Comparison

QR Reader for iPhone vs Code Scanner by ScanLife

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 Scanner by ScanLife

Instantly scan QR codes and barcodes to access product information, reviews, and more. Features enhanced security alerts and the ability to discover new products and experiences. Save and share your scans with ease.

Highlights
  • QR code and barcode scanning
  • Product and venue information
  • Security alerts for unsecured codes
  • Nutritional facts and health scores
  • Scan history and sharing
  • Support for major code formats
Features
Read full description

Fast, secure, and easy to use QR Code and Barcode scanner – FREE Download. QR Codes are everywhere - get to scanning today! Discover more about your favorite products, brands, restaurants, retailers and more today. Simply point scanner window over the QR Code or Barcode you want to scan and app will automatically display requested information. Updated features include: -New attractive user interface -Additional security feature alerts you when scanning an unsecured code -QR codes on menus or venues now provide location, reviews, ratings and additional information -Learn more about products’ nutritional facts and health score by scanning products barcodes -Browse new products and experiences scanned by other users -Saves scans in your History tab for quick reference to your favorite codes -Share with family and friends via text, WhatsApp, email, Facebook or Twitter -Decode all QR codes today: access contact details, URLs, phone numbers, email addresses, calendar event, and more -Supports all major barcodes and 2D code formats -Any questions? Contact us directly from the app Additional information: Code Scanner by ScanLife works with third parties to collect certain non-identifying information about your interests, including aggregate level and/or anonymous information, to provide targeted advertising and analytics services on our application, or across other sites and other applications. These entities may use technologies to collect information about your use of our mobile applications, including device attributes such as: operating system, hardware version, device settings, IP address, time zone, device carrier, applications installed on the device, and device advertising identifiers. We may share and allow our third-party partners to share this non-identifying information with other third parties that perform targeted advertising activities across other apps and websites. Data collected from a particular device may be used on a different device linked to the device on which the data was originally collected. Any choice made by you regarding Scanbuy’s collection of data on one device will be reflected on the other device(s) linked to that device. You can disable this data collection at any time by choosing “Limit Ad Tracking” in your device settings.

Screenshots

QR Reader for iPhone4 screens
Code Scanner by ScanLife4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: QR Reader for iPhone at 4.7 against Code Scanner by ScanLife's 2.2. QR Reader for iPhone also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 50%) and ratings volume (1.4M vs 28). Code Scanner by ScanLife's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence and device support 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. Code Scanner by ScanLife asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

QR Reader for iPhone holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: QR Reader for iPhone has 1.4M ratings behind it against 28, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of QR Reader for iPhone's written reviews are positive against 50% of Code Scanner by ScanLife's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

QR Reader for iPhone ships an update every 3 months, Code Scanner by ScanLife every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
QR Reader for iPhone versus Code Scanner by ScanLife: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQR Reader for iPhoneCode Scanner by ScanLife
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.4M ratings) — better2.2 (28 ratings)
Positive reviews77.6% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.4M — better28
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#52 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size387 MB168 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperTapMedia LtdBecausal, Inc.

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 Scanner by ScanLife

All ratings28 ratings
Positive28.6%
Neutral3.6%
Negative67.9%
Written reviews128 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral5.5%
Negative44.5%

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 Scanner by ScanLife

From 28 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and quick scanning performance
  • 👍 Easy to use interface
  • 📱 Works reliably on compatible devices
  • 🔍 Scans QR codes and barcodes effectively
  • 💰 Free application

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes on startup and during use
  • ❌ Fails to recognize products and barcodes
  • 📉 Degraded functionality after updates
  • 🔋 Battery drain from background processes
  • 📡 Server connection issues

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 Scanner by ScanLife

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • Crashes when scanning QR codes
  • Black screen with camera standby message
  • Keyboard input issues in form fields
  • Buttons unresponsive after scanning
Show 7 more
  • Force closes immediately upon opening
  • Fails to open scanned URLs
  • Returns only character strings instead of URLs
  • Cannot identify common products and barcodes
  • Incompatibility with iOS 10, 11, and later versions
  • Battery drain from background processes
  • Confirmation screen creates endless loop

Requested features

9 requests
  • Default browser selection option
  • Ability to disable automatic sharing and Discover feature
  • Option to turn off location-based notifications
  • Better product database with store-specific information
  • In-app code creation feature
Show 4 more
  • Support for China Mobile contact format
  • Ability to save scans as text notes without opening web pages
  • User-submitted data for improved accuracy
  • Canadian database 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
None

Code Scanner by ScanLife

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is QR Reader for iPhone free?
QR Reader for iPhone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Code Scanner by ScanLife free?
Code Scanner by ScanLife is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, QR Reader for iPhone or Code Scanner by ScanLife?
QR Reader for iPhone is rated higher. QR Reader for iPhone averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.4M ratings, while Code Scanner by ScanLife averages 2.2 from 28 ratings.
Do QR Reader for iPhone or Code Scanner by ScanLife have ads?
QR Reader for iPhone shows ads; Code Scanner by ScanLife does not.
Which is updated more often, QR Reader for iPhone or Code Scanner by ScanLife?
QR Reader for iPhone ships an update every 3 months, and Code Scanner by ScanLife every 2 months. Most recently, QR Reader for iPhone was updated on September 26, 2026 and Code Scanner by ScanLife on September 4, 2026.

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