Comparison

Simple QR/Barcode Reader vs JAN Reader

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

Head to head
About

Simple QR/Barcode Reader

This app quickly and accurately scans QR codes and barcodes using your smartphone's camera. It offers simple operation, saves scan history, and provides relevant actions based on scanned content. Advertisements can be removed with a purchase.

Highlights
  • Fast and accurate scanning
  • Scan from photos
  • Simple one-tap operation
  • Scan history and favorites
  • Automatic action based on content
  • Hide advertisements with purchase
Read full description

Simple and efficient QR/Barcode Reader Simple and efficient QR/Barcode Reader is a simple yet efficient QR code scanner with minimum amount of functions! The barcode reading applications we offer from mediaseek.inc have achieved more than 20 million smart phone users around the world and has been in the high rank in the Free and Popular convenient applications. ◆◆Characteristics of the Simple and efficient QR/Barcode Reader◆◆ 【1】Fast! Accurate! Precision Reading! Our app can read any kind of QR code you want to scan wherever you are. If you have problems scanning a designed QR code with other apps, we recommend our app! If you have a barcode image on your smartphone photo album, you can bring it up and import it without using the camera. 【2】Simple and easy to handle! Tap once to start up the app and it automatically starts scanning the code you apply to the reader. ◆◆Here’s some descriptions of our app◆◆ □Scan Simply hold the QR code or barcode over to the reader and it will read them straight away. Control focus by tapping the screen. □History Our app automatically saves QR codes and barcodes you scan in the History. If you want to store the relevant information of a code without deleting, simply add to your Favorite lists. This way, the information will stay in your app. □After scanning We provide all relevant information associated with the code you scan. For example,  ・URL information…open up web browser  ・Text…Open up search  ・e-mail address…open up mailer  ・barcode…open up a shopping website search. □Setting ・Vibration: You can choose from setting whether to have a vibration sounds after scanning a code or not. □Hiding Advertisement If you want to hide advertisements, it is possible to hide them with some charge. ◆◆Word description◆◆ ・What is QR code? It is 2D barcode that hold much longer data than normal barcode like UPC code. If your cellphone can read QR code, you may not need to type long web site address or people’s information. Most cellphones with camera in Japan have QR code readers in it. ・What is barcode? In Japan, it is known as Japanese Article Number and in Europe it is the EAN code (European Article Number). Also in America and Canada, it is known as UPC (Universal Product Code). It is used for POS system, for recording number of items or shipping control items in the world.

About

JAN Reader

This utility app scans JAN, EAN, and ITF14 barcodes, allowing you to copy the scanned numbers for use in other applications. It stores up to 999 scan histories with a line break separator and provides haptic feedback on detection for compatible iPhones.

Highlights
  • Scans JAN, EAN, and ITF14 barcodes
  • Copy scanned numbers
  • Up to 999 scan history
  • Line break separator for history
  • Haptic feedback on detection
Features
Read full description

JAN Reader is an app that can scan JAN / EAN / ITF14 barcode. You can copy the scanned number and use it with other applications. You can keep up to 999 copy history. The format copied history is a line break separator. Feedback on Detect When barcode is detected, it notifies you by vibration (Haptic Feedback) of iPhone. (* 1) (* 1) It works only on iPhone 7 and later models.

Screenshots

Simple QR/Barcode Reader4 screens
JAN Reader1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: JAN Reader at none against Simple QR/Barcode Reader's 1. JAN Reader also leads on ads (none vs shown). Simple QR/Barcode Reader's advantage is update cadence (every 7 months vs every 68 months) and review sentiment (75% vs 67%). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Simple QR/Barcode Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. JAN Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simple QR/Barcode Reader ships an update every 7 months, JAN Reader every 68 months. Both last shipped on September 28, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Simple QR/Barcode Reader versus JAN Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimple QR/Barcode ReaderJAN Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (256 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings256 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 7 months — betterEvery 68 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.013.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMEDIASEEK Inc.Itoh Tomoaki

Customer experience

Simple QR/Barcode Reader

All ratings256 ratings
Positive85.2%
Neutral5.1%
Negative9.8%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral8.3%
Negative16.7%

JAN Reader

Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Simple QR/Barcode Reader

One-time1
  • Hide the ad$0.99
None

JAN Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Simple QR/Barcode Reader free?
Simple QR/Barcode Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is JAN Reader free?
JAN Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Simple QR/Barcode Reader or JAN Reader have ads?
Simple QR/Barcode Reader shows ads; JAN Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, Simple QR/Barcode Reader or JAN Reader?
Simple QR/Barcode Reader ships an update every 7 months, and JAN Reader every 68 months. Most recently, Simple QR/Barcode Reader was updated on September 28, 2026 and JAN Reader on September 28, 2026.

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