QR Reader for iPhone vs Lighting Scanner
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- QR code and barcode scanning
- Document and business card scanning
- Puzzle scanning
- Database scanning
- NFC scanning
- QR code creation
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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.
Lighting Scanner
This app allows you to quickly scan QR codes and barcodes to access information, coupons, and links. It also functions as a generator, enabling you to create custom QR codes for various purposes, including social media, Wi-Fi, and contact details.
- QR code and barcode scanning
- QR code generation
- Customizable QR code colors and designs
- Scan from camera or media library
- Share scanned codes and generated codes
- Save scan history
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Optimization of QR code/barcode decoding for Lighting Scanner. Lighting Scanner is the ultimate barcode reader app for any mobile device. Enjoy all the benefits by scanning QR codes/barcodes to access and promote coupons from around the world. It is safe and fully compatible with any network system. Lighting Scanner does more than just scan, you can also use it to create and share QR codes to open URLs, connect to WiFi hotspots, add events, add contacts, and more. Lighting Scanner offers a QR code generator that can create any kind of QR code you need, including URL, Mail, Phone number, Wi-Fi data, Calendar events, Social media links, Text info, Location Info, etc. You can customize the QR code by changing its color and design, making it truly your own. Have a try! Use this QR code generator to create a unique QR code! KEY FEATURES: √ QR CODE & BARCODE SCANNER The fast and easy way to scan any QR or barcode. User-friendly design and app navigation system. Scan QR codes and barcodes using your camera or media library. √ CUSTOMIZE YOUR CODES Choose your QR’s colors for backgrounds and foreground. Add logos & stickers for QR's design. Create more types of QRs that can be used for Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Twitter, WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok, YouTube, Skype, LinkedIn, and more. √ GET ALL INFO Obtain important information from any code, such as nutritional details, discounts, pricing history, phone numbers, log-in details, payment data, product links, and up to 4,000 characters of text. √ SHARE WITH FRIENDS Easily share your findings via email, iMessage, Facebook, Twitter, and more. Save all your scanned codes in your history for future reference. ------------------------------------ Premium Subscription Conditions: • Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription. • Your account will be charged for a renewed subscription within 24 hours prior to the end of the current subscription. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable • You can manage your subscription and switch off the auto-renewal by accessing your account settings after purchase. • You cannot cancel the current subscription during the active subscription period. • Any unused part or time span of a free trial period will be forfeited, as soon as you purchase a subscription. Terms & Conditions: https://lightingqr.appsflydargon.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://lightingqr.appsflydargon.com/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Lighting Scanner at every 5 days against QR Reader for iPhone's every 3 months. Lighting Scanner also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 78%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). QR Reader for iPhone's advantage is ratings volume (1.4M vs 442) and chart position (#52 vs unranked). On price, rating, ads 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
Both are free to download. QR Reader for iPhone sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Lighting Scanner sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for QR Reader for iPhone against 4.8 for Lighting Scanner. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: QR Reader for iPhone has 1.4M ratings behind it against 442, 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 100% of Lighting Scanner's.
QR Reader for iPhone ships an update every 3 months, Lighting Scanner every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | QR Reader for iPhone | Lighting Scanner |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (1.4M ratings) | 4.8 (442 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 77.6% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1.4M — better | 442 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #52 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 387 MB | 64 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | TapMedia Ltd | APPSFLYDARGON LIMITED |
Customer experience
QR Reader for iPhone
Lighting Scanner
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
Lighting Scanner
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
QR Reader for iPhone
- 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
- QR Reader PRO (one-time fee)$2.99
Lighting Scanner
- Weekly Premium Membership$2.997 Days
- Yearly Premium Membership$39.991 Year
Questions
Is QR Reader for iPhone free?
Is Lighting Scanner free?
Which has better reviews, QR Reader for iPhone or Lighting Scanner?
Do QR Reader for iPhone or Lighting Scanner have ads?
Which is updated more often, QR Reader for iPhone or Lighting Scanner?
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