Comparison

Code Reader vs QR Code Scanner & QR Gen

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

QR Code Scanner & QR Gen

Easily scan QR codes and barcodes from your camera or gallery. Generate custom QR codes for various platforms and protect your data with a security lock. Access your scan history anytime.

Highlights
  • QR Code & Barcode Scanner
  • Scan from camera or gallery
  • Scan history
  • QR Code generator
  • Password protection
  • Supports over 10 types
Features
Read full description

The best app to scan QR Code and Barcode! Very simple and easy to use. Download now and try all our features! Features: —> QR Code & Barcode scanner More that 10 types supported. You can scan QR Code using either your camera or just read it from your gallery. —> Scan history Don't worry if you do not have your QR Code in hand. You can always review your scan history! —> Powerful QR Code generator Create your personal QR Codes in seconds for various social media platforms or web-resources. —> Password protection You can use our security lock feature to protect your scans and personal codes from everyone. You can turn off this feature or change password any time in “Settings“ tab. About Subscription: Subscriptions are managed by users. Users can close subscriptions by going to ‘‘ Account Settings ’‘. The unused portion of the free trial period will be lost when the user purchases a subscription. Your payment will be charged to your iTunes account with your confirmation of purchase. Your subscription will be automatically renewed unless the automatic renewal is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the valid period. Privacy policy: https://www.digitalhero.tech/application-privacy-policy Terms of Usage: https://www.digitalhero.tech/terms-of-usage Support: https://www.digitalhero.tech/application-support

Screenshots

Code Reader4 screens
QR Code Scanner & QR Gen3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: QR Code Scanner & QR Gen at 92% against Code Reader's 64%. QR Code Scanner & QR Gen also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). Code Reader's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (251 vs 45). On price, ads, 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 QR Code Scanner & QR Gen sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Code Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code Reader has 251 ratings behind it against 45, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 64% of Code Reader's written reviews are positive against 92% of QR Code Scanner & QR Gen'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, QR Code Scanner & QR Gen fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Code Reader versus QR Code Scanner & QR Gen: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCode ReaderQR Code Scanner & QR Gen
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (251 ratings) — better4.4 (45 ratings)
Positive reviews64.0% of reviews91.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings251 — better45
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB44 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperDaniel ILLESCAS ROMEROIvanna Blinova

Customer experience

Code Reader

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

QR Code Scanner & QR Gen

All ratings45 ratings
Positive84.4%
Neutral4.4%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive91.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative8.3%

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

QR Code Scanner & QR Gen

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
  • Donation 5$4.99
Show 2 more
  • Donation 10$8.99
  • Code Reader Pro Lifetime$8.99
2 purchases

QR Code Scanner & QR Gen

Subscriptions2
  • 1 Week3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • 1 Month$8.991 Month

Questions

Is Code Reader free?
Code Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is QR Code Scanner & QR Gen free?
QR Code Scanner & QR Gen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Code Reader or QR Code Scanner & QR Gen?
Code Reader is rated higher. Code Reader averages 4.6 out of 5 from 251 ratings, while QR Code Scanner & QR Gen averages 4.4 from 45 ratings.
Do Code Reader or QR Code Scanner & QR Gen have ads?
Neither Code Reader nor QR Code Scanner & QR Gen shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Code Reader or QR Code Scanner & QR Gen?
Code Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, and QR Code Scanner & QR Gen fortnightly. Most recently, Code Reader was updated on October 20, 2026 and QR Code Scanner & QR Gen on October 13, 2026.

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