# Universal QR vs Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Universal QR at none against Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader's 3. Universal QR also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks) and review sentiment (100% vs 73%). Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader's advantage is ratings volume (2.1K vs 2) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Universal QR asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Universal QR against 4.5 for Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader has 2.1K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Universal QR's written reviews are positive against 73% of Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader's.

Universal QR ships an update every 3 days, Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal QR | Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-qr-scan-and-create/id1114387474/reviews)** | [4.5 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanner-qr-code-reader/id1471098123/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **2.1K** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 73.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 13 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **10.3** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yasuko Shikiuchi](https://appshunter.io/developer/316029096) | [Yunlu Technology Shanghai Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1464497255) |

## What reviewers say

### Universal QR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-qr-scan-and-create/id1114387474)

Easily scan QR codes to access information and view your scan history. Create your own QR codes and share them with others. This utility app offers a straightforward way to manage and generate QR codes.

**Highlights:** Scan QR codes, View scan history, Create QR codes, Share QR codes, Favorite codes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanner-qr-code-reader/id1471098123)

Quickly scan all QR and barcode formats with this versatile utility. Compare prices, track history, and generate custom QR codes for various information and social media links. It also supports scanning from photos and includes helpful features like flashlight and sharing options.

**Highlights:** Scan QR Code & Barcode, Search and Compare Prices, Save Scan History, Generate QR Codes, Scan From Photo Library, Share Scans

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Consecutive monthly membership | $4.99 | per month |
| Consecutive Yearly Membership | $15.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 💡 Useful for scanning barcodes and QR codes
- 👍 Helpful for price comparison

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't work as expected
- 🔒 Requires subscription to access full functionality
- 🔒 Misleading about free trial and pricing

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on certain devices
- Incorrect price information

**Requested features**

- Language support for non-English users
- Option to cancel subscription


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Universal QR free?

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

### Is Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader free?

Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Universal QR or Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader?

Universal QR is rated higher. Universal QR averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader averages 4.5 from 2.1K ratings.

### Do Universal QR or Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader have ads?

Both Universal QR and Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Universal QR or Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader?

Universal QR ships an update every 3 days, and Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader every 3 weeks. Most recently, Universal QR was updated on September 28, 2026 and Barcode Scanner QR Code Reader on September 29, 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.*