Comparison

Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner 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

Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner

This utility app decodes GS1 barcodes, displaying details like GTIN, expiration dates, and lot numbers. It allows users to save scan history, share barcode data, and generate barcode images. Supports a wide range of barcode types and GS1 application identifiers.

Highlights
  • Scan all common barcodes
  • View GS1 barcode details
  • Save scan history
  • Share barcodes
  • Generate barcode images
  • Import barcodes from gallery
  • Dark Mode support
Features
Read full description

Probably the most beautiful pure GS1 Barcode Scanner, with an easy to use, functional design. See all contents of GS1 barcodes and share them with others. The App will show the contents of any GS1 Barcode, like the GTIN, Expiration Date, Lot or Serial Number. These barcodes are often used on products in B2B areas like the healthcare industry. Have a history of all scanned barcodes and share them with other applications or people, by using the Pretty GS1 Scanner. Features: - Scan all common Barcode - See Details of GS1 Barcodes - Save a History of your scans - Share Barcodes with other Apps - Generates the scanned barcode as an image - Export the Barcodes - Shows all highlighted Application Identifier and Group Separator in the Raw Barcode - Import Barcode from the Gallery - Dark Mode Support - Works on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch The app can scan the following barcodes: Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, EAN-8, EAN-13, Data Matrix, UPC-E, Aztec, PDF417, ITF14, Interleaved 2 of 5 codes The following GS1 Application Identifiers are supported: - (00) Serial Shipping Container Code - (01) GTIN - (02) GTIN of contained Trade Items - (10) Lot Number - (11) Production Date - (12) Due Date - (13) Packaging Date - (15) Best Before Date - (17) Expiration Date - (20) Product Variant - (21) Serial Number - (22) Secondary Data Fields - (30) Count of Items - (37) Number of Units Contained - (310) Product Weight in KG - (23n) Lot Number of N - (240) Additional Product Identification - (241) Customer Part Number - (242) Made to Order Variation Number - (250) Secondary Serial Number - (251) Reference to Source Entity - (392) Price - Single Monetary Area - (393) Price and ISO - (395) Price per UOM - (422) Country of Origin - (714) National Healthcare Reimbursement Number AIM

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

Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner4 screens
Code Scan4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Code Scan at Free against Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner's $1.99. Code Scan also leads on ratings volume (742 vs 32). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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

Code Scan is free to download; Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner against 4.6 for Code Scan. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code Scan has 742 ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 83% of Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner's written reviews are positive against 81% of Code Scan's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner ships an update fortnightly, Code Scan every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner versus Code Scan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPretty GS1 Barcode ScannerCode Scan
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (32 ratings)4.6 (742 ratings)
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews — better80.6% of reviews
Number of ratings32742 — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperToni Dominik HoffmannKURZ Digital Solutions GmbH & Co. KG

Customer experience

Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner

All ratings32 ratings
Positive90.6%
Neutral6.3%
Negative3.1%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%

Code Scan

All ratings742 ratings
Positive89.4%
Neutral2.4%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive80.6%
Neutral8.3%
Negative11.1%

Bugs and requests

Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner

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

None

Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner

No in-app purchases

None

Code Scan

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner free?
Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Code Scan free?
Code Scan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner or Code Scan?
Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner and Code Scan are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 32 and 742 ratings respectively.
Do Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner or Code Scan have ads?
Neither Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner nor Code Scan shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner or Code Scan?
Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner ships an update fortnightly, and Code Scan every 2 weeks. Most recently, Pretty GS1 Barcode Scanner was updated on October 17, 2026 and Code Scan on October 18, 2026.

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