Smart Barcodes vs Scan Matrix
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Smart Barcodes
This utility app scans various 1D and 2D barcodes, displaying the encoded information. It intelligently recognizes URLs, phone numbers, addresses, and tracking numbers, offering direct actions like opening links or initiating calls. Scanned data is saved for later reference and can be named for easy organization.
- Reads 1D and 2D barcodes
- Displays encoded text
- Detects URLs, phone numbers, addresses, tracking numbers
- Direct actions for detected data (call, map, track)
- Saves scanned information
- Allows naming saved scans
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Reads many 1D and 2D barcodes and displays the encoded text. It detects: URLs - tap to go there in Safari Phone numbers - tap to make a call Addresses - tap to display in Maps Tracking numbers - tap to track at the shipping website It saves scanned information, and you can give the saved scans a name to remind you where it came from. No information is collected or transmitted from your device at any time.
Scan Matrix
This utility app scans various barcode types and connects to GS1 resolvers for barcode information. It features history management, manual input, and an updated user interface for enhanced usability.
- Supports multiple barcode types (GS1-128, DataMatrix, QR Code, etc.)
- Connects to GS1 and my.code.de resolvers
- Scan history management
- Pin favorite barcodes
- Manual barcode input (GTIN/batch numbers)
- Updated user interface
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This version of the app contains 1.support to connect to https://id.gs1.org resolver and https://my.code.de resolver. Enhanced User Experience: • Updated user interface for smoother navigation and usability. GS1 Resolver Support: • Seamlessly connect to the GS1 Resolver for barcode resolution. Barcode Scanning Enhancements: Supported Barcode Types: • GS1-128 • GS1 DataMatrix • GS1 QR Code • Dot Matrix • Data Matrix • QR Code • EAN-13 • EAN-8 • ITF-14 Additional Features: 1. History Management: View barcode scan history and pin favourite barcodes for quick reference. 2. Manual Barcode Input: Enter GTIN and/or batch numbers manually using the keyboard. This update ensures a robust and feature-rich barcode scanning experience tailored to user needs.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Scan Matrix at 4.0 against Smart Barcodes's 1.0. Smart Barcodes's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (10.3 vs 15.6). On price, ratings volume, ads 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Scan Matrix holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.
Smart Barcodes ships an update weekly, Scan Matrix every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Smart Barcodes | Scan Matrix |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.0 (1 ratings) | 4.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 10.3 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 59 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | GetSmart Software | Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. |
Customer experience
Smart Barcodes
Scan Matrix
In-app purchases
Smart Barcodes
No in-app purchases
Scan Matrix
No in-app purchases
