Code Reader vs QR Code Scanner
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 Scanner
Easily scan and read all types of QR and barcodes with this versatile code reader. Save scanned codes for later, share information, and access discounts. Works offline and supports numerous formats.
- Scan all QR and barcode types
- Read Wi-Fi passwords
- Search product barcodes online
- Share scanned information
- Save scan history
- Use flashlight for dark scanning
- Zoom for better scanning
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QR & Barcode Scanner Plus is a code reader app. Use it to scan all the types of QR and barcodes. Scan and save the codes to come back to them anytime. Use QR/Barcode Scanner Plus to: - Scan codes and read the Wi-Fi passwords - Sign in and order food in restaurants and pubs - Scan barcodes on the products and search for them on the Internet - Share webpages, videos, photos, Facebook profiles, app pages on app stores, or any other information with friends and family - Scan the QR- and barcodes in books and magazines - Scan the codes on boarding passes for different means of transport. QR Barcode Scanner Plus is a clean and well-designed QR and Barcode reading and decoding app that is easy-to-use and works great in your everyday situations. Scanning a QR code or Barcode will always be at your fingertips with our QR Barcode Scanner app. The code reader supports all the QR and Barcode formats: QR code, Data Matrix, Maxi code, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, Codabar, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, ITF, etc. This is a universal barcode and QR code reader app. Why the QR Barcode Scanner Plus is a good choice: - It is swift and reliable - All your scannings are saved in the history - Use a flashlight to scan in the dark - It supports all QR and Barcode formats - You can zoom the image to scan 1D (linear barcode) and 2D (such as Data Matrix, QR Code, or PDF417) barcodes with more comfort - No internet connection is required - It is safe - only camera permission is requested - It is a free barcode and QR code reader QR Barcode Scanner Plus can read all kinds of QR codes and barcodes, including those containing information about products, URLs, Wi-Fi passwords, phone numbers and e-mail addresses, text, calendar events, location, etc. You can also use it to scan codes on promotions and coupons in shops to get discounts. Install our QR and Barcode Scanner Plus app, point your device’s main camera at the QR Code you want to scan, and immediately get the result!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Code Reader at none against QR Code Scanner's shown. Code Reader also leads on device support (4 vs 2). QR Code Scanner's advantage is review sentiment (89% vs 64%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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 Scanner sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.09 per month. 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 4.6 for QR Code Scanner. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 243 and 116 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Code Reader's written reviews are positive against 89% of QR Code Scanner's.
Code Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, QR Code Scanner every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Code Reader | QR Code Scanner |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (243 ratings) — better | 4.6 (116 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 64.0% of reviews | 88.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 243 — better | 116 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 5 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, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 119 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Daniel ILLESCAS ROMERO | DigitAlchemy LLC |
Customer experience
Code Reader
QR Code Scanner
User reviews
Code Reader
From 243 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 Scanner
From 116 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🔍 Accurate barcode scanning
- 💡 Ability to create custom QR codes
- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 🔒 No unnecessary permissions or data collection
Room to improve
- 💰 Paid app features
- 🐛 Occasional scanning issues
- 📱 Compatibility problems on some devices
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 Scanner
Reported bugs
2 issues- Scanning not working on certain barcodes
- App crashes when opening large QR codes
Requested features
3 requests- Integration with popular e-commerce platforms
- Barcode history and analytics
- Offline scanning support
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
- Code Reader Pro Lifetime$2.99
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Donation 5$4.99
- Donation 10$8.99
QR Code Scanner
- QR Code Reader Plus - 30% OFF7 Days trial$2.091 Month
- QR Code Reader PRO for 1 month7 Days trial$2.991 Month
- QR Code Scanner for 1 month$2.991 Month
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Barcode Scanner - 30% OFF7 Days trial$13.991 Year
- QR Code & Barcode for 1 year7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- QR Code Scanner for 1 year$19.991 Year
- Barcode Scanner (Remove ads)$2.99
- QR Code Scanner - 30% OFF$24.49
- Scan QR Code, Barcode: Forever$34.99
Questions
Is Code Reader free?
Is QR Code Scanner free?
Which has better reviews, Code Reader or QR Code Scanner?
Do Code Reader or QR Code Scanner have ads?
Which is updated more often, Code Reader or QR Code Scanner?
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