Comparison

QR Code Reader & Code Scanner vs Universal Code Scanner

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

Head to head
About

QR Code Reader & Code Scanner

Easily scan QR codes and product barcodes to find the best prices and reviews. This app also allows you to generate custom QR codes for various information types and save your scan history.

Highlights
  • Scan QR codes
  • Scan product barcodes
  • QR code generator
  • Save scan history
  • Share scanned codes
  • Create QR codes for URLs, text, and more
Features
Read full description

The easiest, best and only choice if you want a QR Code and Barcode Reader. Now get the best prices and reviews when you scan a product barcode. QR Code Reader and Scanner includes the following: Barcode scanner Fast Scanner Code Reader UPC Scanner QR Scanner QR Reader Code Scan Our QR code reader is best QR code scanning app and now includes a barcode scanner too! Complete Scanner Features: - Scan a QR code - Scan a product barcode - Save your scans in History - Search your saved scans - Share codes via SMS, Email, Twitter, and Facebook - Save codes to Photos - Print a QR code - Display a QR code and a UPC barcode on screen - Mobile Reader - QR code Generator The ShopSavvy QR code reader is consistent rated the best iPhone app to scan QR Codes. With ShopSavvy you get a fast scanner and a scanner. No gimmicks or games! Also includes a complete QR Code Generator Create your own QR codes for: URLs, Phone Numbers, Text Notes, Locations, Email Addresses, Contacts, SMS Messages, Calendar Events, and Wireless Networks. http://shopsavvy.com

About

Universal Code Scanner

This app quickly scans and decodes various 2D barcodes and QR codes. It offers enhanced security by checking URLs for phishing and can convert specific payment codes into usable links. The application prioritizes user privacy with no tracking or ads.

Highlights
  • Scans QR, EAN, Aztec, DataMatrix, and more
  • Checks URLs against phishing (Quishing)
  • Converts EPC QR codes to bank/payto URLs
  • Shares decoded data via Airdrop
  • No user tracking or analytics
  • Ad-free and no in-app purchases
Features
Read full description

Universal Scanner is a privacy focused, simple and lightweight application for verifying the content of a wide range of 2d codes. The main features are: - Displays code type and raw content - Option to check scanned URLs against phishing (Quishing) - Converts EPC QR codes (SEPA transfers) to 'bank://' or 'payto://' URL (useful if your banking app does not support EPC codes) - Share raw data or converted data with Airdrop - No user tracking - No analytics - No ads - No in-app purchases (voluntary donations only) - No automatic opening of links (could be enabled in settings) - Scan history optional and disabled by default - Small download size Supported code types: QR, EAN8, UPCE, Aztec, EAN13, ITF14, Code39, Code93, PDF417, Code128, DataMatrix, Code39Mod43, Interleaved2of5, Codabar, MicroQR, MicroPDF417, GS1DataBar, GS1DataBarLimited, GS1DataBarExtended

Screenshots

QR Code Reader & Code Scanner4 screens
Universal Code Scanner3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Universal Code Scanner at 5.0 against QR Code Reader & Code Scanner's 4.3. Universal Code Scanner also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). QR Code Reader & Code Scanner's advantage is ratings volume (46K vs 1). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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. QR Code Reader & Code Scanner sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Universal Code Scanner sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Universal Code Scanner holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: QR Code Reader & Code Scanner has 46K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of QR Code Reader & Code Scanner's written reviews are positive against 71% of Universal Code Scanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
QR Code Reader & Code Scanner versus Universal Code Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQR Code Reader & Code ScannerUniversal Code Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (46K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.0% of reviews71.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings46K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size209 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShopSavvy, Inc.Marcus Pleintinger

Customer experience

QR Code Reader & Code Scanner

All ratings46,012 ratings
Positive81.5%
Neutral4.9%
Negative13.6%
Written reviews387 reviews
Positive53.0%
Neutral2.8%
Negative44.2%

Universal Code Scanner

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%

Bugs and requests

QR Code Reader & Code Scanner

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes when trying to open scanned links
  • Inability to delete or remove the app from browser
  • Scanning issues with certain QR codes

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to remove ads
  • Improved scanning accuracy and reliability
  • Search functionality for scanned items
  • History or log of previous scans

Universal Code Scanner

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

QR Code Reader & Code Scanner

Subscriptions6
  • QR Code Reader Pro$1.997 Days
  • QR Code Reader Pro3 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • QR Code Reader Pro$3.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • QR Code Reader Pro3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • QR Code Reader Pro$34.991 Year
  • QR Code Reader Pro$49.991 Year
3 purchases

Universal Code Scanner

One-time3
  • Small Donation$0.99
  • Mid Donation$2.99
  • Big Donation$5.99

Questions

Is QR Code Reader & Code Scanner free?
QR Code Reader & Code Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Universal Code Scanner free?
Universal Code Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, QR Code Reader & Code Scanner or Universal Code Scanner?
Universal Code Scanner is rated higher. QR Code Reader & Code Scanner averages 4.3 out of 5 from 46K ratings, while Universal Code Scanner averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do QR Code Reader & Code Scanner or Universal Code Scanner have ads?
QR Code Reader & Code Scanner shows ads; Universal Code Scanner does not.
Which is updated more often, QR Code Reader & Code Scanner or Universal Code Scanner?
QR Code Reader & Code Scanner ships an update every 3 weeks, and Universal Code Scanner every 3 weeks. Most recently, QR Code Reader & Code Scanner was updated on October 5, 2026 and Universal Code Scanner on September 25, 2026.

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