# Universal QR vs QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal QR | QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-qr-scan-and-create/id1114387474/reviews)** | [4.4 (122 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-reader-barcode-scans/id1524733339/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **122** |
| Positive reviews | **50.0% of reviews** | 36.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days | Every 3 days |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 13 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yasuko Shikiuchi](https://appshunter.io/developer/316029096) | [Space Node Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/475017562) |

## 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 (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |


### QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-reader-barcode-scans/id1524733339)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro version | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro version | $19.99 | per month |
| Pro version | $79.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Efficient scanning
- 💡 Useful features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Difficult to find free version
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🤖 Aggressive advertising
- 🐛 Scanning issues
- 📵 Unable to unsubscribe

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- Option to save scanned QR codes
- Ability to generate custom QR codes
- Copy text from scanned QR codes


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*