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Transkribus
Innsbruck, Austria
What it is
Transkribus uses AI to make handwritten and printed documents searchable by converting them into text. It supports more than 100 languages and historical scripts. Users can choose public models for handwriting, print, layout analysis, or table recognition, or train their own. Its editor supports text and layout changes, version history, and real-time collaboration. Layout analysis identifies text regions, baselines, tables, and reading order; exports include PAGE XML, ALTO, and searchable PDF. Document processing uses credits: handwriting, table, and field recognition each use 1 credit per page, while line detection uses 0.25. The free plan includes 50 credits per month. Paid plans start at €99/yr. The beta Developer Platform API requires a Scholar plan or above and returns structured text as JSON, a ZIP archive, or PAGE XML. API results are retained for 24 hours, and submitted JPEG, PNG, or TIFF images can be up to 20 MB. Transkribus says data are processed and stored on servers in Austria, and users keep ownership of documents and transcriptions and can delete them.
For and against
For
- Recognizes more than 100 languages and historical scripts
- Users can train custom models
- Supports collaborative editing and version history
- Exports PAGE XML, ALTO, and searchable PDF
- Users retain ownership and can delete documents
Against
- Processing documents consumes credits
- API is beta and requires Scholar or above
- Older desktop software is no longer updated
The verdict
Transkribus combines document recognition, layout tools, editing, and several export formats, with a free plan and paid plans from €99/yr. Check credit use and the API plan requirement if those are central to your workflow.
Who it suits
Transkribus suits people digitizing historical or other handwritten and printed documents, especially those who need layout analysis, collaboration, or structured exports. Its API may suit developers with a Scholar plan or above.
Plans and prices
Organisation
Custom user seats · Custom document storage · API access
Read 21 Sep 2026 · transkribus.org
Free
50 free credits per month · 1 user seat · 1 limited project · 20 GB storage
Read 30 Sep 2026 · transkribus.org
Scholar
900 credits per year · 1 user seat · 1 project · 200 GB storage
Read 30 Sep 2026 · transkribus.org
Team
1,500 credits per year · 5 user seats · 3 projects · 1 TB storage
Read 30 Sep 2026 · transkribus.org
Credit top-up
On-demand credits never expire
Read 30 Sep 2026 · transkribus.org
For Organisations
15+ user seats · 75,000+ credits per year · dedicated success manager · custom onboarding
Read 30 Sep 2026 · transkribus.org
On the record
- API
- The Developer Platform API accepts document images and returns structured text as JSON, a ZIP archive, or PAGE XML; it is in beta and requires a Scholar plan or above.docs.transkribus.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- API limit
- API results are retained for 24 hours, and submitted images may be JPEG, PNG, or TIFF up to 20 MB.docs.transkribus.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Data rights
- Users retain ownership of their documents and transcriptions and can delete them at any time.help.transkribus.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Desktop status
- The older Transkribus eXpert desktop software supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, but is no longer updated and new features are only available in the web app.help.transkribus.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Editing
- The document editor supports text and layout editing, version history, and real-time collaboration.transkribus.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Layout
- Layout analysis detects text regions, baselines, tables, and reading order, and supports export in PAGE XML, ALTO, searchable PDF, and other formats.transkribus.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Maker
- READ-COOP SCE is a member-owned European cooperative founded in 2019 in Innsbruck, Austria.transkribus.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Models
- Users can browse public AI models for handwriting, print, layout analysis, and table recognition or train their own.transkribus.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Transkribus uses AI to turn handwritten and printed documents into searchable text.transkribus.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Recognition
- The maker says its text recognition supports more than 100 languages and historical scripts.transkribus.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Security
- The maker says data are processed and stored on its servers in Austria, with GDPR-compliant handling.help.transkribus.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- The pricing comparison lists standard support for Free and priority support for Scholar and Team.transkribus.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Usage limits
- Processing documents consumes credits, with handwriting recognition, table recognition, and field recognition each listed at 1 credit per page and line detection at 0.25 credits per page.transkribus.org · read 30 Sep 2026
