Comparison

PetScanner vs Missing Pets

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

Head to head
About

PetScanner

This app facilitates pet microchip registration and identification for owners and professionals. It helps reunite lost pets quickly by scanning microchips and providing contact information for registered pets. It also guides users on next steps for unregistered or externally registered pets.

Highlights
  • Microchip registration
  • Contact detail updates
  • Smart microchip scanner pairing
  • FDX-B microchip reading
  • Lost pet reunification support
  • Database identification
Features
Read full description

PetScanner is built to support both pet keepers and professionals, including vets, rescues and local authorities, we combine registration and scanning in one system. This helps reduce delays in identifying pets and increases the likelihood of a safe and quick reunion. As a DEFRA-compliant microchip database, we allow keepers to securely register their pet’s microchip details for a small fee. Registration includes unlimited contact detail updates for life and optional subscription benefits giving you exclusive perks on top of your DEFRA registration. Alongside registration, the PetScanner app pairs with the PetScanner smart microchip scanner to provide fast and effective identification of microchipped animals. The scanner reads FDX-B (15-digit) microchips in dogs, cats and other animals, instantly displaying the unique microchip number within the app. Please note, a PetScanner smart microchip scanner is required to scan your pet – you cannot scan the microchip with your smartphone alone. When a pet is scanned, PetScanner guides you through the next steps based on the microchip’s registration status. If the microchip is registered with PetScanner, the keeper’s contact details will be displayed, making it easy to get in touch. If the microchip is registered with another database, PetScanner will identify the relevant database and provide the appropriate contact information. If no registration is found, the chip number is still shown, allowing the pet to be identified and registered if needed. EULA: https://www.petscanner.com/index.php/end-user-license-agreement Privacy Policy: https://www.petscanner.com/index.php/privacy-policy

About

Missing Pets

This app helps reunite lost and found pets with their owners by connecting users with people in their local area. You can post details and photos of missing or found animals to alert your community and facilitate a quick reunion.

Highlights
  • Report lost pets
  • Report found pets
  • Post pet photos and location
  • Notify nearby users
  • Share pet posts
  • Community pet search
Read full description

The most used and loved lost pet finder app - report your lost and found pets to people nearby! Missing pets is all about making it easier for neighbours, friends, family and people nearby to help search and reunite lost pets. • Post about your missing dog, cat or other type of pet to people nearby that you know, include photos of the pet, location and more information. If you haven’t lost your own pet but know someone who has, encourage them to report it to missing pets to improve the search even more! • Post about a pet that you've found but don't know who owns it. This can help a lot for the ones that are searching! • It’s free! Missing pets is free of charge and always will be! We offer a few extra functions that can be purchased but it’s absolutely not required to do so! • Since you’re here we believe that you love pets just as much as we do, so even if you haven’t lost or found a missing pet, helping others find their pets is highly appreciated and may in some cases even come with a reward if found! If not actively searching, sharing their missing pet post can be a very easy & effective way to help. Join Missing Pets today and lets make a change so that no more pets has to be out there alone anymore! Terms of Use: https://www.missingpets-app.com/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://www.missingpets-app.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

PetScanner4 screens
Missing Pets4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Missing Pets at 4.7 against PetScanner's 1.2. Missing Pets also leads on review sentiment (36% vs 4%) and ratings volume (927 vs 51). On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PetScanner sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 3 months and Missing Pets sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Missing Pets holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Missing Pets has 927 ratings behind it against 51, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 4% of PetScanner's written reviews are positive against 36% of Missing Pets's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PetScanner ships an update every 10 days, Missing Pets every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PetScanner versus Missing Pets: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPetScannerMissing Pets
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.2 (51 ratings)4.7 (927 ratings) — better
Positive reviews3.5% of reviews36.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings51927 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPetscannerRevinade AB

Customer experience

PetScanner

All ratings51 ratings
Positive2.0%
Neutral2.0%
Negative96.1%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive3.5%
Neutral3.5%
Negative93.0%

Missing Pets

All ratings927 ratings
Positive91.5%
Neutral3.1%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive36.4%
Neutral9.1%
Negative54.5%

User reviews

PetScanner

From 51 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Massive improvement since update
  • 👍 Scanners can be used multiple times
  • 👍 Customer service from Kieran was helpful

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App keeps stopping working
  • 🐛 App keeps freezing
  • 🐛 Barcode scanner does not work
  • 🐛 Entering chip number manually closes app
  • 🐛 Cannot log into account

Missing Pets

From 927 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Helpful in reuniting lost pets
  • ⭐ Numerous apps for pet reunification

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Full of bugs
  • 💰 Expensive pricing model
  • 🔍 Unable to drill down to specific locations
  • 🔒 Unauthorized account charges
  • 🤔 Capitalizing on pet owners' misery

Bugs and requests

PetScanner

Reported bugs

78 issues
  • App keeps stopping/freezing
  • Barcode scanner not working
  • App closes when entering chip number manually
  • Login issues
  • Subscription automatically added
Show 73 more
  • App crashes during registration/launch/setup
  • Pet details not registering/adding
  • Spinning wheel when adding pet
  • Links to EULA/privacy policy broken
  • Pet not legally registered
  • Incorrect pet information displayed
  • Cannot correct incorrect information
  • App requires Bluetooth scanner
  • Cannot change pet photos
  • Incorrect breed information displayed
  • Registration requires street address
  • App requires additional hardware (scanner)
  • Payment taken but pet not added
  • Discount only via app
  • App may not work for all users
  • App harvests personal data
  • No scanning functionality
  • App tells you to buy scanner after registration
  • App requires too much personal info
  • App is not a scanner
  • App requires attachment/external scanner
  • App doesn't use phone's hardware for scanning
  • Pictures uploaded sideways
  • Cannot delete or upload photos
  • Constantly crashing
  • Needs serious update
  • App is not a scanner
  • Requires separate Bluetooth device
  • Search radius measurement is off
  • App kept crashing when trying to search
  • Have to buy something
  • Not worth it
  • Couldn't get app to pair with scanner
  • Subscription not showing
  • Have to buy scanner to scan
  • False advertising
  • Deceptive description
  • Useless
  • Total junk
  • Force closes
  • Immediate crash
  • Only allows Google registration via Safari
  • App wouldn't open after registration
  • Terrible app and website
  • Incorrect pet details recorded
  • No colors for Tabby cats
  • Date of birth changes to 1970
  • Pay individually for each microchip
  • Poor performance
  • Misleading name
  • Waste of time
  • Requires you to buy their gear
  • Garbage app
  • Too much personal info required
  • Worthless
  • Not a scanner app at all
  • Stealing from legit microchip companies
  • Wannabe company with no purpose
  • Total fraud
  • Absolute garbage
  • Doesn't do anything
  • Doesn't allow free scanning
  • Terrible app
  • Barely functional
  • Security risk?
  • Dodgy
  • So bad
  • Not a scanner
  • Requires 9.99 scanner
  • Junk
  • Bs app
  • Needs your address
  • Misleading name

Requested features

16 requests
  • Add dark mode option
  • Improve scanning functionality
  • Allow manual entry of chip number without crashing
  • Fix website login issues
  • Provide clear information about scanner requirement upfront
Show 11 more
  • Allow deletion of personal details
  • Add more pet colors and breed options
  • Allow registration of multiple microchips in one payment
  • Improve search radius accuracy
  • Allow users to correct incorrect pet information
  • Make subscription removal easier
  • Fix issues with address validation for rural areas
  • Allow users to update photos and share missing pet information
  • Enable direct phone hardware scanning
  • Offer a discount for multiple pets when paying via app
  • Provide a warning on the app if it may not work for all users

Missing Pets

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Notifications not reflecting current pet information
  • Account suspension for no apparent reason

Requested features

2 requests
  • Sort missing/found pets from newest to oldest
  • Improve app reliability and accuracy for Canadian users

In-app purchases

11 purchases

PetScanner

Subscriptions11
  • Quarterly subscription, 1 pet$2.993 Months
  • Quarterly subscription, 2 pets$5.993 Months
  • Quarterly subscription, 3 pets$8.493 Months
Show 8 more
  • Quarterly subscription, 5 pets$12.493 Months
  • Quarterly subscription, 6 pets$14.493 Months
  • Quarterly subscription 12 pets$26.493 Months
  • Quarterly subscription 16 pets$32.993 Months
  • Quarterly subscription 17 pets$33.993 Months
  • Quarterly subscription 18 pets$34.993 Months
  • Quarterly subscription 19 pets$35.993 Months
  • Quarterly subscription 20 pets$36.993 Months
4 purchases

Missing Pets

Subscriptions1
  • Super Visibility3 Days trial$7.997 Days
One-time3
  • Boosted Post$14.99
  • Super Post$29.99
  • Greatest Post$59.99

Questions

Is PetScanner free?
PetScanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Missing Pets free?
Missing Pets is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PetScanner or Missing Pets?
Missing Pets is rated higher. PetScanner averages 1.2 out of 5 from 51 ratings, while Missing Pets averages 4.7 from 927 ratings.
Do PetScanner or Missing Pets have ads?
Neither PetScanner nor Missing Pets shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PetScanner or Missing Pets?
PetScanner ships an update every 10 days, and Missing Pets every 2 weeks. Most recently, PetScanner was updated on September 24, 2026 and Missing Pets on September 25, 2026.

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