# FreeScanner vs QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FreeScanner at none against QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App's 49. FreeScanner also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App's advantage is ratings volume (140K vs 904). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App sells 32 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. FreeScanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for FreeScanner against 4.7 for QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App has 140K ratings behind it against 904, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 87% of FreeScanner's written reviews are positive against 80% of QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App's.

FreeScanner ships an update fortnightly, QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FreeScanner | QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (904 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freescanner/id560068210/reviews) | **[4.7 (140K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-readerqr-scanner-app/id903799541/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 904 | **140K** |
| Positive reviews | **86.8% of reviews** | 80.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 17 MB | 58 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [n3rds](https://appshunter.io/developer/510673312) | [MixerBox Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/527117842) |

## What reviewers say

### FreeScanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freescanner/id560068210)

This utility app quickly scans and decodes a wide variety of barcode and QR code formats. It provides instant lookup of useful information after each scan, making it a convenient tool for accessing data from product codes.

**Highlights:** Scans all major barcode and QR code types, Provides quick information lookup, Supports QR-Code, EAN, UPC, Code 128, and more, Handles various code formats

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Fast and accurate scanning
- 💡 Useful features like URL linking
- 👍 Simple and straightforward interface
- 🚀 Works great for testing barcodes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional scanning issues
- 🐛 Compatibility problems on some devices
- 🐛 Difficulty exporting/sharing scanned data

**Reported bugs**

- Scanning not working on some products
- App crashes or freezes on certain devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to organize/manage scanned items
- Option to export/share scanned data in batches
- More customization options (e.g., dark mode)


### QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-readerqr-scanner-app/id903799541)

Scan all standard 1D and 2D barcodes and QR codes quickly and easily. Generate custom QR codes with AI and view product details directly from scans. Works offline and in low light conditions, with scan history saved for convenience.

**Highlights:** Scans all standard 1D and 2D codes, Generates personalized QR codes with AI, Scans and views product details online, Rapid scanning, Offline scanning capability, Flashlight support for dark environments, Scan history saved

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

**In-app purchases (32)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $1.29 | per 7 days |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $1.49 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $4.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $8.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $8.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $12.49 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $12.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $13.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $14.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $15.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $16.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $17.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $18.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $20.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $21.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $23.49 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $23.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $24.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $119.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $129.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Lifetime | $17.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick and reliable scanning
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Fast and accurate recognition
- 👍 Helpful for finding product info
- 👍 Works well with self-generated codes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
- 🔒 Aggressive advertising/paywall
- 🔒 Requires subscription for full functionality
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent scanning performance
- Incorrect product information displayed
- Subscription issues/inability to cancel

**Requested features**

- Auto-rotate feature for landscape content
- Improved history/search functionality
- More compatibility with obscure/custom codes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FreeScanner free?

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

### Is QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App free?

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

### Which has better reviews, FreeScanner or QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App?

QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App is rated higher. FreeScanner averages 4.6 out of 5 from 904 ratings, while QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App averages 4.7 from 140K ratings.

### Do FreeScanner or QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App have ads?

QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App shows ads; FreeScanner does not.

### Which is updated more often, FreeScanner or QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App?

FreeScanner ships an update fortnightly, and QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App every 2 weeks. Most recently, FreeScanner was updated on September 22, 2026 and QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App on September 25, 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.*