Comparison

QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans vs Universal Code Scanner

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

Head to head
About

QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans

Instantly scan QR codes and barcodes with your camera to access links, WiFi, contacts, and product information. Create custom QR codes for various purposes, including social media and business transactions. Offers advanced features like batch scanning and product data lookup.

Highlights
  • Instant QR/barcode scanning
  • Create custom QR codes
  • Batch scanning capability
  • Scan history with export
  • Product information lookup
  • Customizable QR code design
  • Support for 20+ code formats
Features
Read full description

Just point your camera and scan any QR code or barcode in under a second. Instantly connect to WiFi, open links, save contacts, and check product info. Create your own QR codes and barcodes too. ▸ Scan - Point your camera for instant recognition. Supports 20 code formats: QR, Micro QR, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128, Code 39, Code 39 Mod 43, Code 93, Codabar, ITF-14, Interleaved 2 of 5, PDF417, Micro PDF417, Aztec, Data Matrix, GS1 DataBar, GS1 DataBar Limited, GS1 DataBar Expanded - Batch scan multiple codes continuously without interruption - Open URLs, add contacts, connect to WiFi, view maps, send emails, make calls, and more — instantly ▸ Scan History - Automatically saves all scanned and created codes - View at a glance with code type, date, and product info - Export history as CSV files ▸ Create - QR Codes: website, text, email, SMS, phone number, WiFi, contact, location, event/calendar - Barcodes: EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, ITF-14, Interleaved 2 of 5, Codabar, Data Matrix, Aztec, PDF417, Micro PDF417, Micro QR, GS1 DataBar, GS1 DataBar Limited, GS1 DataBar Expanded - Social: Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, X, YouTube, LinkedIn, Discord, Pinterest, Reddit, Threads, WeChat, KakaoTalk, LINE, GitHub, and 19 platforms total - Business: Bitcoin, Ethereum, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, App Store, Google Maps, Zoom, Google Meet, and more ▸ Custom Design - Freely change colors, dot styles, borders, and center shapes - Insert social/business platform logos and SF Symbol icons into the QR code center ▸ Product Information - Food: View nutrition facts, allergen info, Nutri-Score, Eco-Score environmental rating, ingredients, and labels via OpenFoodFacts - Non-food: View ingredients, labels, packaging info, and environmental ratings for cosmetics, household products, and more via Open Products Facts ▸ Camera - Switch between wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses - Tap to focus/adjust exposure - Zoom controls and flash ▸ Other - Dark mode support - 37 languages supported Download QR Code Scanner now and start scanning! Terms of Use: https://spacenodehq.web.app/qr-scanner/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://spacenodehq.web.app/qr-scanner/privacy.html

About

Universal Code Scanner

This app quickly scans and decodes various 2D barcodes and QR codes. It offers enhanced security by checking URLs for phishing and can convert specific payment codes into usable links. The application prioritizes user privacy with no tracking or ads.

Highlights
  • Scans QR, EAN, Aztec, DataMatrix, and more
  • Checks URLs against phishing (Quishing)
  • Converts EPC QR codes to bank/payto URLs
  • Shares decoded data via Airdrop
  • No user tracking or analytics
  • Ad-free and no in-app purchases
Features
Read full description

Universal Scanner is a privacy focused, simple and lightweight application for verifying the content of a wide range of 2d codes. The main features are: - Displays code type and raw content (as text or hex) - Option to check scanned URLs against phishing (Quishing) - Converts EPC QR codes (SEPA transfers) to 'bank://' or 'payto://' URL (useful if your banking app does not support EPC codes) - Converts Swiss QR codes (QR-bill) to 'payto://' or 'bank://' URL - Import of calendar entries (vCalendar) and contacts (vCard) - Optional: send scans to a browser in the local network - Share raw data or converted data with Airdrop - No user tracking - No analytics - No ads - No in-app purchases (voluntary donations only) - No automatic opening of links (could be enabled in settings) - Scan history optional and disabled by default - Small download size Supported code types: QR, EAN8, UPCE, Aztec, EAN13, ITF14, Code39, Code93, PDF417, Code128, DataMatrix, Code39Mod43, Interleaved2of5, Codabar, MicroQR, MicroPDF417, GS1DataBar, GS1DataBarLimited, GS1DataBarExtended

Screenshots

QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans4 screens
Universal Code Scanner3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Universal Code Scanner at 5.0 against QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans's 4.2. Universal Code Scanner also leads on review sentiment (71% vs 36%) and ads (none vs shown). QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly) and ratings volume (82 vs 1). On price, in-app purchases, 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. QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days and Universal Code Scanner sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Universal Code Scanner holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans has 82 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans's written reviews are positive against 71% of Universal Code Scanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans ships an update every 5 days, Universal Code Scanner monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans versus Universal Code Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQR Code Reader · Barcode ScansUniversal Code Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (82 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews36.3% of reviews71.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings82 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterMonthly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSpace Node Co., Ltd.Marcus Pleintinger

Customer experience

QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans

All ratings82 ratings
Positive79.3%
Neutral4.9%
Negative15.9%
Written reviews256 reviews
Positive36.3%
Neutral3.5%
Negative60.2%

Universal Code Scanner

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%

Bugs and requests

QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes during scanning
  • Compatibility issues with older devices
  • Incorrect QR code detection

Requested features

3 requests
  • Option to save scanned QR codes
  • Ability to generate custom QR codes
  • Copy text from scanned QR codes

Universal Code Scanner

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans

Subscriptions3
  • Pro version3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Pro version3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Pro version$79.991 Year
3 purchases

Universal Code Scanner

One-time3
  • Small Donation$0.99
  • Mid Donation$2.99
  • Big Donation$5.99

Questions

Is QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans free?
QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Universal Code Scanner free?
Universal Code Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans or Universal Code Scanner?
Universal Code Scanner is rated higher. QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans averages 4.2 out of 5 from 82 ratings, while Universal Code Scanner averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans or Universal Code Scanner have ads?
QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans shows ads; Universal Code Scanner does not.
Which is updated more often, QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans or Universal Code Scanner?
QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans ships an update every 5 days, and Universal Code Scanner monthly. Most recently, QR Code Reader · Barcode Scans was updated on October 12, 2026 and Universal Code Scanner on October 11, 2026.

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