# Barcode Reader vs Barcode scan

The clearest difference is update cadence: Barcode Reader at every 48 months against Barcode scan's every 114 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Barcode Reader ships an update every 48 months, Barcode scan every 114 months. The most recent releases landed on August 16, 2026 and March 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode Reader | Barcode scan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 48 months** | Every 114 months |
| Size | 6 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Aishvarya Sadasivam](https://appshunter.io/developer/1062048241) | [Ramalingam Sivaramakrishnan](https://appshunter.io/developer/892706271) |

## What reviewers say

### Barcode Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-reader-scan/id1081653184)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Barcode scan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scan/id1082071377)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barcode Reader free?

Barcode Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Barcode scan free?

Barcode scan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Barcode Reader or Barcode scan have ads?

Both Barcode Reader and Barcode scan show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Barcode Reader or Barcode scan?

Barcode Reader ships an update every 48 months, and Barcode scan every 114 months. Most recently, Barcode Reader was updated on August 16, 2026 and Barcode scan on March 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*