# Barcode vs Code Scanner

The clearest difference is rating: Code Scanner at 5.0 against Barcode's 4.2. Code Scanner also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (100% vs 65%). Barcode's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (535 vs 1). 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.

Code Scanner holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Barcode has 535 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of Barcode's written reviews are positive against 100% of Code Scanner's.

Barcode ships an update every 3 weeks, Code Scanner every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode | Code Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (535 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-qr-code-scanner/id1468426442/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-scanner/id1584185919/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **535** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 65.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 25 MB | 1 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) | [An Trinh](https://appshunter.io/developer/441499584) |

## 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


### Code Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-scanner/id1584185919)

This utility app uses your device's camera or photos to scan various types of barcodes and QR codes. It supports a wide range of formats and can be accessed directly from your photo gallery via the share sheet.

**Highlights:** Scan codes from camera, Scan codes from photos, Supports QR, UPC, EAN, and more, Integrates with Photos app share sheet, Uses Apple Vision framework

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barcode free?

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

### Is Code Scanner free?

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

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

Code Scanner is rated higher. Barcode averages 4.2 out of 5 from 535 ratings, while Code Scanner averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Barcode or Code Scanner have ads?

Barcode shows ads; Code Scanner does not.

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

Barcode ships an update every 3 weeks, and Code Scanner every 4 months. Most recently, Barcode was updated on October 1, 2026 and Code Scanner on September 16, 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.*