Barcode Scanners vs QR Code Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Barcode Scanners
This app offers robust barcode scanning capabilities, supporting over 30 different types including QR, UPC, and Data Matrix. It provides powerful parsing for industry-standard formats like driver's licenses and GS1 codes, simplifying data extraction.
- Scan over 30 barcode types
- QR code scanning
- UPC scanning
- Data Matrix scanning
- GS1 code parsing
- Driver's license data parsing
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Barcode scanning made simple! Use this powerful app to easily scan over 30 different types of barcodes, including QR, UPC, GS1, Data Matrix, PDF417, DotCode, and many others. The Cognex Barcode Scanners application reads all major barcode symbologies, including Aztec Code, Codabar, Code 11, Code 25 (Interleaved, Industrial, COOP, Matrix and ITF-14), Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Data Matrix, DotCode, EAN, ISBN, GS1 DataBar, MaxiCode, MSI Plessey, PDF417, Micro PDF417, Postal Codes, QR Code (Micro and Standard), TELEPEN and UPC barcode types, as well as GS1 sub-types like GS1 QR Code, GS1 Data Matrix and GS1-128. The app also provides powerful parsers to examine industry standard formatted barcodes more easily such as AAMVA (US and Canadian Driver’s Licenses), GS1, IUID, Structured Carrier Messages (MaxiCode), and more! To learn more about Cognex's high-speed barcode scanning and computer vision solutions, visit https://www.cognex.com.
QR Code Reader
Scan QR codes and barcodes quickly with your iPhone camera. Access your scan history, scan from photos, and use a flashlight for dark environments. Share your scanned items easily.
- Automatic camera activation
- Scan from photo library
- Scan history access
- Flashlight for low light
- Barcode scanning support
- Share scan history
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QR Code Reader for iPhone is a free and handy QR code scanner and reader app. [Features] - The camera starts automatically when you launch the app. - Scan images directly from your photo library. - Quickly access your scan history. - Includes a light button for scanning in the dark. - Also supports barcode scanning. - Share your scan history list. * You can scan a large number of barcodes or QR codes and send them all at once. [Notes] Be sure to allow the QR Code Reader app to access your camera when you launch it. If the screen appears dark on startup, go to [Settings] → [Privacy & Security] → [Camera], and turn on [QR Code Reader].
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Barcode Scanners at none against QR Code Reader's shown. Barcode Scanners also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 14.0). QR Code Reader's advantage is ratings volume (160K vs 810) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Barcode Scanners against 4.7 for QR Code Reader. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: QR Code Reader has 160K ratings behind it against 810, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of Barcode Scanners's written reviews are positive against 84% of QR Code Reader's.
Barcode Scanners ships an update every 5 months, QR Code Reader every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Barcode Scanners | QR Code Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (810 ratings) | 4.7 (160K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 87.8% of reviews — better | 84.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 810 | 160K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 35 MB | 47 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Cognex Corporation | Komorebi Inc. |
Customer experience
Barcode Scanners
QR Code Reader
User reviews
Barcode Scanners
From 810 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and accurate scanning
- 👍 Reliable and easy to use
- 🔒 No data collection
- 💡 Supports wide range of barcode types
- 👍 Excellent parsing and decoding capabilities
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezing issues
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🐛 Duplicate delay feature not working as expected
- 🐛 Export to CSV not functioning properly
QR Code Reader
From 160K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Friendly and helpful staff
- 🚀 Fast and efficient service
- 💡 Convenient features
- 🤖 Reliable and accurate scanning
- 🌟 Excellent overall experience
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional scanning issues
- 💰 Concerns about hidden costs
- 📋 Unclear instructions or information
Bugs and requests
Barcode Scanners
Reported bugs
3 issues- App crashing after iOS 12.3.1 update
- Unable to scan certain barcode types (e.g. GS1 DataMatrix)
- Frozen camera view after initial scan
Requested features
4 requests- Option to disable tips/tooltips on startup
- Batch export/logging of scan history
- Ability to display non-readable characters
- Deeper Shortcuts integration
QR Code Reader
Reported bugs
2 issues- App crashes or freezes
- Scanning not working as expected
Requested features
3 requests- Ability to save and organize scanned data
- Integration with other apps or services
- More customization options
In-app purchases
Barcode Scanners
No in-app purchases
QR Code Reader
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Barcode Scanners free?
Is QR Code Reader free?
Which has better reviews, Barcode Scanners or QR Code Reader?
Do Barcode Scanners or QR Code Reader have ads?
Which is updated more often, Barcode Scanners or QR Code Reader?
Other comparisons
