QR Code Reader vs Barcode Scanners
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
Barcode Scanners
This app offers robust barcode scanning capabilities, supporting over 30 different types including QR, UPC, and Data Matrix. It provides powerful parsing for industry-standard formats like driver's licenses and GS1 codes, simplifying data extraction.
- Scan over 30 barcode types
- QR code scanning
- UPC scanning
- Data Matrix scanning
- GS1 code parsing
- Driver's license data parsing
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Barcode scanning made simple! Use this powerful app to easily scan over 30 different types of barcodes, including QR, UPC, GS1, Data Matrix, PDF417, DotCode, and many others. The Cognex Barcode Scanners application reads all major barcode symbologies, including Aztec Code, Codabar, Code 11, Code 25 (Interleaved, Industrial, COOP, Matrix and ITF-14), Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Data Matrix, DotCode, EAN, ISBN, GS1 DataBar, MaxiCode, MSI Plessey, PDF417, Micro PDF417, Postal Codes, QR Code (Micro and Standard), TELEPEN and UPC barcode types, as well as GS1 sub-types like GS1 QR Code, GS1 Data Matrix and GS1-128. The app also provides powerful parsers to examine industry standard formatted barcodes more easily such as AAMVA (US and Canadian Driver’s Licenses), GS1, IUID, Structured Carrier Messages (MaxiCode), and more! To learn more about Cognex's high-speed barcode scanning and computer vision solutions, visit https://www.cognex.com.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Barcode Scanners at 4.6 against QR Code Reader's 4.1. Barcode Scanners also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (810 vs 70). QR Code Reader's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 9.0). 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
Both are free to download. QR Code Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Barcode Scanners asks for nothing beyond the download.
Barcode Scanners holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Barcode Scanners has 810 ratings behind it against 70, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of QR Code Reader's written reviews are positive against 88% of Barcode Scanners's.
QR Code Reader ships an update monthly, Barcode Scanners every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | QR Code Reader | Barcode Scanners |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (70 ratings) | 4.6 (810 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 76.8% of reviews | 87.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 70 | 810 — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 9.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 35 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | AngleTech Inc. | Cognex Corporation |
Customer experience
QR Code Reader
Barcode Scanners
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
Barcode Scanners
From 810 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and accurate scanning
- 👍 Reliable and easy to use
- 🔒 No data collection
- 💡 Supports wide range of barcode types
- 👍 Excellent parsing and decoding capabilities
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezing issues
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🐛 Duplicate delay feature not working as expected
- 🐛 Export to CSV not functioning properly
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
Barcode Scanners
Reported bugs
3 issues- App crashing after iOS 12.3.1 update
- Unable to scan certain barcode types (e.g. GS1 DataMatrix)
- Frozen camera view after initial scan
Requested features
4 requests- Option to disable tips/tooltips on startup
- Batch export/logging of scan history
- Ability to display non-readable characters
- Deeper Shortcuts integration
In-app purchases
QR Code Reader
- Continuous Scan$1.99
Barcode Scanners
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is QR Code Reader free?
Is Barcode Scanners free?
Which has better reviews, QR Code Reader or Barcode Scanners?
Do QR Code Reader or Barcode Scanners have ads?
Which is updated more often, QR Code Reader or Barcode Scanners?
Other comparisons
