# Bar vs STS

The clearest difference is ads: STS at none against Bar's shown. STS also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 20 months). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Bar ships an update every 20 months, STS every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bar | STS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 42.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 20 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Size | 6 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 13.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Aishvarya Sadasivam](https://appshunter.io/developer/1062048241) | [中铁工程装备集团有限公司](https://appshunter.io/developer/1447605449) |

## What reviewers say

### Bar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bar-code-scanner/id1081663531)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### STS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sts-mobile/id1538528756)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bar free?

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

### Is STS free?

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

### Do Bar or STS have ads?

Bar shows ads; STS does not.

### Which is updated more often, Bar or STS?

Bar ships an update every 20 months, and STS every 2 weeks. Most recently, Bar was updated on October 4, 2026 and STS on October 2, 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.*