# Code Scanner by ScanLife vs QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App

The clearest difference is rating: QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App at 4.7 against Code Scanner by ScanLife's 2.2. QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 50%) and ratings volume (140K vs 28). Code Scanner by ScanLife's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 49) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App sells 32 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Code Scanner by ScanLife asks for nothing beyond the download.

QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App has 140K 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 80% of QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App's.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Code Scanner by ScanLife | QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.2 (28 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-scanner-by-scanlife/id381292358/reviews) | **[4.7 (140K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-readerqr-scanner-app/id903799541/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 28 | **140K** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **80.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 168 MB | 58 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Becausal, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1828933003) | [MixerBox Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/527117842) |

## What reviewers say

### Code Scanner by ScanLife

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-scanner-by-scanlife/id381292358)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-readerqr-scanner-app/id903799541)

Scan all standard 1D and 2D barcodes and QR codes quickly and easily. Generate custom QR codes with AI and view product details directly from scans. Works offline and in low light conditions, with scan history saved for convenience.

**Highlights:** Scans all standard 1D and 2D codes, Generates personalized QR codes with AI, Scans and views product details online, Rapid scanning, Offline scanning capability, Flashlight support for dark environments, Scan history saved

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (32)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $1.29 | per 7 days |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $1.49 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $4.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $8.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $8.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $12.49 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $12.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $13.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $14.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $15.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $16.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $17.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $18.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $20.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $21.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $23.49 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $23.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $24.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $119.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $129.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Lifetime | $17.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick and reliable scanning
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Fast and accurate recognition
- 👍 Helpful for finding product info
- 👍 Works well with self-generated codes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
- 🔒 Aggressive advertising/paywall
- 🔒 Requires subscription for full functionality
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent scanning performance
- Incorrect product information displayed
- Subscription issues/inability to cancel

**Requested features**

- Auto-rotate feature for landscape content
- Improved history/search functionality
- More compatibility with obscure/custom codes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Code Scanner by ScanLife free?

Code Scanner by ScanLife is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App free?

QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Code Scanner by ScanLife or QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App?

QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App is rated higher. Code Scanner by ScanLife averages 2.2 out of 5 from 28 ratings, while QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App averages 4.7 from 140K ratings.

### Do Code Scanner by ScanLife or QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App have ads?

QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App shows ads; Code Scanner by ScanLife does not.

### Which is updated more often, Code Scanner by ScanLife or QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App?

Code Scanner by ScanLife ships an update every 2 months, and QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App every 2 weeks. Most recently, Code Scanner by ScanLife was updated on September 4, 2026 and QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App on September 26, 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.*