# Barcode Scanners vs QR Code Reader & Generator App

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barcode Scanners at none against QR Code Reader & Generator App's 3. Barcode Scanners also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (88% vs 60%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. QR Code Reader & Generator App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Barcode Scanners asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Barcode Scanners against 4.7 for QR Code Reader & Generator App. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 810 and 1.2K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of Barcode Scanners's written reviews are positive against 60% of QR Code Reader & Generator App's.

Barcode Scanners ships an update every 5 months, QR Code Reader & Generator App every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode Scanners | QR Code Reader & Generator App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (810 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-scanners/id504201315/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-reader-and-generator-app/id885743052/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 810 | **1.2K** |
| Positive reviews | **87.8% of reviews** | 60.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 35 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cognex Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/977274716) | [Penghui Zhao](https://appshunter.io/developer/421609849) |

## 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


### QR Code Reader & Generator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-reader-and-generator-app/id885743052)

Easily scan and generate QR codes and barcodes for various information types. Customize your QR codes with colors, logos, and shapes before sharing them. Supports a wide range of code types and batch scanning.

**Highlights:** Scan QR codes and barcodes, Create QR codes and barcodes, Support for multiple code types, Batch scanning, Customize QR code appearance, Add logo to QR codes, Share codes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Weekly Subscription | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Monthly Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Pro Upgrade | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Useful for finding ads
- 👍 Great experience at Livonia Greenmead Branch
- 👍 Best scanning app so far

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Won't focus on QR codes
- 🐛 Constant app crashes
- 🐛 Couldn't change barcode type
- 🐛 Buttons don't work after creating QR code
- 🐛 Doesn't read QR code it created

**Reported bugs**

- Takes to blank screen after scanning
- App closes when selecting a 'type'

**Requested features**

- Option to include photo in manual create mode


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barcode Scanners free?

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

### Is QR Code Reader & Generator App free?

QR Code Reader & Generator App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Barcode Scanners or QR Code Reader & Generator App?

QR Code Reader & Generator App is rated higher. Barcode Scanners averages 4.6 out of 5 from 810 ratings, while QR Code Reader & Generator App averages 4.7 from 1.2K ratings.

### Do Barcode Scanners or QR Code Reader & Generator App have ads?

QR Code Reader & Generator App shows ads; Barcode Scanners does not.

### Which is updated more often, Barcode Scanners or QR Code Reader & Generator App?

Barcode Scanners ships an update every 5 months, and QR Code Reader & Generator App every 3 months. Most recently, Barcode Scanners was updated on September 22, 2026 and QR Code Reader & Generator App on September 23, 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.*