# Barcode Scanner vs Cobalt Link+

The clearest difference is ads: Cobalt Link+ at none against Barcode Scanner's shown. Cobalt Link+ also leads on update cadence (every 6 months vs every 117 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 Scanner ships an update every 117 months, Cobalt Link+ every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on August 17, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode Scanner | Cobalt Link+ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 117 months | **Every 6 months** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 6 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ramalingam Sivaramakrishnan](https://appshunter.io/developer/892706271) | [VNC AUTOMOTIVE LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1494461328) |

## What reviewers say

### Barcode Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanner-qr-code-scan/id1081726304)

Instantly read any barcode or QR code by pointing your camera. Quickly capture and manage information, from product details to URLs. Essential for organizing items, managing inventory, or finding product information.

**Highlights:** Lightning-fast barcode and QR code scanning, Save and export scan history to CSV, Bulk scanning mode for multiple codes, Scan codes from photos, Share scan results easily

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Cobalt Link+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cobalt-link-plus/id1608536466)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barcode Scanner free?

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

### Is Cobalt Link+ free?

Cobalt Link+ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Barcode Scanner or Cobalt Link+ have ads?

Barcode Scanner shows ads; Cobalt Link+ does not.

### Which is updated more often, Barcode Scanner or Cobalt Link+?

Barcode Scanner ships an update every 117 months, and Cobalt Link+ every 6 months. Most recently, Barcode Scanner was updated on August 17, 2026 and Cobalt Link+ 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.*