Comparison

CodeNab vs Code Scan

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

Head to head
About

CodeNab

Quickly and privately scan barcodes and QR codes. Search the web for more information, share results, or save them to your secure iCloud. Auto-copy functionality is also available.

Highlights
  • Scan barcodes and QR codes
  • Web search for code information
  • Share scan results
  • Save codes to iCloud
  • Auto-copy after scan
Features
Read full description

CodeNab translates your barcodes and QR codes quickly, conveniently and privately. We do not track you in this app, scan codes knowing that your scans are kept private for your eyes only! Features: - Scan barcodes and QR codes - Search the web to pull more information about your code - Share the code results - Save your codes to your secure and private iCloud for future searches - Enable auto copy after each scan

About

Code Scan

This app scans and generates a wide variety of 1D and 2D barcodes, including QR codes, DataMatrix, and specialized formats like VDS. It offers features like camera zoom, flash support, and a history of scanned codes. Users can also share scanned data and create new barcodes.

Highlights
  • Scans all 1D and 2D barcodes
  • Supports MicroQR, VDS, and ICAO Datastructures
  • Adjustable camera zoom and flash for low light
  • Scan history and sharing functionality
  • Generates QR, DataMatrix, and PDF417 barcodes
  • Dark mode and dark AppIcon support
Features
Read full description

Scan and create every common 1D and 2D barcode - one at a time or continuously in Batch Scan. Export your history as CSV or automatically send scans to your own server. Unlike an ordinary scanner, Code Scan also verifies the cryptographic seals on official documents. WHAT IT READS • QR, MicroQR and rMQR (rectangular MicroQR) • DataMatrix, including DMRE • Aztec, PDF417, MaxiCode • EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-A, UPC-E • Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Codabar, ITF / ITF-14 • GS1 DataBar and DataBar Expanded • VDS, VDS-NC and IDB document seals Codes are decoded on your device: from the live camera, from a photo in your library, or from an image you share into the app from somewhere else. DIGITAL SEALS ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS This is what sets Code Scan apart: it does not just read the seal, it checks the cryptographic signature. • VDS (Visible Digital Seal, BSI TR-03137) in DataMatrix • VDS-NC (ICAO) and IDB (ICAO Datastructure for Barcode) in QR codes • Signatures verified against X.509 certificates, kept up to date automatically • Import your own X.509 certificates for closed ecosystems • MRZ data contained in a seal is parsed and shown in readable form This app supports reading and verification of (among others) VDS Profiles: - Social Insurance Card - Residence Permit Document - ICAO Visa Document - ICAO Emergency Travel Document - German Arrival Attestation Document - Address Sticker for German Identity Card - Place of Residence Sticker for German Passports VDS-NC Profiles: - ICAO PoT and PoV (ISO/IEC JTC1 SC17 WG3/TF5) CREATE YOUR OWN CODES • QR, DataMatrix, Aztec, PDF417 and Code 128 • Live preview while you type • Choose the QR error correction level (L / M / Q / H) or the PDF417 level (0-8) • Keep your codes in a library, mark favorites, share any of them as an image FASTER IN EVERYDAY USE • Camera light in four brightness steps and 1x / 2x / 4x zoom - for tiny print, dark rooms and laminated documents • Share a screenshot from any app to read the code inside it, or share a link to turn it into a code • Batch Scan: capture multiple codes without a result screen and save them straight to your history • Siri and Shortcuts: create a code or open the scanner by voice, or build both actions into your own shortcuts • Recreate a scanned code in a single tap, with the content already filled in A HISTORY THAT STAYS ORGANIZED • Grouped into Starred, Today, This Week and Before • Scanning a code again updates the existing entry instead of piling up duplicates • Export and share your scan history as a CSV file • Stored seals are re-verified in the background against the current certificates, so an expired signature stops showing as valid FOR PROFESSIONAL USE • GS1 application identifiers parsed and labelled • Open recognized links immediately, skipping the result screen • Copy and share the raw code data instead of the interpreted content • Optionally send scans automatically to your own HTTPS endpoint (off by default) • Play a confirmation sound after successful transfers • Native iPad layouts PRIVACY Decoding happens entirely on your device, and your history stays there. There is no account and no tracking. To verify seals, the app downloads the public signer certificates from our certificate service. The optional face comparison against a document portrait is the one feature that sends an image to a KURZ Digital service, and only when you start it yourself. For wishes and suggestions just contact us at info@kurzdigital.com

Screenshots

CodeNab4 screens
Code Scan4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Code Scan at every 4 weeks against CodeNab's every 5 months. Code Scan also leads on ratings volume (730 vs 43). CodeNab's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 79%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CodeNab holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code Scan has 730 ratings behind it against 43, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of CodeNab's written reviews are positive against 79% of Code Scan's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CodeNab ships an update every 5 months, Code Scan every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
CodeNab versus Code Scan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCodeNabCode Scan
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (43 ratings) — better4.6 (730 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better79.4% of reviews
Number of ratings43730 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.5 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDecimal Software, LLCKURZ Digital Solutions GmbH & Co. KG

Customer experience

CodeNab

All ratings43 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral4.7%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Code Scan

All ratings730 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral2.5%
Negative8.4%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive79.4%
Neutral8.8%
Negative11.8%

Bugs and requests

CodeNab

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Code Scan

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Does not load websites
  • Copy or close options produce no result

Requested features

2 requests
  • Ability to view previously scanned QR codes (not just data)
  • Option to contribute via donation instead of ads

In-app purchases

None

CodeNab

No in-app purchases

None

Code Scan

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CodeNab free?
CodeNab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Code Scan free?
Code Scan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CodeNab or Code Scan?
CodeNab is rated higher. CodeNab averages 4.8 out of 5 from 43 ratings, while Code Scan averages 4.6 from 730 ratings.
Do CodeNab or Code Scan have ads?
Neither CodeNab nor Code Scan shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CodeNab or Code Scan?
CodeNab ships an update every 5 months, and Code Scan every 4 weeks. Most recently, CodeNab was updated on September 11, 2026 and Code Scan on September 28, 2026.

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