Comparison

SidePilot vs QR Reader*

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

Head to head
About

SidePilot

This portable ground station app connects to ArduPilot drones via WiFi, Bluetooth, or cellular. It provides real-time drone data, waypoint management, and advanced flight modes like Follow Me and Orbit. It also includes ADSB integration and live video streaming capabilities.

Highlights
  • Real-time drone telemetry display
  • Waypoint and geofence creation
  • ADSB aircraft integration
  • Follow Me and Orbit flight modes
  • Live video streaming
  • Parameter editing and calibration
Features
Read full description

This is the BEST ardupilot companion app. Works with ArduPilot autopilot via WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy or Cellular connection, including 3DR Solo. Supports ExpressLRS MAVLink telemetry. NOTE: You must have either WiFi, Cellular or Serial Bluetooth connection to your drone. User Manual is available at https://sidepilot.net Features: • Supports ArduCopter, ArduPlane and ArduRover via ELRS, WiFi or Bluetooth. • Displays current drone location, with information such as altitude, yaw, pitch and roll. • Internet ADSB to display nearby aircraft and provide warnings. • Create, edit and delete waypoints and geofences. • Audible alerts for important information. • Edit, save and load parameters. • Perform a Pre-Flight checklist with live weather information. • Low battery warnings and alerts. • View onboard video, and live stream it to YouTube. • Record telemetry logs and export for sharing. • Follow Me - Have your drone follow you using your devices GPS location, or visually with Object Tracking. • Orbit mode - Automatically orbit an object for a fantastic cinematic shots! • Grid Waypoints - Create a survey grid to fly. • Tap to fly - Tap a location on the map to send your drone there! • Perform calibrations at the field. • DroneCAN Viewer and parameter editor. • And many, many more... Quick-start guide (Using a WiFi connection): 1. Turn on drone and connect using WiFi. 2. Start SidePilot, navigate to settings and select either WiFi UDP, TCP or 3DR Solo (as applicable). 3. If setting up WiFi manually, click on WiFi Settings and input the correct IP address and port that the MAVLink protocol is running over. 4. Go back to the main screen and press the connect button on the top right. The app will begin displaying information about the drone. If not, double check your WiFi settings. Please post suggestions and bug reports on the SidePilot Facebook page or via email to tom@sidepilot.net WARNING: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Note: iPads without cellular do not have GPS capability unless tethered to a iOS Device with cellular, and even then it is poor and not suitable for navigation.

About

QR Reader*

Easily scan any QR code with your iPhone camera, supporting various types like URLs, contacts, and WiFi. Generate custom QR codes for links, contacts, or WiFi, and manage your scan history. Import codes from photos for added convenience.

Highlights
  • Scan any QR code type
  • Generate custom QR codes
  • View and manage scan history
  • Copy scan results to clipboard
  • Import QR codes from photos
  • Clean and simple user interface
Features
Read full description

All-in-One QR Code Scanner & Generator Turn your iPhone into a powerful tool for scanning and generating QR codes! Whether you're scanning menus, tickets, or product labels, or creating your custom QR codes for links, contacts, or WiFi. This app makes it fast, simple, and secure. Key Features: - Scan Any QR Code Lightning-fast scanning using your iPhone camera Supports all QR code types: URLs, text, emails, contacts, phone numbers & more Automatic detection and action on scanned content - History & Clipboard View and manage past scans Automatically copy results to your clipboard for quick sharing - Create Your Own QR Codes Generate custom QR codes for: • Website URLs • Contact info (vCards) • WiFi credentials • Text & more Save, share, or print your QR codes in seconds - Import from Photos Scan QR codes from saved screenshots and gallery images - Clean UI. Simple Workflow. Designed for speed and ease of use Optimized for all iPhone sizes and the latest iOS Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy policy: https://qrcodereaderapp.netlify.app/privacypolicy/

Screenshots

SidePilot4 screens
QR Reader*4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SidePilot at 57% against QR Reader*'s 0%. SidePilot also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). QR Reader*'s advantage is price (Free vs $13.99) and rating (4.4 vs 4.0). On device support and iOS requirement 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

QR Reader* is free to download; SidePilot costs $13.99 up front. QR Reader* sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. SidePilot asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

QR Reader* holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SidePilot has 98 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 57% of SidePilot's written reviews are positive against 0% of QR Reader*'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SidePilot ships an update every 6 weeks, QR Reader* every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and August 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
SidePilot versus QR Reader*: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSidePilotQR Reader*
Price$13.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (98 ratings)4.4 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings98 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTom BreretonCijay LLC

Customer experience

SidePilot

All ratings98 ratings
Positive70.4%
Neutral10.2%
Negative19.4%
Written reviews56 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral12.5%
Negative30.4%

QR Reader*

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

SidePilot

Reported bugs

51 issues
  • App does not connect to drone
  • No video feed from GoPro
  • Firmware update failures
  • Controller not pairing
  • Drone stuck in 'waiting for Solo' state
Show 46 more
  • App freezes or crashes during operation
  • Drone becomes unstable during landing
  • GoPro recording not triggered
  • Parameter changes not syncing
  • Inaccurate battery level warnings
  • Compass calibration errors
  • Map not loading
  • Laggy video feed
  • App crashes when pressing record button
  • App closes constantly
  • Drone crashes due to app malfunction
  • Camera disconnects during flight
  • Lost connectivity during flight
  • Drone stuck in 'Preflight Update' mode
  • WiFi connection alert 'No internet connection'
  • Gimbal left-right movement not working
  • GoPro Hero 4 Black control issues
  • Drone gets squirrely and throttles up during landing
  • Drone flips over and destroys props
  • Drone does not shut off
  • Issues with controller setup (A/B buttons)
  • App freezes or shuts down when changing button configurations
  • Functions showing as 'unsupported'
  • Parameters not loading from vehicle
  • Calibrations not functioning
  • Laggy live feed
  • Live feed shows drone in air after landing
  • GPS position does not match map in PRC
  • App crashes when trying to connect Solo to app
  • Live feed freezes during flight
  • Switching from video to photo freezes app
  • App closes constantly
  • Camera disconnected and lost connectivity
  • Pop-up 'swipe to arm' cannot be dismissed
  • Drone crashes into water
  • Lags horribly
  • Feed completely freezes
  • App is useless
  • Almost caused loss of drone
  • Lag and photo function issues
  • Video lags
  • Freezes mid-flight when switching modes
  • Awful lag issues with live feed
  • Developer stopped responding to questions
  • GPS position does not match map
  • App crashes every time to connect Solo to app

Requested features

11 requests
  • French language option
  • Ability to update Solo 3DR
  • Fix GoPro control issues
  • Fix compass calibration errors
  • Add support for GoPro video settings in air
Show 6 more
  • Add imperial measurements
  • Improve waypoint setup practicality
  • Fix GPS position matching map in PRC
  • Add lighting configuration options
  • Add smart shots functionality
  • Add A/B button functionality

QR Reader*

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SidePilot

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

QR Reader*

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly Subscriptions3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Yearly Subscriptions$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Subscription$49.99

Questions

Is SidePilot free?
SidePilot costs $13.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is QR Reader* free?
QR Reader* is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SidePilot or QR Reader*?
QR Reader* is rated higher. SidePilot averages 4.0 out of 5 from 98 ratings, while QR Reader* averages 4.4 from 7 ratings.
Do SidePilot or QR Reader* have ads?
QR Reader* shows ads; SidePilot does not.
Which is updated more often, SidePilot or QR Reader*?
SidePilot ships an update every 6 weeks, and QR Reader* every 4 months. Most recently, SidePilot was updated on September 20, 2026 and QR Reader* on August 2, 2026.

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