# Barcode Scanner vs HC Key

The clearest difference is ads: Barcode Scanner at none against HC Key's shown. Barcode Scanner also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (1.9K vs 70). HC Key's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 83%). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Barcode Scanner against 4.6 for HC Key. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Barcode Scanner has 1.9K ratings behind it against 70, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 83% of Barcode Scanner's written reviews are positive against 100% of HC Key's.

Barcode Scanner ships an update weekly, HC Key every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode Scanner | HC Key |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanner-orca-scan/id1161117971/reviews)** | [4.6 (70 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hc-key/id1559953335/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.9K** | 70 |
| Positive reviews | 83.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 10 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 13.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ORCA SCAN LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1083450789) | [Hartmann Controls Corp](https://appshunter.io/developer/1470461774) |

## What reviewers say

### Barcode Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanner-orca-scan/id1161117971)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Deleted local barcodes after update
- Incompatibility with newer iPhone models
- Inconsistent barcode recognition

**Requested features**

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


### HC Key

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hc-key/id1559953335)

This app allows you to use your smartphone to unlock doors, eliminating the need for physical credentials. It offers an easy-to-use interface for swift access and enables temporary access for visitors.

**Highlights:** Unlock doors with smartphone, Replace physical credentials, Easy user registration, Grant temporary visitor access, Customize visitor access duration, Visitor access without app installation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barcode Scanner free?

Barcode Scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is HC Key free?

HC Key is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Barcode Scanner or HC Key?

Barcode Scanner is rated higher. Barcode Scanner averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.9K ratings, while HC Key averages 4.6 from 70 ratings.

### Do Barcode Scanner or HC Key have ads?

HC Key shows ads; Barcode Scanner does not.

### Which is updated more often, Barcode Scanner or HC Key?

Barcode Scanner ships an update weekly, and HC Key every 5 months. Most recently, Barcode Scanner was updated on September 26, 2026 and HC Key on September 8, 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.*