M vs Barcode Stash
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
M
This utility app allows users to create, store, and share QR codes directly from their iPhone or Apple Watch. It offers local storage and the ability to upload QR codes to an online database for easy access and retrieval.
- Local QR code storage
- Share QR codes online
- Download QR codes from online database
- iPhone and Apple Watch support
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M-Code is your all-in-one barcode toolkit. Scan, create, and manage QR codes and barcodes — all from your pocket. SCAN CODE Point your camera or import from your photo library. M-Code recognizes 11 barcode formats including QR Code, Code 128, PDF417, Aztec, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-E, Code 39, Code 93, ITF-14, and Interleaved 2 of 5. CREATE FROM TEXT Type any content and generate a barcode instantly. Choose from QR Code, Code 128, PDF417, or Aztec — with a live preview of each format before you save. YOUR PERSONAL LIBRARY Organize saved codes with custom titles. Search, reorder, and access them anytime. View the encoded content, copy it, or open embedded URLs directly. APPLE WATCH Access all your saved codes on your wrist. Perfect for quickly showing a code at checkout or entry.
Barcode Stash
Effortlessly scan, generate, and organize all your barcodes in one secure location. This app supports numerous formats, offers smart actions based on scanned data, and allows for easy sharing and cross-device synchronization.
- Scan 11 barcode formats
- Generate custom barcodes
- Organize with descriptions and tags
- Smart actions for scanned data
- Map scanned locations
- Cross-device iCloud sync
- Export/import in JSON or CSV
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Barcode Stash is a fast, private barcode scanner and generator that keeps your entire barcode library organized in one place. SCAN ANYTHING Point your camera at any barcode and Barcode Stash reads it instantly. Supports 11 formats: QR, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-E, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, PDF417, Aztec, DataMatrix, and ITF-14. Bulk mode lets you scan dozens of barcodes in rapid succession - each one is highlighted live in the viewfinder, and duplicates are automatically skipped. CREATE YOUR OWN Generate barcodes from scratch. Pick any supported format, enter your data, and get a pixel-perfect barcode ready to save or share. Real-time input validation catches errors before you tap save. STAY ORGANIZED Every barcode, scanned or created, is saved to a searchable history grouped by date. Add descriptions, tags, and favorites. Batch select to delete, tag, or export multiple barcodes at once. Filter by type, source, favorites, or tags to find what you need fast. SMART ACTIONS Barcode Stash detects what's inside each barcode and offers the right action: open a URL, compose an email, make a call, send an SMS, connect to Wi-Fi, add a calendar event, save a contact, or view a location on the map. MAP YOUR SCANS Barcodes captured with location data appear on an interactive map. Choose between standard, satellite, and hybrid views. Add or update locations on any barcode at any time. SHARE BEAUTIFULLY Share barcodes as a clean image or as a rich card with the barcode type, raw value, description, date, address, and a map snapshot. Choose exactly which details to include - your preferences are remembered. COLLECTION STATS View a breakdown of your barcode library: totals by type, favorites count, tags, locations, and how many you've generated versus scanned. SYNC ACROSS DEVICES iCloud keeps your barcodes in sync across all your devices. Changes sync automatically, no duplicates, no data loss. EXPORT & IMPORT Back up your entire collection as JSON or CSV, or import barcodes from another device. Duplicates are automatically detected and skipped on import. FULLY ACCESSIBLE Complete VoiceOver support throughout the app. Every button, toggle, and barcode row has descriptive labels and hints. Animations respect the Reduce Motion setting. AVAILABLE IN 10 LANGUAGES English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. PRIVACY FIRST No accounts. No tracking. No servers. Your barcodes stay on your device and in your iCloud - nowhere else.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Barcode Stash at every 4 days against M's every 4 months. M's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price, review sentiment, 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.
M ships an update every 4 months, Barcode Stash every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 7, 2026.
| Parameter | M | Barcode Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Wai Yin Chan | Alexis Lours |
Customer experience
M
Barcode Stash
In-app purchases
M
No in-app purchases
Barcode Stash
No in-app purchases









