# Barcode Essentials vs AI Note Taker

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barcode Essentials at none against AI Note Taker's 15. Barcode Essentials also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). AI Note Taker's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. AI Note Taker sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Barcode Essentials asks for nothing beyond the download.

Barcode Essentials ships an update every 6 months, AI Note Taker fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on May 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode Essentials | AI Note Taker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.2 (400 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ai-note-taker-flick/id1505286803/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **400** |
| Positive reviews | — | 57.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | — | Subscription |
| Size | 12 MB | 182 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [BARCODE ESSENTIALS PTY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1452014319) | [Madduck](https://appshunter.io/developer/1435773822) |

## What reviewers say

### Barcode Essentials

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-essentials/id518202117)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### AI Note Taker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ai-note-taker-flick/id1505286803)

Record lectures, meetings, or voice notes with AI assistance. This app automatically summarizes content, generates action items, and creates searchable transcripts. Organize and easily retrieve all your audio recordings.

**Highlights:** AI-powered summarization, Searchable transcripts, Action item generation, Voice notes to text, Meeting recording, Keyword search in audio

**Features:** iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly pro subscription | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Subscription | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Subscription | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $29.99 | per month |
| Teams Meeting & Record Calls | $29.99 | per month |
| Premium Subscription | $29.99 | per month |
| Monthly Team Account | $49.99 | per month |
| Annual Premium Subscription | $64.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $64.99 | per year |
| Premium Subscription | $64.99 | per year |
| Premium  Subscription | $64.99 | per year |
| Premium Subscription-Annual | $64.99 | per year |
| Teams Meeting Recorder | $64.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $64.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Efficient recording and transcription
- 💡 Useful for interviews and meetings
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🔒 Secure recording and storage

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable audio/video quality
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription
- 🤯 Confusing setup and usage

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes and freezes
- Subscription charges even after cancellation
- Inability to download or access recorded content

**Requested features**

- More flexible recording and playback options
- Better integration with other communication apps
- Improved customer support and troubleshooting


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barcode Essentials free?

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

### Is AI Note Taker free?

AI Note Taker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Barcode Essentials or AI Note Taker have ads?

Neither Barcode Essentials nor AI Note Taker shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Barcode Essentials or AI Note Taker?

Barcode Essentials ships an update every 6 months, and AI Note Taker fortnightly. Most recently, Barcode Essentials was updated on May 22, 2026 and AI Note Taker 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.*