Comparison

Smart Barcodes vs Code Scan

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

Code Scan

This app scans and generates a wide variety of 1D and 2D barcodes, including QR codes, DataMatrix, and specialized formats like VDS. It offers features like camera zoom, flash support, and a history of scanned codes. Users can also share scanned data and create new barcodes.

Highlights
  • Scans all 1D and 2D barcodes
  • Supports MicroQR, VDS, and ICAO Datastructures
  • Adjustable camera zoom and flash for low light
  • Scan history and sharing functionality
  • Generates QR, DataMatrix, and PDF417 barcodes
  • Dark mode and dark AppIcon support
Features
Read full description

Scan and create every common 1D and 2D barcode - one at a time or continuously in Batch Scan. Export your history as CSV or automatically send scans to your own server. Unlike an ordinary scanner, Code Scan also verifies the cryptographic seals on official documents. WHAT IT READS • QR, MicroQR and rMQR (rectangular MicroQR) • DataMatrix, including DMRE • Aztec, PDF417, MaxiCode • EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-A, UPC-E • Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Codabar, ITF / ITF-14 • GS1 DataBar and DataBar Expanded • VDS, VDS-NC and IDB document seals Codes are decoded on your device: from the live camera, from a photo in your library, or from an image you share into the app from somewhere else. DIGITAL SEALS ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS This is what sets Code Scan apart: it does not just read the seal, it checks the cryptographic signature. • VDS (Visible Digital Seal, BSI TR-03137) in DataMatrix • VDS-NC (ICAO) and IDB (ICAO Datastructure for Barcode) in QR codes • Signatures verified against X.509 certificates, kept up to date automatically • Import your own X.509 certificates for closed ecosystems • MRZ data contained in a seal is parsed and shown in readable form This app supports reading and verification of (among others) VDS Profiles: - Social Insurance Card - Residence Permit Document - ICAO Visa Document - ICAO Emergency Travel Document - German Arrival Attestation Document - Address Sticker for German Identity Card - Place of Residence Sticker for German Passports VDS-NC Profiles: - ICAO PoT and PoV (ISO/IEC JTC1 SC17 WG3/TF5) CREATE YOUR OWN CODES • QR, DataMatrix, Aztec, PDF417 and Code 128 • Live preview while you type • Choose the QR error correction level (L / M / Q / H) or the PDF417 level (0-8) • Keep your codes in a library, mark favorites, share any of them as an image FASTER IN EVERYDAY USE • Camera light in four brightness steps and 1x / 2x / 4x zoom - for tiny print, dark rooms and laminated documents • Share a screenshot from any app to read the code inside it, or share a link to turn it into a code • Batch Scan: capture multiple codes without a result screen and save them straight to your history • Siri and Shortcuts: create a code or open the scanner by voice, or build both actions into your own shortcuts • Recreate a scanned code in a single tap, with the content already filled in A HISTORY THAT STAYS ORGANIZED • Grouped into Starred, Today, This Week and Before • Scanning a code again updates the existing entry instead of piling up duplicates • Export and share your scan history as a CSV file • Stored seals are re-verified in the background against the current certificates, so an expired signature stops showing as valid FOR PROFESSIONAL USE • GS1 application identifiers parsed and labelled • Open recognized links immediately, skipping the result screen • Copy and share the raw code data instead of the interpreted content • Optionally send scans automatically to your own HTTPS endpoint (off by default) • Play a confirmation sound after successful transfers • Native iPad layouts PRIVACY Decoding happens entirely on your device, and your history stays there. There is no account and no tracking. To verify seals, the app downloads the public signer certificates from our certificate service. The optional face comparison against a document portrait is the one feature that sends an image to a KURZ Digital service, and only when you start it yourself. For wishes and suggestions just contact us at info@kurzdigital.com

Screenshots

Smart Barcodes3 screens
Code Scan4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Code Scan at 79% against Smart Barcodes's 0%. Code Scan also leads on rating (4.6 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (730 vs 1). Smart Barcodes's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 4 weeks) and iOS requirement (10.3 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Code Scan holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code Scan has 730 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Smart Barcodes's written reviews are positive against 79% of Code Scan's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smart Barcodes ships an update weekly, Code Scan every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Smart Barcodes versus Code Scan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmart BarcodesCode Scan
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)4.6 (730 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews79.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1730 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.3 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGetSmart SoftwareKURZ Digital Solutions GmbH & Co. KG

Customer experience

Smart Barcodes

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Code Scan

All ratings730 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral2.5%
Negative8.4%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive79.4%
Neutral8.8%
Negative11.8%

Bugs and requests

Smart Barcodes

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Code Scan

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Does not load websites
  • Copy or close options produce no result

Requested features

2 requests
  • Ability to view previously scanned QR codes (not just data)
  • Option to contribute via donation instead of ads

In-app purchases

None

Smart Barcodes

No in-app purchases

None

Code Scan

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Smart Barcodes free?
Smart Barcodes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Code Scan free?
Code Scan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Smart Barcodes or Code Scan?
Code Scan is rated higher. Smart Barcodes averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Code Scan averages 4.6 from 730 ratings.
Do Smart Barcodes or Code Scan have ads?
Neither Smart Barcodes nor Code Scan shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Smart Barcodes or Code Scan?
Smart Barcodes ships an update weekly, and Code Scan every 4 weeks. Most recently, Smart Barcodes was updated on June 1, 2026 and Code Scan on September 23, 2026.

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