Comparison

Code Reader vs QRabber

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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/

About

QRabber

Easily scan and create QR and barcode codes for quick information sharing. Save, export, and customize your codes with various content types. This tool is designed for speed and versatility.

Highlights
  • Scan QR and barcodes
  • Create custom QR and barcodes
  • Share codes via email, text, social media
  • Save scanned codes
  • Use torch during scans
  • Customize code appearance
  • Organize codes into lists
Features
Read full description

QRabber is the ultimate QR and barcode tool for anyone who needs to scan or create codes quickly and easily. Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or just someone who needs to share information quickly, QRabber is the app for you. With QRabber, you can: - Scan QR and barcode codes quickly and easily; - Create your own QR and barcode codes with custom content; - Share your codes with others via email, text, or social media; - Save your scanned codes for future reference; - QRabber is the fastest and most versatile QR and barcode scanner and creator available. It's simple to use and provides all the features you need to create, share, and scan codes with ease. SCAN ANY QR CODES & BARCODES: • Easily and quickly Scan any code; • Use Torch during the Scan; • URLs: open it within the QRabber; • Contact information: save it to Contacts on your iPhone; • Save location where the code was scanned. CREATE OWN QR CODES & BARCODES: • Create code with any text; • Create URLs; • Create Contact information (VCard); • Customise all your codes by changing background and color. HISTORY • Group all codes into the lists; • Make the list of favourites and have quick access to them. SHARE Easy and quickly share your QR codes and Barcodes. MAP Browse all codes with the built in map. Download QRabber now and start scanning and creating codes like a pro!

Screenshots

Code Reader4 screens
QRabber4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Code Reader at 64% against QRabber's 0%. Code Reader also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 12 months). QRabber's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Code Reader sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and QRabber sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

QRabber holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code Reader has 243 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 64% of Code Reader's written reviews are positive against 0% of QRabber's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Code Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, QRabber every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Code Reader versus QRabber: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCode ReaderQRabber
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (243 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings243 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 12 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB22 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperDaniel ILLESCAS ROMEROVladislav Kovalyov

Customer experience

Code Reader

All ratings224 ratings
Positive92.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews114 reviews
Positive64.0%
Neutral2.6%
Negative33.3%

QRabber

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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 more
  • 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 more
  • Choose QR code color
  • Generate QR codes from photos
  • Dynamic QR codes
  • Widget support

QRabber

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Code Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Code Reader Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Code Reader Pro Yearly$9.991 Year
One-time5
  • Donation 1$0.99
  • Donation 2$1.99
  • Code Reader Pro Lifetime$2.99
Show 2 more
  • Donation 5$4.99
  • Donation 10$8.99
1 purchases

QRabber

One-time1
  • QRabber Pro$1.99

Questions

Is Code Reader free?
Code Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is QRabber free?
QRabber is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Code Reader or QRabber?
QRabber is rated higher. Code Reader averages 4.6 out of 5 from 243 ratings, while QRabber averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Code Reader or QRabber have ads?
QRabber shows ads; Code Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, Code Reader or QRabber?
Code Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, and QRabber every 12 months. Most recently, Code Reader was updated on September 25, 2026 and QRabber on September 16, 2026.

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