# Barcode Reader vs Magic Authenticator

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barcode Reader at none against Magic Authenticator's 3. Magic Authenticator's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 48 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Magic Authenticator sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per 7 days. Barcode Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Barcode Reader ships an update every 48 months, Magic Authenticator every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode Reader | Magic Authenticator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 48 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Size | 6 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Aishvarya Sadasivam](https://appshunter.io/developer/1062048241) | [Hoang Nguyen Dong](https://appshunter.io/developer/1450259985) |

## 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


### Magic Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magic-authenticator/id1450259986)

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly subscription | $0.49 | per 7 days |
| Monthly subscription | $1.49 | per month |
| Year subscription | $8.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barcode Reader free?

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

### Is Magic Authenticator free?

Magic Authenticator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Barcode Reader or Magic Authenticator have ads?

Both Barcode Reader and Magic Authenticator show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Barcode Reader or Magic Authenticator?

Barcode Reader ships an update every 48 months, and Magic Authenticator every 4 months. Most recently, Barcode Reader was updated on October 13, 2026 and Magic Authenticator on October 29, 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.*