PenParse Blog

Guides, tips, and tools for handwriting transcription, genealogy research, and document preservation.

Transkribus Alternatives: 6 Handwriting OCR Tools Compared (2026)

Transkribus is powerful for historical-document archives but overkill for most users. Here are 6 alternatives — from no-setup web apps to LLMs — and which to pick for what.

Digitize Grandmother's Handwritten Recipes in 5 Minutes

Those handwritten recipe cards are irreplaceable. Here's how to turn them into digital text in minutes, not hours.

Best OCR Tools for Genealogy Research (2026)

We compared the top OCR tools for genealogy researchers. Here's what works, what doesn't, and which tool is right for your project.

How to Digitize Old Family Letters Before They Fade

Old family letters are irreplaceable — but paper doesn't last forever. Here's how to preserve them digitally before it's too late.

Transkribus vs PenParse: Which Handwriting OCR is Right for You?

Transkribus is powerful but complex. PenParse is instant but newer. Here's an honest comparison to help you choose.

How to Read Old Cursive Handwriting (With AI Help)

Old cursive can feel like a foreign language. Here's how to decode it — and how AI can do the heavy lifting.