# Link Scanner vs URL Reader

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: URL Reader at none against Link Scanner's 1. URL Reader also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs monthly) and review sentiment (54% vs 43%). Link Scanner's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 4.1). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Link Scanner sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. URL Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Link Scanner holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 49 and 19 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 43% of Link Scanner's written reviews are positive against 54% of URL Reader's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Link Scanner ships an update monthly, URL Reader every 2 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Link Scanner | URL Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (49 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/link-scanner/id1528367172/reviews)** | [4.1 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/url-reader-with-qr-reading/id1581713062/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **49** | 19 |
| Positive reviews | 42.9% of reviews | **53.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 56 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Maarten Meijer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1528367174) | [yu sakamoto](https://appshunter.io/developer/1351332433) |

## What reviewers say

### Link Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/link-scanner/id1528367172)

Extract website URLs, phone numbers, email addresses, and more from images, videos, or your device camera. Instantly browse websites, make calls, or send emails directly from scanned links. Supports over 5 types of data extraction.

**Highlights:** Scan links from camera, photos, or videos, Extract website URLs, phone numbers, emails, Directly browse websites, call numbers, send emails, Store scanning results in history, Supports over 5 types of links

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |


### URL Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/url-reader-with-qr-reading/id1581713062)

Instantly scan and read URLs from physical sources like paper or business cards in real time. It also features a QR code scanner for quick access to information. Simply point your device to capture.

**Highlights:** Real-time URL scanning, QR code reading, Scan from paper and business cards, Simple operation, Instant information access

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Link Scanner free?

Link Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is URL Reader free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Link Scanner or URL Reader?

Link Scanner is rated higher. Link Scanner averages 4.3 out of 5 from 49 ratings, while URL Reader averages 4.1 from 19 ratings.

### Do Link Scanner or URL Reader have ads?

Both Link Scanner and URL Reader show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Link Scanner or URL Reader?

Link Scanner ships an update monthly, and URL Reader every 2 days. Most recently, Link Scanner was updated on November 3, 2026 and URL Reader 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.*