Comparison

QR Code Scanner vs Simeji

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

Head to head
About

QR Code Scanner

Instantly scan QR codes from your iPhone camera or photo library. Quickly access information and keep a history of all your scanned codes for easy review.

Highlights
  • QR code scanning
  • Camera integration
  • Photo album scanning
  • Scan history
  • Quick access
Features
Read full description

QR Code Scanner is a simple, fast QR code and barcode scanning tool, built specifically for iPhone. Trusted by users in Japan, with over 270,000 ratings and an average of 4.5 stars on the Japan App Store. The camera launches instantly when you open the app — no extra steps needed. Just point and scan. 【Key Features】 ・Supports QR codes, EAN-13, and other barcode formats ・Supports Wi-Fi QR codes — connect to a network right after scanning, no need to type the password manually ・Supports Passkey QR codes ・Scan directly from photos in your library — no camera needed ・Scan results are automatically saved to your history for easy reference anytime ・Built-in flashlight for scanning in low light ・Share scan results with one tap ・Choose to open links in Safari or the app's built-in browser ・Supports Dark Mode 【Use Cases】 ・Scan QR codes on storefronts, flyers, and posters ・Connect to Wi-Fi at restaurants, hotels, and public venues ・Look up product info from barcodes ・Scan QR codes from screenshots or photos sent by friends ・Scan QR codes for event registration, tickets, and coupons Clean, intuitive, and ready the moment you open it — your go-to QR code and barcode scanner, always at hand.

About

Simeji

This keyboard app offers a customizable Japanese input experience with a vast library of emoticons, emoji, and stickers. It features a cloud-based dictionary for up-to-date slang and phrases, along with options to personalize your keyboard's appearance. Advanced users can enjoy VIP features like OCR and unlimited theme customization.

Highlights
  • Skinnable keyboard with custom wallpapers and themes
  • Extensive emoticon and emoji library with rankings
  • Cloud-based dictionary with 2M entries
  • Preset and user-shared phrases
  • Popular Simeji stickers
  • VIP exclusive themes and custom parts
  • OCR function for text conversion
Features
Read full description

Simeji is a free Japanese input keyboard that has reached over 39M downloads! It comes with a skinnable keyboard, cute emoticons, emoji, and more! This is the most popular keyboard app in Japan! Try it today! Simeji is a keyboard with these features! Skinnable keyboard - Add a wallpaper to your keyboard using a photo,image and video. - Chock-full of keyboard themes! - Also lots of features to change your text color and decorate your flick keyboard. Use cute emoticons and emoji - See the emoticon and emoji rankings to find the most popular ones! - Popular emoticons can be inserted immediately and let you add some spice to your chats on LINE, Twitter, and Facebook! Robust Japanese input and conversion features - The cloud-based dictionary contains 2M entries, covering everything from anime slang to the latest buzzwords - Lots of preset phrases you can use for Nico Nico, in-game chat, telling someone you're late, and more - As requested by users, the "Fun conversion" feature has now been added! There's also the "Everyone's Dictionary" feature, which lets you share cute emoticons with others. Easy keyboard input - Rapidly switch from the top of the keyboard to select emoticons, emoji, numerals, and special characters Popular Simeji stickers - Comes with the popular set of Simeji stickers New fun stickers are being uploaded by users every day! These cool stickers are free to use! [Simeij VIP] Plan 1) Simeji VIP monthly 400 yen / month 2) Simeji VIP 12 month 200 yen / month (2,400 yen per year) 50% OFF every year [About automatic renewal and cancellation] Free trial is only available when you register for VIP for the first time in the App Store. After the free trial, you will be automatically charged 400 yen per month. A monthly fee will be charged within 24 hours before the end of the subscription period. Unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the subscription period, your subscription will automatically continue. Payment will be charged to Apple ID account. Deleting an app does not cancel your subscription. Cancellation procedure cannot be performed on the Simeji App side. Please manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Benefits VIP exclusive theme Unlimited use VIP special theme -Unlimited use of luxury keyboard custom parts theme and deco parts are upgraded for VIP only -Unlimited photo theme settings No need to organize when you create a new photo theme VIP fixed phrase & reverse lookup dictionary -You can select frequently used sentences incrementaly. VIP backup -Easy backup of user user dictionary OCR function -You can convert and save text and text when you take a picture of the screen or paper. Remove ads -Smooth input operations! * VIP exclusive theme function is not available on iPad. Please note. The information desk - Customer Support (simeji_support@baidu.com) Business hours: Monday to Friday 10: 00-18: 00 (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and our designated holidays) * The contract for this service is automatically renewed. You will be automatically charged for renewal on a service-provided basis until the customer is suspended on the AppStore. * If the service is in the free trial period, the free period ends when you apply for the service. - Terms of use https://simeji.me/termofuse/ - Privacy Policy https://simeji.me/privacy/ - Display based on the Specified Commercial Transaction Law https://stat.ime.baidu.jp/page/terms/ios/premium/index.html

Screenshots

QR Code Scanner3 screens
Simeji4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: QR Code Scanner at none against Simeji's 19. QR Code Scanner also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 64%). Simeji's advantage is ratings volume (1.2K vs 92). On price, rating, update cadence 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. Simeji sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. QR Code Scanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for QR Code Scanner against 4.6 for Simeji. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simeji has 1.2K ratings behind it against 92, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of QR Code Scanner's written reviews are positive against 64% of Simeji's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

QR Code Scanner ships an update fortnightly, Simeji every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
QR Code Scanner versus Simeji: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQR Code ScannerSimeji
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (92 ratings) — better4.6 (1.2K ratings)
Positive reviews74.5% of reviews — better64.2% of reviews
Number of ratings921.2K — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB193 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTakashi WadaBaidu Japan Inc.

Customer experience

QR Code Scanner

All ratings92 ratings
Positive94.6%
Neutral3.3%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews51 reviews
Positive74.5%
Neutral3.9%
Negative21.6%

Simeji

All ratings1,193 ratings
Positive89.1%
Neutral5.5%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews159 reviews
Positive64.2%
Neutral11.3%
Negative24.5%

Bugs and requests

QR Code Scanner

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Simeji

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Keyboard keeps asking for full access
  • Saved emojis/emoticons disappear
  • Intrusive popup ads

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add English language support
  • Improve QWERTY keyboard layout
  • Add auto-capitalization feature
  • Introduce simplified and traditional Chinese keyboards

In-app purchases

None

QR Code Scanner

No in-app purchases

18 purchases

Simeji

Subscriptions10
  • 月間会員7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Simeji月間 VIP$2.991 Month
  • Simeji 月間VIP1 Month trial$2.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Simeji VIP Lv1 1ヶ月コース(初月半額)1 Month trial$2.991 Month
  • 月額会員7 Days trial$3.491 Month
  • プレミアムサービス$9.996 Months
  • Simeji VIP7 Days trial$15.991 Year
  • 年間会員7 Days trial$21.991 Year
  • Simeji VIP年間会員$30.991 Year
  • Simeji VIP Lv2 年間コース$199.991 Year
One-time8
  • ガーリーうさぎ$1.99
  • クールブルー$1.99
  • ゆめかわユニコーン$1.99
Show 5 more
  • ユリ$1.99
  • クラシックピアノ$1.99
  • きらきらジュエリー シルバー$1.99
  • 白薔薇切り絵$1.99
  • [有料]まふまふきせかえ$2.99

Questions

Is QR Code Scanner free?
QR Code Scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Simeji free?
Simeji is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, QR Code Scanner or Simeji?
QR Code Scanner is rated higher. QR Code Scanner averages 4.7 out of 5 from 92 ratings, while Simeji averages 4.6 from 1.2K ratings.
Do QR Code Scanner or Simeji have ads?
Both QR Code Scanner and Simeji show ads.
Which is updated more often, QR Code Scanner or Simeji?
QR Code Scanner ships an update fortnightly, and Simeji every 2 weeks. Most recently, QR Code Scanner was updated on October 16, 2026 and Simeji on October 19, 2026.

Other comparisons