# Barcode Reader vs Code Reader

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barcode Reader at none against Code Reader's 7. Code Reader's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 48 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Code Reader sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Barcode Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Barcode Reader ships an update every 48 months, Code Reader every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 16, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode Reader | Code Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.6 (243 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-reader-qr-scanner/id1225393668/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **243** |
| Positive reviews | — | 64.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 48 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 6 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Aishvarya Sadasivam](https://appshunter.io/developer/1062048241) | [Daniel ILLESCAS ROMERO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1225393667) |

## 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


### Code Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-reader-qr-scanner/id1225393668)

Easily scan, generate, and share QR codes and barcodes. Quickly read various code types, including links, contacts, and product information. Generate new codes from text, emails, or Wi-Fi details, and utilize convenient extensions for seamless integration.

**Highlights:** Scan QR codes and barcodes, Generate QR codes and barcodes, Read codes from images via extension, Generate codes from text, email, Wi-Fi, Save and share scanned/generated codes, Automatic web page opening for product barcodes, Scanner preview with zoom and stabilization

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Code Reader Pro Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Code Reader Pro Yearly | $9.99 | per year |
| Donation 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Donation 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Code Reader Pro Lifetime | $2.99 | one-time |
| Donation 5 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Donation 10 | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Works fast
- 🆓 Free to use
- 💡 Auto-copies to clipboard
- ✅ Scans QR codes effectively

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't work for some users
- 🚫 Camera focus issues on Mac
- ❌ Unable to save codes
- 🤷 No instructions provided
- ⚠️ Scams reported

**Reported bugs**

- App not working after MacOS update
- Cannot get permissions to save
- QR codes not readable by Mac camera
- App crashes QREncoder
- Sequence of letters then stops

**Requested features**

- Add date & time to QR history
- Option to select camera
- Ability to save QR codes
- Support for SVG files
- Add logos to QR codes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barcode Reader free?

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

### Is Code Reader free?

Code Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

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

Barcode Reader shows ads; Code Reader does not.

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

Barcode Reader ships an update every 48 months, and Code Reader every 6 weeks. Most recently, Barcode Reader was updated on August 16, 2026 and Code Reader on September 25, 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.*