# QR Code Scanner vs Simeji

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | QR Code Scanner | Simeji |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (92 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-scanner-fast-and-easy/id585561686/reviews)** | [4.6 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simeji/id899997582/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 92 | **1.2K** |
| Positive reviews | **74.5% of reviews** | 64.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 9 MB | 193 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Takashi Wada](https://appshunter.io/developer/347846039) | [Baidu Japan Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/382165332) |

## What reviewers say

### QR Code Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-scanner-fast-and-easy/id585561686)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Simeji

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simeji/id899997582)

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:** Safari Extension, Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 月間会員 | $1.99 | per month |
| Simeji月間 VIP | $2.99 | per month |
| Simeji 月間VIP | $2.99 | per month |
| Simeji VIP Lv1 1ヶ月コース（初月半額） | $2.99 | per month |
| 月額会員 | $3.49 | per month |
| プレミアムサービス | $9.99 | per 6 months |
| Simeji VIP | $15.99 | per year |
| 年間会員 | $21.99 | per year |
| Simeji VIP年間会員 | $30.99 | per year |
| Simeji VIP Lv2 年間コース | $199.99 | per year |
| ガーリーうさぎ | $1.99 | one-time |
| クールブルー | $1.99 | one-time |
| ゆめかわユニコーン | $1.99 | one-time |
| ユリ | $1.99 | one-time |
| クラシックピアノ | $1.99 | one-time |
| きらきらジュエリー　シルバー | $1.99 | one-time |
| 白薔薇切り絵 | $1.99 | one-time |
| 有料 まふまふきせかえ | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 No ads for keyboard
- 👍 More keyboards than Facemoji
- 👍 Easy to switch between English and Japanese
- 👍 Includes kaomojis and GIFs
- 👍 Cute/better-looking keyboards

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🌐 Only available in Japanese
- 🤖 Uses AI that is destroying artists' careers

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard keeps asking for full access
- Saved emojis/emoticons disappear
- Intrusive popup ads

**Requested features**

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


## Frequently asked 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.

---

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