Noteflow vs Adobe Scan vs Microsoft Lens: Detailed Comparison
We tested the top OCR and note digitization tools with real handwritten notes, whiteboard photos, and textbook pages. Here's what we found.
Testing Methodology
To make this comparison fair and practical, we tested each tool with:
- Handwritten notes - Clear and messy handwriting samples
- Whiteboard photos - Different lighting conditions
- Printed documents - Textbook pages and printouts
- PowerPoint slides - Photos of presentation slides
We measured accuracy, speed, ease of use, and value for money. All tests were conducted in January 2025 with the latest versions of each app.
1. Noteflow: Best for Google Docs Users
What Makes It Stand Out
Noteflow is the only tool that converts photos directly to editable Google Docs - no exporting, no file format conversions, no extra steps. Snap a photo, and within seconds you have a fully editable Google Doc in your Drive.
Test Results
Pros
- Direct Google Docs integration - truly unique feature
- Works in browser - no app download needed
- Excellent handwriting recognition powered by AI
- Free plan is genuinely useful (10/day)
- Saves original image with extracted text
- Fast processing (5-10 seconds per page)
Cons
- Requires Google account
- Free plan limited to 10 notebooks
- Focused on Google ecosystem only
💡 Best For:
Students, professionals, and anyone who uses Google Docs as their primary note-taking system. If you're already in the Google ecosystem, Noteflow is unbeatable.
2. Adobe Scan: Best for PDF Workflows
What Makes It Stand Out
Adobe Scan is a professional-grade document scanner with excellent PDF creation capabilities. It excels at creating clean, properly formatted PDF files with powerful editing features.
Test Results
Pros
- Excellent PDF creation and editing
- Auto edge detection and perspective correction
- Professional features for business use
- Integrates with Adobe ecosystem
Cons
- No direct Google Docs export
- Premium features require expensive subscription
- Complex interface - steeper learning curve
- Requires app download (large file size)
💡 Best For:
Business professionals who need high-quality PDF documents with advanced editing capabilities. Great if you're already using Adobe Creative Cloud.
3. Microsoft Lens: Best Free Option
What Makes It Stand Out
Microsoft Lens (formerly Office Lens) is completely free with unlimited scans. It integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office and OneDrive, making it ideal for the Microsoft ecosystem.
Test Results
Pros
- Completely free - unlimited scans
- Great Office 365 and OneNote integration
- Multiple export formats (Word, PowerPoint, PDF)
- Clean, simple interface
Cons
- Handwriting recognition less accurate than Noteflow
- No direct Google Docs support
- Slower processing than competitors
- Requires app download
💡 Best For:
Microsoft Office users who want a completely free solution with unlimited scans. Perfect if you use OneNote or need Word document exports.
Real-World Usage Scenarios
Scenario 1: College Student Taking Lecture Notes
Winner: Noteflow
Students need fast digitization with minimal steps. Noteflow's direct Google Docs integration means notes are immediately searchable and shareable with study groups. The free 10/day plan covers daily lectures, and everything syncs automatically.
Scenario 2: Business Professional Scanning Contracts
Winner: Adobe Scan
For legal documents, contracts, and official paperwork, Adobe Scan's professional-grade PDFs with editing capabilities are essential. The higher cost is justified for business use.
Scenario 3: Teacher Creating Digital Resources
Winner: Microsoft Lens
Teachers scanning textbook pages, worksheets, and handouts benefit from Microsoft Lens's free unlimited scans and easy PowerPoint/Word integration for creating teaching materials.
Scenario 4: Remote Team Capturing Whiteboard Sessions
Winner: Noteflow
Team whiteboard sessions need to be shared quickly. Noteflow's fast processing and Google Docs output makes it easy to share meeting notes with remote team members immediately.
Try the Winner for Google Docs Users
If you use Google Docs for note-taking, Noteflow offers the smoothest, fastest workflow. Start with 10 free conversions daily!
Try Noteflow FreeThe Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Noteflow if:
- ✓ You use Google Docs as your primary note system
- ✓ You want the fastest, simplest workflow
- ✓ You need good handwriting recognition
- ✓ You want to work from a browser without app downloads
Choose Adobe Scan if:
- ✓ You need professional-grade PDF documents
- ✓ You're scanning legal or business documents
- ✓ You already use Adobe Creative Cloud
- ✓ Budget isn't a primary concern
Choose Microsoft Lens if:
- ✓ You use Microsoft Office 365 or OneNote
- ✓ You want a completely free solution
- ✓ You primarily scan printed documents (not handwritten)
- ✓ You need Word or PowerPoint exports
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple apps together?
Absolutely! Many users use Noteflow for handwritten notes (Google Docs workflow) and Adobe Scan for official documents (PDF workflow). Choose the right tool for each task.
How accurate is OCR in real-world conditions?
With good lighting and clear handwriting, expect 85-95% accuracy across all tools. Noteflow and Adobe Scan lead with AI-powered recognition. Poor lighting or very messy handwriting will reduce accuracy for all tools.
What about Google Drive's built-in OCR?
Google Drive can extract text from PDFs and images, but it's not designed for note-taking. It creates searchable PDFs rather than editable documents, and handwriting recognition is significantly less accurate than dedicated OCR tools.
Do any of these work offline?
Microsoft Lens can capture images offline and process them later. Adobe Scan has limited offline capabilities. Noteflow requires an internet connection for OCR processing.