# Artcodes vs Smart Scan

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Artcodes at none against Smart Scan's 4. Artcodes also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Smart Scan sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Artcodes asks for nothing beyond the download.

Artcodes ships an update every 2 months, Smart Scan every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Artcodes | Smart Scan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/artcodes/id703429621/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 24 MB | 117 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mixed Reality Lab, University of Nottingham](https://appshunter.io/developer/550162555) | [Muhammad Yasin Javed](https://appshunter.io/developer/1559905774) |

## 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


### Smart Scan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-scan-scanner-app-to-pdf/id1577063939)

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| One Month Pro | $2.99 | per month |
| Three Month Pro | $5.99 | per 3 months |
| One Year Pro | $17.99 | per year |
| Life time - One time | $24.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Artcodes free?

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

### Is Smart Scan free?

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

### Do Artcodes or Smart Scan have ads?

Neither Artcodes nor Smart Scan shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Artcodes or Smart Scan?

Artcodes ships an update every 2 months, and Smart Scan every 4 months. Most recently, Artcodes was updated on October 15, 2026 and Smart Scan 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.*