# Photo QR Reader vs Scan

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Scan at 100% against Photo QR Reader's 50%. Scan also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 weeks). Photo QR Reader's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Scan sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Photo QR Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Photo QR Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Scan has 238 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Photo QR Reader's written reviews are positive against 100% of Scan's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Photo QR Reader ships an update every 5 weeks, Scan every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Photo QR Reader | Scan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-qr-reader/id6447561765/reviews)** | [4.5 (238 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scan-qr-code-scanner-app/id6474121786/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 14 | **238** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Subscription |
| Size | 6 MB | 228 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Masayoshi Shibata](https://appshunter.io/developer/1474388626) | [Flex App Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1665600905) |

## What reviewers say

### Photo QR Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-qr-reader/id6447561765)

Easily scan QR codes directly from your photos, even those in email attachments or screenshots. This free utility allows you to access information embedded in images without uploading them online.

**Highlights:** Scan QR codes from photos, Open QR codes from email attachments, Scan QR codes from screenshots, Free to use, No internet upload

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Scan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scan-qr-code-scanner-app/id6474121786)

This app provides high-precision scanning for all major 1D and 2D barcode and QR code formats. It offers features like batch scanning, code creation, and organized library management for business and personal use.

**Highlights:** Instant QR and barcode recognition, Batch scan mode for multiple codes, Organized library with folders, QR code generator, Tagging system for scans, Offline mode access, Data export options

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Get Unlimited Access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlock QR Code AI Generator | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Get Unlimited Access | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Get Unlimited Access | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlock QR Code AI Generator | $29.99 | per year |
| Unlock QR Code AI Generator | $49.99 | per year |
| Unlock QR Code AI Generator | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient scanning
- 👍 Easy and simple to use
- 🚫 No ads or distractions
- 🌍 Works everywhere, even internationally
- 💡 Reliable and never lets users down


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Photo QR Reader free?

Photo QR Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Scan free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Photo QR Reader or Scan?

Photo QR Reader is rated higher. Photo QR Reader averages 4.7 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Scan averages 4.5 from 238 ratings.

### Do Photo QR Reader or Scan have ads?

Photo QR Reader shows ads; Scan does not.

### Which is updated more often, Photo QR Reader or Scan?

Photo QR Reader ships an update every 5 weeks, and Scan every 5 days. Most recently, Photo QR Reader was updated on October 11, 2026 and Scan on October 15, 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.*