Comparison

Code Reader vs QR & Barcode Scanner Expert

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 & Barcode Scanner Expert

This app quickly scans and decodes all QR and barcode formats. It also allows you to generate custom QR codes for various data types, including text, URLs, and contact information. Businesses can create product QR codes to enhance customer engagement.

Highlights
  • Scan all QR and barcode formats
  • Generate custom QR codes
  • Scan from gallery
  • Auto-zoom and flashlight
  • Scan history
  • Price scanner
Features
Read full description

Looking for a super-fast and secure QR code scanner? Try our QR & Barcode Scanner Expert – It works with all QR & barcode formats! It's the must-have tool for scanning QR codes and sharing them with friends. Just open the app, point it at the QR code or Barcode, and it will quickly scan and decode it. You can even generate QR codes including text, URL, WIFI, ISBN, phone number, SMS, contact, calendar, email, location, etc. Plus, it's great for businesses too, making product QR codes to reach customers faster. Why choose QR & Barcode Scanner Expert? • Scan and create QR & barcodes easily. • Works with all QR & barcode formats. • Fast decoding. • Scan QR & barcodes from the gallery. • Handy price scanner. • Auto-zoom and flashlight supported. • Privacy-focused, only camera permission is needed. • Scan history saved for easy access. The most unique feature of our QR Scanner App is its powerful customization options. With our app, you can create your own custom QR codes with logos, colors, and other design elements. You can even set up dynamic QR codes that change based on the time of day, your location, or other parameters. How to use: • Aim at the QR code/barcode. • It scans and decodes automatically. • See results and options. Privacy Policy: https://hazelmobile.com/privacy-policy-ios/ Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Overall, our QR Scanner App is the most powerful and versatile tool for QR code scanning on the market. Whether you're a business owner looking to integrate QR codes into your marketing strategy, a frequent traveler looking to quickly scan documents and information, or just someone who loves exploring the possibilities of augmented reality, our app has something for you. So why wait? Download our QR Scanner App today and unlock a world of possibilities!

Screenshots

Code Reader4 screens
QR & Barcode Scanner Expert4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Code Reader at 4.6 against QR & Barcode Scanner Expert's 4.1. Code Reader also leads on review sentiment (64% vs 29%) and ads (none vs shown). QR & Barcode Scanner Expert's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, 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 QR & Barcode Scanner Expert sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 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 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 243 and 295 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Code Reader's written reviews are positive against 29% of QR & Barcode Scanner Expert's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Code Reader versus QR & Barcode Scanner Expert: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCode ReaderQR & Barcode Scanner Expert
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (243 ratings) — better4.1 (295 ratings)
Positive reviews64.0% of reviews — better28.6% of reviews
Number of ratings243295 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB81 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperDaniel ILLESCAS ROMEROHazel Mobile

Customer experience

Code Reader

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

QR & Barcode Scanner Expert

All ratings295 ratings
Positive75.3%
Neutral7.5%
Negative17.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive28.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative71.4%

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 & Barcode Scanner Expert

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
3 purchases

QR & Barcode Scanner Expert

Subscriptions2
  • Remove Ads & Stylish - Weekly3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Remove Ads & Stylish - Monthly3 Days trial$7.991 Month
One-time1
  • Remove Ads + Make Stylish$24.99

Questions

Is Code Reader free?
Code Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is QR & Barcode Scanner Expert free?
QR & Barcode Scanner Expert is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Code Reader or QR & Barcode Scanner Expert?
Code Reader is rated higher. Code Reader averages 4.6 out of 5 from 243 ratings, while QR & Barcode Scanner Expert averages 4.1 from 295 ratings.
Do Code Reader or QR & Barcode Scanner Expert have ads?
QR & Barcode Scanner Expert shows ads; Code Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, Code Reader or QR & Barcode Scanner Expert?
Code Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, and QR & Barcode Scanner Expert monthly. Most recently, Code Reader was updated on October 7, 2026 and QR & Barcode Scanner Expert on October 10, 2026.

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