# Barcode vs QR Code

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barcode at none against QR Code's 3. Barcode also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (535 vs 6). QR Code's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. QR Code sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Barcode asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for Barcode against 4.2 for QR Code. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Barcode has 535 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Barcode ships an update every 3 weeks, QR Code every 6 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode | QR Code |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (535 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-qr-code-scanner/id1468426442/reviews) | **[4.2 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-reader-and-scanner/id1530278183/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **535** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 65.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Freemium |
| Size | 25 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Huy Nguyen Dang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1447842064) | [Hitesh Gupta](https://appshunter.io/developer/1530278185) |

## What reviewers say

### Barcode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-qr-code-scanner/id1468426442)

Easily scan and generate QR codes and barcodes. This app decodes various types of information, including text, URLs, contacts, and Wi-Fi credentials. It also allows you to create custom QR codes for sharing and saving.

**Highlights:** Scan QR codes and barcodes, Generate QR codes, Decode text, URLs, contacts, Wi-Fi, Save and share generated codes, View product information, Offline scanning support, Scan history management

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works beautifully
- 👍 Best Christian source for information
- 👍 Brilliant and easy to use
- 👍 Great scanner
- 👍 Simple to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 This is horrible and does nothing
- 🐛 Doesn't work
- 🐛 Didn't open safari
- 🐛 Poor for creating
- 🐛 Not taking me too the online websites

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard


### QR Code

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-reader-and-scanner/id1530278183)

Easily scan and create various QR codes and barcodes using your device's camera or gallery. Save, manage, and share your codes instantly. Supports batch scanning and low-light conditions.

**Highlights:** Scan all QR code and barcode types, Create custom QR codes for text, URLs, contacts, and more, Scan from camera, gallery, or media library, Batch scanning support, Flashlight for low-light scanning, Save, manage, and share codes, Export/import scans via CSV

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $11.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Purchase | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barcode free?

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

### Is QR Code free?

QR Code is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Barcode or QR Code?

QR Code is rated higher. Barcode averages 4.2 out of 5 from 535 ratings, while QR Code averages 4.2 from 6 ratings.

### Do Barcode or QR Code have ads?

Barcode shows ads; QR Code does not.

### Which is updated more often, Barcode or QR Code?

Barcode ships an update every 3 weeks, and QR Code every 6 months. Most recently, Barcode was updated on November 3, 2026 and QR Code on November 3, 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.*