# QR Reader for iPhone vs Barcode Scanner

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barcode Scanner at none against QR Reader for iPhone's 4. Barcode Scanner also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). QR Reader for iPhone's advantage is ratings volume (1.4M vs 4.7K) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 7 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. QR Reader for iPhone sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Barcode Scanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

Barcode Scanner holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: QR Reader for iPhone has 1.4M ratings behind it against 4.7K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of QR Reader for iPhone's written reviews are positive against 78% of Barcode Scanner's.

QR Reader for iPhone ships an update every 3 months, Barcode Scanner every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | QR Reader for iPhone | Barcode Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (1.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-reader-for-iphone/id368494609/reviews) | **[4.9 (4.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanner-price-finder/id1602277272/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.4M** | 4.7K |
| Positive reviews | 77.2% of reviews | **78.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Best chart rank | **#51** | — |
| Size | 387 MB | 61 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TapMedia Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/359632753) | [Allied Media Corp](https://appshunter.io/developer/1602277274) |

## What reviewers say

### QR Reader for iPhone

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-reader-for-iphone/id368494609)

**Currently charting:** #51 Top Grossing · Utilities, #175 Top Free · Utilities (US App Store)

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:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Database Scanner (1 month) | $0.99 | per month |
| TapMedia PRO - 1 month | $4.99 | per month |
| TapMedia PRO - 1 Month | $4.99 | per month |
| QR Reader PRO (one-time fee) | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### Barcode Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanner-price-finder/id1602277272)

Instantly scan barcodes to compare prices across major online retailers. Get detailed product information and save your scan history. Share findings easily via text, email, or browser.

**Highlights:** Scan barcodes and QR codes, Compare prices online, Detailed product information, Scan history, Share scans, QR code URL processing

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Very quick
- 👍 Easy and fast
- 👍 Reads barcodes quickly
- 👍 Works well
- 👍 Very Impressive!

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App is absolute garbage
- 🐛 Doesn't do anything and doesn't bring to websites
- 🐛 Could not connect to camera
- 🐛 Worthless, app did not work
- 🐛 Directs you to google, could have done that myself

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices

**Requested features**

- More options on where to find barcodes
- Allow/add an option to edit the barcodes
- Allow/add an option to copy the barcodes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is QR Reader for iPhone free?

QR Reader for iPhone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Barcode Scanner free?

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

### Which has better reviews, QR Reader for iPhone or Barcode Scanner?

Barcode Scanner is rated higher. QR Reader for iPhone averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.4M ratings, while Barcode Scanner averages 4.9 from 4.7K ratings.

### Do QR Reader for iPhone or Barcode Scanner have ads?

Both QR Reader for iPhone and Barcode Scanner show ads.

### Which is updated more often, QR Reader for iPhone or Barcode Scanner?

QR Reader for iPhone ships an update every 3 months, and Barcode Scanner every 7 months. Most recently, QR Reader for iPhone was updated on November 8, 2026 and Barcode Scanner on November 7, 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.*