# QR Code Reader & Generator App vs Substitute Now

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Substitute Now at none against QR Code Reader & Generator App's 3. Substitute Now also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. QR Code Reader & Generator App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Substitute Now asks for nothing beyond the download.

QR Code Reader & Generator App ships an update every 3 months, Substitute Now every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | QR Code Reader & Generator App | Substitute Now |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-reader-and-generator-app/id885743052/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 6 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Penghui Zhao](https://appshunter.io/developer/421609849) | [KODENAUTS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1683930610) |

## What reviewers say

### QR Code Reader & Generator App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-reader-and-generator-app/id885743052)

Easily scan and generate QR codes and barcodes for various information types. Customize your QR codes with colors, logos, and shapes before sharing them. Supports a wide range of code types and batch scanning.

**Highlights:** Scan QR codes and barcodes, Create QR codes and barcodes, Support for multiple code types, Batch scanning, Customize QR code appearance, Add logo to QR codes, Share codes

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Weekly Subscription | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Monthly Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Pro Upgrade | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Useful for finding ads
- 👍 Great experience at Livonia Greenmead Branch
- 👍 Best scanning app so far

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Won't focus on QR codes
- 🐛 Constant app crashes
- 🐛 Couldn't change barcode type
- 🐛 Buttons don't work after creating QR code
- 🐛 Doesn't read QR code it created

**Reported bugs**

- Takes to blank screen after scanning
- App closes when selecting a 'type'

**Requested features**

- Option to include photo in manual create mode


### Substitute Now

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/substitute-now/id6757949522)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is QR Code Reader & Generator App free?

QR Code Reader & Generator App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Substitute Now free?

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

### Do QR Code Reader & Generator App or Substitute Now have ads?

QR Code Reader & Generator App shows ads; Substitute Now does not.

### Which is updated more often, QR Code Reader & Generator App or Substitute Now?

QR Code Reader & Generator App ships an update every 3 months, and Substitute Now every 2 months. Most recently, QR Code Reader & Generator App was updated on October 21, 2026 and Substitute Now on October 11, 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.*