# Bar vs SkyBlueScan

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Bar at 64% against SkyBlueScan's 25%. Bar also leads on ads (none vs shown). SkyBlueScan's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.4). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bar sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SkyBlueScan sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Bar ships an update every 2 months, SkyBlueScan every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 11, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bar | SkyBlueScan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.6 (4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skybluescan-qr-code-scanner/id1504356350/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **4K** |
| Positive reviews | **64.0% of reviews** | 24.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 7 MB | 41 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.4 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Roberto Sonzogni](https://appshunter.io/developer/402429427) | [Circo, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1272023623) |

## What reviewers say

### Bar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bar-code/id422314523)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove ads and enable web app mode | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast scanning
- 👍 Simple and effective
- 📤 Ability to email scanned barcodes
- 🔍 Reads various barcode types

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy after updates
- 🚫 Doesn't work on some devices
- 💤 Slow or inaccurate scanning
- 📢 Intrusive ads

**Reported bugs**

- Scan history list disappearing
- Crashing when switching camera modes
- Inability to scan certain barcode types

**Requested features**

- Direct link to open scanned URLs
- Option to save scanned barcodes in folders
- Ability to export data to spreadsheets


### SkyBlueScan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skybluescan-qr-code-scanner/id1504356350)

Effortlessly scan various QR and barcode types, including product information and Google Authenticator codes. Access detailed data cards and a comprehensive scan history. A PRO subscription offers unlimited scans, enhanced product details, and an ad-free experience.

**Highlights:** Scan 15+ code types (QR, Barcode, Datamatrix, etc.), View product and food details, Detailed QR code data cards, Scan history log, Google Authenticator support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription (Discount) | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium Subscription | $12.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly Premium Subscription | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Excellent app
- ⭐ Best one yet
- ⭐ Good

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Automatically subscribes you
- 🚫 Difficult to unsubscribe
- 🚫 Overpriced
- 🚫 Useless app
- 🚫 Scam

**Reported bugs**

- App doesn't work properly
- Charges even after deleting the app

**Requested features**

- Add simple unsubscribe solution


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bar free?

Bar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SkyBlueScan free?

SkyBlueScan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Bar or SkyBlueScan have ads?

SkyBlueScan shows ads; Bar does not.

### Which is updated more often, Bar or SkyBlueScan?

Bar ships an update every 2 months, and SkyBlueScan every 3 weeks. Most recently, Bar was updated on June 11, 2026 and SkyBlueScan on September 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*