# eScanner vs Code Reader

The clearest difference is ads: Code Reader at none against eScanner's shown. Code Reader also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (251 vs 20). eScanner's advantage is review sentiment (75% vs 64%). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. eScanner sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Code Reader sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for eScanner against 4.6 for Code Reader. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code Reader has 251 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of eScanner's written reviews are positive against 64% of Code Reader's.

eScanner ships an update every 5 months, Code Reader every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | eScanner | Code Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/escanner-qr-and-barcode/id1131933423/reviews)** | [4.6 (251 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-reader-qr-scanner/id1225393668/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 20 | **251** |
| Positive reviews | **75.0% of reviews** | 64.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 91 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Eyermin Colon Sanchez](https://appshunter.io/developer/1123699337) | [Daniel ILLESCAS ROMERO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1225393667) |

## What reviewers say

### eScanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/escanner-qr-and-barcode/id1131933423)

Instantly scan QR codes and barcodes to access website URLs, product information, or text. This utility also allows you to create your own QR codes and access a history of your scans.

**Highlights:** Scan QR codes and barcodes, Automatically open website URLs, Gather product information, Create custom QR codes, Access scan history, Read codes from camera roll, Flashlight for low light

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| eScanner Version Full | $1.99 | one-time |


### Code Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-reader-qr-scanner/id1225393668)

Easily scan, generate, and share QR codes and barcodes. Quickly read various code types, including links, contacts, and product information. Generate new codes from text, emails, or Wi-Fi details, and utilize convenient extensions for seamless integration.

**Highlights:** Scan QR codes and barcodes, Generate QR codes and barcodes, Read codes from images via extension, Generate codes from text, email, Wi-Fi, Save and share scanned/generated codes, Automatic web page opening for product barcodes, Scanner preview with zoom and stabilization

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Code Reader Pro Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Code Reader Pro Yearly | $9.99 | per year |
| Donation 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Donation 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Donation 5 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Donation 10 | $8.99 | one-time |
| Code Reader Pro Lifetime | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Works fast
- 🆓 Free to use
- 💡 Auto-copies to clipboard
- ✅ Scans QR codes effectively

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't work for some users
- 🚫 Camera focus issues on Mac
- ❌ Unable to save codes
- 🤷 No instructions provided
- ⚠️ Scams reported

**Reported bugs**

- App not working after MacOS update
- Cannot get permissions to save
- QR codes not readable by Mac camera
- App crashes QREncoder
- Sequence of letters then stops

**Requested features**

- Add date & time to QR history
- Option to select camera
- Ability to save QR codes
- Support for SVG files
- Add logos to QR codes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is eScanner free?

eScanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Code Reader free?

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

### Which has better reviews, eScanner or Code Reader?

eScanner is rated higher. eScanner averages 4.8 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Code Reader averages 4.6 from 251 ratings.

### Do eScanner or Code Reader have ads?

eScanner shows ads; Code Reader does not.

### Which is updated more often, eScanner or Code Reader?

eScanner ships an update every 5 months, and Code Reader every 6 weeks. Most recently, eScanner was updated on October 24, 2026 and Code Reader on October 20, 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.*