# SmartShield VPN vs QR Code Reader & Scanner・

The clearest difference is rating: QR Code Reader & Scanner・ at 4.5 against SmartShield VPN's 3.0. QR Code Reader & Scanner・ also leads on ratings volume (214 vs 2). SmartShield VPN's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. QR Code Reader & Scanner・ sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. SmartShield VPN asks for nothing beyond the download.

QR Code Reader & Scanner・ holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: QR Code Reader & Scanner・ has 214 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

SmartShield VPN ships an update every 10 days, QR Code Reader & Scanner・ every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SmartShield VPN | QR Code Reader & Scanner・ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartshield-vpn/id1619755501/reviews) | **[4.5 (214 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-reader-and-scanner/id6736380885/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **214** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 26 MB | 131 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Chengdu Xuhuai Ruogu Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1602346856) | [Hau Nguyen](https://appshunter.io/developer/1447865580) |

## What reviewers say

### SmartShield VPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartshield-vpn/id1619755501)

This app encrypts your internet activity, unblocks websites, and spoofs your location for secure and anonymous browsing. It protects your device from hackers and provides a fast, unrestricted web surfing experience.

**Highlights:** Full internet activity encryption, Unblock websites and apps, Change IP address and spoof location, Protect from hackers, Fast and stable connection, Zero activity logs

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### QR Code Reader & Scanner・

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-reader-and-scanner/id6736380885)

This app allows you to quickly scan QR codes and barcodes using your device's camera. It also enables you to generate custom QR codes, open scanned links securely within the app, and organize your scanned data.

**Highlights:** Fast QR & Barcode Scanning, Generate & Customize QR Codes, Secure Built-in Browser, Save & Organize Scanned Codes, Support for Various Code Types

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| QR Scan Week Offer | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| QR Scan Week Offer | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| QR Scan Month Offer | $9.99 | per month |
| QR Scan Month Offer | $12.99 | per month |
| QR Scan Year Offer | $19.99 | per year |
| QR Scan Year Offer | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SmartShield VPN free?

SmartShield VPN is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is QR Code Reader & Scanner・ free?

QR Code Reader & Scanner・ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SmartShield VPN or QR Code Reader & Scanner・?

QR Code Reader & Scanner・ is rated higher. SmartShield VPN averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while QR Code Reader & Scanner・ averages 4.5 from 214 ratings.

### Do SmartShield VPN or QR Code Reader & Scanner・ have ads?

Both SmartShield VPN and QR Code Reader & Scanner・ show ads.

### Which is updated more often, SmartShield VPN or QR Code Reader & Scanner・?

SmartShield VPN ships an update every 10 days, and QR Code Reader & Scanner・ every 2 months. Most recently, SmartShield VPN was updated on September 26, 2026 and QR Code Reader & Scanner・ on September 29, 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.*