Code Reader vs QR Code Guru
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Code Reader
Easily scan, generate, and share QR codes and barcodes. Quickly read various code types, including links, contacts, and product information. Generate new codes from text, emails, or Wi-Fi details, and utilize convenient extensions for seamless integration.
- Scan QR codes and barcodes
- Generate QR codes and barcodes
- Read codes from images via extension
- Generate codes from text, email, Wi-Fi
- Save and share scanned/generated codes
- Automatic web page opening for product barcodes
- Scanner preview with zoom and stabilization
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A feature-rich QR and barcode scanner: scan, generate, and share codes — fast and privately. Scan codes with text, links, contacts, emails, locations, Wi‑Fi networks, product barcodes, and more. When you scan a code, the app acts on it intelligently: links open in the browser, email addresses let you compose a message quickly, and vCards can be viewed or added to Contacts. You can read codes with the camera or generate them in the app — plus use action extensions to scan or create codes from other apps.¹ Spotted a QR code in a photo or on a website? Use the Read Code extension to scan it instantly.¹ Main features • Scan with the camera — text, links, contacts, emails, product barcodes, Wi‑Fi, and more • Read QR codes and 1‑D barcodes from images with the Read Code extension¹ • Product barcodes can open relevant web pages or Amazon (configurable in Settings) • Generate QR codes and 1‑D barcodes • Create codes from text, links, contacts, email, SMS, phone numbers, and Wi‑Fi • Join Wi‑Fi networks automatically from a scanned code • Scan and save multiple codes in one session • Generate a code from text, a link, or a contact with the Generate QR extension¹ • Smooth up to 60fps scanner preview with optical image stabilization and zoom (including optical 2× zoom on iPhones with dual cameras) • Optionally copy scanned content to the clipboard automatically • Option to prefer HTTPS and avoid insecure websites • Recents for scanned and generated codes, with search and filters • Custom QR colors — two‑finger tap on the image or use the menu when viewing a code • Share any barcode • Custom URL scheme to generate QR codes from a URL or text² • Widgets for recent codes and quick access to the scanner Code Reader Pro Upgrade to Code Reader Pro for advanced tools — no ads, and your data stays on your device. Choose monthly, yearly, or a one‑time lifetime unlock. Pro includes: • Batch scan — read many codes from photos or PDFs at once • Export & import history — back up or move your scan library (CSV/JSON) • Custom names — label scans so you can find them quickly • Starred scans — pin important codes and filter your history • Notes — add context to any saved scan • QR codes with logo — embed your brand in generated codes • High‑res & PDF export — share sharp QR images and PDFs • Link safety warnings — alerts for suspicious links (IP addresses, punycode, mixed scripts, and more) before you open them Restore purchases anytime from the Pro screen. ¹ The extension might need to be enabled manually: open the share menu, tap More at the bottom, and turn on the app extensions (Activities). ² Try it in a browser or messaging app: add generateqr:// before a URL or text to open the app and generate a QR code image. - Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ - Privacy Policy: https://illescasdaniel.github.io/qr-code-reader-app-info/
QR Code Guru
Quickly scan and decode various QR codes and barcodes, including contact info, URLs, and more. Generate your own codes and save your scan history. Open web links directly within the app for convenience.
- Fast QR code and barcode scanning
- Generate custom QR codes and barcodes
- Decode various data types
- Scan from photos
- Open web links directly
- Unlimited scan history storage
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Looking for a fast, reliable QR Code Reader and Barcode Scanner that just works? QR Code Guru is a clean, straightforward QR Code Scanner and QR Reader built for speed and everyday convenience. Whether you need a quick Price Lookup to check product details while shopping, or an easy QR Code Generator to create custom codes in seconds, this app gets the job done without the clutter. Scan barcodes, compare prices, and keep your history organized with complete ease. WHY USERS TRUST QR CODE GURU: • Fast QR Code Reader & Scanner Instant recognition every time. Simply point your camera to scan any QR code or barcode, even in low light or from difficult angles. • Price Lookup & Smart Price Check Scan UPCs and SKUs while shopping in stores. Quickly check product details, verify authenticity, and compare prices so you know you're getting a fair deal. • Easy QR Code Generator & Maker Create custom QR codes in seconds. Easily generate codes for links, Wi-Fi networks, contact cards, text, and social accounts. • Organized Scan History & Fast Access Never lose a link or product detail again. Your scan history is automatically saved and neatly organized, allowing you to search, favorite, or re-access your previous scans anytime in just one tap. • Everyday Convenience & Utility Built for seamless daily use. Enjoy quick actions like opening web links instantly, copying text, auto-saving images, and sharing codes with friends or colleagues effortlessly. • Batch Scan & Simple Inventory Tracking Scan multiple items continuously. Save, label, and export your scan logs for easy stock checking, retail audits, and personal inventory. • Privacy-First & Secure Your data stays on your device. We only ask for essential camera permissions—no hidden tracking, no unnecessary access. Download QR Code Guru—your simple, reliable QR Code Scanner, QR Reader, and Barcode Lookup tool for everyday use. Length & Price: QR Code Reader Weekly - $3.99/Week QR Code Reader Yearly- $29.99/Year Subscription payments will be charged to your iTunes account upon confirmation of purchase and at the start of each renewal term. Subscription with a free trial period will automatically renew to a paid subscription. You can manage your subscription and cancel it in the iTunes settings at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Unused portions of a free trial will be forfeited upon purchasing a premium subscription. Terms of Service: https://hoangtam101.github.io/lighthouse/term/ Privacy: https://hoangtam101.github.io/lighthouse/policy/ If you have any feedback, do not hesitate to contact us at: hoangtam.cntt@gmail.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Code Reader at none against QR Code Guru's shown. QR Code Guru's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks) and review sentiment (73% vs 64%). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases 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. Code Reader sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and QR Code Guru sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Code Reader against 4.5 for QR Code Guru. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 251 and 291 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Code Reader's written reviews are positive against 73% of QR Code Guru's.
Code Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, QR Code Guru every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Code Reader | QR Code Guru |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (251 ratings) — better | 4.5 (291 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 64.0% of reviews | 73.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 251 | 291 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Daniel ILLESCAS ROMERO | Tam Nguyen |
Customer experience
Code Reader
QR Code Guru
User reviews
Code Reader
From 251 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Works fast
- 🆓 Free to use
- 💡 Auto-copies to clipboard
- ✅ Scans QR codes effectively
Room to improve
- 🐛 Doesn't work for some users
- 🚫 Camera focus issues on Mac
- ❌ Unable to save codes
- 🤷 No instructions provided
- ⚠️ Scams reported
QR Code Guru
From 291 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 🚀 Works perfectly
- ✨ Great for accessing info
- 🌟 Best QR/barcode reader
- 👍 Supports scan and generator
Room to improve
- 👎 Ads are intrusive
- 👎 Repetitive ads
- 👎 Lack of information
- 👎 Doesn't show prices/names
- 👎 App is useless (Russian review)
Bugs and requests
Code Reader
Reported bugs
15 issues- App not working after MacOS update
- Cannot get permissions to save
- QR codes not readable by Mac camera
- App crashes QREncoder
- Sequence of letters then stops
Show 10 moreShow fewer
- Camera doesn't focus on QR code
- No 'Take picture' or red button
- Account closed for misuse (reported scam)
- Error scanning WiFi QR codes
- Contact access without privacy section
- Inaccurate barcode numbers
- Cannot scan from files/photos
- Donation button error
- Errors when scanning
- Cannot open scanned content
Requested features
9 requests- Add date & time to QR history
- Option to select camera
- Ability to save QR codes
- Support for SVG files
- Add logos to QR codes
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Choose QR code color
- Generate QR codes from photos
- Dynamic QR codes
- Widget support
QR Code Guru
Reported bugs
2 issues- 🐛 Ads/space visible briefly after payment
- 🐛 Ads are 30 seconds long
Requested features
4 requests- Bulk code scanning and saving
- Add all features (Russian request)
- Show prices and product names
- Provide more information/guidance
In-app purchases
Code Reader
- Code Reader Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
- Code Reader Pro Yearly$9.991 Year
- Donation 1$0.99
- Donation 2$1.99
- Donation 5$4.99
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Donation 10$8.99
- Code Reader Pro Lifetime$8.99
QR Code Guru
- QR Code Scanner Weekly$2.997 Days
- QR Code Reader Weekly Premium$3.997 Days
- QR Code Scanner Monthly$7.991 Month
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- QR Code Reader Yearly Premium$29.991 Year
- Remove Ads QRCode & Barcode$1.99
- Lifetime QRCode Barcode Scan$19.99
- Lifetime Scanner$39.99
Questions
Is Code Reader free?
Is QR Code Guru free?
Which has better reviews, Code Reader or QR Code Guru?
Do Code Reader or QR Code Guru have ads?
Which is updated more often, Code Reader or QR Code Guru?
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