QR Code Reader vs Bar
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
QR Code Reader
Easily scan and generate various barcode formats, including QR codes. Access web links, make calls, send emails, and more directly from scanned data. Decode barcodes from photos and export your scan history.
- Scan QR codes and other barcodes
- Generate QR codes
- Decode barcodes from photos
- Access web links and maps
- Add contacts and calendar events
- Export scan history
- Continuous scanning (in-app purchase)
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The most powerful yet simple to use QR Code reader and generator. * QuickMark is Google's recommended barcode reader and selected partner for Google's Favorite Places campaign! http://Qck.mk/N9fLa Simply launch QuickMark, locate the barcode within the camera viewfinder to read its contents. Supported barcode formats: - 2D barcodes: QR Code, Data Matrix, Quick Code. - 1D barcodes: EAN8/13 (Products, Books), Code 39 (Bills), Code 128 (Packages). Things you can do by reading a QR Code: - Access a web link - Make a phone call - Send an email - Add a phone contact - Navigate Google Maps to a specific POI - Add event to Calendar - Supports Structured Append barcodes Other notable features: * Decode barcode images from Photo Album * Send scanned results to connected MAC on same LAN via Wi-Fi * Preview web links and maps * Export scan history (.csv) to Dropbox * Continuous (bulk) scanning (In-App Purchase) * See how many times an URL or product barcode is scanned by QuickMark (only URL and 1D barcodes are sent to our servers for calculation) QR Code is registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED
Bar
Scan barcodes and QR codes to save, email, copy, or search for information online. Export scanned data and photos to your PC for use in other applications. Ideal for small businesses, libraries, or home organization.
- Scan barcodes and QR codes
- Save scanned codes for later
- Email scanned codes
- Copy/paste codes into other apps
- Search scanned codes on the web
- Export data and photos via iTunes file sharing
- Integrate with web apps via URL scheme
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-------------- What this app will do for me ? -------------- It will scan barcodes (read "other info" for list of formats supported) and send scanned codes by email, or save them for later use, or paste/copy codes into other apps, or search on the web. It will not check for prices. Also, with iTunes file sharing, you can export the list of scanned codes (and photo taken) to your PC (for use in Excel etc.) Great for small stores, library, and also at home ! ------------ Awards ------------ - over 4.000.000 download - TOP APP in his category in the italian store (may 2011) - TOP 25 APP in his category in many national stores - Suggested by iTunes -------------- How does this app works ? -------------- To start the scan, tap on the "START SCAN FROM" buttons (or shake te device), and the camera will start, ready to scan a code. Now make the camera look at a barcode. Please make sure your camera is correctly aligned with the barcode to scan (vertical or horizontal, not oblique). Please make sure that the code is well lighted and on focus (move the device to get well the code). When the barcode is detected, it will be surrounded by a green square and it will be decoded and written in the "SCANNED CODES" list. If you have problems to get the code scanned, when the camera is on, tap the info button to get help on how get a successful scan. With your codes scanned, you can save them for later use, or mail them, of search for them on the web, or paste into other apps (last scanned code is copied into the pasteboard), or copy them (and photo taken) to your PC for use in your apps with iTunes file sharing. Tap on "ACTIONS WITH SCANNED BARCODES" to select what you want to do with the scanned codes. You can also save the photos taken in your Camera Roll. ONLY FOR USERS THAT DID DISABLE THE ADS TAPPING ON "REMOVE ADS" BUTTON: Now you can use this app to scan barcodes with your web apps. If you have a web app that you need to input barcodes, you can start the app, scan barcode, and return barcode content, with just one http url ! Just use an url like this: bar-code://scan?callback=[callback url] (where "callback" is the url return url to your web app) Barcode content will be added at the end: ?barcode=[barcode content][&other parameters] So, for example, using this url: bar-code://scan?callback=http://www.mysite.com the callback url after barcode scan will be http://www.mysite.com?barcode=1234567890 if you need extra parameters, just add them to the callback url bar-code://scan?callback=http://www.mysite.com&user=roberto then the callback url after barcode scan will be http://www.mysite.com?barcode=1234567890&user=roberto You can test the app is working with this url: http://www.pw2.it/iapps/test-bar-code.php THIS WILL WORK ONLY FROM THE DEVICE WEB BROWSER ! -------------- Other info -------------- Supports EAN-8, UPC-E, ISBN-10, UPC-A, EAN-13, ISBN-13, Interleaved 2 of 5, Code 39, QR Code, Code 128, Code 93, Farmacode, GS1 DataBar, GS1 DataBar Expanded, GS1 2-digit add-on, GS1 5-digit add-on, EAN/UPC composite formats, Codabar and DataBar. SCAN WORKS ONLY IF YOU HAVE A CAMERA Suggested devices: iPhone 3GS or greater (NO 3G OR OLD IPOD OR IPAD OR iPAD2, so please note that not all codes will be decoded easily on those devices). To dismiss the keyboard, tap anywhere on the background May contain ads. -------------- Please remember to check our new barcode scanner app with lot of new options and link to Mac PC ! https://itunes.apple.com/app/barcode-professional/id1075096265?mt=8 You can easily create QR-Codes with our new app "QR-Code creator" https://itunes.apple.com/app/qr-code-creator/id1197340445?l=it&ls=1&mt=8 --------------
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: QR Code Reader at 77% against Bar's 64%. QR Code Reader also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 15.4). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Code Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Bar sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
QR Code Reader ships an update monthly, Bar every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 29, 2026.
| Parameter | QR Code Reader | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (70 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 76.8% of reviews — better | 64.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 70 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 15.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | AngleTech Inc. | Roberto Sonzogni |
Customer experience
QR Code Reader
Bar
User reviews
QR Code Reader
From 70 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and accurate scanning
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 💡 Supports multiple barcode/QR code types
- 🚀 Instant response with no extra steps
- 👍 Allows saving and sharing scanned data
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🔋 High battery consumption reported
- 🐛 Scanning issues with certain barcode types
- 🔒 Concerns about lack of support and updates
Bar
From App Store reviewsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast scanning
- 👍 Simple and effective
- 📤 Ability to email scanned barcodes
- 🔍 Reads various barcode types
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy after updates
- 🚫 Doesn't work on some devices
- 💤 Slow or inaccurate scanning
- 📢 Intrusive ads
Bugs and requests
QR Code Reader
Reported bugs
5 issues- App crashes when trying to sign up or sign in
- Scanning issues with barcodes on certain pages
- Structured append feature not working reliably
- Location-based QR code generation not functioning
- Duplicate scans being recorded unexpectedly
Requested features
5 requests- Add support for more barcode/QR code types
- Implement batch export/CSV export functionality
- Provide more customization options (e.g. scan sound)
- Improve integration with other apps and services
- Add an option to clear scan history selectively
Bar
Reported bugs
3 issues- Scan history list disappearing
- Crashing when switching camera modes
- Inability to scan certain barcode types
Requested features
3 requests- Direct link to open scanned URLs
- Option to save scanned barcodes in folders
- Ability to export data to spreadsheets
In-app purchases
QR Code Reader
- Continuous Scan$1.99
Bar
- Remove ads and enable web app mode$0.99
Questions
Is QR Code Reader free?
Is Bar free?
Do QR Code Reader or Bar have ads?
Which is updated more often, QR Code Reader or Bar?
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