Barcode Scanner vs ICOS PLS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
ICOS PLS
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ICOS (Industrial Control & Observation System) by PLS is a secure monitoring platform for industrial equipment and distributed IoT edge devices. It gives authorized PLS Automation GmbH customers centralized access to live and historical plant data. Configurable dashboards make operational information easy to understand. Nine widget types - from line, bar and area charts to KPI cards, gauges, status indicators and statistics cards - turn plant data into clear, actionable insights. Configurable alarm rules detect threshold events and connection loss. Multi-level escalation can notify responsible teams sequentially or simultaneously, while push notifications provide immediate updates on important events. Live alarm status updates help teams coordinate their response. Key features: - Live and historical plant data visualization - Nine configurable dashboard widget types - Threshold and connection-loss alarm rules - Multi-level sequential or simultaneous escalation - Instant push notifications and live alarm updates - Two-factor authentication (TOTP) and fine-grained user permissions ICOS is a B2B application for authorized PLS Automation GmbH customers who monitor industrial equipment, facilities and distributed installations. An active ICOS customer account is required to use the app.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: ICOS PLS at every 5 days against Barcode Scanner's fortnightly. Barcode Scanner's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Barcode Scanner ships an update fortnightly, ICOS PLS every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Barcode Scanner | ICOS PLS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (1.9K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 83.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1.9K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ORCA SCAN LIMITED | at.pls.icos |
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
ICOS PLS
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Barcode Scanner
No in-app purchases
ICOS PLS
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Barcode Scanner free?
Is ICOS PLS free?
Do Barcode Scanner or ICOS PLS have ads?
Which is updated more often, Barcode Scanner or ICOS PLS?
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