Comparison

QR Reader for iPhone vs Code Reader

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

QR Reader for iPhone

This app functions as a versatile scanner, capable of reading QR codes, barcodes, business cards, and documents. It also allows for the creation of custom QR codes and provides features like auto-detect scanning and website security checks.

Highlights
  • QR code and barcode scanning
  • Document and business card scanning
  • Puzzle scanning
  • Database scanning
  • NFC scanning
  • QR code creation
Features
Read full description

The number #1 QR Code & Barcode Scanner worldwide — Download now for FREE! ◆ OVER 100 MILLION USERS ◆ All-in-one AI scanner: scan QR codes, barcodes, documents, urls, puzzles and business cards. PRODUCTS - Instant Product Search: Scan products to find prices, deals, coupons, recipes, and related Wikipedia articles or videos in seconds. HEALTH -Health & Ingredient Impact: Scan food and personal care products to instantly analyze ingredients and see their overall health impact.* EXPIRY TRACKER - Save Money & Reduce Waste: Track expiry dates for your groceries and household products. Get timely notifications before items go bad! PDF & DOCUMENT SCANNER - Smart Document Scanner: Turn your iPhone into a digital scanner with automatic edge detection and visual cleanup filters. - Sign, Annotate & Redact: Easily sign contracts, mark up notes, or blackout sensitive information. - AI Assistance: Chat with your documents! Search keywords, run OCR, summarize, translate, or rewrite text instantly. - Study & Learn: Turn any scanned document or textbook into quizzes and flashcards in seconds. CREATE & SHARE -Custom QR Generator: Create personalized QR codes and barcodes, then export them in high-resolution PNG or SVG formats. - Instant Sharing: Share results seamlessly via Email, Messages, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X, and more. ADVANCED TOOLS - Database Scanner: Export and stream scanned barcode data directly to your server or API. - Business Card Scanner: Automatically capture and save business contacts directly to your phone. - CSV Data Export: Easily export your entire scan history to CSV files for seamless tracking and organization. PLAY - Puzzle & Game Scanner: Scan, solve, and play interactive puzzles. SAFETY FIRST - Link Previews: Preview and approve website links before opening them. --------------- TAPMEDIA ONE SUBSCRIPTION Provides full access to the TapMedia ONE app bundle for the duration of the subscription. Subscription Length: Monthly (includes a 3 day free trial). DATABASE SCANNER SUBSCRIPTION Provides unrestricted access to Database Scanner features for the duration of the subscription. Subscription Length: Monthly (includes a 3 day free trial). TERMS & RENEWAL DETAILS: Subscriptions with a free trial period will automatically renew to a paid subscription. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period, identifying the cost of the renewal. You can manage subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings after purchase. All prices are subject to change without notification. Promotional pricing is temporary and cannot be applied retroactively to previous purchases. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited upon purchasing a subscription. To avoid being charged, cancel your subscription at least 24 hours before the trial or current billing period ends via your iTunes Account settings: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4098 Privacy Policy: http://tapmedia.co.uk/privacy.htm Terms of Use: http://tapmedia.co.uk/terms.htm --------------- *Health insights for informational purposes only; not medical or dietary advice.

About

Code Reader

Easily scan, generate, and share QR codes and barcodes. Quickly read various code types, including links, contacts, and product information. Generate new codes from text, emails, or Wi-Fi details, and utilize convenient extensions for seamless integration.

Highlights
  • Scan QR codes and barcodes
  • Generate QR codes and barcodes
  • Read codes from images via extension
  • Generate codes from text, email, Wi-Fi
  • Save and share scanned/generated codes
  • Automatic web page opening for product barcodes
  • Scanner preview with zoom and stabilization
Read full description

A feature-rich QR and barcode scanner: scan, generate, and share codes — fast and privately. Scan codes with text, links, contacts, emails, locations, Wi‑Fi networks, product barcodes, and more. When you scan a code, the app acts on it intelligently: links open in the browser, email addresses let you compose a message quickly, and vCards can be viewed or added to Contacts. You can read codes with the camera or generate them in the app — plus use action extensions to scan or create codes from other apps.¹ Spotted a QR code in a photo or on a website? Use the Read Code extension to scan it instantly.¹ Main features • Scan with the camera — text, links, contacts, emails, product barcodes, Wi‑Fi, and more • Read QR codes and 1‑D barcodes from images with the Read Code extension¹ • Product barcodes can open relevant web pages or Amazon (configurable in Settings) • Generate QR codes and 1‑D barcodes • Create codes from text, links, contacts, email, SMS, phone numbers, and Wi‑Fi • Join Wi‑Fi networks automatically from a scanned code • Scan and save multiple codes in one session • Generate a code from text, a link, or a contact with the Generate QR extension¹ • Smooth up to 60fps scanner preview with optical image stabilization and zoom (including optical 2× zoom on iPhones with dual cameras) • Optionally copy scanned content to the clipboard automatically • Option to prefer HTTPS and avoid insecure websites • Recents for scanned and generated codes, with search and filters • Custom QR colors — two‑finger tap on the image or use the menu when viewing a code • Share any barcode • Custom URL scheme to generate QR codes from a URL or text² • Widgets for recent codes and quick access to the scanner Code Reader Pro Upgrade to Code Reader Pro for advanced tools — no ads, and your data stays on your device. Choose monthly, yearly, or a one‑time lifetime unlock. Pro includes: • Batch scan — read many codes from photos or PDFs at once • Export & import history — back up or move your scan library (CSV/JSON) • Custom names — label scans so you can find them quickly • Starred scans — pin important codes and filter your history • Notes — add context to any saved scan • QR codes with logo — embed your brand in generated codes • High‑res & PDF export — share sharp QR images and PDFs • Link safety warnings — alerts for suspicious links (IP addresses, punycode, mixed scripts, and more) before you open them Restore purchases anytime from the Pro screen. ¹ The extension might need to be enabled manually: open the share menu, tap More at the bottom, and turn on the app extensions (Activities). ² Try it in a browser or messaging app: add generateqr:// before a URL or text to open the app and generate a QR code image. - Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ - Privacy Policy: https://illescasdaniel.github.io/qr-code-reader-app-info/

Screenshots

QR Reader for iPhone4 screens
Code Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Code Reader at none against QR Reader for iPhone's shown. Code Reader also leads on device support (4 vs 2). QR Reader for iPhone's advantage is ratings volume (1.4M vs 243) and review sentiment (78% vs 64%). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. QR Reader for iPhone sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Code Reader sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for QR Reader for iPhone against 4.6 for Code Reader. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: QR Reader for iPhone has 1.4M ratings behind it against 243, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 78% of QR Reader for iPhone's written reviews are positive against 64% of Code Reader's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

QR Reader for iPhone ships an update every 3 months, Code Reader every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
QR Reader for iPhone versus Code Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQR Reader for iPhoneCode Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.4M ratings) — better4.6 (243 ratings)
Positive reviews77.6% of reviews — better64.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.4M — better243
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#51 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size387 MB3 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperTapMedia LtdDaniel ILLESCAS ROMERO

Customer experience

QR Reader for iPhone

All ratings1,426,649 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews3,073 reviews
Positive77.6%
Neutral3.0%
Negative19.4%

Code Reader

All ratings224 ratings
Positive92.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews114 reviews
Positive64.0%
Neutral2.6%
Negative33.3%

User reviews

QR Reader for iPhone

From 1.4M App Store ratings

What we love

  • ⭐ Excellent service
  • 🔍 Accurate scanning
  • 🤝 Helpful staff
  • 🏆 Great experience
  • 🕰️ Fast and efficient

Room to improve

  • 🤑 Subscription-based model
  • 🚫 Difficulty canceling subscription
  • 🐌 Slow or unresponsive app
  • 🤔 Confusing information about pricing
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns

Code Reader

From 243 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Works fast
  • 🆓 Free to use
  • 💡 Auto-copies to clipboard
  • ✅ Scans QR codes effectively

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Doesn't work for some users
  • 🚫 Camera focus issues on Mac
  • ❌ Unable to save codes
  • 🤷 No instructions provided
  • ⚠️ Scams reported

Bugs and requests

QR Reader for iPhone

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Freezing or crashing issues
  • Incompatibility with older devices
  • Thumbnail issues and unwanted app attachments

Requested features

5 requests
  • Create QR codes
  • Add contact information to phone
  • Improve PDF handling
  • Fix puzzle scanning feature
  • Add dark mode option

Code Reader

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • App not working after MacOS update
  • Cannot get permissions to save
  • QR codes not readable by Mac camera
  • App crashes QREncoder
  • Sequence of letters then stops
Show 10 more
  • Camera doesn't focus on QR code
  • No 'Take picture' or red button
  • Account closed for misuse (reported scam)
  • Error scanning WiFi QR codes
  • Contact access without privacy section
  • Inaccurate barcode numbers
  • Cannot scan from files/photos
  • Donation button error
  • Errors when scanning
  • Cannot open scanned content

Requested features

9 requests
  • Add date & time to QR history
  • Option to select camera
  • Ability to save QR codes
  • Support for SVG files
  • Add logos to QR codes
Show 4 more
  • Choose QR code color
  • Generate QR codes from photos
  • Dynamic QR codes
  • Widget support

In-app purchases

4 purchases

QR Reader for iPhone

Subscriptions3
  • Database Scanner (1 month)7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • TapMedia PRO - 1 month3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • TapMedia PRO - 1 Month3 Days trial$4.991 Month
One-time1
  • QR Reader PRO (one-time fee)$2.99
7 purchases

Code Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Code Reader Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Code Reader Pro Yearly$9.991 Year
One-time5
  • Donation 1$0.99
  • Donation 2$1.99
  • Code Reader Pro Lifetime$2.99
Show 2 more
  • Donation 5$4.99
  • Donation 10$8.99

Questions

Is QR Reader for iPhone free?
QR Reader for iPhone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Code Reader free?
Code Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, QR Reader for iPhone or Code Reader?
QR Reader for iPhone is rated higher. QR Reader for iPhone averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.4M ratings, while Code Reader averages 4.6 from 243 ratings.
Do QR Reader for iPhone or Code Reader have ads?
QR Reader for iPhone shows ads; Code Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, QR Reader for iPhone or Code Reader?
QR Reader for iPhone ships an update every 3 months, and Code Reader every 6 weeks. Most recently, QR Reader for iPhone was updated on September 29, 2026 and Code Reader on September 25, 2026.

Other comparisons