Software Alternatives & Startups

Okular VS PaperScan

Compare Okular VS PaperScan and see what are their differences

Okular

Okular is a universal document viewer based developed by KDE.

Okular Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
PaperScan

PaperScan Scanner Software is a powerful TWAIN & WIA scanning application centered on one idea: making document acquisition an unparalleled easy task for anyone.

PaperScan Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Okular seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 44 times since March 2021.

social mentions
44 vs 0
PDF Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 83

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Okular
PaperScan
Website okular.kde.org paperscan.orpalis.com
Pricing
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Okular 6 features
PaperScan 7 features
  • Open Source
    Okular is an open-source software, which means the source code is freely available. Users can modify and distribute it according to their needs.
  • Multi-Format Support
    Okular supports a wide array of document formats including PDF, PostScript, DjVu, CHM, XPS, ePub, and more, providing versatile document reading capabilities.
  • Cross-Platform
    Okular is available for multiple operating systems including Linux, Windows, and macOS, making it accessible to a wider range of users.
  • Annotation Tools
    It includes powerful annotation features allowing users to add notes, highlight text, and draw shapes directly on documents.
  • Customizable Interface
    The interface is highly customizable, enabling users to tweak the appearance and functionality to match their preferences.
  • Tabbed Browsing
    Okular supports tabbed browsing, allowing users to open multiple documents in a single window, enhancing multitasking.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced PDF Editing
    While Okular provides basic annotation features, it lacks advanced PDF editing capabilities like modifying text and images within a PDF.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might find the extensive range of features and settings overwhelming, leading to a steeper learning curve compared to simpler document viewers.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues when handling very large files, which can result in slower operation and responsiveness.
  • Dependency on KDE Libraries
    To get the best experience, Okular requires KDE libraries, which might not be ideal for users who prefer not to integrate KDE components into their system.
  • Mobile Support
    Okular does not have a dedicated app for mobile platforms like Android and iOS, limiting its usability on tablets and smartphones.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    PaperScan offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
  • Advanced Image Processing
    The software includes advanced image processing features such as color adjustment, filtering, and image corrections.
  • OCR Capabilities
    PaperScan provides robust Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities, allowing scanned documents to be converted into editable text.
  • Comprehensive File Format Support
    The application supports a wide range of file formats, including PDF, TIFF, JPEG, and PNG, enhancing usability and flexibility.
  • Batch Scanning
    PaperScan allows users to scan multiple documents in a single batch, improving efficiency and productivity.
  • Annotation Tools
    The software includes annotation tools that enable users to add comments, highlights, and other markings directly on scanned documents.
  • Cost-Effective
    Compared to other professional scanning solutions, PaperScan is relatively affordable and offers good value for money.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Mac Support
    As of now, PaperScan is only available for Windows, limiting its accessibility to Mac users.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic functions are user-friendly, some of the more advanced features may require reading through the manual or additional tutorials.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Some users have reported occasional lags and crashes, especially when handling very large files.
  • Limited Customer Support
    Customer support options are somewhat limited, which can be a drawback for users who encounter technical issues.
  • Freemium Model
    The free version of PaperScan comes with limitations, such as watermarked output and restricted features, pushing users towards the paid versions.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Okular
PaperScan

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Okular is generally regarded as a good document viewer due to its features, flexibility, and open-source nature, which ensures continual updates and community support.

Why this product is good

  • Okular is considered good for several reasons: it is a versatile open-source document viewer developed by the KDE community, supporting various file formats including PDF, PostScript, and ePub. It offers a range of features such as annotation tools, form filling, text extraction, and multimedia support. Additionally, it is cross-platform, available on different operating systems like Linux, Windows, and macOS, making it accessible for a wider range of users.

Recommended for

    Okular is recommended for students, educators, professionals, and any users who require a reliable and feature-rich document viewer capable of handling a wide range of file formats. It is particularly beneficial for those who value open-source software and need robust annotation and document management tools across different platforms.

Overall verdict

  • Overall, PaperScan is a reliable and efficient scanning software that offers excellent value for its features, making it a great choice for users looking for comprehensive scanning capabilities.

Why this product is good

  • PaperScan by ORPALIS is considered good due to its user-friendly interface, advanced scanning features, and compatibility with a wide range of scanners. It offers powerful functionalities such as batch scanning, image cleanup, annotation tools, and OCR support, making it suitable for both personal and professional use. The software is also regularly updated, which ensures users have access to the latest features and enhancements.

Recommended for

    PaperScan is recommended for small to medium-sized businesses, students, academics, and anyone who needs to digitize and organize documents efficiently. It's also suitable for users who require advanced scanning features like OCR and those who need to process large volumes of documents.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Okular 3 videos + Add
PaperScan 2 videos + Add

okular, program for annotating your books in linux

More videos

  • Review - Review: Okular || Awesome PDF Viewer || Best PDF Viewer that I have tried yet.
  • Review - Okular Document Viewer vs Atril Document Viewer

Paperscan Video Guide Episode 2 Scanning and Importing documents

More videos

  • Review - Paperscan Video Guide Episode 1 Setting up your Device

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Okular
PaperScan
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Okular no reviews yet
PaperScan no reviews yet

We have no reviews of PaperScan yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Okular 44 mentions
PaperScan 0 mentions
  • Signing PDFs
    If you mean signing as in "signing with your handwritten signature", you could use Okular () which easily allows you to do that. Filling out forms also works nicely. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Alexandria: A minimalistic cross-platform eBook reader
    I was in a similar position lately until I found Okular. Have you tried it? https://okular.kde.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • Help with PDF's
    I would try Okular first, though, which is free and open source: https://okular.kde.org/. Source: over 3 years ago

View more

Tracking PaperScan since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Okular and PaperScan

When comparing Okular and PaperScan, you can also consider the following products.