Barcode vs Cognex Keyboard
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Barcode
This utility allows your mobile device to function as a wireless barcode scanner, sending scanned data directly to your PC or Mac. It emulates a keyboard wedge, making it seamless for data entry. Installation is straightforward, with an optional server utility for advanced customization.
- Wireless barcode scanning
- Keyboard wedge emulation
- PC/Mac data transfer
- Automatic autofocus
- Simple installation
- Customizable settings
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After the success of Barcode-x here is Barcode-x-wifi, the new keyboard wedge barcode scanner from ALTO laboratories. Barcode-x-wifi let you capture the most common typologies of barcodes and send them to your PC/Mac as you are typing on your keyboard (like usb scanner terminals do) Barcode-x-wifi is easy to install and it doesn't need any setup (advanced users can still customize it) Barcode-x-wifi is really simple : download the app and install our free Barcode-x-wifi-server utility, downloadable from Alto-Labs website at http://www.alto-labs.com/vh_app/barcode-x-wifi/. Your iphone will show your computer name, insert a password you prefer and begin scanning. Barcode-x-wifi embeds the new Barcode-x-Pro scanner with Altomatic autofocus to enhance the performances of your scan sessions. What else? Beeeeep! !!! IN ORDER TO USE THE APP YOU MUST INSTALL ON YOUR PC/MAC THE FREE BARCODE-X WI-FI SERVER SOFTWARE DOWNLOADABLE HERE http://www.alto-labs.com/vh_app/barcode-x-wifi/ !!!
Cognex Keyboard
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The Cognex Keyboard is a virtual keyboard for iOS devices that allows you scan barcode data into virtually any iOS application with no need for any integration. Cognex keyboard supports scanning with a compatible Cognex Bluetooth enabled barcode scanner. Note this app is deprecated and no further updates are forthcoming.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Cognex Keyboard at none against Barcode's 1. Barcode's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 13 months) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 12.0). On price, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. Barcode sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Cognex Keyboard asks for nothing beyond the download.
Barcode ships an update every 2 months, Cognex Keyboard every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Barcode | Cognex Keyboard |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 13 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 30 MB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tommaso Ferrari | Cognex Corporation |
In-app purchases
Barcode
- Barcode-x-wifi Pro Upgrade$3.99
Cognex Keyboard
No in-app purchases
