Comparison

QRCode Barcode vs QR Reader Express

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

QRCode Barcode

Easily read and create QR Codes and barcodes of various types. Scan quickly with autofocus, open links, send emails, or save text. Generate codes from contacts or custom text, and even display them on Apple Watch.

Highlights
  • Scan QR Codes and barcodes
  • Create QR Codes from contacts
  • Create QR Codes from text
  • Open links and send emails from scans
  • Save scanned text or created codes
  • Display QR Codes on Apple Watch
Features
Read full description

Scan QR Codes and barcodes in seconds. Scan codes from photos, use continuous scanning, search your history, export it as CSV, and create QR Codes—all in one app. Show the QR Codes you create on Apple Watch too, so membership cards and check-in codes are ready without taking out your iPhone. Choose an error-correction level. On iOS 26 or later, customize QR Codes with rounded styling and color, and choose an Apple Watch display that prioritizes reliable scanning. 【Scanning】 ・Automatically recognizes QR Code, Micro QR, and common barcode formats ・Scan by simply pointing the camera ・Read QR Codes from photos and screenshots ・Continuously scan multiple codes ・Autofocus and tap to focus ・Open scanned URLs, make calls, and send email ・Add contacts; copy and share text ・Search your scan history ・Export history as a CSV file 【Creating QR Codes】 ・Create from a URL, message, or any text ・Create from contacts on your iPhone ・Keep created QR Codes updated when contact details change ・Save as an image, share, and print ・Display on Apple Watch 【Great for】 ・Reading a QR Code from a photo or computer screen ・Recording multiple codes with continuous scanning ・Managing scan history in CSV ・Sharing a URL or contact with a QR Code ・Displaying a membership card or check-in code on Apple Watch No account required. Start scanning and creating right away. URL scheme: qrcodebarcode:// Supports Dynamic Type. QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED in Japan and in other countries.

About

QR Reader Express

Features
Read full description

The QR reader and generator is a scanner with automatic QR code detection. You can generate your own QR codes and share them. Now you can also scan QR codes from the image gallery. Detects de type of QR Code (contact, wifi, maps, calendar event, send sms, phone call,send email, url, etc... ) and show to you the corresponding action. After scanning, you can open the url, open maps, save contact, open wifi network, share content, send sms, send email, make phone call, add event calendar o copy content to clipboard. Includes history of scanned codes. Option to turn on the flashlight to scan in dark conditions.

Screenshots

QRCode Barcode4 screens
QR Reader Express4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: QR Reader Express at 13.0 against QRCode Barcode's 15.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

QRCode Barcode ships an update every 4 months, QR Reader Express every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
QRCode Barcode versus QR Reader Express: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQRCode BarcodeQR Reader Express
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (796 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews69.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings796 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperClimb AppArnau Egea

Bugs and requests

QRCode Barcode

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Watch app crashes with error WCErrorDomain code=7004 on launch
  • Watch app does not display codes created on iPhone
  • Unable to delete accidentally created codes
  • Three-scan limit before requiring payment (disputed claim)
  • App malfunction on certain QR/barcode types

Requested features

4 requests
  • Folder/organization system for managing scan history
  • Create codes from photos
  • Create codes from notes app
  • Better watch app integration

QR Reader Express

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

QRCode Barcode

No in-app purchases

None

QR Reader Express

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is QRCode Barcode free?
QRCode Barcode is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is QR Reader Express free?
QR Reader Express is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do QRCode Barcode or QR Reader Express have ads?
Both QRCode Barcode and QR Reader Express show ads.
Which is updated more often, QRCode Barcode or QR Reader Express?
QRCode Barcode ships an update every 4 months, and QR Reader Express every 5 months. Most recently, QRCode Barcode was updated on September 26, 2026 and QR Reader Express on September 9, 2026.

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