Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Lios (Linux-Intelligent-OCR-Solution) is a free, open-source desktop program for turning printed pages and document images into editable text on Linux. Its project documentation describes input from scanners, cameras, PDFs, images, image folders, and screenshots, alongside tools for reading and exporting recognized text. Features and dependencies can vary by package and version, so check the documentation for your distribution before installing.

What Lios does

Lios combines document capture and optical character recognition (OCR). It can send a scanned page or an existing image-based document through an OCR engine and display the recognized text beside the source image. The project says it was designed with accessibility for visually impaired users in mind and describes the software as written in Python 3 and licensed under GPL-3. Project README

Unlike a general-purpose PDF viewer, Lios is intended to help convert printed material into text that can be edited or read with assistive features. Recognition quality depends in part on the quality of the source paper or scan; the user guide does not provide a guaranteed accuracy rate. Lios user guide

Inputs and documented features

The project README lists several ways to provide material and work with the resulting text:

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Elebase USB to USB C Adapter for iPhone 18 Pro Max,USBC Car Charger Adapter
  • Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
  • Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
  • Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
  • Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
  • 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Area Documented options
Input Scanner, webcam, PDF, image, folder of images, or screenshot
Recognition Tesseract and Cuneiform are named in the README; engine and language are selected before recognition
Page handling Automatic rotation, document navigation, scanner brightness controls, and OCR of a selected rectangular region
Text and output Side-by-side source and recognized text, text cleanup and match-replace dialog, spell-checking, audio conversion, and PDF export
Reading support A highlighted text reader with user-selected appearance

These are features stated in project documentation, not results from independent tests of every current build. Engine availability may differ: the project website also names GOCR and ABBYY FineReader, while the README and Debian package information identify Tesseract and Cuneiform. Confirm which engines your installed version supports rather than assuming the lists are interchangeable. README · Project website · Debian Sources package metadata

How a typical OCR workflow works

  1. Provide a page. Scan or capture it with supported hardware, or open an existing PDF, image, image folder, or screenshot.
  2. Choose recognition settings. Select an available OCR engine and language, then choose where recognized text should be inserted, as described in the user guide.
  3. Recognize and review. Run OCR and compare the text with the source image. Correct errors before relying on the result, especially if the original is faint, skewed, or otherwise difficult to read.
  4. Use or export the text. Apply cleanup or spell-checking as needed, use the documented reading or audio features, or export as PDF.

The exact controls may differ by release and packaging; follow the guide corresponding to your installed version. Lios user guide

Rank #2
Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter
  • 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
  • 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
  • Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
  • 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
  • What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.

Accessibility features and their scope

Lios documents a highlighted reader and audio conversion, with controls to change the reader’s appearance. The guide describes an automatic operation for visually impaired users, but says that workflow is available only for English in the documented version because it depends on Lios’s spellchecker. Treat that as a version-specific guide limitation and verify behavior in the release you use. Lios user guide

Linux installation and version details

Lios has Linux-specific system dependencies. The project lists Python 3, SANE-related scanner bindings, OCR engines, image/PDF utilities, speech support, and spell-checking components among its requirements. Debian packaging lists Python, SANE, Tesseract, Cuneiform, ImageMagick, and Poppler utilities. Those lists are not a universal install recipe: names, package availability, and dependencies vary by distribution and release. Consult your distribution’s package information and the Lios documentation for your system. Project README · Debian Sources package metadata

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
Anker USB C Hub, 7in1 Multi-Port USB Adapter, 4K@60Hz USBC to HDMI Splitter
  • Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
  • Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
  • Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
  • Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
  • What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.

Version references need care. Debian Sources identifies the source package path as lios/2.7.2-8, where 2.7.2-8 is the Debian package revision; the spec file identifies the application version as 2.7.1. These are different version labels, not proof that either is the latest release. Debian’s experimental manpage documents the command form lios [-h] [-s] [-v] [files ...], including -s / --ocr-screenshot. Its source metadata was last updated on 2023-04-03, which describes the manpage history rather than the current application release. Debian Sources · Debian experimental manpage

Who should consider Lios

Lios may suit Linux users who want a desktop OCR workflow that brings scanning or image input, editable text, and documented reading features together. It is especially relevant if you need to process scanned pages rather than text already embedded in a digital document. Before depending on it, check that your distribution provides a compatible package, that the needed OCR engine and language are available, and that its workflow meets your accessibility needs.

Rank #4
Sale
UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter Combo 4-Pack, 10Gbps USB C Converter Space Gray
  • Dual Converters, Infinite Potential:Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
  • Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
  • Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
  • Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
  • Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft

If you need a scanner, look for a Linux- and SANE-compatible document scanner and verify support for the exact model in your distribution’s SANE device information before buying. The cited documentation does not test or certify individual scanner models. Project README

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What is not established

The available project documentation does not establish a numerical OCR accuracy benchmark, independent usability evaluation, or a current compatibility matrix across Linux distributions. Results depend on source quality, and package-specific support should be checked against the release you plan to use. That makes a trial with representative pages more useful than assuming a published accuracy figure that the documentation does not provide.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Anker USB C Hub, 5-in-1 USBC to HDMI Splitter with 4K Display
  • 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
  • Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
  • Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
  • HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
  • What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.