Comparison

Digimarc Discover vs Code Scan

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

Head to head
About

Digimarc Discover

Easily scan various barcode types, including Digimarc Barcodes, 1D barcodes, and QR codes, to quickly access online content. This app showcases the capabilities of Digimarc's barcode technology and its mobile SDK for efficient product identification.

Highlights
  • Scan Digimarc Barcodes
  • Scan 1D barcodes (UPC, EAN, Code 39, etc.)
  • Scan QR codes
  • Access online content
  • Demonstrates Digimarc Mobile SDK
Read full description

Scanning barcodes using Digimarc’s Discover® App is faster and easier than ever. Scan Digimarc Barcodes, most 1D barcodes, and QR codes to access online content. The Digimarc Discover® app demonstrates the power of the Digimarc Barcode and the Digimarc Mobile SDK (Software Development Kit). Supports robust scanning of Digimarc Barcode and the most common traditional 1D barcodes found in retail including UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-9, EAN-13, Code 39, Code 128, DataBar, ITF, QR codes and PDF417. The Digimarc Mobile SDK powers apps to provide efficient, reliable and affordable mobile scanning of the most common barcodes in retail, including QR codes and Digimarc Barcode for enhanced product packaging, connected print and audio.

About

Code Scan

This app scans and generates a wide variety of 1D and 2D barcodes, including QR codes, DataMatrix, and specialized formats like VDS. It offers features like camera zoom, flash support, and a history of scanned codes. Users can also share scanned data and create new barcodes.

Highlights
  • Scans all 1D and 2D barcodes
  • Supports MicroQR, VDS, and ICAO Datastructures
  • Adjustable camera zoom and flash for low light
  • Scan history and sharing functionality
  • Generates QR, DataMatrix, and PDF417 barcodes
  • Dark mode and dark AppIcon support
Features
Read full description

Scan and create every common 1D and 2D barcode - one at a time or continuously in Batch Scan. Export your history as CSV or automatically send scans to your own server. Unlike an ordinary scanner, Code Scan also verifies the cryptographic seals on official documents. WHAT IT READS • QR, MicroQR and rMQR (rectangular MicroQR) • DataMatrix, including DMRE • Aztec, PDF417, MaxiCode • EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-A, UPC-E • Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Codabar, ITF / ITF-14 • GS1 DataBar and DataBar Expanded • VDS, VDS-NC and IDB document seals Codes are decoded on your device: from the live camera, from a photo in your library, or from an image you share into the app from somewhere else. DIGITAL SEALS ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS This is what sets Code Scan apart: it does not just read the seal, it checks the cryptographic signature. • VDS (Visible Digital Seal, BSI TR-03137) in DataMatrix • VDS-NC (ICAO) and IDB (ICAO Datastructure for Barcode) in QR codes • Signatures verified against X.509 certificates, kept up to date automatically • Import your own X.509 certificates for closed ecosystems • MRZ data contained in a seal is parsed and shown in readable form This app supports reading and verification of (among others) VDS Profiles: - Social Insurance Card - Residence Permit Document - ICAO Visa Document - ICAO Emergency Travel Document - German Arrival Attestation Document - Address Sticker for German Identity Card - Place of Residence Sticker for German Passports VDS-NC Profiles: - ICAO PoT and PoV (ISO/IEC JTC1 SC17 WG3/TF5) CREATE YOUR OWN CODES • QR, DataMatrix, Aztec, PDF417 and Code 128 • Live preview while you type • Choose the QR error correction level (L / M / Q / H) or the PDF417 level (0-8) • Keep your codes in a library, mark favorites, share any of them as an image FASTER IN EVERYDAY USE • Camera light in four brightness steps and 1x / 2x / 4x zoom - for tiny print, dark rooms and laminated documents • Share a screenshot from any app to read the code inside it, or share a link to turn it into a code • Batch Scan: capture multiple codes without a result screen and save them straight to your history • Siri and Shortcuts: create a code or open the scanner by voice, or build both actions into your own shortcuts • Recreate a scanned code in a single tap, with the content already filled in A HISTORY THAT STAYS ORGANIZED • Grouped into Starred, Today, This Week and Before • Scanning a code again updates the existing entry instead of piling up duplicates • Export and share your scan history as a CSV file • Stored seals are re-verified in the background against the current certificates, so an expired signature stops showing as valid FOR PROFESSIONAL USE • GS1 application identifiers parsed and labelled • Open recognized links immediately, skipping the result screen • Copy and share the raw code data instead of the interpreted content • Optionally send scans automatically to your own HTTPS endpoint (off by default) • Play a confirmation sound after successful transfers • Native iPad layouts PRIVACY Decoding happens entirely on your device, and your history stays there. There is no account and no tracking. To verify seals, the app downloads the public signer certificates from our certificate service. The optional face comparison against a document portrait is the one feature that sends an image to a KURZ Digital service, and only when you start it yourself. For wishes and suggestions just contact us at info@kurzdigital.com

Screenshots

Digimarc Discover4 screens
Code Scan4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Code Scan at 4.6 against Digimarc Discover's 3.7. Code Scan also leads on review sentiment (79% vs 48%) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 3 months). Digimarc Discover's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Code Scan holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code Scan has 730 ratings behind it against 52, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of Digimarc Discover's written reviews are positive against 79% of Code Scan's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Digimarc Discover ships an update every 3 months, Code Scan every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Digimarc Discover versus Code Scan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDigimarc DiscoverCode Scan
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (52 ratings)4.6 (730 ratings) — better
Positive reviews48.0% of reviews79.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings52730 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB17 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperDigimarcKURZ Digital Solutions GmbH & Co. KG

Customer experience

Digimarc Discover

All ratings52 ratings
Positive69.2%
Neutral1.9%
Negative28.8%
Written reviews152 reviews
Positive48.0%
Neutral2.6%
Negative49.3%

Code Scan

All ratings730 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral2.5%
Negative8.4%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive79.4%
Neutral8.8%
Negative11.8%

User reviews

Digimarc Discover

From 52 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use when working correctly
  • 🚀 Fast scanning and instant content recognition
  • 💡 Innovative digital watermark technology
  • 📱 Works seamlessly with magazines and printed media
  • 🎯 Helpful for saving recipes and shopping lists

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent scanning failures and recognition issues
  • 📵 App crashes and freezes regularly
  • 🎥 Camera focus problems across multiple devices
  • ⚠️ Inconsistent performance with different iPhone models
  • 🔧 Poor documentation and unclear instructions

Code Scan

From 730 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and accurate scanning
  • 👍 Easy to use and straightforward
  • 💡 Supports various barcode and QR code types
  • 💡 Excellent for difficult-to-scan codes
  • 💡 Flashlight feature is convenient

Room to improve

  • 😡 Nag pop-up for reviews
  • 🐛 Does not load websites
  • 🐛 Useless for specific registration tasks
  • 🐛 Copy or close options produce no result

Bugs and requests

Digimarc Discover

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • App fails to recognize Digimarc watermarks consistently
  • Camera won't focus or capture images properly
  • App crashes when attempting to save or share content
  • Black screen appears instead of camera view
  • Scanning stops working after app updates
Show 7 more
  • Incompatible with iPhone 7 and newer models
  • Login crashes when registering with Facebook or Gmail
  • App locks up before initial use
  • Music identification feature removed in updates
  • Watermark detection expires and becomes unavailable
  • Jumpy interface when selecting multiple recipes
  • Unable to open app after reinstalling

Requested features

8 requests
  • Ability to organize and categorize saved content
  • Better recipe management system with searchable database
  • Option to disable automatic Safari opening
  • Remove or customize notification sounds
  • Pre-installed watermark creation tool for devices
Show 3 more
  • Background app functionality for easier access
  • Better indication of which content has watermarks
  • Improved UI for selecting between multiple recipes on one page

Code Scan

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Does not load websites
  • Copy or close options produce no result

Requested features

2 requests
  • Ability to view previously scanned QR codes (not just data)
  • Option to contribute via donation instead of ads

In-app purchases

None

Digimarc Discover

No in-app purchases

None

Code Scan

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Digimarc Discover free?
Digimarc Discover is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Code Scan free?
Code Scan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Digimarc Discover or Code Scan?
Code Scan is rated higher. Digimarc Discover averages 3.7 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while Code Scan averages 4.6 from 730 ratings.
Do Digimarc Discover or Code Scan have ads?
Neither Digimarc Discover nor Code Scan shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Digimarc Discover or Code Scan?
Digimarc Discover ships an update every 3 months, and Code Scan every 4 weeks. Most recently, Digimarc Discover was updated on September 21, 2026 and Code Scan on September 23, 2026.

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