Comparison

Essential QR code reader vs Useful QR Code Reader

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

Head to head
About

Essential QR code reader

Easily scan QR codes and various other barcode types. View scanned content, copy text, open URLs, and even recreate QR codes from text. Your scan history is automatically saved for quick access.

Highlights
  • Scan QR codes and barcodes
  • View and copy text content
  • Open URLs directly
  • Recreate QR codes from text
  • Automatic scan history
  • Supports multiple barcode types
Features
Read full description

Free QR code reading app, and no ad! This is completely free. This app allows you to scan QR Code, and shows contents easily. You can copy text and share, or go to browser if it is URL. History is automatically recorded, so you can use it later. Result screen shows not only text reading from QR code, but also be able to re-create QR code from text. Supports other types of bar code other than QR Code: UPC-E Code 39 Code 39 mod 43 EAN-13 (including UPC-A) EAN-8 Code 93 Code 128 PDF417 Aztec Interleaved 2 of 5 ITF14 DataMatrix QR Code is registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.

About

Useful QR Code Reader

Features
Read full description

A convenient QR Code Reader app has been released! This app is an easy, simple, and fast QR code reading application. Additionally, it is a handy QR code reader app that records your scan history. After launching the app, grant camera access, hold your device over a QR code, and scan it. The scanned QR code will be displayed at the top of the main screen. Tap it to open the browser and view the URL, or long-press to copy it to the clipboard and use the text as needed. After launching, tap the "Load Image" button and grant access to your photo library. Then, load an image containing a QR code, such as a screenshot, and the app will scan the QR code within the image. (In some cases, it may fail to read due to errors.) It's free, so feel free to use it! A paid version without ads (PRO version) is also available! [How to Use] - Point the camera at a QR code on the initial screen to scan it. - The top right button on the screen transitions to the main screen but skips QR code scanning. - The top left button on the screen scans a QR code from an image in the photo library. - The scanned content is displayed at the top of the main screen. - Tap to open the browser. - Long-press to copy to the clipboard. - QR code scan history is displayed at the bottom of the screen. - Delete all history with "Delete All History." - You can delete history individually. - Tapping on history entries also opens the browser. - Long-pressing history entries copies them to the clipboard. - Tap the "I" in the top right to view information about the app. - Use the back arrow in the top left to return to the initial QR code scanning screen. That's how to use the app. It is a simple, convenient, and fast QR code reading app! Download and try it today!

Screenshots

Essential QR code reader4 screens
Useful QR Code Reader2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Essential QR code reader at none against Useful QR Code Reader's shown. Essential QR code reader also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). Useful QR Code Reader's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 12 months). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Essential QR code reader ships an update every 12 months, Useful QR Code Reader weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 5 level
Essential QR code reader versus Useful QR Code Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEssential QR code readerUseful QR Code Reader
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsโ€”
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsWeekly โ€” better
AdsNo โ€” betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeโ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 โ€” better15.6
Further details โ€” not scored
Size14 MB99 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWeServe Co.,Ltd.katapu.net

In-app purchases

None

Essential QR code reader

No in-app purchases

None

Useful QR Code Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Essential QR code reader free?
Essential QR code reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Useful QR Code Reader free?
Useful QR Code Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Essential QR code reader or Useful QR Code Reader have ads?
Useful QR Code Reader shows ads; Essential QR code reader does not.
Which is updated more often, Essential QR code reader or Useful QR Code Reader?
Essential QR code reader ships an update every 12 months, and Useful QR Code Reader weekly. Most recently, Essential QR code reader was updated on October 2, 2026 and Useful QR Code Reader on September 26, 2026.

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