SmoothOCR vs Core
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SmoothOCR
This application converts camera-captured text into editable digital text. It supports continuous scanning, multi-page management, and multilingual recognition, including Japanese vertical writing. Output options include text files, PDFs, and iCloud synchronization.
- Continuous text scanning
- Multi-page management
- Text editing
- TXT and PDF file export
- iCloud data synchronization
- Multilingual support
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This is an app that can convert characters shown on the camera into text. Features ・Continuous scanning is possible for the time being ・Can manage multiple pages at once ・Simple UI ·Multilingual ・Supports Japanese vertical writing Supported functions ・Text edit ・txt file output ・PDF file output ・Data synchronization between devices using iCloud Terms of service: https://note.com/wakaba_dev/n/nf2c276e954bc Tutorial: https://note.com/wakaba_dev/n/nc1cf9dd8b1a9
Core
This writing application is designed for serious Japanese writers, offering vertical text, manuscript management, and AI-powered editing and research. It syncs seamlessly with its Mac counterpart, allowing for on-the-go work with reliable source citation.
- AI editing partner
- AI research with real sources
- Vertical and horizontal text layout
- Export to multiple formats (PDF, DOCX, EPUB)
- Project management (corkboard, outliner)
- Syncs with Mac version
- Quick notes via widget
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A writing app for people who take Japanese writing seriously, now on iPhone and iPad. Vertical text, your manuscript, and the research, all in one place. Core brings drafting, reference, and revision into one workspace: an AI editing partner that has read your whole project, and reference search that returns only real sources. It opens the same projects as Core for Mac, so you can write at your desk and pick up where you left off on the go. — AI Editor — the partner that knows your work The AI has read your entire project. Ask it to evaluate an opening, sharpen a piece of dialogue, or test an idea against the rest of the manuscript. Unlike generic AI tools, it answers in the context of what you've actually written. — AI Research Agent — sources you can trust Ask the AI to find a citation. It searches scholarly databases such as the National Diet Library of Japan and returns only real sources, never fabricated references. — A real writing editor • Vertical and horizontal layout • Ruby (furigana), emphasis dots, and upright numbers in vertical text • Word count, 400-character manuscript-page count, and word goals • Add photos and images to your manuscript or notes — Export the way you want • PDF with detailed control over page size, margins, and fonts, including spreads for binding and a colophon • Copy in the formats of note, Kakuyomu, and Shosetsuka ni Naro, ready to paste • Word (DOCX), EPUB, and plain text • Preview before you export — Project management • Manuscript, notes, and reference material in one project • Corkboard for chapter overview • Outliner for building the plot — Quick notes Start a note straight from the app icon or a widget. — The same projects as on your Mac Open a project kept in iCloud Drive or another cloud folder on Mac, iPhone, and iPad alike. When changes from two devices overlap, Core takes care not to lose what you wrote. — Your work stays with you Manuscripts are saved as files in a place you choose. Your text is never used to train AI models. — Who it's for — • Japanese-language writers who need vertical typesetting that doesn't fight them • Writers who want to keep going on their Mac manuscript while away from the desk • Anyone who wants AI assistance without losing control of the manuscript — Pricing — Editing is free. AI features require a subscription. • Pro plan: $7.99 / month, with a 14-day free trial • Max plan: $26.99 / month If you already subscribe on Mac (App Store or direct), sign in with the same account and your plan carries over. — Requirements — • iOS 17.0 / iPadOS 17.0 or later • Internet connection required for AI features — Support — Email: contact@corewrite.app Privacy: https://corewrite.app/privacy Terms: https://corewrite.app/terms — About the developer — Core is built by a single developer who wanted a writing tool worth using session after session. Every feature ships only when it earns its keep in real writing sessions.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Core at Free against SmoothOCR's $3.99. SmoothOCR's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On review sentiment, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Core is free to download; SmoothOCR costs $3.99 up front. Core sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. SmoothOCR asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | SmoothOCR | Core |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Freemium — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Shinya Saito | Hukido |
Customer experience
SmoothOCR
Core
In-app purchases
SmoothOCR
No in-app purchases
Core
- Pro14 Days trial$6.991 Month
- Max$24.991 Month





