Comparison

Bar vs Barcode Scanner

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

-------------- 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 --------------

About

Barcode Scanner

Streamline inventory and asset tracking with a powerful barcode scanning solution. Build custom tracking systems without coding, reduce counting time significantly, and export data easily. Works offline and syncs automatically.

Highlights
  • Scan any barcode type
  • Export data to Excel/Google Sheets
  • Offline functionality with cloud sync
  • Capture photos, signatures, GPS
  • Log asset history with location tracking
  • Design and print barcode labels
Features
Read full description

Tired of manual inventory errors and wasted time? Orca Scan transforms inventory tracking with a powerful barcode scanning solution. Build complete barcode systems without writing code, and reduce counting time by up to 80%. Trusted by 50,000+ organizations, including Fortune 500 companies worldwide. Key Features • Scan any barcode type – QR, UPC, EAN, GS1, FMD, UDI, ISBN • Export data directly to Excel and Google Sheets • Works offline, syncing automatically to the cloud once reconnected • Capture photos, signatures, GPS locations and more with customizable fields • Log full asset history with integrated location tracking • Add barcode scanning to your software via a single REST API • Design and print barcode labels with an intuitive label designer Perfect For • Inventory management and stock control • Asset tracking and equipment monitoring • UDI tracking for medical devices • Batch tracking and warehouse audits • Fire extinguisher inspections • Vehicle maintenance logs and VIN tracking • Book cataloging using ISBN scanning • Event check-in and lead capture with QR codes Why Choose Orca Scan • Works on any device – from smartphones to enterprise scanners • Lightweight app for fast setup and smooth performance • Friendly, responsive customer support (4.7+ stars) • GS1-approved for regulatory compliance • Goes beyond scanner apps by building complete tracking systems • Updated regularly based on user feedback Awards & Recognition • Winner – "Tech for Good" at the 2024 Cambridge Independent Science & Technology Awards • Featured in Business Weekly's 'Killer 50' list of disruptive tech companies • Ranked #2 in "7 Best Barcode Scanner Apps" by MakeUseOf.com What Our Users Say • "I am amazed with the system, its capabilities and functionalities. I've adapted it to an aviation maintenance environment and it's replaced old tedious procedures" – Paulo F. • "It's perfect for managing my book list. Scanning the ISBN adds everything – publication, date, author, and description" – Olivia B. • "I work in a shipping department without RF guns, and this app was a huge help. Exporting to Excel was easy" – Lauren E. • "An absolutely perfect app for what I needed. It made my job a hundred times easier" – Allen Trusted by Businesses Worldwide • iVascular: "We cover 170 consignment locations. It takes 1 person about 15 minutes to do a count now – they spend more time traveling than counting!" • Enfamil: "I chose Orca Scan because of its ease of use and instant implementation" • Masteroast: "The traceability Orca Scan gives us helps us manage inventory more effectively" • Signature Aviation: "What a phenomenal find Orca Scan was" Proven Results • Reduce stock take time by up to 94% – Northumbria NHS • Boost productivity by 400% while saving $200,000 annually – Whirlpool • Cut inventory management time by 60% – CKC Good Food • Recover overlooked assets worth $60,000+ – Signature Aviation • Replace monthly inventories with quick biannual checks With over 300,000 users across 165 countries, Orca Scan continuously evolves to meet your needs. Start transforming your inventory today – and save hours every week with just a few taps. Learn more about how we protect your data at orcascan.com/terms and orcascan.com/privacy Orca Scan. Barcode tracking, simplified.

Screenshots

Bar3 screens
Barcode Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barcode Scanner at none against Bar's 1. Barcode Scanner also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (83% vs 64%). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Bar sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Barcode Scanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bar ships an update every 2 months, Barcode Scanner weekly. The most recent releases landed on June 11, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Bar versus Barcode Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBarBarcode Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.7 (1.9K ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.0% of reviews83.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—1.9K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.412.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRoberto SonzogniORCA SCAN LIMITED

Customer experience

Bar

Written reviews186 reviews
Positive64.0%
Neutral4.3%
Negative31.7%

Barcode Scanner

All ratings1,866 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral2.1%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews302 reviews
Positive83.4%
Neutral4.3%
Negative12.3%

User reviews

Bar

From App Store reviews

What 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

Barcode Scanner

From 1.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient scanning
  • 👍 Customizable fields and options
  • 📤 Easy data export and sharing
  • 💡 Helpful for inventory management
  • 🚀 Quick and accurate barcode scanning

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional app freezing or crashes
  • 🔒 Requires account creation to use
  • 🔒 Limited functionality in free version
  • 🔋 Camera issues on some devices

Bugs and requests

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

Barcode Scanner

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Deleted local barcodes after update
  • Incompatibility with newer iPhone models
  • Inconsistent barcode recognition

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to manually input barcodes
  • More advanced reporting and analytics
  • Improved sorting and filtering of scanned items
  • Support for more barcode types

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Bar

One-time1
  • Remove ads and enable web app mode$0.99
None

Barcode Scanner

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bar free?
Bar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Barcode Scanner free?
Barcode Scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Bar or Barcode Scanner have ads?
Neither Bar nor Barcode Scanner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bar or Barcode Scanner?
Bar ships an update every 2 months, and Barcode Scanner weekly. Most recently, Bar was updated on June 11, 2026 and Barcode Scanner on September 20, 2026.

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