# Barcode scan vs Text Reader

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barcode scan at none against Text Reader's 2. Barcode scan also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.5). Text Reader's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 114 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Text Reader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Barcode scan asks for nothing beyond the download.

Barcode scan ships an update every 114 months, Text Reader every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode scan | Text Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 114 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Size | 5 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ramalingam Sivaramakrishnan](https://appshunter.io/developer/892706271) | [Vishal Pawar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1710997168) |

## What reviewers say

### Barcode scan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scan-easy/id1082071377)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Text Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/text-reader-studiovoice-tts/id6748371336)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $8.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barcode scan free?

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

### Is Text Reader free?

Text Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Barcode scan or Text Reader have ads?

Barcode scan shows ads; Text Reader does not.

### Which is updated more often, Barcode scan or Text Reader?

Barcode scan ships an update every 114 months, and Text Reader every 3 days. Most recently, Barcode scan was updated on October 1, 2026 and Text Reader on September 30, 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.*