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ScanMole
What it is
ScanMole is a free Linux scanning tool for turning office and archival paperwork into searchable PDFs. It provides a command-line scanning engine and a GTK4/libadwaita desktop frontend, with batch duplex scanning, blank-page removal, OCR, automatic sizing, deskewing, and PDF/A output by default. It detects page sizes, crops pages, and can straighten skewed scans. ScanMole works with scanners supported by SANE, including driverless eSCL devices through sane-airscan; the project lists tested devices from Brother, Canon, Epson, and ScanSnap. Its CLI supports filename templates, defined exit codes, and a versioned JSON event protocol for frontends or other integrations. The documented toolchain includes SANE, img2pdf, ocrmypdf, and Tesseract. Python 3.12 or later is required. Installation support is documented for Debian 13 or later and Ubuntu 24.04 or later, with Fedora instructions. The project is aimed at everyday office and archival paperwork rather than photo or image scanning. On the tested ScanSnap iX100, duplex requests scan only the front side and produce a warning.
For and against
For
- Creates searchable PDFs with OCR.
- Supports duplex batch scanning and blank-page removal.
- Offers both CLI and GTK desktop interfaces.
- Exports PDF and PDF/A.
Against
- Linux is the supported platform.
- Python 3.12 or later is required.
- ScanSnap iX100 duplex requests scan only the front side.
- Not intended for photo or image scanning.
The verdict
ScanMole focuses on document workflows, with OCR, page handling, and PDF/A output. Check scanner compatibility and system requirements before choosing it.
Who it suits
It suits people digitizing office or archival paperwork with a SANE-supported scanner. The CLI can serve scripting or server use, while the GTK interface is intended for desktop use.
On the record
- Automation
- The CLI provides defined exit codes, filename templates, and a versioned JSON event protocol.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- CLI and GUI
- It includes a command-line scanning engine and a GTK4/libadwaita desktop frontend.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- ScanMole requires Python 3.12 or later and relies on distribution-provided tools including SANE, img2pdf, ocrmypdf and Tesseract.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Installation requirements
- ScanMole requires Python 3.12 or later and documents supported installation on Debian 13+, Ubuntu 24.04+, and Fedora.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documented scanning and OCR toolchain includes SANE, img2pdf, ocrmypdf, and Tesseract.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Intended use
- The project is aimed at everyday office and archival paperwork rather than photo or image scanning.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The CLI can be installed alone for server or scripting use, while the GUI is intended for desktop use.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Interfaces
- ScanMole is available as a command-line scanning engine and a GTK4/libadwaita desktop frontend.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Known device limitation
- On the tested ScanSnap iX100, duplex requests scan only the front side and produce a warning.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- License
- The project states that it is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Linux requirements
- The project supports Debian 13 or later and Ubuntu 24.04 or later, and lists Fedora installation instructions.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The repository says ScanMole was created and is maintained by foundata; its copyright notice names foundata GmbH.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Page handling
- It detects page sizes, crops pages, and can straighten skewed scans.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ScanMole scans office and archival paperwork into searchable PDFs and is designed for documents rather than photo or image scanning.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Scanner compatibility
- It works with scanners supported by SANE, including driverless eSCL devices through sane-airscan.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Scanner support
- ScanMole works with scanners supported by SANE, including driverless eSCL devices through sane-airscan.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Scanning features
- Its defaults support duplex batch scanning, blank-page removal, OCR text, and PDF/A output.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its contributing guide to report scanner problems and device quirks.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
