# Essential QR code reader vs Useful QR Code Reader

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.

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

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Essential QR code reader | Useful QR Code Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 14 MB | 99 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [WeServe Co.,Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1424058912) | [katapu.net](https://appshunter.io/developer/381898924) |

## What reviewers say

### Essential QR code reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-qr-code-reader/id1424059446)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Useful QR Code Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/useful-qr-code-reader/id6738119243)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


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