Handwriting vs AI: Real Performance of AI on Handwritten Documents

Handwritten forms remain a major challenge for AI, even in 2025. Our benchmark of seven leading models shows that GPT-5 Mini leads in accuracy for high-stakes workflows, while Gemini 2.5 Flash Lite offers near-top accuracy at a fraction of the cost and speed. Azure, AWS, and Claude Sonnet are moderate performers; Google and Grok 4 fall short. Choosing the right model depends on risk tolerance, volume, and cost, and benchmarking on your own data is essential. Even the best models rarely exceed 95% business-level accuracy, highlighting the need for hybrid AI pipelines with validation and human review.