Extract text from a scanned PDF
A scanned PDF contains text as an image. SafePDF uses OCR to extract text locally, no cloud.
A scanned PDF contains text as an image: it cannot be searched, copied, or edited. Text extraction requires OCR, but sending scans to an online service raises confidentiality concerns.
SafePDF uses Tesseract (OCR) to extract text from your scanned PDFs, entirely locally. The extracted text can be copied, pasted, or saved. For multilingual documents, multiple OCR languages are available.
Ideal for digitizing contracts, invoices, articles, or paper archives and making the content digitally exploitable without compromising confidentiality.
The problem with online tools
Most popular PDF tools (iLovePDF, Smallpdf, Adobe Acrobat Online) work the same way: you upload your file, they process it on their servers, then send it back.
This approach has three problems: (1) your data transits through servers you do not control, (2) you do not know if your files are kept or deleted after processing, (3) third parties potentially have access to your document content.
For sensitive documents (contracts, medical records, bank statements, ID cards), this exposure is unacceptable under GDPR and professional secrecy.
The SafePDF solution: 100% local
SafePDF processes all your documents entirely on your machine. The app never connects to the internet to process your files. No upload, no intermediary server, no data collection.
Technically, SafePDF uses proven libraries (pdf-lib, Ghostscript, qpdf, Tesseract, LibreOffice) that run locally. Results are of equal or better quality than cloud solutions.
After installation, the app works offline. You can use it on a plane, on a secure network, or anywhere internet is unavailable or unreliable.
How it works
Download and install SafePDF (free, under one minute)
Open the "Extract text from scanned PDF" tool from the home screen
Select your PDF files (drag-and-drop or file browser)
Configure options if needed
Click the execution button — processing happens locally
Save the result ("Save As" or "Open")
Precautions and best practices
SafePDF collects no data about your files. The app is auditable (source code available).
Your temporary files are deleted after processing. No trace is kept.
SafePDF works offline after installation. No internet connection required.
The merge tool is free forever. Other tools require a Pro license (€12/month or €115/year).
SafePDF is available on macOS, Windows, and Linux. No account required to start.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Are my files really sent to the internet?
No, never. SafePDF processes all your files locally on your machine. The app only connects to the internet to check for updates (and only if you have a Pro license).
Is SafePDF GDPR compliant?
Yes, by design. Since no data leaves your machine, there is no processing of personal data by a third party. GDPR therefore imposes no complex registry requirements.
How much does SafePDF cost?
The merge tool is free forever. The other 26 tools require a Pro license at €12/month or €115/year (−20%). No free trial, no credit card to start.
Which operating systems are supported?
macOS 12+ (Intel and Apple Silicon), Windows 10/11 (64-bit), and Linux (AppImage and deb).
Extract text from scanned PDF with SafePDF guarantees fast, confidential, and GDPR-compliant processing. Download SafePDF for free now — installation takes less than a minute, no account required. Your files will never leave your machine.