# Code Reader vs QR Scanner

The clearest difference is ads: Code Reader at none against QR Scanner's shown. Code Reader also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.3) and device support (4 vs 2). QR Scanner's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 6 weeks). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Code Reader sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and QR Scanner sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Code Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 243 and 320 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Code Reader's written reviews are positive against 60% of QR Scanner's.

Code Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, QR Scanner every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Code Reader | QR Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (243 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-reader-qr-scanner/id1225393668/reviews)** | [4.3 (320 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-scanner-ai-scan/id1549366376/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 243 | **320** |
| Positive reviews | **64.0% of reviews** | 60.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 3 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Daniel ILLESCAS ROMERO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1225393667) | [Corntree tech Co.Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/713476792) |

## What reviewers say

### Code Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-reader-qr-scanner/id1225393668)

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Code Reader Pro Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Code Reader Pro Yearly | $9.99 | per year |
| Donation 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Donation 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Code Reader Pro Lifetime | $2.99 | one-time |
| Donation 5 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Donation 10 | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Works fast
- 🆓 Free to use
- 💡 Auto-copies to clipboard
- ✅ Scans QR codes effectively

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't work for some users
- 🚫 Camera focus issues on Mac
- ❌ Unable to save codes
- 🤷 No instructions provided
- ⚠️ Scams reported

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Add date & time to QR history
- Option to select camera
- Ability to save QR codes
- Support for SVG files
- Add logos to QR codes


### QR Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-scanner-ai-scan/id1549366376)

This utility app quickly scans QR codes and barcodes, offering flashlight support for dim conditions and Wi-Fi QR code scanning. It saves your scan history and provides a simple, user-friendly interface for efficient code reading.

**Highlights:** QR code scanning, Barcode scanning, Flashlight support, Wi-Fi QR code scanning, Scan history saved, Simple and easy to use

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium - One Month | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium - One Year | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Code Reader free?

Code Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is QR Scanner free?

QR Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Code Reader or QR Scanner?

Code Reader is rated higher. Code Reader averages 4.6 out of 5 from 243 ratings, while QR Scanner averages 4.3 from 320 ratings.

### Do Code Reader or QR Scanner have ads?

QR Scanner shows ads; Code Reader does not.

### Which is updated more often, Code Reader or QR Scanner?

Code Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, and QR Scanner every 8 days. Most recently, Code Reader was updated on October 7, 2026 and QR Scanner on October 10, 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.*