Comparison

Code Reader vs The QR Code Reader & Generator

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

The QR Code Reader & Generator

Easily read and generate any QR code, including those for social media profiles and Wi-Fi. Customize your codes and utilize batch scanning to enhance productivity. This app offers a simple yet comprehensive solution for all your QR code needs.

Highlights
  • Read any QR code
  • Create any QR code link
  • Generate social media QR codes
  • Customize QR code appearance
  • Batch scan multiple QR codes
  • Enhance productivity and organization
Features
Read full description

Create the QR codes that EVERYONE can scan and use. With the most simple and complete app on the store, you open a world of possibilities with ease of use on the QR code world. With the QR Code Reader & Generator app you can: - Read ANY QR code - Create any QR code link - Create QR code for your SOCIAL MEDIA, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok... - Share QR with anyone, anytime - Customize your QR code - Scan MULTIPLES QR codes with batch scan feature - Enhance your productivity and organization What QR Codes you can create: - Links to your favorite websites - Your WIFI - Your Instagram profile - Your companies profile - Your Tik Tok profile - Your Facebook profile - Your Facebook page Thanks for reading. We hope you enjoy the app! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Code Reader4 screens
The QR Code Reader & Generator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Code Reader at none against The QR Code Reader & Generator's shown. Code Reader also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and ratings volume (243 vs 67). On price, rating, update cadence 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

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 The QR Code Reader & Generator sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

The QR Code Reader & Generator holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 243 and 67 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Code Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, The QR Code Reader & Generator monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Code Reader versus The QR Code Reader & Generator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCode ReaderThe QR Code Reader & Generator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (243 ratings)4.8 (67 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings243 — better67
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB30 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperDaniel ILLESCAS ROMEROAfter Dark Apps

Customer experience

Code Reader

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

The QR Code Reader & Generator

All ratings67 ratings
Positive92.5%
Neutral4.5%
Negative3.0%

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

The QR Code Reader & Generator

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
9 purchases

The QR Code Reader & Generator

Subscriptions4
  • Pro Version - Weekly3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Pro Version - Weekly3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Pro Version - Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Pro Version - Yearly3 Days trial$44.991 Year
One-time5
  • Pro - Unlock all features2 variants$3.99
  • Pro - Unlock all features$7.99
  • Pro - Unlock all features$12.99
Show 2 more
  • Pro - Unlock all features$49.99
  • Pro - Unlock all features$59.99

Questions

Is Code Reader free?
Code Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The QR Code Reader & Generator free?
The QR Code Reader & Generator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Code Reader or The QR Code Reader & Generator?
The QR Code Reader & Generator is rated higher. Code Reader averages 4.6 out of 5 from 243 ratings, while The QR Code Reader & Generator averages 4.8 from 67 ratings.
Do Code Reader or The QR Code Reader & Generator have ads?
The QR Code Reader & Generator shows ads; Code Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, Code Reader or The QR Code Reader & Generator?
Code Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, and The QR Code Reader & Generator monthly. Most recently, Code Reader was updated on October 7, 2026 and The QR Code Reader & Generator on October 5, 2026.

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