Able2Extract vs Readiris (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Able2Extract if

• Fits if you pull tables out of PDF reports into Excel often
• Works for people who want to buy once and skip a subscription

Look elsewhere if

• Pricey if you convert rarely, since the full license is $199.95
• Tight if you want to test it properly, because the trial converts 3 pages at a time after one file
• Watch out: a later major version costs $59.95 unless you pay for the $49.95 a year support plan
• Skip it if you need several users, as a license is one person on up to two computers
• Watch out: Apple Silicon Macs need Rosetta 2, since the program needs an x86 CPU

Pick Readiris if

• Fits if you scan paper and need searchable PDFs on Windows or Mac
• Works for people who would rather pay once

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want a web or phone version, as it is desktop only
• Tight if you need redaction, form design or PDF/A, which are Elite at $149
• Watch out: version 27 is a version-specific license and the cost of upgrading later is not stated
• Watch out: each price is shown beside a crossed-out higher one with no end date
• Watch out: the trial's limits are not stated

Able2Extract

• The trial lasts 7 days and, after one file, converts only 3 pages at a time.
• A license covers one user on up to two computers; there is no multi-user or concurrent license.
• The program needs an x86 CPU; on Apple Silicon Macs it needs Rosetta 2.
• Upgrading to a later major version costs extra ($59.95) unless you buy the $49.95 a year support plan.

Readiris

• It is desktop software for Windows 10 or 11 (64 bit) and macOS 11 and later; there is no web or mobile edition.
• Form design, redaction, multiple e-signatures, PDF/A and cloud sharing need the Elite edition.
• The store shows each price beside a crossed-out higher one with no end date.
• Version 27 is a version-specific license; the page does not say what upgrading to a later version costs.

Able2Extract

PDF to Excel conversion

Pulls tables out of native or scanned PDFs into Excel with the layout kept, using preview and conversion templates.

Other output formats

Converts to Word, PowerPoint, CSV, AutoCAD (DWG), HTML and images, and can run batches of files at once.

OCR for scanned PDFs

Turns scanned pages into editable, searchable documents before conversion.

Editing and compression

Edits text and images, splits pages, adds annotations and attachments, reduces file size and repairs damaged files.

Forms, signing and redaction

Fills interactive forms, signs digitally, and applies permanent redaction, watermarks and password encryption.

Readiris

Scan and OCR

Scans paper into searchable PDFs, with OCR in 138 languages and driverless network scanning through eSCL and WIA, plus TWAIN.

Edit and organize PDFs

Merge, split, rotate and delete pages, compress files, and add markups, annotations and highlights.

Forms

Fills interactive forms in Essential; Elite adds designing forms with labels, text fields, check boxes and combo boxes.

Batch conversion

Converts files to and from PDF, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, many at a time, and exports to PNG and JPG.

Elite security and automation

Elite adds protection, multiple e-signatures, redaction, PDF/A archiving, smart page separation and automatic naming.

Cloud sharing

Elite shares documents to Dropbox, OneDrive and SharePoint.

Able2Extract

• Professional 30-day license$49.95

  for 30 days, paid once, with no renewal

  Full-featured single-user license that expires after 30 days; buy again or switch to the full license.

• Professional full license$199.95

  one-time

  Lifetime single-user license for version 21, activatable on up to two of your own computers.

Readiris

• Readiris PDF 27 Essential$79

  one-time, perpetual license

  Scan and OCR, PDF editing, annotation, forms, Office export, batch conversion; shown as $129 crossed out, no end date.

• Readiris PDF 27 Elite$149

  one-time, perpetual license

  Essential plus form design, multiple e-signatures, redaction, PDF/A, auto-naming, barcode extraction, cloud sharing; $189 crossed out.

Able2Extract

• Lifetime license

  One-time lifetime license

  The full license is a single payment with no recurring fees, and refundable within 14 days of purchase.

Readiris

No public discounts listed.