Comparison

PetScanner vs iChare

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

iChare

Features
Read full description

Your Safe Space to Talk iChare gives young Africans a private, incognito place to share their feelings, challenges, and everyday struggles. Whether you’re stressed, anxious, or just need someone to listen, iChare connects you with supportive peers who understand your world. Judgment-Free & Private Your privacy comes first. You don’t need to reveal personal details—just create an incognito profile and start chatting. It’s easier to open up when you feel safe. Support That Fits You Peer Supporters: Friendly listeners who provide empathy and guidance. Flexible Sessions: Use session credits to connect at times that work for you. Not a Medical App iChare is not a medical or therapeutic service. It’s a supportive space for conversation and connection. If you need professional or emergency help, we’ll point you to trusted resources. Why Choose iChare? Anonymous chats you control Accessible peer support Mobile-first experience A caring space where you’re never alone Take the first step toward a stronger support system. Download iChare today.

Screenshots

PetScanner4 screens
iChare2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: iChare at none against PetScanner's 11. iChare also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 10 days) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads 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. iChare asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PetScanner ships an update every 10 days, iChare every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PetScanner versus iChare: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPetScanneriChare
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.2 (51 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews3.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings51 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB94 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperPetscannerPharst Care

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

iChare

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

iChare

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PetScanner free?
PetScanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is iChare free?
iChare is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do PetScanner or iChare have ads?
Neither PetScanner nor iChare shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PetScanner or iChare?
PetScanner ships an update every 10 days, and iChare every 2 days. Most recently, PetScanner was updated on October 12, 2026 and iChare on October 5, 2026.

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