# Barcode Scanners vs WAVE ID Mobile

The clearest difference is rating: WAVE ID Mobile at 5.0 against Barcode Scanners's 4.6. Barcode Scanners's advantage is ratings volume (810 vs 1) and update cadence (every 5 months vs every 25 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

WAVE ID Mobile holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Barcode Scanners has 810 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Barcode Scanners ships an update every 5 months, WAVE ID Mobile every 25 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode Scanners | WAVE ID Mobile |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (810 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanners/id504201315/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wave-id-mobile/id1498224533/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **810** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 87.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 months** | Every 25 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 35 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cognex Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/977274716) | [RF IDeas, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/983666252) |

## What reviewers say

### Barcode Scanners

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanners/id504201315)

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.

**Highlights:** Scan over 30 barcode types, QR code scanning, UPC scanning, Data Matrix scanning, GS1 code parsing, Driver's license data parsing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and accurate scanning
- 👍 Reliable and easy to use
- 🔒 No data collection
- 💡 Supports wide range of barcode types
- 👍 Excellent parsing and decoding capabilities

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezing issues
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🐛 Duplicate delay feature not working as expected
- 🐛 Export to CSV not functioning properly

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- Option to disable tips/tooltips on startup
- Batch export/logging of scan history
- Ability to display non-readable characters
- Deeper Shortcuts integration


### WAVE ID Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wave-id-mobile/id1498224533)

Transform your mobile device into a secure authentication credential for compatible readers. This app generates a unique ID for your phone, transmitting it wirelessly via Bluetooth for access control.

**Highlights:** Mobile device as authentication credential, Generates unique user identification number, Bluetooth transmission to compatible readers, Works with specific WAVE ID Mobile reader models, Requires Bluetooth 4.2 or higher

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barcode Scanners free?

Barcode Scanners is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is WAVE ID Mobile free?

WAVE ID Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Barcode Scanners or WAVE ID Mobile?

WAVE ID Mobile is rated higher. Barcode Scanners averages 4.6 out of 5 from 810 ratings, while WAVE ID Mobile averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Barcode Scanners or WAVE ID Mobile have ads?

Neither Barcode Scanners nor WAVE ID Mobile shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Barcode Scanners or WAVE ID Mobile?

Barcode Scanners ships an update every 5 months, and WAVE ID Mobile every 25 months. Most recently, Barcode Scanners was updated on October 12, 2026 and WAVE ID Mobile on October 16, 2026.

---

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