Free alternative to
Microsoft OCR.
Microsoft's OCR offerings — Azure Computer Vision, Microsoft Lens, OneNote OCR — are scattered across products and often require Azure subscriptions. GiveMeText unifies everything in one browser-based tool with a generous free tier.
Try It Free — No Sign-Up RequiredHow It Works
No Azure Needed
Skip the Azure setup, billing configuration, and API key management. Just open GiveMeText in your browser.
Free Tier Included
5 free extractions per 12 hours when signed in — no credit card required. Unlike Azure which charges per API call.
Better Output Format
Microsoft OCR returns JSON coordinates. GiveMeText returns human-readable Markdown you can actually use immediately.
Why GiveMeText?
No Cloud Setup
Azure Computer Vision requires subscription setup, resource provisioning, and API key management. GiveMeText works instantly in your browser.
Human-Readable Output
Azure returns JSON with bounding boxes. GiveMeText returns Markdown with headings, tables, and lists ready to use.
Free to Start
Azure charges per API call from day one. GiveMeText gives you 5 free uses per 12 hours, 1 anonymous use per 12 hours — no credit card.
Modern AI Engines
Microsoft uses Azure's vision models. GiveMeText offers Mistral and Gemini — state-of-the-art vision-language models with superior context understanding.
GiveMeText vs Microsoft OCR
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GiveMeText really free?
Yes. You get 5 free extractions per 12-hour window when signed in with Google, and 1 anonymous extraction without signing in. No credit card required. For heavier usage, paid plans start at $2/day.
How does GiveMeText compare to Azure Computer Vision?
Azure Computer Vision is a powerful enterprise API, but it requires Azure subscription setup, returns JSON with coordinates (not human-readable text), and charges per API call. GiveMeText offers a simpler experience: browser-based UI, structured Markdown output, and a free tier — while using more modern AI models.
What about Microsoft Lens?
Microsoft Lens is a mobile app for document scanning that includes basic OCR. GiveMeText works in any browser (no app install), supports batch processing, offers multiple AI engines, and produces superior structured output. Both are good for quick scans, but GiveMeText excels at professional-quality extraction.
Can developers use GiveMeText as a Microsoft OCR replacement?
Yes. GiveMeText can serve as a drop-in replacement for Azure Computer Vision's OCR capabilities. The web interface works for manual use, and the API can be integrated into applications. The key advantage is simpler setup, better output formatting, and transparent pricing.
Ready to Extract Text?
Drop an image and get perfectly formatted text in seconds. No installation, no sign-up required.