Comparison

Code Reader vs Universal Code Scanner

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

Universal Code Scanner

This app quickly scans and decodes various 2D barcodes and QR codes. It offers enhanced security by checking URLs for phishing and can convert specific payment codes into usable links. The application prioritizes user privacy with no tracking or ads.

Highlights
  • Scans QR, EAN, Aztec, DataMatrix, and more
  • Checks URLs against phishing (Quishing)
  • Converts EPC QR codes to bank/payto URLs
  • Shares decoded data via Airdrop
  • No user tracking or analytics
  • Ad-free and no in-app purchases
Features
Read full description

Universal Scanner is a privacy focused, simple and lightweight application for verifying the content of a wide range of 2d codes. The main features are: - Displays code type and raw content - Option to check scanned URLs against phishing (Quishing) - Converts EPC QR codes (SEPA transfers) to 'bank://' or 'payto://' URL (useful if your banking app does not support EPC codes) - Share raw data or converted data with Airdrop - No user tracking - No analytics - No ads - No in-app purchases (voluntary donations only) - No automatic opening of links (could be enabled in settings) - Scan history optional and disabled by default - Small download size Supported code types: QR, EAN8, UPCE, Aztec, EAN13, ITF14, Code39, Code93, PDF417, Code128, DataMatrix, Code39Mod43, Interleaved2of5, Codabar, MicroQR, MicroPDF417, GS1DataBar, GS1DataBarLimited, GS1DataBarExtended

Screenshots

Code Reader4 screens
Universal Code Scanner3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Universal Code Scanner at 5.0 against Code Reader's 4.6. Universal Code Scanner also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Code Reader's advantage is ratings volume (243 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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 Universal Code Scanner sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Universal Code Scanner holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code Reader has 243 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Code Reader's written reviews are positive against 71% of Universal Code Scanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Code Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, Universal Code Scanner every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and August 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Code Reader versus Universal Code Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCode ReaderUniversal Code Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (243 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.0% of reviews71.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings243 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB3 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperDaniel ILLESCAS ROMEROMarcus Pleintinger

Customer experience

Code Reader

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

Universal Code Scanner

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%

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

Universal Code Scanner

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$29.99
3 purchases

Universal Code Scanner

One-time3
  • Small Donation$0.99
  • Mid Donation$2.99
  • Big Donation$5.99

Questions

Is Code Reader free?
Code Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Universal Code Scanner free?
Universal Code Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Code Reader or Universal Code Scanner?
Universal Code Scanner is rated higher. Code Reader averages 4.6 out of 5 from 243 ratings, while Universal Code Scanner averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Code Reader or Universal Code Scanner have ads?
Neither Code Reader nor Universal Code Scanner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Code Reader or Universal Code Scanner?
Code Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, and Universal Code Scanner every 3 weeks. Most recently, Code Reader was updated on September 18, 2026 and Universal Code Scanner on August 26, 2026.

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