# UpCode vs Autodesk Forma

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: UpCode at none against Autodesk Forma's 7. UpCode also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (10.3 vs 17.0). Autodesk Forma's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (22K vs 2). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Autodesk Forma sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. UpCode asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpCode holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Autodesk Forma has 22K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of UpCode's written reviews are positive against 41% of Autodesk Forma's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpCode ships an update every 5 months, Autodesk Forma every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | UpCode | Autodesk Forma |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upcode/id297104013/reviews)** | [4.7 (22K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autodesk-forma/id498795789/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **22K** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **40.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 27 MB | 617 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.3** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [UpCode Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/297104016) | [Autodesk Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/295089690) |

## What reviewers say

### UpCode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/upcode/id297104013)

This application functions as a free optical barcode scanner, supporting various 1D and 2D formats like QR and Datamatrix. It allows users to quickly access content such as videos and websites linked to scanned barcodes. Users can also create and share their own optical barcodes.

**Highlights:** Scans 2D, Bidi, and 1D barcodes, Supports Datamatrix, QR, Ean 8 & 13, Accesses videos, websites, and music, Creates optical barcodes, Shares mobile content, Light, fast, and easy to use

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works for small Datamatrix
- 🚀 Reads codes fast
- 👍 Simple and not annoying
- 👍 Great app
- 👍 Works surprisingly well

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Not made for newer iPhones
- 🐛 Useless
- 🐛 Sends scan to web server
- 🐛 Doesn't work on new iPhones
- 🐛 Broken

**Reported bugs**

- 🐛 Impossible to get camera to focus on newer iPhones
- 🐛 App does not detect data matrix
- 🐛 Redirects to a web view of a broken website
- 🐛 Opens to a webpage not in English
- 🐛 Camera won't focus

**Requested features**

- 💡 Creator app for OSX
- 💡 Ability to delete saved history data
- 💡 Option to prevent automatic web address pull-up
- 💡 Desktop version
- 💡 Show info before acting on QR


### Autodesk Forma

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autodesk-forma/id498795789)

This app provides construction professionals with essential tools for jobsite management. Capture punch lists, log daily reports, and access the latest project documents and 3D models directly from the field. Stay connected to your team and keep projects moving forward efficiently.

**Highlights:** Capture punch list items, Log daily reports and forms, View and markup drawings, Review 3D models, Track issues and quality concerns, Access project schedules, Manage RFIs and submittals

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nailgun | $49.99 | one-time |
| Autodesk Build 550 | $55.00 | one-time |
| Dozer | $69.99 | one-time |
| Autodesk Build 5000 | $85.00 | one-time |
| Forma Build Essentials | $99.99 | one-time |
| Crane | $139.99 | one-time |
| Autodesk Build Unlimited | $174.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Helpful for project management
- 🚀 Great for viewing and annotating plans
- 🚀 Useful for field work and collaboration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Sync and syncing issues
- 🔋 High battery usage
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription
- 🔒 Aggressive billing practices
- 🔒 Poor customer support

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to rotate photos
- Issues with loading and viewing documents
- Problems with task report formatting
- Inconsistencies between mobile and desktop apps

**Requested features**

- Add a to-do list feature
- Improve report editing and customization
- Allow selective project/document downloads
- Enhance photo management and organization


## Frequently asked questions

### Is UpCode free?

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

### Is Autodesk Forma free?

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

### Which has better reviews, UpCode or Autodesk Forma?

UpCode is rated higher. UpCode averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Autodesk Forma averages 4.7 from 22K ratings.

### Do UpCode or Autodesk Forma have ads?

Neither UpCode nor Autodesk Forma shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, UpCode or Autodesk Forma?

UpCode ships an update every 5 months, and Autodesk Forma every 8 days. Most recently, UpCode was updated on October 15, 2026 and Autodesk Forma on October 18, 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.*