# Barcode Reader vs QR & Barcode Reader Writer

The clearest difference is update cadence: QR & Barcode Reader Writer at every 6 months against Barcode Reader's every 48 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, QR & Barcode Reader Writer every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on August 16, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode Reader | QR & Barcode Reader Writer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 48 months | **Every 6 months** |
| Size | 6 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Aishvarya Sadasivam](https://appshunter.io/developer/1062048241) | [Nobutaka Yuasa](https://appshunter.io/developer/1077141399) |

## 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


### QR & Barcode Reader Writer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-and-barcode-reader-writer/id1107409513)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barcode Reader free?

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

### Is QR & Barcode Reader Writer free?

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

### Do Barcode Reader or QR & Barcode Reader Writer have ads?

Both Barcode Reader and QR & Barcode Reader Writer show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Barcode Reader or QR & Barcode Reader Writer?

Barcode Reader ships an update every 48 months, and QR & Barcode Reader Writer every 6 months. Most recently, Barcode Reader was updated on August 16, 2026 and QR & Barcode Reader Writer on September 14, 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.*