Barcode Monsters vs Lenz
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Barcode Monsters
Discover and collect unique monsters hidden within barcodes. Scan any barcode to reveal a creature and add it to your journal and collection. Explore over 40 different monsters and track your progress.
- Scan barcodes to discover monsters
- Collect over 40 unique monsters
- Monster journal to track scans
- View monster profiles and achievements
- Supports 10+ barcode types
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Welcome to Barcode Monsters, the QR scanner app that lets you discover and collect monsters while scanning. Hidden within each barcode is a unique monster within, waiting to be found. [ Scan ]: Take out your scanner and start looking for monsters! When you're in scan mode, pointing the camera at a barcode will read it and show you what monster is hiding within. With over 40 monsters, can you find them all? [ Journal ]: Need to find a barcode you scanned in the past? No problem! The journal feature keeps track of all your past scans so you can look back on your adventure and see what monsters you've found. [ Collection ]: As you find monsters, you'll add them to your monster collection! Tap on a monster's profile to learn more about them, including how many you've found and if you've earned any achievements. May Barcode Monsters be your QR scanner of choice as you discover the hidden world within barcodes all around us! Barcode Monsters supports over 10 types of barcodes, including -- Code 128, Code 39, Code 39 Extended, Interleaved 2 of 5, ISBN 13, EAN 13, EAN 8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Data Matrix ASCII, and QR Codes.
Lenz
Instantly identify plants, animals, landmarks, food, and objects using advanced AI. Explore detailed facts and insights about scanned items, turning everyday moments into learning opportunities. Decode QR codes and barcodes for quick access to information.
- AI-powered identification of various objects
- In-depth learning and facts about scanned items
- Instant recognition of objects and codes
- Smart object detection for QR codes and barcodes
- Visual encyclopedia in your pocket
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Discover the world around you with Lens AI - your all-in-one smart scanner and image identifier. Whether you're curious about a plant, animal, landmark, food, or object, Lens AI helps you scan, recognize, and explore instantly with advanced AI technology. Key Features: - AI-Powered Identification: Identify plants, animals, rocks, landmarks, food, artwork, coins, and more using advanced image recognition technology. - Explore In-Depth: Go beyond identification. Learn detailed facts and insights about the objects you scan - from biological details to historical context. - Instant Recognition: Scan and identify in seconds. Lens AI delivers accurate results quickly, helping you satisfy your curiosity on the spot. - Smart Object Detection: Automatically detects and distinguishes between QR codes, barcodes, and real-world objects - no manual switching needed. - Scan, Learn, Discover: Turn everyday moments into learning opportunities. Lens AI acts like a visual encyclopedia in your pocket. Scan Anything, Anytime: - Identify unknown plants, animals, or objects with a single photo - Decode QR codes and barcodes for URLs, app links, calendar events, and more - Explore fun facts and detailed information categorized by object type - Perfect for nature walks, travel, education, or everyday use Lens AI is your intelligent visual companion - designed to help you recognize the unrecognizable and explore the unseen. =================================== ADDITIONAL SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: Subscription price: - 1 week: $4.99 (3-day free trial) - 1 week: $4.99 - 1 year: $24.99 - Subscription may be canceled at any time within the iTunes and App Store Apple ID Settings. All prices include applicable local sales taxes. - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. - The account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. - No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable Privacy policy: https://sites.google.com/view/ping-labs-policy/home Terms of service: https://sites.google.com/view/ping-labs-terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barcode Monsters at none against Lenz's 3. Barcode Monsters also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Lenz's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 8 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and device support 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
Both are free to download. Lenz sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Barcode Monsters asks for nothing beyond the download.
Lenz holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 9 respectively.
Barcode Monsters ships an update every 8 months, Lenz weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Barcode Monsters | Lenz |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (8 ratings) | 4.6 (9 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 8 | 9 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Kevin Otoshi | Hue Nguyen Thi |
Customer experience
Barcode Monsters
Lenz
In-app purchases
Barcode Monsters
No in-app purchases
Lenz
- Weekly3 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Weekly 2$4.997 Days
- Yearly$24.991 Year
Questions
Is Barcode Monsters free?
Is Lenz free?
Which has better reviews, Barcode Monsters or Lenz?
Do Barcode Monsters or Lenz have ads?
Which is updated more often, Barcode Monsters or Lenz?
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