Comparison

HandyUPC vs Code Scan

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

Head to head
About

HandyUPC

Transform your device into a powerful product information tool. Scan any barcode to instantly access detailed product information, pricing history, and market data. Offers features for shopping, inventory management, and product research.

Highlights
  • Instant barcode scanning
  • Detailed product information
  • Pricing history and market data
  • Scan history with search
  • Offline scanning capability
  • Export scan history to CSV
Features
Read full description

HandyUPC - Your Ultimate Barcode Scanner Companion Transform your iPhone into a powerful product information tool with HandyUPC. Simply scan any barcode and instantly access comprehensive product details, making shopping smarter and more informed. Instant Product Information • Scan any UPC barcode with your camera • Get detailed product information instantly • View brand, description, category, and specifications • Access pricing history and market data • High-accuracy scanning technology Smart Features • Clean, intuitive interface designed for ease of use • Manual UPC entry option for damaged barcodes • Comprehensive scan history with search functionality • Share product information via email, messages, or social media • Works offline for basic scanning Premium Features (In-App Purchase) • Remove all advertisements for uninterrupted scanning • Export scan history to CSV for data analysis • Add personal notes to scanned products • Unlimited scan history storage • Professional data export capabilities Perfect for Multiple Use Cases • Shopping**: Compare prices and get product details while shopping • Inventory Management**: Track products and manage stock • Product Research**: Research items before purchasing • Personal Library**: Build your own product database • Business Use**: Professional scanning for retail and warehouse operations Privacy & Security • No personal data collection • Local storage for your scan history • Secure, private scanning experience • No tracking or analytics without consent Comprehensive Product Database • Access to extensive UPC database • Real-time product information • Brand and manufacturer details • Product specifications and features • Category classification Why Choose HandyUPC? • Fast & Accurate**: Lightning-fast scanning with high accuracy • User-Friendly**: Intuitive design that anyone can use • Comprehensive**: Detailed product information at your fingertips • Professional**: Export capabilities for business use • Private**: Your data stays on your device Download HandyUPC today and experience the future of barcode scanning. Whether you're a casual shopper, business professional, or product enthusiast, HandyUPC provides the tools you need to make informed decisions. Download now and start scanning smarter! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Code Scan

This app scans and generates a wide variety of 1D and 2D barcodes, including QR codes, DataMatrix, and specialized formats like VDS. It offers features like camera zoom, flash support, and a history of scanned codes. Users can also share scanned data and create new barcodes.

Highlights
  • Scans all 1D and 2D barcodes
  • Supports MicroQR, VDS, and ICAO Datastructures
  • Adjustable camera zoom and flash for low light
  • Scan history and sharing functionality
  • Generates QR, DataMatrix, and PDF417 barcodes
  • Dark mode and dark AppIcon support
Features
Read full description

Scan and create every common 1D and 2D barcode - one at a time or continuously in Batch Scan. Export your history as CSV or automatically send scans to your own server. Unlike an ordinary scanner, Code Scan also verifies the cryptographic seals on official documents. WHAT IT READS • QR, MicroQR and rMQR (rectangular MicroQR) • DataMatrix, including DMRE • Aztec, PDF417, MaxiCode • EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-A, UPC-E • Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Codabar, ITF / ITF-14 • GS1 DataBar and DataBar Expanded • VDS, VDS-NC and IDB document seals Codes are decoded on your device: from the live camera, from a photo in your library, or from an image you share into the app from somewhere else. DIGITAL SEALS ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS This is what sets Code Scan apart: it does not just read the seal, it checks the cryptographic signature. • VDS (Visible Digital Seal, BSI TR-03137) in DataMatrix • VDS-NC (ICAO) and IDB (ICAO Datastructure for Barcode) in QR codes • Signatures verified against X.509 certificates, kept up to date automatically • Import your own X.509 certificates for closed ecosystems • MRZ data contained in a seal is parsed and shown in readable form This app supports reading and verification of (among others) VDS Profiles: - Social Insurance Card - Residence Permit Document - ICAO Visa Document - ICAO Emergency Travel Document - German Arrival Attestation Document - Address Sticker for German Identity Card - Place of Residence Sticker for German Passports VDS-NC Profiles: - ICAO PoT and PoV (ISO/IEC JTC1 SC17 WG3/TF5) CREATE YOUR OWN CODES • QR, DataMatrix, Aztec, PDF417 and Code 128 • Live preview while you type • Choose the QR error correction level (L / M / Q / H) or the PDF417 level (0-8) • Keep your codes in a library, mark favorites, share any of them as an image FASTER IN EVERYDAY USE • Camera light in four brightness steps and 1x / 2x / 4x zoom - for tiny print, dark rooms and laminated documents • Share a screenshot from any app to read the code inside it, or share a link to turn it into a code • Batch Scan: capture multiple codes without a result screen and save them straight to your history • Siri and Shortcuts: create a code or open the scanner by voice, or build both actions into your own shortcuts • Recreate a scanned code in a single tap, with the content already filled in A HISTORY THAT STAYS ORGANIZED • Grouped into Starred, Today, This Week and Before • Scanning a code again updates the existing entry instead of piling up duplicates • Export and share your scan history as a CSV file • Stored seals are re-verified in the background against the current certificates, so an expired signature stops showing as valid FOR PROFESSIONAL USE • GS1 application identifiers parsed and labelled • Open recognized links immediately, skipping the result screen • Copy and share the raw code data instead of the interpreted content • Optionally send scans automatically to your own HTTPS endpoint (off by default) • Play a confirmation sound after successful transfers • Native iPad layouts PRIVACY Decoding happens entirely on your device, and your history stays there. There is no account and no tracking. To verify seals, the app downloads the public signer certificates from our certificate service. The optional face comparison against a document portrait is the one feature that sends an image to a KURZ Digital service, and only when you start it yourself. For wishes and suggestions just contact us at info@kurzdigital.com

Screenshots

HandyUPC4 screens
Code Scan4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Code Scan at none against HandyUPC's 2. Code Scan also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 34 months) and ratings volume (730 vs 2). HandyUPC's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (100% vs 79%). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. HandyUPC sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Code Scan asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HandyUPC holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code Scan has 730 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of HandyUPC's written reviews are positive against 79% of Code Scan's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HandyUPC ships an update every 34 months, Code Scan every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
HandyUPC versus Code Scan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandyUPCCode Scan
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.6 (730 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better79.4% of reviews
Number of ratings2730 — better
Update frequencyEvery 34 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.218.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSTRENGCON LLCKURZ Digital Solutions GmbH & Co. KG

Customer experience

HandyUPC

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Code Scan

All ratings730 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral2.5%
Negative8.4%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive79.4%
Neutral8.8%
Negative11.8%

Bugs and requests

HandyUPC

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Code Scan

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Does not load websites
  • Copy or close options produce no result

Requested features

2 requests
  • Ability to view previously scanned QR codes (not just data)
  • Option to contribute via donation instead of ads

In-app purchases

2 purchases

HandyUPC

Subscriptions2
  • HandyUPC Monthly Premium$4.991 Month
  • HandyUPC Yearly Premium$39.991 Year
None

Code Scan

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HandyUPC free?
HandyUPC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Code Scan free?
Code Scan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, HandyUPC or Code Scan?
HandyUPC is rated higher. HandyUPC averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Code Scan averages 4.6 from 730 ratings.
Do HandyUPC or Code Scan have ads?
Neither HandyUPC nor Code Scan shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HandyUPC or Code Scan?
HandyUPC ships an update every 34 months, and Code Scan every 4 weeks. Most recently, HandyUPC was updated on September 19, 2026 and Code Scan on September 23, 2026.

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