# QR Code Scanner vs QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: QR Code Scanner at none against QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader's 1. QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. QR Code Scanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for QR Code Scanner against 4.4 for QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 786 and 1.1K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 63% of QR Code Scanner's written reviews are positive against 79% of QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader's.

QR Code Scanner ships an update every 3 months, QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | QR Code Scanner | QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (786 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-scanner-fast-scan/id911060973/reviews) | **[4.4 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-reader-barcode-reader/id1507731520/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 786 | **1.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 62.5% of reviews | **79.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 13 MB | 91 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sabrina Holzer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1450658703) | [Protection & Security App LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1282949976) |

## What reviewers say

### QR Code Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-scanner-fast-scan/id911060973)

Quickly scan QR codes with your device's camera. Open web links, copy text, or save contact information directly from scanned codes. Features a built-in flashlight for low-light scanning.

**Highlights:** Fast QR code scanning, Open URLs in browser, Copy text content, Save VCards to contacts, Built-in flashlight

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Lightning-fast scanning speed
- 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface
- ✅ Reliable and consistent performance
- 💾 Lightweight app with minimal storage
- 🎯 Accurate QR code recognition

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📢 Intrusive and deceptive advertising
- 🐛 Inconsistent functionality across devices
- ❌ Fails to scan certain barcode types
- 🔍 No zoom feature available
- 📱 Compatibility issues with iOS updates

**Reported bugs**

- App fails to recognize scanned QR codes despite camera detection
- App crashes or freezes after opening camera
- Installation failures on some devices
- Non-functional on specific iOS versions
- Intermittent scanning failures

**Requested features**

- Zoom functionality for better scanning
- Scan history/saved results feature
- Barcode scanning capability
- Better compatibility with technical barcodes


### QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-reader-barcode-reader/id1507731520)

Easily scan QR codes and barcodes to access product information, documents, and more. Create custom QR codes for various platforms and data types, with options for personalization.

**Highlights:** Scan product QR codes for detailed information, Scan and rename documents, Create standard QR codes (contacts, locations, notes, messages), Create special QR codes (social media, PayPal, App Store), Customize QR codes with colors and logos, Scan barcodes

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $4.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 💡 Customizable QR codes
- 🎨 Fun and creative
- ⚙️ Reliable and works well

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Requires subscription for full functionality
- 🐛 Occasional issues with scanning
- 💰 Expensive subscription model

**Reported bugs**

- Camera focus issues
- Crashes or freezes on some devices

**Requested features**

- More customization options
- Ability to upload own images
- Improved scanning accuracy


## Frequently asked questions

### Is QR Code Scanner free?

QR Code Scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader free?

QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, QR Code Scanner or QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader?

QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader is rated higher. QR Code Scanner averages 4.3 out of 5 from 786 ratings, while QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader averages 4.4 from 1.1K ratings.

### Do QR Code Scanner or QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader have ads?

QR Code Scanner shows ads; QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader does not.

### Which is updated more often, QR Code Scanner or QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader?

QR Code Scanner ships an update every 3 months, and QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader fortnightly. Most recently, QR Code Scanner was updated on September 21, 2026 and QR Code Reader, Barcode Reader on September 24, 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.*