# QRCode Barcode vs QR Reader Express

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.

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

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | QRCode Barcode | QR Reader Express |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (796 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qrcode-barcode/id811899990/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **796** | — |
| Positive reviews | 69.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Size | 17 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Climb App](https://appshunter.io/developer/404048459) | [Arnau Egea](https://appshunter.io/developer/902788505) |

## What reviewers say

### QRCode Barcode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qrcode-barcode/id811899990)

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:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💰 Completely free with no hidden paywalls
- 📱 Supports multiple barcode/QR/Data Matrix formats
- 💾 Ample storage for scanning history
- 📤 Export scan history to CSV
- 🎯 Simple and easy to use interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Watch app shows error code WCErrorDomain 7004
- 🐛 Inconsistent scanning performance for some users
- 🐛 Watch app fails to display created codes
- ❌ Misleading free claims (according to some users)
- 🔧 Limited code management organization

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

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


### QR Reader Express

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-reader-express/id1458910524)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*