Frequently Asked Questions

How do I extract text from cloud eBook readers?

Use TextMuncher's browser extension for automated page turning and screenshot capture, or upload manual screenshots from any web-based reading platform. Our OCR converts displayed content to clean, searchable text.

Which platforms work with TextMuncher?

Automated capture — where the extension turns pages and screenshots them for you — is built for Amazon's Kindle Cloud Reader. For any other reader, screenshot the pages yourself and upload them to textmuncher.com for OCR; the extraction works the same either way. So you can get text out of any platform — only Kindle's page-turning is automated.

Can I export the text as an EPUB or PDF file?

No. TextMuncher extracts plain text that you can copy into ChatGPT, Claude, or your research notes. It doesn't create EPUB or PDF ebook files for reading on other devices.

Can I convert EPUB files to text for AI research?

Yes! Upload EPUB files you own for direct text extraction. Choose Structured mode for clean formatting or Raw mode for complete unfiltered content.

Is screenshot-based text extraction legal?

TextMuncher does not decrypt files or remove DRM — it captures pages already displayed on your screen. Screenshotting content you're authorized to view, for personal research, accessibility, and note-taking, is widely treated as fair use, though the law here is unsettled and nothing on this page is legal advice. Users must ensure their use complies with applicable copyright laws and platform terms of service.

How accurate is the OCR for eBook text?

TextMuncher's OCR is tuned for eBook text, specifically optimized for reading content with clean fonts and formatting found in digital books.

Does TextMuncher automatically turn pages and capture screenshots?

Yes! Our browser extension provides completely hands-free operation — it automatically turns pages AND captures screenshots from web-based readers.

How fast does TextMuncher process screenshots?

TextMuncher has two speeds for two steps. Capture — the extension turning pages and taking screenshots — runs at about 1.7 seconds per page. OCR — converting those screenshots into text — runs on a multi-worker engine, typically 1 to 2 seconds per page on a standard laptop and faster on a powerful machine. A 50-screenshot batch usually finishes in a minute or two.

Do you upload my content?

By default, no. In Speed mode — the default for everyone — OCR runs entirely in your browser: your pages, screenshots, and text are never uploaded or stored. The one exception is Quality mode, an optional accuracy feature for Pro subscribers who switch it on: pages flagged as hard to read are sent — the page image and its draft transcription — to a Google cloud OCR service to be re-read, then returned to you. Aside from that, only account and billing info (handled by Stripe/Firebase) leaves your device.

Is there a limit on how many pages I can capture at once?

No — there's no page limit. Set the page count past the length of your book and the extension captures pages hands-free in a single run; long captures can stop early, so you may need to restart partway. Free accounts include 30 automation pages to try it out, and Pro removes the cap entirely.

Where does my extracted text go after a capture?

When a capture job finishes, the download button becomes enabled — click it to save your results as a ZIP file, which your browser saves to its default Downloads folder. On the web app, extracted text also appears on screen where you can review it, copy it to the clipboard, or download it.

What counts toward the 30 free pages?

Only automated extension captures count toward the free-tier limit. Manual screenshot uploads and EPUB file extraction on the web app are free and unlimited — no account required. Pro ($9.99/month, or $48/year — $4/month billed annually) removes the limit on automated extension capture.

How does TextMuncher handle figures, charts, and equations?

Captures are full-page screenshots, so figures, charts, and equations are all in the saved images. OCR extracts only the text layer, but the underlying PNG files stay intact — for technical books, many readers upload those page images directly to AI tools like Claude or NotebookLM, which read both the text and the figures natively.

Does TextMuncher work in Firefox?

Yes. The extension is available for both Chrome (Chrome Web Store) and Firefox (Firefox Add-ons), and the web app works in any modern browser. Automated Kindle capture works the same way in both.

Does TextMuncher work with library ebooks like Libby or OverDrive?

Yes, through the manual path: screenshot the pages of any ebook you can open in your browser — including borrowed library books — and upload them to textmuncher.com for OCR. Hands-free automated page-turning is currently built for Kindle Cloud Reader only, so library platforms need you to take the screenshots yourself.

How do I cancel my subscription?

Cancel anytime from your account dashboard — Manage Billing opens the Stripe billing portal where you can cancel in a couple of clicks, and you keep Pro access through the end of the period you've paid for. If anything goes wrong, email hello@textmuncher.com and we'll sort it out, refunds included.

Still have questions?

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