Comparison

Barcode Scanner vs Boxes

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

Head to head
About

Barcode Scanner

Streamline inventory and asset tracking with a powerful barcode scanning solution. Build custom tracking systems without coding, reduce counting time significantly, and export data easily. Works offline and syncs automatically.

Highlights
  • Scan any barcode type
  • Export data to Excel/Google Sheets
  • Offline functionality with cloud sync
  • Capture photos, signatures, GPS
  • Log asset history with location tracking
  • Design and print barcode labels
Features
Read full description

Tired of manual inventory errors and wasted time? Orca Scan transforms inventory tracking with a powerful barcode scanning solution. Build complete barcode systems without writing code, and reduce counting time by up to 80%. Trusted by 50,000+ organizations, including Fortune 500 companies worldwide. Key Features • Scan any barcode type – QR, UPC, EAN, GS1, FMD, UDI, ISBN • Export data directly to Excel and Google Sheets • Works offline, syncing automatically to the cloud once reconnected • Capture photos, signatures, GPS locations and more with customizable fields • Log full asset history with integrated location tracking • Add barcode scanning to your software via a single REST API • Design and print barcode labels with an intuitive label designer Perfect For • Inventory management and stock control • Asset tracking and equipment monitoring • UDI tracking for medical devices • Batch tracking and warehouse audits • Fire extinguisher inspections • Vehicle maintenance logs and VIN tracking • Book cataloging using ISBN scanning • Event check-in and lead capture with QR codes Why Choose Orca Scan • Works on any device – from smartphones to enterprise scanners • Lightweight app for fast setup and smooth performance • Friendly, responsive customer support (4.7+ stars) • GS1-approved for regulatory compliance • Goes beyond scanner apps by building complete tracking systems • Updated regularly based on user feedback Awards & Recognition • Winner – "Tech for Good" at the 2024 Cambridge Independent Science & Technology Awards • Featured in Business Weekly's 'Killer 50' list of disruptive tech companies • Ranked #2 in "7 Best Barcode Scanner Apps" by MakeUseOf.com What Our Users Say • "I am amazed with the system, its capabilities and functionalities. I've adapted it to an aviation maintenance environment and it's replaced old tedious procedures" – Paulo F. • "It's perfect for managing my book list. Scanning the ISBN adds everything – publication, date, author, and description" – Olivia B. • "I work in a shipping department without RF guns, and this app was a huge help. Exporting to Excel was easy" – Lauren E. • "An absolutely perfect app for what I needed. It made my job a hundred times easier" – Allen Trusted by Businesses Worldwide • iVascular: "We cover 170 consignment locations. It takes 1 person about 15 minutes to do a count now – they spend more time traveling than counting!" • Enfamil: "I chose Orca Scan because of its ease of use and instant implementation" • Masteroast: "The traceability Orca Scan gives us helps us manage inventory more effectively" • Signature Aviation: "What a phenomenal find Orca Scan was" Proven Results • Reduce stock take time by up to 94% – Northumbria NHS • Boost productivity by 400% while saving $200,000 annually – Whirlpool • Cut inventory management time by 60% – CKC Good Food • Recover overlooked assets worth $60,000+ – Signature Aviation • Replace monthly inventories with quick biannual checks With over 300,000 users across 165 countries, Orca Scan continuously evolves to meet your needs. Start transforming your inventory today – and save hours every week with just a few taps. Learn more about how we protect your data at orcascan.com/terms and orcascan.com/privacy Orca Scan. Barcode tracking, simplified.

About

Boxes

Effortlessly track all your belongings, from moving boxes to holiday decorations. Organize items by location, add details like photos and custom attributes, and generate reports. Ideal for moving, inventory, or general storage management.

Highlights
  • Organize items by space/location
  • Track box and item numbers
  • Add photos and custom attributes
  • Generate and export reports
  • Print custom labels
  • Scan QR codes and use NFC tags
  • Offline access and syncing
Features
Read full description

A powerful but simple tool to track all of your stuff. Whether you're moving houses, tracking inventory, storing holiday decorations, or packing up old items in the basement, Boxes is the app to help you get it done. Features: - Create spaces to segment your objects by room or location - The app generates and tracks the box and item numbers for you - Quickly add items to a box or directly to a space - Snap photos of your open box or items and upload them - Add values, quantities, and 7 other built-in attributes to your items - Create your own custom attributes and make them available on all of your items - Add sizes and weights to your objects - Run and export detailed, graphical reports - Share across devices - Invite team members with fine-grained roles and feature grants - Customize and print labels directly from the app onto any label or paper size - Print a manifest of your entire collection - Scan QR codes and barcodes for quick object viewing - Use NFC tags to scan and open your objects - Attach your own QR codes and barcodes to your items - Run advanced, automated actions when objects and items are scanned - Use Smart Search to peek inside boxes using your camera - Mark your objects as heavy, fragile, expensive, hazardous and/or temperature sensitive - Add tags to your objects for better categorization and searching - Add notes to your objects for a more detailed description of contents - Create aliases to customize naming or numbering schemes - Create tasks and reminders to help you with important todos - Create and set custom object statuses - Search all of your objects for specific contents, notes, tags, statuses, or attributes - Filter your view to just the objects you want to see - Quickly move objects from one space to another - Duplicate or move items across boxes - Bulk edit large sets of objects - Bulk import data via CSV file - Use custom numbering schemes - Set custom app themes - Use offline without an internet connection, then sync changes when back online - See detailed audit logs of changes to your inventory - Receive signed webhook payloads when any of your data changes - Get help right in the app via 1:1 chat with support Great as a: - Moving organizer, moving helper, or moving checklist - Home inventory collector - Inventory management system - Holiday decoration tracker - Storage facility tracking - Box scanner And so much more! User Guide: https://user.boxesapp.net/guide Privacy Policy: https://boxesapp.net/privacy Terms of Use: https://boxesapp.net/terms

Screenshots

Barcode Scanner4 screens
Boxes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barcode Scanner at none against Boxes's 8. Barcode Scanner also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Boxes sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 3 months. Barcode Scanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Barcode Scanner against 4.8 for Boxes. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.9K and 964 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 83% of Barcode Scanner's written reviews are positive against 91% of Boxes's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Barcode Scanner ships an update fortnightly, Boxes every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 2, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Barcode Scanner versus Boxes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBarcode ScannerBoxes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.9K ratings)4.8 (964 ratings) — better
Positive reviews83.5% of reviews90.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.9K — better964
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperORCA SCAN LIMITEDStackTracks, LLC

Customer experience

Barcode Scanner

All ratings1,867 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral2.1%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews303 reviews
Positive83.5%
Neutral4.3%
Negative12.2%

Boxes

All ratings953 ratings
Positive96.7%
Neutral1.6%
Negative1.7%
Written reviews151 reviews
Positive90.7%
Neutral3.3%
Negative6.0%

User reviews

Barcode Scanner

From 1.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient scanning
  • 👍 Customizable fields and options
  • 📤 Easy data export and sharing
  • 💡 Helpful for inventory management
  • 🚀 Quick and accurate barcode scanning

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional app freezing or crashes
  • 🔒 Requires account creation to use
  • 🔒 Limited functionality in free version
  • 🔋 Camera issues on some devices

Boxes

From 964 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Practical and user-friendly
  • 👍 Excellent organization and tracking features
  • 💡 Customizable labels and QR codes
  • 👍 Responsive and helpful developer
  • 🚀 Simple yet powerful app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Printing labels can be cumbersome
  • 🐛 Lack of ability to access photo library
  • 🔒 Paid subscription after 10 items

Bugs and requests

Barcode Scanner

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Deleted local barcodes after update
  • Incompatibility with newer iPhone models
  • Inconsistent barcode recognition

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to manually input barcodes
  • More advanced reporting and analytics
  • Improved sorting and filtering of scanned items
  • Support for more barcode types

Boxes

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App crashes when entering large amounts of data
  • Issues with syncing data across devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to add multiple photos per box
  • Option to track item quantities
  • Shared access with read-only permissions
  • Offline functionality
  • Customizable dashboard and manifest

In-app purchases

None

Barcode Scanner

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

Boxes

Subscriptions5
  • Tier One$4.993 Months
  • Tier Two$5.993 Months
  • Tier Three$7.993 Months
Show 2 more
  • Tier Four$9.993 Months
  • Pro Tier$17.993 Months
One-time3
  • Pro Add-On$25.00
  • Lifetime Unlock$34.99
  • Lifetime Unlock Pro$59.99

Questions

Is Barcode Scanner free?
Barcode Scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Boxes free?
Boxes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Barcode Scanner or Boxes?
Boxes is rated higher. Barcode Scanner averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.9K ratings, while Boxes averages 4.8 from 964 ratings.
Do Barcode Scanner or Boxes have ads?
Neither Barcode Scanner nor Boxes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Barcode Scanner or Boxes?
Barcode Scanner ships an update fortnightly, and Boxes every 3 weeks. Most recently, Barcode Scanner was updated on November 2, 2026 and Boxes on November 2, 2026.

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