# Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader vs Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner

The clearest difference is price: Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader at Free against Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner's $1.99. Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader also leads on ratings volume (650 vs 32). Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13) and review sentiment (83% vs 72%). On rating, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader is free to download; Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner costs $1.99 up front. Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader against 4.6 for Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader has 650 ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 72% of Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader's written reviews are positive against 83% of Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner's.

Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader ships an update every 2 weeks, Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader | Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $1.99 |
| Rating | [4.6 (650 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-scanner-qr-barcode-reader/id1387307495/reviews) | [4.6 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pretty-gs1-barcode-scanner/id1545547560/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **650** | 32 |
| Positive reviews | 72.2% of reviews | **83.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 20 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ben Gilroy](https://appshunter.io/developer/1222411256) | [Toni Dominik Hoffmann](https://appshunter.io/developer/1545228558) |

## What reviewers say

### Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-scanner-qr-barcode-reader/id1387307495)

Easily scan, read, and decode over 20 types of QR codes and barcodes. Save your scan history, generate custom codes, and view product details. Supports various scanning methods and export options.

**Highlights:** Scan 20+ QR code and barcode types, Scan from photos, Generate custom QR codes, Save, search, and filter scan history, View product details via Google/Amazon, Export history as text or CSV

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Code Scanner Pro | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Code Scanner Pro | $3.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $9.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $14.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $14.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $24.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface
- 🚀 Fast and efficient scanning
- 📵 No ads or distracting pop-ups
- 💰 Free to use (historically)
- 🎯 Does one job well

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Switched to paid subscription model
- 🐛 Broken functionality on iPhone 12
- ❌ Fails to scan QR codes and barcodes
- 🔍 Missing zoom feature
- 😕 Non-intuitive operation

**Reported bugs**

- App stopped working on iPhone 12 - no barcode recognition
- Cannot scan from photos
- Fails to read unclear or damaged QR codes
- Data matrix format not supported
- Inconsistent app name across platforms (iPhone vs App Store)

**Requested features**

- Zoom functionality for better scanning
- Integrated search option within app
- Data matrix code support
- Scan history/log feature
- Ability to delay browser opening after scan


### Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pretty-gs1-barcode-scanner/id1545547560)

This utility app decodes GS1 barcodes, displaying details like GTIN, expiration dates, and lot numbers. It allows users to save scan history, share barcode data, and generate barcode images. Supports a wide range of barcode types and GS1 application identifiers.

**Highlights:** Scan all common barcodes, View GS1 barcode details, Save scan history, Share barcodes, Generate barcode images, Import barcodes from gallery, Dark Mode support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader free?

Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner free?

Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader or Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner?

Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader and Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 650 and 32 ratings respectively.

### Do Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader or Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner have ads?

Neither Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader nor Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader or Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner?

Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader ships an update every 2 weeks, and Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner fortnightly. Most recently, Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader was updated on October 2, 2026 and Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner on October 1, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*