Comparison

Bar vs OpenPDF

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

OpenPDF

Convert images to PDF, sign documents, and share them directly from your device. This app prioritizes user privacy by keeping all data local and requiring no account or tracking. Enjoy a clean, ad-free experience for all your PDF needs.

Highlights
  • Image to PDF conversion
  • Sign documents
  • Send PDFs
  • Data stays on device
  • No ads
  • No account required
Features
Read full description

OpenPDF is a lightweight, sleek, and professional PDF editor with no log-in and keeps all your data on your device. I made this app after getting frustrated with PDF editor apps packed with ads, subscriptions, and pay-walled features. Why you'll love OpenPDF: - Easy image to PDF conversion - Send your PDFs all from the app - Easily sign documents - All of your data stays on your device - No ads. - No account required. - No tracking.

Screenshots

Bar3 screens
OpenPDF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: OpenPDF at 100% against Bar's 63%. OpenPDF also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months). Bar's advantage is iOS requirement (15.4 vs 26.0). 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. Bar sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and OpenPDF sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bar ships an update every 2 months, OpenPDF every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Bar versus OpenPDF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBarOpenPDF
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews62.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—8 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.4 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRoberto SonzogniJason Kalili

Customer experience

Bar

Written reviews233 reviews
Positive62.7%
Neutral4.7%
Negative32.6%

OpenPDF

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

OpenPDF

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Bar

One-time1
  • Remove ads and enable web app mode$0.99
3 purchases

OpenPDF

One-time3
  • Quick Thanks$4.99
  • Support OpenPDF$9.99
  • Keep It Going$19.99

Questions

Is Bar free?
Bar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OpenPDF free?
OpenPDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Bar or OpenPDF have ads?
Neither Bar nor OpenPDF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bar or OpenPDF?
Bar ships an update every 2 months, and OpenPDF every 8 days. Most recently, Bar was updated on October 17, 2026 and OpenPDF on October 6, 2026.

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