# QR Reader Express vs Barcode Scanner

QR Reader Express and Barcode Scanner are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

QR Reader Express ships an update every 5 months, Barcode Scanner every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | QR Reader Express | Barcode Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.6 (130 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanner-qr-code-read/id6455989015/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **130** |
| Positive reviews | — | 77.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 months** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 5 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [Arnau Egea](https://appshunter.io/developer/902788505) | [Komorebi Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/481596469) |

## What reviewers say

### QR Reader Express

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-reader-express/id1458910524)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Barcode Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanner-qr-code-read/id6455989015)

This free scanner app quickly reads barcodes and QR codes directly from your camera or photo albums. It offers a history of your scans and includes a flashlight feature for low-light conditions. Ensure camera access is granted for optimal performance.

**Highlights:** Scan from camera, Scan from photo albums, Scan history, Flashlight for dark, Quick launch camera

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is QR Reader Express free?

QR Reader Express is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Barcode Scanner free?

Barcode Scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do QR Reader Express or Barcode Scanner have ads?

Both QR Reader Express and Barcode Scanner show ads.

### Which is updated more often, QR Reader Express or Barcode Scanner?

QR Reader Express ships an update every 5 months, and Barcode Scanner every 9 months. Most recently, QR Reader Express was updated on September 26, 2026 and Barcode Scanner on September 29, 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.*