# LUX vs Barcode Scanner

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barcode Scanner at none against LUX's 2. Barcode Scanner also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 56%) and device support (3 vs 1). LUX's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 9 months). On price, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. LUX sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Barcode Scanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

LUX ships an update every 10 days, Barcode Scanner every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LUX | Barcode Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.6 (130 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanner-qr-code-read/id6455989015/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **130** |
| Positive reviews | 55.6% of reviews | **77.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 17 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [koji torishima](https://appshunter.io/developer/1622793467) | [Komorebi Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/481596469) |

## What reviewers say

### LUX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lux-illuminance-meter/id1631156210)

Measure ambient light levels in lux or foot-candles instantly. Useful for photography, plant care, or verifying brightness for various tasks. Offers advanced features like color temperature and measurement history for premium users.

**Highlights:** Instant lux measurement, Color temperature (CCT) reading, Foot-candle unit toggle, Min/Avg/Max lux tracking, Measurement history (Premium), CSV export (Premium)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Plan | $1.99 | per month |
| Yearly Plan | $11.99 | per year |


### Barcode Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanner-qr-code-read/id6455989015)

This free scanner app quickly reads barcodes and QR codes directly from your camera or photo albums. It offers a history of your scans and includes a flashlight feature for low-light conditions. Ensure camera access is granted for optimal performance.

**Highlights:** Scan from camera, Scan from photo albums, Scan history, Flashlight for dark, Quick launch camera

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LUX free?

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

### Is Barcode Scanner free?

Barcode Scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do LUX or Barcode Scanner have ads?

Both LUX and Barcode Scanner show ads.

### Which is updated more often, LUX or Barcode Scanner?

LUX ships an update every 10 days, and Barcode Scanner every 9 months. Most recently, LUX was updated on September 9, 2026 and Barcode Scanner on September 23, 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.*