Are my files uploaded to a server?

No. TrulyFreePDF runs entirely in your browser — your file is opened and processed on your own device and is never uploaded, stored, or shared.

Does OCR change how my PDF looks?

No. Each page keeps its exact original appearance; OCR only adds an invisible text layer on top, so you can select and search the text while the scan looks identical.

Can I edit the text after OCR?

OCR makes text searchable and selectable, not reflowable. To change wording, use the Edit PDF tool, which can retype text on a scanned page. OCR does not convert a scan into fully editable fonts or tables.

Is this really free, or free "until you hit a limit"?

Really free. Unlike most "free" PDF sites there is no task-per-day cap, no locked Pro features, no watermark stamped on your file, and no payment step before download. Every tool is the full tool.

OCR PDF — free, in your browser

You can make a scanned PDF searchable here in your browser: open the document and the tool reads the text with on-device OCR, then adds an invisible, selectable text layer over each page — so the file looks identical but you can now search, select, and copy its text. The scan is processed on your own device, never uploaded, with no sign-up.

How to OCR a scanned PDF

Open your scanned PDF.
Click “Make searchable” — OCR runs on each page in your browser.
Download the searchable PDF; its text is now selectable and searchable.

Limits & good to know

OCR adds a searchable, selectable text layer over each page and keeps the original exactly as it looks — it does not rebuild the scan into editable fonts, tables, or form fields.
Recognition accuracy depends on the scan: clear, straight, high-contrast text works best, while faint, skewed, or handwritten text may be missed.
English text is supported; the recognition engine (about 6 MB) downloads to your browser once on first use, then works offline.
It runs on your device, so a long document can take a few seconds per page and is limited by available memory, not an upload.
A password-protected PDF must be unlocked before OCR.

Frequently asked questions

Are my files uploaded to a server?: No. TrulyFreePDF runs entirely in your browser — your file is opened and processed on your own device and is never uploaded, stored, or shared.
Does OCR change how my PDF looks?: No. Each page keeps its exact original appearance; OCR only adds an invisible text layer on top, so you can select and search the text while the scan looks identical.
Can I edit the text after OCR?: OCR makes text searchable and selectable, not reflowable. To change wording, use the Edit PDF tool, which can retype text on a scanned page. OCR does not convert a scan into fully editable fonts or tables.
Is this really free, or free "until you hit a limit"?: Really free. Unlike most "free" PDF sites there is no task-per-day cap, no locked Pro features, no watermark stamped on your file, and no payment step before download. Every tool is the full tool.