QR & Barcode vs Code Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
QR & Barcode
Easily scan and read QR codes and barcodes with a pro scanner. Generate your own custom QR codes and keep a history of all scanned items. Share your codes via email, SMS, or copy them to your clipboard.
- QR code scanning
- Barcode reading
- QR code generation
- Scan history
- Sharing options
- Flashlight support
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QR Code Scanner, Reader & Generator — free with ads, or go Premium. SCAN ANYTHING Point your camera at any code and it reads instantly. Supports: • QR Codes • EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-E • Code 39, Code 93, Code 128 • PDF417, Aztec, Data Matrix, ITF-14 SCAN FROM PHOTOS Use the Share Extension to decode a QR code from any image in your Photos app or Safari — no need to open the app first. GENERATE SMART QR CODES Choose a type and fill in the details: • URL — any web address • Wi-Fi — share your network password as a scannable code • SMS — pre-fill a text message ready to send • Email — tap the result to compose directly • Phone — tap to call • Contact — full vCard with name, phone, email and organisation • Calendar Event — add an event directly to any calendar app • Text — any content SAVE & SHARE Save directly to your Camera Roll or share instantly via the system share sheet. HISTORY Every scan and generated code is saved automatically. Tap any entry to view, copy, share, or generate again. PREMIUM — COLORS, LOGO & NO ADS Subscribe monthly or yearly to unlock custom foreground and background colors, add your own logo to any code, and remove all ads. Cancel anytime.
Code Reader
Easily scan, generate, and share QR codes and barcodes. Quickly read various code types, including links, contacts, and product information. Generate new codes from text, emails, or Wi-Fi details, and utilize convenient extensions for seamless integration.
- Scan QR codes and barcodes
- Generate QR codes and barcodes
- Read codes from images via extension
- Generate codes from text, email, Wi-Fi
- Save and share scanned/generated codes
- Automatic web page opening for product barcodes
- Scanner preview with zoom and stabilization
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A feature-rich QR and barcode scanner: scan, generate, and share codes — fast and privately. Scan codes with text, links, contacts, emails, locations, Wi‑Fi networks, product barcodes, and more. When you scan a code, the app acts on it intelligently: links open in the browser, email addresses let you compose a message quickly, and vCards can be viewed or added to Contacts. You can read codes with the camera or generate them in the app — plus use action extensions to scan or create codes from other apps.¹ Spotted a QR code in a photo or on a website? Use the Read Code extension to scan it instantly.¹ Main features • Scan with the camera — text, links, contacts, emails, product barcodes, Wi‑Fi, and more • Read QR codes and 1‑D barcodes from images with the Read Code extension¹ • Product barcodes can open relevant web pages or Amazon (configurable in Settings) • Generate QR codes and 1‑D barcodes • Create codes from text, links, contacts, email, SMS, phone numbers, and Wi‑Fi • Join Wi‑Fi networks automatically from a scanned code • Scan and save multiple codes in one session • Generate a code from text, a link, or a contact with the Generate QR extension¹ • Smooth up to 60fps scanner preview with optical image stabilization and zoom (including optical 2× zoom on iPhones with dual cameras) • Optionally copy scanned content to the clipboard automatically • Option to prefer HTTPS and avoid insecure websites • Recents for scanned and generated codes, with search and filters • Custom QR colors — two‑finger tap on the image or use the menu when viewing a code • Share any barcode • Custom URL scheme to generate QR codes from a URL or text² • Widgets for recent codes and quick access to the scanner Code Reader Pro Upgrade to Code Reader Pro for advanced tools — no ads, and your data stays on your device. Choose monthly, yearly, or a one‑time lifetime unlock. Pro includes: • Batch scan — read many codes from photos or PDFs at once • Export & import history — back up or move your scan library (CSV/JSON) • Custom names — label scans so you can find them quickly • Starred scans — pin important codes and filter your history • Notes — add context to any saved scan • QR codes with logo — embed your brand in generated codes • High‑res & PDF export — share sharp QR images and PDFs • Link safety warnings — alerts for suspicious links (IP addresses, punycode, mixed scripts, and more) before you open them Restore purchases anytime from the Pro screen. ¹ The extension might need to be enabled manually: open the share menu, tap More at the bottom, and turn on the app extensions (Activities). ² Try it in a browser or messaging app: add generateqr:// before a URL or text to open the app and generate a QR code image. - Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ - Privacy Policy: https://illescasdaniel.github.io/qr-code-reader-app-info/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Code Reader at none against QR & Barcode's shown. Code Reader also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (64% vs 56%). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. QR & Barcode sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Code Reader sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Code Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 57 and 243 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of QR & Barcode's written reviews are positive against 64% of Code Reader's.
QR & Barcode ships an update every 3 weeks, Code Reader every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | QR & Barcode | Code Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (57 ratings) | 4.6 (243 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 55.9% of reviews | 64.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 57 | 243 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | JB STEVENARD | Daniel ILLESCAS ROMERO |
Customer experience
QR & Barcode
Code Reader
Bugs and requests
QR & Barcode
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Code Reader
Reported bugs
15 issues- App not working after MacOS update
- Cannot get permissions to save
- QR codes not readable by Mac camera
- App crashes QREncoder
- Sequence of letters then stops
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- Camera doesn't focus on QR code
- No 'Take picture' or red button
- Account closed for misuse (reported scam)
- Error scanning WiFi QR codes
- Contact access without privacy section
- Inaccurate barcode numbers
- Cannot scan from files/photos
- Donation button error
- Errors when scanning
- Cannot open scanned content
Requested features
9 requests- Add date & time to QR history
- Option to select camera
- Ability to save QR codes
- Support for SVG files
- Add logos to QR codes
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- Choose QR code color
- Generate QR codes from photos
- Dynamic QR codes
- Widget support
In-app purchases
QR & Barcode
- stevenardjb.qrcode.premium1$1.991 Month
- Go Premium$12.991 Year
- Developer Tip$0.99
Code Reader
- Code Reader Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
- Code Reader Pro Yearly$9.991 Year
- Donation 1$0.99
- Donation 2$1.99
- Code Reader Pro Lifetime$2.99
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Donation 5$4.99
- Donation 10$8.99
Questions
Is QR & Barcode free?
Is Code Reader free?
Which has better reviews, QR & Barcode or Code Reader?
Do QR & Barcode or Code Reader have ads?
Which is updated more often, QR & Barcode or Code Reader?
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