Comparison

Bar vs The Sentry

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Bar

Instantly scan QR codes and barcodes using your device's camera. Open links, save your scan history, and share results quickly. This utility works offline and features a simple, user-friendly design for quick access to information.

Highlights
  • Fast QR and barcode scanning
  • Scan QR codes from photos
  • Save scan history
  • Share and open links
  • Offline scanning capability
  • Lightweight and easy to use
Features
Read full description

Bar-code Scanner – Quick QR and Barcode Reader Scan QR codes and barcodes instantly with your iPhone’s camera! Open links, save scans, and share results in seconds. Features: * Fast QR and Barcode Scanning – Quick scans for websites, coupons, and more * Scan from Photos – Decode QR codes from your gallery * Save Scan History – Keep track of past scans * Share and Open Links – Easily share results or open web pages * Works Offline – No internet needed for scanning * Lightweight and Easy to Use – Simple, no-fuss design Perfect for: Opening URLs, checking promo codes, sharing contact info, and more! Get Bar-code Scanner – Scan QR codes in a flash

About

The Sentry

This app provides advanced personal security features for teams, including live location sharing, check-ins, and one-touch panic alarms with video capture. It helps deter attackers and ensures team members get home safely.

Highlights
  • Live location sharing
  • One-touch panic alarms (loud/silent)
  • Video capture with panic alarm
  • Check-in feature for lone workers
  • Fake call widget
  • Global coverage
Features
Read full description

Get your team home safe =================== Give your team an advanced personal security App with features including live location sharing, check in function and one touch panic alarms with video capture. Deter would-be attackers and get help ============================= Instantly activate panic alarm using one touch buttons on home screen. User’s live location is immediately sent to their chosen contacts. The loud alarm’s siren sounds and a bright light flashes to attract attention. The silent alarm gives no outward clue that users have summoned help. Disarming the alarm requires user’s biometric or pin code entry. Live location sharing, multiple users, global coverage ======================================= Users share their live location with their network, worldwide coverage. Check in for lone workers, out of office work, students or night staff. Flashing panic alert Icon displays on map, showing where assistance is needed. Multiple users can both see and be seen by their networks on the same map. Just checking in ============= Team members check in at the touch of a button. Users decide timeframe to share their location from 1 minute to 24 hours. Global coverage with multiple users visible on same map. Video capture, just in case ==================== Enable automatic video recording feature for when the panic button is used. Video is stored on user’s phone and on The Sentry secure servers. Users can download video using email link. Safety at your fingertips ================== One touch panic button ------------------------ Activate either a loud or silent alarm from an easy access, one touch panic button on the phone’s home screen. Live location map ------------------- A constantly updating map with global coverage allows multiple users to share their location when they check in or activate their panic alarm. Instant notifications --------------------- An unlimited number of selected contacts receive instant notifications with live location if the user checks in or their panic alarm is triggered. Check in feature ----------------- One click says “I am OK and I am here”. User decides the duration of location sharing from 1 minute to 24 hours. Record Video -------------- This allows video to record when the panic alarm is activated, it will save to the user’s phone and can be uploaded to The Sentry secure servers. 'Fake Call' Widget. -------------- Get out of a tricky situation fast by triggering a fake incoming call from your home screen.

Screenshots

Bar4 screens
The Sentry4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: The Sentry at 86% against Bar's 43%. The Sentry also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 20 months). Bar's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. The Sentry sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Bar asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bar ships an update every 20 months, The Sentry every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 4, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 2 level
Bar versus The Sentry: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBarThe Sentry
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews42.9% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Update frequencyEvery 20 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAishvarya SadasivamStuart Evans

Customer experience

Bar

Written reviews14 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative57.1%

The Sentry

Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

None

Bar

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

The Sentry

Subscriptions4
  • Panic Button Premium$1.991 Month
  • Panic Button Unlimited$5.491 Month
  • Full Version$5.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • Full Version - Yearly$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Bar free?
Bar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is The Sentry free?
The Sentry is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Bar or The Sentry have ads?
Bar shows ads; The Sentry does not.
Which is updated more often, Bar or The Sentry?
Bar ships an update every 20 months, and The Sentry every 3 months. Most recently, Bar was updated on October 4, 2026 and The Sentry on October 4, 2026.

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