# QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App vs Universal Code Scanner

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App | Universal Code Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (140K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-readerqr-scanner-app/id903799541/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-code-scanner/id1597726866/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **140K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **80.0% of reviews** | 71.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 96 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MixerBox Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/527117842) | [Marcus Pleintinger](https://appshunter.io/developer/938374594) |

## What reviewers say

### QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-readerqr-scanner-app/id903799541)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (32)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $1.29 | per 7 days |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $1.49 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $4.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $8.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $8.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $12.49 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $12.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $13.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $14.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $15.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $16.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $17.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $18.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $20.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $21.99 | per 6 months |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $23.49 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $23.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $24.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $119.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Subscription | $129.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads Lifetime | $17.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick and reliable scanning
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Fast and accurate recognition
- 👍 Helpful for finding product info
- 👍 Works well with self-generated codes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
- 🔒 Aggressive advertising/paywall
- 🔒 Requires subscription for full functionality
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### Universal Code Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-code-scanner/id1597726866)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Donation | $0.99 | one-time |
| Mid Donation | $2.99 | one-time |
| Big Donation | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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.

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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.*