Copyfish 🐟 Free OCR Software

Copy, paste and translate text from any image, video or PDF.

Copyfish 🐟 Free OCR Software - Extract & Translate Text from Any Source

Copyfish 🐟 Free OCR Software is a revolutionary tool designed for seamless extraction and translation of text from images, videos, and PDF files. It converts any captured on-screen text into an editable format, eliminating the need for manual retyping. Suitable for various uses such as Google searching, emailing, storing, or translating the text. Supports multiple languages and works effectively with all kinds of images and even subtitles on Youtube or Youku videos. Additionally, it supports developer contributions being an open-source project under GPL license and utilizes the superior OCR API from ocr.space.
Install from Chrome Web Store

Extension stats

Users: 800,000+
Version: 6.1.5 (Last updated: 2024-08-01)
Creation date: 2020-05-26
Risk impact: Moderate risk impact
Risk likelihood:
Manifest version: 3
Permissions:
  • contextMenus
  • activeTab
  • scripting
  • storage
  • notifications
  • nativeMessaging
  • clipboardRead
  • commands
Size: 243.71K

Other platforms

Not available on Android
Not available on Firefox
Not available on Edge
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Extension summary

Do you need to extract text from images, videos or PDF? If yes, then the Copyfish Screenshot Reader is for you. Copyfish turns text within any image captured from your screen into an editable format without retyping – making it easy to reuse in digital documents, emails or reports.

Common reasons to extract text from images are to google it, store it, email it or translate it. Until now, your only option was to retype the text. Copyfish is soooo much faster and more fun.

β€œImages” come in many forms: photographs, charts, diagrams, screenshots, PDF documents, comics, error messages, memes, Flash – and Youtube movies.

You can verify the results in one glance with the extracted text overlay.

Do you need to switch between OCR languages often? You can define "Quick Switch" buttons for up to three languages on the settings page.

For language learners: There are many translator addons available, but they only work with plain website text. Text inside images, in tricky Javascript/AJAX or, especially, in movie subtitles on Youtube or Youku is unreachable for them. But not for Copyfish. And if you want, Copyfish also translates the text for you. Especially for the subtitle translation use case, Copyfish has a repeat feature. Mark the area of the subtitle once and then use the "Do OCR" button to grab the latest text from the movie screen.

For extension gurus: You might have heard of Project Naptha, a great addon that applies state-of-the-art computer vision algorithms on every image you see while browsing the web. Copyfish solves the same problem, but it takes a different user interface approach. It does not try to alter the website. Instead, it lets you mark the text in the image you want to extract. As a result Copyfish works with every website, even videos and PDF documents.

For developers: Copyfish is published under the GPL open-source license. As OCR software, it uses the free OCR API from https://ocr.space/ .

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User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Works great for extracting text after setup
  • Helpful for translation and saving time
  • User-friendly interface
  • Generally reliable
  • Ability to capture text from video
Cons
  • Not consistently accurate, especially for large text
  • Often doesn't work in PDFs
  • Has bugs that affect usability
  • Could improve image text detection
  • Some reported issues with zoom affecting text capture
Most mentioned
  • Inconsistent reliability
  • Accuracy issues with text extraction
  • Bugs or not working at times
  • User satisfaction when it works
  • Need for improvements in language support
User reviews
Doesn't work. It says OCR Result successful, but the text area is empty. Tried it several times. Uninstalling.
by Marika Charalambous, 2025-01-17

Really liked Copyfish and used it a lot in my line of work. However, this last week the chrome extension seems to not be working. A pop-up box appears which states that if the box doesn't disappear, then to use the desktop capture. When you attempt to use it, you need to download the helper app. This won't be possible for everyone, as some businesses don't allow you to download things to your work devices. So if you are unable to access the extension and unable to download things to your device, at present, copyfish isn't accessible for you. When the extension is working, five stars.
by Hollie Leandro, 2025-01-16

by SC srtcartas, 2025-01-15
View all user reviews

Extension safety

Risk impact

Copyfish 🐟 Free OCR Software requires a few sensitive permissions. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk likelihood

Copyfish 🐟 Free OCR Software has earned a good reputation and can be trusted.

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