Encria vs Pen to Print: two handwriting apps
Pen to Print and Encria both turn handwriting into text, so this is the closest match on the site. They differ on platforms, files, checking and price. Here is what each one offers, from their own pages.
What Pen to Print does well
Pen to Print is a handwriting OCR service. Its developer says it reads cursive and messy handwriting in Latin-script languages. It runs on iPhone, Android and the web, with a desktop app, email processing and an API on higher plans.
Its strength is range. The app exports Word or plain text. The website adds Excel, LaTeX and searchable PDF, plus tools for tables, forms and equations. For handwritten tables in a spreadsheet, or a team on one account, it covers things Encria doesn’t.
Where Encria is different
Encria does less on purpose: photos of handwritten pages in, checked text out, on iPhone and iPad only. What it adds is the check. Every word gets a confidence score, and uncertain ones are underlined under the photo of your page. Pen to Print shows the text beside the scan, but its pages don’t mention flagging doubtful words.
Encria has no account and keeps your library on your device. It’s free for 5 pages a month, then Pro at €5.99 a month or €39.99 a year, or one-time page credits. Pen to Print starts with 10 free pages, then app or web plans in dollars.
Point by point
Encria facts come from the app. The Pen to Print column only repeats its App Store listing and website, checked on 26 October 2026. “Not specified” means they don’t say. Prices are US prices.
| Criterion | Pen to Print | Encria |
|---|---|---|
| Cursive handwriting | Yes: cursive and messy handwriting, according to the developer | Yes: built for handwriting, joined letters included |
| Several pages at once | Several pages per session in the app; up to 50 pages per session online | Up to 3 pages in one transcription, 20 with Pro |
| Uncertain words flagged for review | Not specified. The website shows the text beside the original scan for review | Yes: underlined under the photo of the page, fixed in a tap |
| Export | Word or plain text in the app; the website adds Excel, LaTeX and searchable PDF | Copy the text, or share it to any app through the iOS share sheet |
| Languages | Latin-script languages, such as English, French, Spanish, German, Italian and Portuguese | Detected automatically; no published list. App in English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese |
| Price | 10 free pages. US App Store plans include $4.99 a month, $24.99 a year and $74.99 lifetime; web plans from $9.99 a month | Free for 5 pages a month; Pro €5.99 a month or €39.99 a year for up to 500 pages; 100 pages of credits for €1.99 |
| Devices | iPhone and iPad (iOS 15.6 or later), Android, the web | iPhone and iPad, iOS 18 or later |
| Account | Not specified | None: documents stay in a local library on the device |
Which one, and when
Use Pen to Print when
- You work on Android, on a computer or in a team.
- You need Word, Excel, LaTeX or searchable PDF files.
- Your pages are tables, forms or equations.
- You process large batches, by email or through an API.
Use Encria when
- You’re on iPhone or iPad and want the text, not a file.
- You want the app to point out the words to check.
- You’d rather have no account, with your library on your device.
- You transcribe a few pages a month and want that to stay free.
Test both on the same page
Both are free to start: 10 pages with Pen to Print, 5 a month with Encria. Try your least readable page in each, and see which one gets you to text you trust faster.
Sources
The Pen to Print column was checked against its App Store listing and website on 26 October 2026.
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