# Barcode Scanners vs XL Sidekick

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Barcode Scanners at 811 against XL Sidekick's 4. Barcode Scanners also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.1). XL Sidekick's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

XL Sidekick holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Barcode Scanners has 811 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Barcode Scanners ships an update every 5 months, XL Sidekick every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode Scanners | XL Sidekick |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (811 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanners/id504201315/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xl-sidekick/id6751604755/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **811** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 87.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 35 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cognex Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/977274716) | [Vorne Industries, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1835995344) |

## 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


### XL Sidekick

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xl-sidekick/id6751604755)

Enhance manufacturing productivity with a companion app for XL devices. Enter data, view real-time production insights, and mirror operator displays on your mobile device. Securely access information from anywhere on your plant floor.

**Highlights:** Data entry via action screens, Real-time production data visualization, Operator display mirroring (scoreboard), Secure local network access, Free to use and support

**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 XL Sidekick free?

XL Sidekick is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Barcode Scanners or XL Sidekick?

XL Sidekick is rated higher. Barcode Scanners averages 4.6 out of 5 from 811 ratings, while XL Sidekick averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do Barcode Scanners or XL Sidekick have ads?

Neither Barcode Scanners nor XL Sidekick shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Barcode Scanners or XL Sidekick?

Barcode Scanners ships an update every 5 months, and XL Sidekick every 3 months. Most recently, Barcode Scanners was updated on October 20, 2026 and XL Sidekick on October 5, 2026.

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