This converter is ranked #3 in our comparison of free PDF to Word converter tools (i.e. out of 16 converters, it is #3).
This is an online conversion tool that is unique in that you need to install a program locally on your desktop in order to use it. ‘Nuance PDF Reader’ is a free PDF reader that has a ‘convert PDF to Word’ option, which then connects to their online servers and uploads your files to perform the conversion remotely.
But what makes this such a great tool, aside from the general high quality of the conversion itself, is that it is one of only two free PDF to Word conversion tools that supports OCR (optical character recognition) that can convert your scanned or image based documents into actual test. (Of the two tools that support it, Nuance provides the better quality OCR).
| Overall Rating: A+. TIER 1. |
| Desktop vs. Online: Online; but with a desktop component (you have to install Nuance PDF Reader locally). |
| Converts to (file type): .DOC; DOCX; RTF; XLSM; Wordperfect. |
| Handling of Text: B Handling of Images: A Handling of Tables: A |
| Reliability: A OCR Support: Yes Max File Size: 10 MB – we believe the max upload size is 10 MB – although we did not find written confirmation anywhere. |
| Is it Free?: Yes. |
| Where is the link?: click on this link. |
| Strengths: Renders actual tables. A rare PDF to Word converter that supports OCR (and does an excellent job at it — better than the other tool that also provides OCR mentioned in this article below). Does an excellent overall job converting to Word formats. Converts PDF to Excel. |
| Weaknesses: an online conversion tool that nonetheless requires you to install a program locally. Hyperlinks in the converted document are not active. |
