# Southco Utility vs Barkoder Keyboard

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Southco Utility at 100% against Barkoder Keyboard's 0%. Southco Utility also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Barkoder Keyboard sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Southco Utility asks for nothing beyond the download.

Southco Utility holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Southco Utility's written reviews are positive against 0% of Barkoder Keyboard's.

Southco Utility ships an update every 4 months, Barkoder Keyboard every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on August 13, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Southco Utility | Barkoder Keyboard |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/southco-utility/id6446764010/reviews)** | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barkoder-keyboard/id6578450612/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 21 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Southco, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/446309412) | [Barkoder](https://appshunter.io/developer/1642700737) |

## What reviewers say

### Southco Utility

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/southco-utility/id6446764010)

This utility app allows for the testing and validation of unregistered Southco Bluetooth devices. It enables users to check sensor status, unlock devices, and update firmware before end-user registration, ensuring proper installation and functionality.

**Highlights:** Test unregistered Southco Bluetooth devices, Check sensor status, Unlock devices, Upgrade device firmware, Validate installation before shipping

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Barkoder Keyboard

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barkoder-keyboard/id6578450612)

This utility app provides a keyboard that integrates barcode scanning directly into any application. Streamline tasks like shopping or inventory management by quickly scanning product codes without leaving your current app.

**Highlights:** Integrated barcode scanning, Scan within any app, Quick product information access, Shopping assistance, Inventory management tool

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited Scans | $29.49 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Southco Utility free?

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

### Is Barkoder Keyboard free?

Barkoder Keyboard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Southco Utility or Barkoder Keyboard?

Southco Utility is rated higher. Southco Utility averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Barkoder Keyboard averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Southco Utility or Barkoder Keyboard have ads?

Neither Southco Utility nor Barkoder Keyboard shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Southco Utility or Barkoder Keyboard?

Southco Utility ships an update every 4 months, and Barkoder Keyboard every 5 months. Most recently, Southco Utility was updated on August 13, 2026 and Barkoder Keyboard on September 10, 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.*