Comparison

Universal QR vs QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans

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

Head to head
About

Universal QR

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
Read full description

Universal QR is a free app that lets you scan QR codes quickly and easily. You can also create your own QR codes for all kinds of uses. [Instant scanning right after launch] The scanner starts the moment you open the app. Just point your camera at a QR code and it's recognized instantly. Tap a URL to open it straight in your browser. You can also send the content to a friend as-is, or save it as a memo. [Scanned items are automatically saved to your history] Even a link you scanned yesterday is easy to find again in your history list. Swipe a history item to view, share, rename, or delete it in a flash. You can also edit the content and recreate the QR code. [Name your history entries your way] Give any history item a name you like — "Cafe Wi-Fi", "Event check-in" — so you can tell what it is at a glance. Turn on the switch at the top of the List screen, and scanned URLs will show the web page's title instead of a raw link. So long, walls of URLs ^^ (Title fetching is off by default — it's entirely your choice.) [Create QR codes] Turn any URL or text into a QR code. Exchanging messages with friends via QR codes can be fun too ^^ Share it through apps like LINE, or save the QR code image to your Camera Roll. Great if you want to display a code on a blog or a flyer. Universal QR is free and supported by ads. Prefer an ad-free experience? A single one-time purchase in the settings removes ads for good — no subscription.

About

QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans

Instantly scan QR codes and barcodes with your camera to access links, WiFi, contacts, and product information. Create custom QR codes for various purposes, including social media and business transactions. Offers advanced features like batch scanning and product data lookup.

Highlights
  • Instant QR/barcode scanning
  • Create custom QR codes
  • Batch scanning capability
  • Scan history with export
  • Product information lookup
  • Customizable QR code design
  • Support for 20+ code formats
Features
Read full description

Just point your camera and scan any QR code or barcode in under a second. Instantly connect to WiFi, open links, save contacts, and check product info. Create your own QR codes and barcodes too. ▸ Scan - Point your camera for instant recognition. Supports 20 code formats: QR, Micro QR, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128, Code 39, Code 39 Mod 43, Code 93, Codabar, ITF-14, Interleaved 2 of 5, PDF417, Micro PDF417, Aztec, Data Matrix, GS1 DataBar, GS1 DataBar Limited, GS1 DataBar Expanded - Batch scan multiple codes continuously without interruption - Open URLs, add contacts, connect to WiFi, view maps, send emails, make calls, and more — instantly ▸ Scan History - Automatically saves all scanned and created codes - View at a glance with code type, date, and product info - Export history as CSV files ▸ Create - QR Codes: website, text, email, SMS, phone number, WiFi, contact, location, event/calendar - Barcodes: EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, ITF-14, Interleaved 2 of 5, Codabar, Data Matrix, Aztec, PDF417, Micro PDF417, Micro QR, GS1 DataBar, GS1 DataBar Limited, GS1 DataBar Expanded - Social: Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, X, YouTube, LinkedIn, Discord, Pinterest, Reddit, Threads, WeChat, KakaoTalk, LINE, GitHub, and 19 platforms total - Business: Bitcoin, Ethereum, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, App Store, Google Maps, Zoom, Google Meet, and more ▸ Custom Design - Freely change colors, dot styles, borders, and center shapes - Insert social/business platform logos and SF Symbol icons into the QR code center ▸ Product Information - Food: View nutrition facts, allergen info, Nutri-Score, Eco-Score environmental rating, ingredients, and labels via OpenFoodFacts - Non-food: View ingredients, labels, packaging info, and environmental ratings for cosmetics, household products, and more via Open Products Facts ▸ Camera - Switch between wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses - Tap to focus/adjust exposure - Zoom controls and flash ▸ Other - Dark mode support - 37 languages supported Download QR Code Scanner now and start scanning! Terms of Use: https://spacenodehq.web.app/qr-scanner/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://spacenodehq.web.app/qr-scanner/privacy.html

Screenshots

Universal QR3 screens
QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Universal QR at free against QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans's free with in-app purchases. Universal QR also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 36%). QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans's advantage is ratings volume (122 vs 2) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Universal QR sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Universal QR against 4.4 for QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans has 122 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of Universal QR's written reviews are positive against 36% of QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Universal QR versus QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUniversal QRQR Code Reader · Barcode Scans
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings) — better4.4 (122 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better36.2% of reviews
Number of ratings2122 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 daysEvery 3 days
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYasuko ShikiuchiSpace Node Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Universal QR

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans

All ratings104 ratings
Positive81.7%
Neutral4.8%
Negative13.5%
Written reviews257 reviews
Positive36.2%
Neutral3.5%
Negative60.3%

Bugs and requests

Universal QR

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes during scanning
  • Compatibility issues with older devices
  • Incorrect QR code detection

Requested features

3 requests
  • Option to save scanned QR codes
  • Ability to generate custom QR codes
  • Copy text from scanned QR codes

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Universal QR

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$2.99
3 purchases

QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans

Subscriptions3
  • Pro version3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Pro version3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Pro version$79.991 Year

Questions

Is Universal QR free?
Universal QR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans free?
QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Universal QR or QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans?
Universal QR is rated higher. Universal QR averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans averages 4.4 from 122 ratings.
Do Universal QR or QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans have ads?
Both Universal QR and QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans show ads.
Which is updated more often, Universal QR or QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans?
Universal QR ships an update every 3 days, and QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans every 3 days. Most recently, Universal QR was updated on October 13, 2026 and QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans on October 22, 2026.

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