# Artcodes vs UMLibraries Self

The clearest difference is rating: Artcodes at 5.0 against UMLibraries Self's 1.0. Artcodes also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). UMLibraries Self's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Artcodes holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

Artcodes ships an update every 2 months, UMLibraries Self fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Artcodes | UMLibraries Self |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/artcodes/id703429621/reviews)** | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/umlibraries-self-checkout/id1276050084/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 24 MB | 355 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Mixed Reality Lab, University of Nottingham](https://appshunter.io/developer/550162555) | [Meescan Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1609729285) |

## What reviewers say

### Artcodes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/artcodes/id703429621)

Create visually engaging codes by drawing beautiful images. Link these designs to websites for a fun and interactive experience, offering a playful alternative to traditional QR codes. Explore unique visual interactions for products, packaging, and services.

**Highlights:** Visually design interactive codes, Link images to websites, Playful alternative to QR codes, Enhance product and packaging interaction, Create unique visual experiences

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### UMLibraries Self

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/umlibraries-self-checkout/id1276050084)

This app allows University of Manitoba library cardholders to easily check out items from any campus library. Simply scan the item you wish to borrow, and the app will automatically recognize your library location.

**Highlights:** Scan items to check out, Automatic library location recognition, Access to all University of Manitoba libraries, Convenient mobile borrowing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Artcodes free?

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

### Is UMLibraries Self free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Artcodes or UMLibraries Self?

Artcodes is rated higher. Artcodes averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while UMLibraries Self averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Artcodes or UMLibraries Self have ads?

Neither Artcodes nor UMLibraries Self shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Artcodes or UMLibraries Self?

Artcodes ships an update every 2 months, and UMLibraries Self fortnightly. Most recently, Artcodes was updated on September 30, 2026 and UMLibraries Self on October 13, 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.*