Comparison

Barcode Scanners vs QR Scanner

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Scan over 30 barcode types
  • QR code scanning
  • UPC scanning
  • Data Matrix scanning
  • GS1 code parsing
  • Driver's license data parsing
Features
Read full description

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.

About

QR Scanner

Easily scan and generate custom QR codes for various purposes. This app allows you to import codes from images, manage your scan history, and securely create non-expiring codes. Enjoy an ad-free experience with Pro plans.

Highlights
  • Scan unlimited QR codes
  • Generate custom QR codes
  • Import QR codes from gallery
  • Track scan history
  • Face ID authentication
  • Copy, share, and download codes
Features
Read full description

Introducing QR Scanner, the ultimate tool for seamless QR code scanning and generation. With QR Scanner, you have everything you need in one convenient app. No more cluttered screens or multiple downloads. Just effortless QR code management at your fingertips. Scan any QR code with ease using your iPhone's back camera, or even import images from your gallery. Our intuitive interface ensures quick and accurate decoding, giving you instant access to the information you need. Create custom QR codes for websites, emails, texts, Wi-Fi passwords, locations, and more. Simply choose your QR type, input your data, and generate. Sharing is just as easy, allowing you to disseminate information seamlessly across various platforms. KEY FEATURES OF QR SCANNER:: • Effortlessly scan and generate unlimited QR codes. • Scan all QR code formats using your iPhone's camera. • Import and decode QR codes from gallery images. • Create non-expiring QR codes for various purposes. • Keep track of your scans and creations with the history section. • Lightweight design optimized for minimal storage usage. • Support for all QR code formats, including Wi-Fi codes. • Secure your information with Face ID Authentication. • Convenient flashlight and zooming options for enhanced usability. • Easily copy, share, and download QR codes. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to our Pro plans for unlimited access to a QR code scanner and generator, and enjoy an ad-free experience. Manage your subscription directly from your iPhone Subscriptions can be managed by the user and auto-renewal can be turned off by going to the Account Settings: Open the Settings app, 1. Tap on your name, 2. Tap Subscription,. 3. Tap the subscription that you want to manage. You can cancel auto-renewal at any time, given that the cancellation is at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when purchasing an auto-renewing subscription. FEEDBACK: Your feedback fuels our innovation. If you love QR Scanner, please consider leaving us a 5-star rating and review. Have questions or need assistance? Reach out to our top-notch customer support team at hello@thumbmagiclabs.com. Terms of Use: https://thumbmagiclabs.com/terms-and-conditions/ Privacy Policy: https://thumbmagiclabs.com/privacy-policy/

Screenshots

Barcode Scanners4 screens
QR Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barcode Scanners at none against QR Scanner's 4. Barcode Scanners also leads on ratings volume (810 vs 130) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 14.0). QR Scanner's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. QR Scanner sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Barcode Scanners asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Barcode Scanners against 4.7 for QR Scanner. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Barcode Scanners has 810 ratings behind it against 130, 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 89% of QR Scanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Barcode Scanners ships an update every 5 months, QR Scanner fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and August 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Barcode Scanners versus QR Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBarcode ScannersQR Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (810 ratings)4.7 (130 ratings) — better
Positive reviews87.8% of reviews89.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings810 — better130
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCognex CorporationThumbmagic Labs LLP

Customer experience

Barcode Scanners

All ratings808 ratings
Positive91.1%
Neutral3.6%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews188 reviews
Positive87.8%
Neutral3.7%
Negative8.5%

QR Scanner

All ratings123 ratings
Positive91.9%
Neutral4.1%
Negative4.1%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive89.3%
Neutral3.6%
Negative7.1%

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 Scanner

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Barcode Scanners

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

QR Scanner

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly$0.991 Month
  • qr_scanner_weekly$0.997 Days
  • qr_scanner_yearly$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • QR Scanner Unlimited$24.99

Questions

Is Barcode Scanners free?
Barcode Scanners is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is QR Scanner free?
QR Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Barcode Scanners or QR Scanner?
QR Scanner is rated higher. Barcode Scanners averages 4.6 out of 5 from 810 ratings, while QR Scanner averages 4.7 from 130 ratings.
Do Barcode Scanners or QR Scanner have ads?
Neither Barcode Scanners nor QR Scanner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Barcode Scanners or QR Scanner?
Barcode Scanners ships an update every 5 months, and QR Scanner fortnightly. Most recently, Barcode Scanners was updated on September 22, 2026 and QR Scanner on August 19, 2026.

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