Comparison

QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App vs Universal Code Scanner

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

Head to head
About

QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App

Scan all standard 1D and 2D barcodes and QR codes quickly and easily. Generate custom QR codes with AI and view product details directly from scans. Works offline and in low light conditions, with scan history saved for convenience.

Highlights
  • Scans all standard 1D and 2D codes
  • Generates personalized QR codes with AI
  • Scans and views product details online
  • Rapid scanning
  • Offline scanning capability
  • Flashlight support for dark environments
  • Scan history saved
Features
Read full description

Features: ●All-in-one scanner: scans all standard 1D and 2D code types ●Generate personalized, creative QR codes with AI ●Simple & easy to Use: you can now scan & view product details on Google, amazon.com or amazon.co.jp! ●Rapid scan ●Internet connection is not required for scanning ●Flashlight supported: supports scanning even in the dark! ●Scan history saved ●Privacy Policy: https://s3.amazonaws.com/privacy-html/privacy.html?s=qr ●Terms of Use: https://s3.amazonaws.com/privacy-html/QR-Terms+Of+Use.html A must-have app in your iPhone & iPad! Download now!! Free to use with ads. Optional in-app purchase to remove ads. — *This app has been registered and authorized by the company, MixerBox Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Universal Code Scanner

This app quickly scans and decodes various 2D barcodes and QR codes. It offers enhanced security by checking URLs for phishing and can convert specific payment codes into usable links. The application prioritizes user privacy with no tracking or ads.

Highlights
  • Scans QR, EAN, Aztec, DataMatrix, and more
  • Checks URLs against phishing (Quishing)
  • Converts EPC QR codes to bank/payto URLs
  • Shares decoded data via Airdrop
  • No user tracking or analytics
  • Ad-free and no in-app purchases
Features
Read full description

Universal Scanner is a privacy focused, simple and lightweight application for verifying the content of a wide range of 2d codes. The main features are: - Displays code type and raw content - Option to check scanned URLs against phishing (Quishing) - Converts EPC QR codes (SEPA transfers) to 'bank://' or 'payto://' URL (useful if your banking app does not support EPC codes) - Share raw data or converted data with Airdrop - No user tracking - No analytics - No ads - No in-app purchases (voluntary donations only) - No automatic opening of links (could be enabled in settings) - Scan history optional and disabled by default - Small download size Supported code types: QR, EAN8, UPCE, Aztec, EAN13, ITF14, Code39, Code93, PDF417, Code128, DataMatrix, Code39Mod43, Interleaved2of5, Codabar, MicroQR, MicroPDF417, GS1DataBar, GS1DataBarLimited, GS1DataBarExtended

Screenshots

QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App4 screens
Universal Code Scanner3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Universal Code Scanner at none against QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App's shown. Universal Code Scanner also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App's advantage is ratings volume (140K vs 1) and review sentiment (80% vs 71%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support 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. QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App sells 32 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and Universal Code Scanner sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Universal Code Scanner holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App has 140K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App's written reviews are positive against 71% of Universal Code Scanner's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App ships an update fortnightly, Universal Code Scanner every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App versus Universal Code Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQR Code Reader/QR Scanner AppUniversal Code Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (140K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better71.4% of reviews
Number of ratings140K — better1
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size96 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMixerBox Inc.Marcus Pleintinger

Customer experience

QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App

All ratings140,178 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral2.7%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews546 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral2.6%
Negative17.4%

Universal Code Scanner

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%

Bugs and requests

QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inconsistent scanning performance
  • Incorrect product information displayed
  • Subscription issues/inability to cancel

Requested features

3 requests
  • Auto-rotate feature for landscape content
  • Improved history/search functionality
  • More compatibility with obscure/custom codes

Universal Code Scanner

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

32 purchases

QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App

Subscriptions31
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$1.297 Days
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$1.491 Month
Show 28 more
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial2 variants$1.991 Month
  • Remove Ads Subscription$1.991 Month
  • Remove Ads Subscription$2.991 Month
  • Remove Ads Subscription$3.991 Month
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Remove Ads Subscription$4.991 Month
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial2 variants$4.991 Year
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Remove Ads Subscription$8.991 Month
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$12.491 Month
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$12.996 Months
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$13.996 Months
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial4 variants$14.991 Month
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial3 variants$15.991 Year
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$16.991 Year
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$17.996 Months
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$18.996 Months
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$20.996 Months
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$21.996 Months
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$23.491 Year
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial2 variants$23.991 Year
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Remove Ads Subscription$29.991 Year
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Remove Ads Subscription$39.991 Year
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$119.991 Year
  • Remove Ads Subscription3 Days trial$129.991 Year
One-time1
  • Remove Ads Lifetime$17.99
3 purchases

Universal Code Scanner

One-time3
  • Small Donation$0.99
  • Mid Donation$2.99
  • Big Donation$5.99

Questions

Is QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App free?
QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Universal Code Scanner free?
Universal Code Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App or Universal Code Scanner?
Universal Code Scanner is rated higher. QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App averages 4.7 out of 5 from 140K ratings, while Universal Code Scanner averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App or Universal Code Scanner have ads?
QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App shows ads; Universal Code Scanner does not.
Which is updated more often, QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App or Universal Code Scanner?
QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App ships an update fortnightly, and Universal Code Scanner every 3 weeks. Most recently, QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App was updated on October 2, 2026 and Universal Code Scanner on September 25, 2026.

Other comparisons