QRefine vs QR Scanner
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
QRefine
This utility app allows users to read, generate, and manage both binary and text QR codes with high precision. It supports various QR code formats, including game-specific and enterprise-use types, and offers features for organizing, backing up, and editing code parameters.
- Read QR codes from camera or image
- Generate custom text and binary QR codes
- High-fidelity regeneration of QR codes
- Manage and organize saved QR codes
- Backup and restore QR code lists
- Edit QR code parameters (error correction, mask pattern)
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QRefine is a QR code scanner, generator and manager built for people who need QR codes handled accurately, not just quickly. It reads and creates both text and binary QR codes, and it reproduces a scanned code faithfully instead of re-encoding it into something that merely looks similar. WHY QRefine IS DIFFERENT Most QR apps stop at "it scanned". QRefine also tells you how the code was built, and lets you rebuild it the same way. - Read the detailed parameters of a code: error correction level, mask pattern and QR version - Generate a new code with those exact parameters, so the result matches the original pattern - Full binary support, shown and edited as hex, for game codes and enterprise data payloads - Regenerate a blurry, low-resolution or photographed code into a clean, scannable image If your camera recognizes a code but shows nothing, or another app turns it into garbled text, the code is not broken. QRefine gets the data out: the raw bytes are shown as hex, and the text can be read as the code specifies (ECI or Kanji mode) or in the encoding you choose (UTF-8 / Shift_JIS / ISO-8859-1). SCAN AND CREATE - Scan with the camera, or import an image from your photo library - Detect a code embedded inside a screenshot or a saved picture - Re-read scanned text in a different encoding, or as the code specifies - Type text manually to create a QR code - Enter binary data as hex to create a code no ordinary generator can produce - Create a QR code from a file, with its content embedded as binary data (Pro, or free by watching an ad) - Save the result as a PNG image, or export the raw binary as a file - Share the image or the binary data with other apps and devices ORGANIZE YOUR LIBRARY A scan history is fine until you have fifty codes in it. QRefine treats what you save as a library, not a log. - Give every code a name so you can recognize it later - Add a memo to record what it is for - Organize your codes into folders (Pro) - Search by name or memo - Sort and reorder the list - Delete what you no longer need - Back up the whole library to a file and restore it on a new device WHO IT IS FOR - Developers and QA engineers who need to test specific payloads and parameters - Business users who handle enterprise QR codes carrying binary data - Anyone who receives game codes as images and needs a clean, scannable version - Anyone who collects Wi-Fi, ticket, payment or contact codes and wants them in one searchable place QREFINE PRO QRefine remains free: everything the app could do before is still free. QRefine Pro is an optional plan for those who want more. - No ads - Use folders and file-based QR creation without watching ads - Choose a monthly or yearly subscription, or a one-time lifetime purchase ALSO INCLUDED - Dark mode support - A simple, uncluttered interface - Works on iPhone and iPad Scanning, creating, organizing and reusing QR codes, all in one app. If you have ever wished a QR app would tell you what is actually inside the code, this is that app. Terms of Use: https://qrefine.app/terms/ QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED in Japan and in other countries.
QR Scanner
This utility app quickly scans and generates QR codes with various customization options. It offers smart actions for scanned content, a comprehensive history, and multiple scanning modes for different needs. Privacy is a top priority, with all data kept on the device.
- Instant QR code scanning
- QR code generation with customization
- Smart actions for scanned content
- Full scan history with notes and favorites
- Three scanning modes (Auto, Manual, Batch)
- Privacy-focused, no data collection
- Supports multiple barcode formats
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The fastest, most complete QR code scanner on the App Store — and it's completely free with no ads, no subscriptions, and no limits. INSTANT SCANNING Powered by AVFoundation, QR Scanner locks onto codes in milliseconds. Continuous auto-focus, hardware-accelerated zoom, and a real-time viewfinder make scanning effortless — even in low light with the built-in torch. QR CODE GENERATOR Create your own QR codes in seconds. Generate codes for: Websites and URLs Wi-Fi networks (shareable with one tap) Email with subject and body pre-filled Phone numbers Contact cards (vCard) Any text Customise the colour, background, and error correction level. Save to your photo library or share instantly. Every code you generate is saved to a history so you can reshare anytime. SMART ACTIONS QR Scanner understands what it scans. Tap a result to: Open URLs directly in Safari Call or message phone numbers Compose emails Join Wi-Fi networks automatically Save contacts to your address book FULL SCAN HISTORY Every scan is saved and searchable. Add personal notes, mark favourites, sort by date or type, and filter to find exactly what you need. URLs even show the page title instead of the raw link. THREE SCAN MODES Choose how you want to scan: Auto — codes are captured instantly the moment they're detected (default) Manual — the camera detects the code, then waits for you to tap a Scan button before saving. Perfect for reviewing codes before committing Batch — rapid continuous scanning with no interruptions and a live counter. Built for events, inventory, and anywhere you need to scan many codes fast PRIVACY FIRST Everything stays on your device. No account required, no data collected, no analytics, no tracking. Your scan history is yours alone. DETAILS: Pinch-to-zoom and smooth hardware-accelerated zoom slider Per-type haptic feedback — different feel for URLs, Wi-Fi, contacts and more Optional scan sound Auto-copy scanned content to clipboard Avoid duplicate entries — each code saved only once Full Dynamic Type support for accessibility Spotlight search — find scans from the iOS home screen Configurable scan cooldown Supports QR Code, EAN-8, EAN-13, PDF417, Aztec, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, DataMatrix, UPC-E, and ITF-14.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: QR Scanner at 5.0 against QRefine's 4.3. QR Scanner also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. QRefine sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. QR Scanner asks for nothing beyond the download.
QR Scanner holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 5 respectively.
QRefine ships an update every 8 months, QR Scanner every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | QRefine | QR Scanner |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (3 ratings) | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 5 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 16.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | T TECH, LIMITED LIABILITY CO. | Erik Auranaune |
Customer experience
QRefine
QR Scanner
In-app purchases
QRefine
- QRefine Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
- QRefine Pro Yearly$9.991 Year
- QRefine Pro Lifetime$19.99
QR Scanner
No in-app purchases









