# Tide Q Link vs QR Barcode Text Scanner

The clearest difference is ads: Tide Q Link at none against QR Barcode Text Scanner's shown. Tide Q Link also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months) and iOS requirement (9.1 vs 15.0). On price, 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.

Tide Q Link ships an update every 2 months, QR Barcode Text Scanner every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tide Q Link | QR Barcode Text Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 27 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.1** | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [InGee Information Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/650556906) | [Qian Kun zhu](https://appshunter.io/developer/967535010) |

## What reviewers say

### Tide Q Link

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tide-q-link-barcode-scanner/id1191397251)

This app allows you to scan barcodes remotely using a physical Tide Q Link device. It offers extensive customization for scan actions, repetition, and barcode types, sending data wirelessly to your connected device.

**Highlights:** Remote barcode data reception, Customizable scan actions, Set barcode repetition count, Adjustable barcode length limits, Supports 13 barcode types, Reset to original settings

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### QR Barcode Text Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-barcode-text-scanner/id1546833732)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tide Q Link free?

Tide Q Link is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is QR Barcode Text Scanner free?

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

### Do Tide Q Link or QR Barcode Text Scanner have ads?

QR Barcode Text Scanner shows ads; Tide Q Link does not.

### Which is updated more often, Tide Q Link or QR Barcode Text Scanner?

Tide Q Link ships an update every 2 months, and QR Barcode Text Scanner every 6 months. Most recently, Tide Q Link was updated on September 26, 2026 and QR Barcode Text Scanner on October 16, 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.*