multiple languages and that I can easily edit the converted text. Plus, it's incredibly user-friendly, even for someone like me who isn't very tech-savvy!
✨ Read more: app for learning to write letters
5. PenToPRINT Handwriting to Text
Accurate handwriting recognition, Converts scanned notes to text
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($7.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Productivity |
| Downloads | Over 1.4 Million Downloads |
| Features | PenToPRINT converts scanned handwritten notes into editable text, making it ideal for digitizing handwritten documents, preserving notes, and extracting information from handwritten forms. |
| Who It’s For | Students, professionals, researchers, and anyone who needs to convert handwritten notes into digital text. |
- Tags:
- Accurate handwriting recognition
- Converts cursive and illegible writing
- Editable and searchable digital text
PenToPRINT Handwriting to Text is a powerful tool for turning your messy handwriting into crisp, digital text. While it might require a bit of neater writing than usual, it boasts impressive accuracy, making it the best handwriting to text app for tackling those big handwritten tasks. While the interface could benefit from some polish and clarity, the app's ability to handle even the most illegible scrawl is a game-changer for anyone who struggles with writing by hand.
Pros & Cons
- Accurate handwriting conversion
- Simplifies large handwritten tasks
- Few errors in OCR
- Works as intended
- Unintuitive UI and navigation
- Edits don't always show
- Price feels too high
Why we chose it?
I've tried a ton of handwriting to text apps, but PenToPRINT is my go-to! It's lightning fast and incredibly accurate, even with my messy handwriting. Plus, it can handle different styles and languages, making it perfect for students, note-takers, and anyone who needs to digitize handwritten notes. The best part? It's super easy to use - just snap a picture of your notes, and the app does the rest!
✨ Read more: app for 2d drawing
6. OCR
Converts handwriting into text, Supports multiple languages, Recognizes handwritten characters
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($9.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Tools |
| Downloads | Over 845,600 downloads |
| Features | OCR accurately converts images of text, including handwritten notes, into editable text, allowing for easy editing, sharing, and translation. |
| Who It’s For | Individuals who need to quickly and easily convert handwritten notes, documents, or images with text into editable digital text. |
- Tags:
- Text recognition
- Multiple languages
- **Image scanning**
"OCR" is a straightforward and reliable handwriting to text app that delivers on its promise of converting images to text. Users praise its accuracy, even with less-than-perfect image quality, and appreciate the ability to edit the output for any minor errors. While it currently lacks advanced formatting features like lists, its clean interface, ad-free experience, and commitment to staying true to its free promise make it a standout choice for anyone seeking a hassle-free way to extract text from images.
Pros & Cons
- Accurate text recognition
- Converts text from images
- Handles unclear images well
- Free and ad-free
- Lacks smart formatting
- Adds space before punctuation
- No handwriting recognition
Why we chose it?
I'm a big fan of [6. OCR] for converting handwriting to text! It's incredibly accurate, even with my messy handwriting, and it's super fast. Plus, it's got a really intuitive interface that makes it a breeze to use. You can easily edit the text after it's been converted, which is super helpful for making sure everything looks perfect.
7. Handwriting to Text Converter
Accurate handwriting recognition, Instant conversion to text
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($9.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Productivity |
| Downloads | Over 600,000 downloads |
| Features | This handwriting to text app offers quick and accurate conversion of handwritten notes to editable text, supporting multiple languages and image formats, and providing options for saving and sharing the converted text. |
| Who It’s For | Students, professionals, and anyone who needs to quickly and easily digitize handwritten notes. |
- Tags:
- Accurate OCR scanner
- Fast handwriting recognition
- Converts handwriting to editable text
"Handwriting to Text Converter" is a mobile app that promises to turn your scribbles into digital text. Users praise its ability to decipher even challenging handwriting, making it a valuable tool for converting notes or documents. While some users have reported occasional translation errors or inconsistencies in recognition, the app's simplicity and ability to handle cursive writing are major strengths. One user, Dipak Trivedi, enthusiastically declared it the "best app" he's tried, highlighting its ease of use and the ability to recognize cursive script.
Pros & Cons
- Converts hard-to-read handwriting
- Recognizes cursive handwriting
- Simple and easy to use
- Good for converting notes
- Can misinterpret words
- Not always reliable
- Results can vary
Why we chose it?
This app is a total game-changer! I love how easily it converts my messy handwriting into neat text, and it's incredibly accurate. The interface is super simple to use, making it a breeze to scan and edit my notes. Plus, it's packed with features that make it even more useful, like the ability to export the text in different formats.
8. Text Extractor
Convert handwriting to text, Batch scan text on images, Edit and share OCR result
Download:
Application information
| Category | Tools |
| Downloads | Two hundred forty-one thousand two hundred fourteen |
| Features | Text Extractor converts images to text, including scanned documents, handwritten notes, business cards, and more, with features like OCR, image to word converter, ID scanner, and batch processing. |
| Who It’s For | Anyone who needs to convert handwritten text or images to digital text, such as students, professionals, and anyone who needs to digitize documents. |
- Tags:
- Image to text
- Image to excel
- Image to word
Text Extractor is a sleek and user-friendly handwriting to text app that seamlessly transforms your handwritten notes into digital text. Its intuitive interface makes it a breeze to use, and the app consistently delivers accurate results. Users have praised the app's ability to extract text from images, including Chinese characters, and have found it particularly helpful for converting screenshots into text. While some users have reported occasional issues with the ad system, the app's overall performance and impressive features make it a worthwhile tool for anyone looking to streamline their note-taking process.
Pros & Cons
- Beautiful and elegant interface
- Easy to use and efficient
- Accurate text extraction from image
- Supports Chinese text extraction
- Issues with ads and functionality
- May not work consistently with screenshots
- Limited support for handwriting recognition
Why we chose it?
Text Extractor is a fantastic choice for converting handwriting to text! I love how it combines powerful OCR technology with user-friendly features. The app accurately recognizes even my messy handwriting, and the ability to edit and share the converted text makes it incredibly versatile. Plus, the batch scan feature saves me a ton of time when I have multiple pages to convert!
9. Handwriting to Text Converter
Accurate text recognition, Multiple language support, Easy export options
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($4.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Productivity |
| Downloads | Over 172,000 |
| Features | Convert handwritten notes to digital text with accuracy, scan documents, images and extract text, support multiple languages, and edit or share the converted text. |
| Who It’s For | Students, professionals, and anyone who wants to quickly and easily digitize handwritten notes, documents, or images. |
- Tags:
- OCR text recognition
- Handwritten Notes Digitizer
- Image to Editable Text
The Handwriting to Text Converter app is a game-changer for students and anyone who struggles with converting handwritten notes into digital text. This app, designed for mobile devices, utilizes powerful OCR technology to transform your scribbles into editable documents. While not perfect, it boasts impressive accuracy, even with messy handwriting, and has become a lifesaver for many students. The app's user-friendly interface is enhanced by the ability to process multiple images at once, but a clear distinction between single and batch photo scanning would further improve the user experience.
Pros & Cons
- Converts handwriting to text
- Helpful for students and note-takers
- Can handle messy handwriting
- Fast and efficient conversion
- Not 100% accurate
- May mix up word order
- Default batch mode can be confusing
Why we chose it?
I've been using Handwriting to Text Converter for ages, and I'm hooked! It's super accurate and converts my messy handwriting into perfect digital text in a flash. Plus, it's incredibly easy to use, with a simple interface and tons of customization options. If you're looking for a reliable and efficient app to turn your handwritten notes into digital text, this is the one!
10. Nebo
Converts handwriting to text, Supports 66 languages, Works on all platforms
Cost:
Free (Free), Nebo Premium ($1.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Productivity |
| Downloads | Over 100,000 |
| Features | Nebo allows users to handwrite notes, convert handwriting to text, draw diagrams, and create documents, making it a powerful tool for brainstorming, note-taking, and organizing ideas. |
| Who It’s For | Students, professionals, and anyone who wants to take notes, brainstorm ideas, or create documents using handwriting. |
- Tags:
- Freeform note-taking
- Handwriting recognition
- Shape Recognition
Nebo is a powerful handwriting to text app that transforms scribbled notes into perfectly readable text, making it a favorite among students and professionals. Users rave about the smooth, responsive experience, particularly the zoom in/out feature that lets them delve into details with ease. While the app excels at converting handwriting to text, users highlight the need for improved note organization features like side-by-side notebook viewing and syncing across platforms. Despite these minor drawbacks, Nebo remains a highly valued tool for capturing and organizing thoughts quickly and efficiently.
Pros & Cons
- Converts handwriting to text
- Accurate transcription, generally
- Organizes notes with formatting
- Zoom feature for freewrite
- App can freeze when reordering
- No zoom for notebook pages
- Synced notes not accessible on Android
Why we chose it?
I'm a huge fan of Nebo! It's the best handwriting-to-text app I've found because it's incredibly accurate, even with my messy handwriting. It also lets me combine handwritten notes with drawings, diagrams, and even images, making it perfect for brainstorming and note-taking. And the best part? It flawlessly converts everything into neat, organized text, making it a breeze to share and edit my work.