Comparison

Universal QR vs QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone

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/Barcode Scanner for iPhone

Instantly scan all QR and barcode formats with this fast, easy-to-use app. It automatically recognizes and decodes codes, offering relevant actions like online searches or Wi-Fi connection. Secure your accounts with built-in 2FA authentication.

Highlights
  • Instant QR and barcode scanning
  • Supports all QR and barcode formats
  • 2FA authentication for account security
  • Scan from gallery
  • Scan history saved
  • Price scanner
  • Auto zoom and flashlight support
Features
Read full description

Extremely fast QR & barcode scanner that supports all QR & barcode formats! It’s the must-have scanner app for iPhone and iPad. It’s very easy to use, no need to press any buttons or adjust the zoom, just open it and point to the QR code/barcode, it will auto recognize, scan and decode the QR code/barcode. After scanning, several relevant options for the results will be provided, you can search the products online, visit the websites, or connect to Wi-Fi without entering the password. It even supports 2FA authentication to protect your online accounts! QR code reader can scan and decode all kinds of QR codes and barcodes, such as contacts, products, URL, Wi-Fi, text, books, E-mail, location, calendar, and so on. It is also commonly used to scan promotion and coupon codes in shops to get discounts. Key Features: * Safe & easy-to-use scanner app * Instant scan * Privacy safe, only camera permission required * Price scanner * Support scan QR & barcodes from gallery * Support 2FA authentication to secure your online accounts * Scan history saved * Flashlight supported * Auto zoom * No internet connection required How to use: 1. Open the scanner 2. Point the camera to the QR code/barcode 3. Auto recognize, scan and decode 4. Get results and relevant options Support all QR & barcode formats QR code, Data Matrix, Maxi code, Code 39, Code 93, Codabar, UPC-A, EAN-8... Scan history saved All scan history will be saved for instant viewing at any time. Price scanner You can scan product barcodes and compare prices online. 2FA authenticator Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your sign-ins. You can scan 2FA QR codes, and get verification codes within our app to safeguard all your online accounts. Auto zoom No need to adjust the zoom, it’s easy to scan far away Flashlight supported Easily scan QR code/barcode in dark environment. Subscription Terms and Details - You can subscribe to remove ads and get unlimited access to all features - Subscription options: weekly, yearly, lifetime - The payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. - The subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - Subscription may be managed and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to Account Settings after purchase. - The account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. - Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication. Privacy Policy: https://qrcodereader.akrura.ltd/privacypolicy.html Terms of Use: https://qrcodereader.akrura.ltd/terms.html

Screenshots

Universal QR3 screens
QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Universal QR at every 3 days against QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone's every 3 weeks. Universal QR also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone's advantage is ratings volume (306 vs 2) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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/Barcode Scanner for iPhone sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone has 306 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 50% and 50% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Universal QR ships an update every 3 days, QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Universal QR versus QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUniversal QRQR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings)4.8 (306 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2306 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB75 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYasuko ShikiuchiAKRURA PTE. LTD

Customer experience

Universal QR

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

QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone

All ratings268 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral0.7%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Universal QR

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$2.99
12 purchases

QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone

Subscriptions10
  • Weekly Premium3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription2 variants$3.997 Days
  • 3-Day Trial: Weekly3 Days trial$3.997 Days
Show 7 more
  • QR Code Premium - One Week3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription$6.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription3 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Weekly Subscription3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription7 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Yearly Premium$29.991 Year
  • Yearly Premium3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime Membership$39.99
  • Lifetime Membership$59.99

Questions

Is Universal QR free?
Universal QR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone free?
QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Universal QR or QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone?
QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone is rated higher. Universal QR averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone averages 4.8 from 306 ratings.
Do Universal QR or QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone have ads?
Both Universal QR and QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone show ads.
Which is updated more often, Universal QR or QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone?
Universal QR ships an update every 3 days, and QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone every 3 weeks. Most recently, Universal QR was updated on October 13, 2026 and QR/Barcode Scanner for iPhone on October 27, 2026.

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