# Barcode Reader vs BLC

The clearest difference is ads: BLC at none against Barcode Reader's shown. BLC also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 59 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, 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 59 months, BLC every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode Reader | BLC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 59 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Size | 5 MB | 95 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Aishvarya Sadasivam](https://appshunter.io/developer/1062048241) | [SmartBLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1811073371) |

## What reviewers say

### Barcode Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-reader-easyread/id1081654237)

This utility app uses your device's camera to quickly and accurately scan all major barcode and QR code types. It offers features like bulk scanning, reading codes from images, and saving scan history for easy sharing.

**Highlights:** Fast code scanning, Bulk mode for continuous scanning, Scan from camera roll images, Automated scanning processes, Scan history and sharing

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### BLC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blc/id6746663384)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barcode Reader free?

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

### Is BLC free?

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

### Do Barcode Reader or BLC have ads?

Barcode Reader shows ads; BLC does not.

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

Barcode Reader ships an update every 59 months, and BLC every 5 days. Most recently, Barcode Reader was updated on September 14, 2026 and BLC on September 12, 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.*