Comparison

Code Scanner by ScanLife vs Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader

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

Head to head
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.

About

Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader

Easily scan, read, and decode over 20 types of QR codes and barcodes. Save your scan history, generate custom codes, and view product details. Supports various scanning methods and export options.

Highlights
  • Scan 20+ QR code and barcode types
  • Scan from photos
  • Generate custom QR codes
  • Save, search, and filter scan history
  • View product details via Google/Amazon
  • Export history as text or CSV
Features
Read full description

Scan QR codes and more than 20 barcode formats from your camera or photo library. Code Scanner reads Data Matrix, GS1 DataBar, UPC, EAN, Aztec, PDF417 and more, then makes every result easy to save, find and share. SCAN ANYWHERE - Use the front or rear camera and torch - Import photos and detect multiple codes in one image - Automatically copy results or open scanned links KEEP CODES ORGANIZED - Save, search and filter your scan history - View values, code type, scan date and data size - Export history as CSV, plain text or a text file CREATE AND LOOK UP - Create and share QR codes and barcodes - Find product details with Google and Amazon - Reopen and share previous scans MADE FOR IPHONE AND IPAD - Dark Mode, Larger Text, VoiceOver, Voice Control, Reduced Motion and haptic feedback - A focused native experience without annoying ads SUPPORTED FORMATS QR, Micro QR, Aztec, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Data Matrix, EAN-8, EAN-13, ITF-14, PDF417, Micro PDF417, UPC, Codabar, GS1 DataBar and more. Questions or feedback? Email hello@craftapp.co. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Code Scanner by ScanLife4 screens
Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader at 4.6 against Code Scanner by ScanLife's 2.2. Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (72% vs 50%). Code Scanner by ScanLife's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads 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. Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Code Scanner by ScanLife asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader has 650 ratings behind it against 28, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Code Scanner by ScanLife's written reviews are positive against 72% of Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Code Scanner by ScanLife ships an update every 2 months, Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Code Scanner by ScanLife versus Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCode Scanner by ScanLifeCode Scanner QR Barcode Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (28 ratings)4.6 (650 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews72.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings28650 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size168 MB20 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperBecausal, Inc.Ben Gilroy

Customer experience

Code Scanner by ScanLife

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

Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader

All ratings650 ratings
Positive89.7%
Neutral4.0%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive72.2%
Neutral5.6%
Negative22.2%

User reviews

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

Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader

From 650 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface
  • 🚀 Fast and efficient scanning
  • 📵 No ads or distracting pop-ups
  • 💰 Free to use (historically)
  • 🎯 Does one job well

Room to improve

  • 💸 Switched to paid subscription model
  • 🐛 Broken functionality on iPhone 12
  • ❌ Fails to scan QR codes and barcodes
  • 🔍 Missing zoom feature
  • 😕 Non-intuitive operation

Bugs and requests

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

Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App stopped working on iPhone 12 - no barcode recognition
  • Cannot scan from photos
  • Fails to read unclear or damaged QR codes
  • Data matrix format not supported
  • Inconsistent app name across platforms (iPhone vs App Store)

Requested features

5 requests
  • Zoom functionality for better scanning
  • Integrated search option within app
  • Data matrix code support
  • Scan history/log feature
  • Ability to delay browser opening after scan

In-app purchases

None

Code Scanner by ScanLife

No in-app purchases

13 purchases

Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader

Subscriptions10
  • Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Code Scanner Pro$1.997 Days
  • Monthly$2.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Code Scanner Pro$3.991 Month
  • Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • Yearly3 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Yearly7 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Yearly3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time3
  • Lifetime$24.99
  • Lifetime$29.99
  • Lifetime$59.99

Questions

Is Code Scanner by ScanLife free?
Code Scanner by ScanLife is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader free?
Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Code Scanner by ScanLife or Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader?
Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader is rated higher. Code Scanner by ScanLife averages 2.2 out of 5 from 28 ratings, while Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader averages 4.6 from 650 ratings.
Do Code Scanner by ScanLife or Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader have ads?
Neither Code Scanner by ScanLife nor Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Code Scanner by ScanLife or Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader?
Code Scanner by ScanLife ships an update every 2 months, and Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader every 2 weeks. Most recently, Code Scanner by ScanLife was updated on October 8, 2026 and Code Scanner QR Barcode Reader on October 2, 2026.

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