NAPS2
What it is
NAPS2 is free, open-source software for scanning documents and saving them as PDF, TIFF, JPEG, or PNG. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and supports WIA and TWAIN drivers, flatbed scanners, and automatic document feeders, including duplex scanning. Users can reorder, interleave, rotate, crop, deskew, and adjust the brightness and contrast of scanned pages. OCR can make documents searchable, supports more than 100 languages, and can add text recognition to imported PDFs. NAPS2 can share scanners on a local network through ESCL, including with compatible Android and iPhone apps, but sharing works only while NAPS2 is running on the server. It can send email through Gmail and Outlook, and offers an optional command-line interface for automation and a .NET scanning library for developers. The software is free for individuals and businesses, with no ads or restrictions. OCR results cannot be saved directly to a text file, though recognized text can be copied from a saved PDF using a PDF viewer.
For and against
For
- Free for individuals and businesses, with no ads or restrictions.
- Supports flatbed, feeder, and duplex scanning.
- OCR supports more than 100 languages.
- Exports PDF, TIFF, JPEG, and PNG.
- Offers a command-line interface and .NET scanning library.
Against
- OCR results cannot be saved directly to a text file.
- Network scanner sharing requires NAPS2 to remain running on the server.
- Free trial is not offered.
The verdict
NAPS2 covers scanning, page adjustments, OCR, and several export formats without charging for its listed plan. Keep its server-running requirement and text-file OCR limitation in mind when choosing it for shared scanning or text extraction.
Who it suits
NAPS2 suits individuals and organizations that need free document scanning on Windows, macOS, or Linux. Its OCR, network scanner sharing, and automation options may also help users with searchable-document workflows or managed deployments.
Plans and prices
NAPS2
Windows, Mac and Linux desktop · no ads or restrictions · donations optional
Read 15 Oct 2026 · naps2.com
Free
Free for individuals and businesses · no ads or restrictions
Read 29 Sep 2026 · naps2.com
On the record
- Application license
- The main NAPS2 application is licensed under GPL-2.0-or-later.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Automation and SDK
- NAPS2 offers an optional command-line interface for scanning and saving documents through automation or scripts, and a .NET scanning library for developers.naps2.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Command line
- Its CLI supports scripted scanning, importing, conversion, OCR, PDF/A, encryption, splitting, interleaving and email operations.naps2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Developer SDK
- NAPS2.Sdk is a free C#/.NET 6+ scanning library for Windows, Mac and Linux.naps2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation and support
- Official support includes getting-started guides, OCR, batch scanning, troubleshooting, CLI and organization documentation, tickets and forums.naps2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Download scale
- The download page reports 16,542,323 total downloads and 165,325 weekly downloads.naps2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Editing
- Users can reorder, interleave, rotate, crop, deskew, and adjust the brightness and contrast of scanned pages.naps2.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Email integrations
- NAPS2 can send email using Gmail and Outlook; the email address and secure sending token are stored on the user's computer and sent only to the corresponding provider.naps2.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Extensibility
- The project links a naps2-webscan example for browser-based scanning through ESCL.naps2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Interface languages
- The application offers more than 40 interface languages.naps2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Latest release
- Version 8.5.1, released October 12, 2026, fixed Windows Smart App Control blocking naps2_jpeg.dll.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Library licenses
- NAPS2.Sdk and several related libraries use LGPL-2.1-or-later, while SDK samples use MIT.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: cloud and mobile
- The Digital Project Manager review says NAPS2 has no native cloud storage or sharing, no mobile scanning app and limited file management.thedigitalprojectmanager.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: image straightening
- PCWorld’s review criticized the lack of image straightening and reported some TWAIN crashes and unreliable grayscale profile behavior.pcworld.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: scanner compatibility
- A GitHub issue reports heavy text-compression artifacts with Brother wireless ESCL scanning, with commenters attributing the behavior to the scanner protocols.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: TWAIN reliability
- A SnapFiles reviewer reported that the TWAIN module stopped after one scan on a Canon scanner, preventing batch scanning.snapfiles.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Linux requirements
- Linux builds require GTK 3.20+, glibc and libsane; the site lists modern Ubuntu, Debian, Mint and Fedora versions.naps2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Mac requirements
- The current release supports macOS 12 and later; version 7.5.3 is the last release for macOS 10.15 and 11.naps2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
