Comparison

QR & Barcode Scanner Reader vs Code Reader

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

Head to head
About

QR & Barcode Scanner Reader

Quickly scan and decode various QR codes and barcodes, including contact details, website URLs, and location information. Perform actions directly within the app, such as adding contacts or opening web links. Save your scan history and favorite codes for future reference.

Highlights
  • Fastest QR and Data Matrix scanning
  • Auto-decode all QR code types
  • Scan from photos
  • Perform actions without quitting
  • Unlimited scan history
  • Save favorite codes
Features
Read full description

Scan any QR code or barcode in an instant, then create your own. Point the camera and QR Scanner recognises the code immediately: links, Wi-Fi networks, contact cards, calendar events, phone numbers, emails, locations, plain text and every common barcode symbology. Whatever it finds, the right action is one tap away. CREATE YOUR OWN CODES Build QR codes for a link, a Wi-Fi network, a contact card, an email, a message or any text. Choose your colours, pick the error-correction level, and save the result straight to Photos. EVERYTHING YOU SCAN, KEPT Every scan and every code you create lands in a searchable history. Star the ones that matter, add a note to remember what they were, and find them again in seconds. SCANNING STAYS ON YOUR DEVICE Codes are decoded entirely on your iPhone. Nothing is recorded, nothing is uploaded, and your scan history is never sold or shared. SUPPORTED CODES QR Code, Data Matrix, Aztec, PDF417, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-E, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Codabar, ITF-14, Interleaved 2 of 5. FEATURES - Real-time scanning with torch and camera flip - Scan a code from any photo in your library - Open links, call numbers, send messages and emails without leaving the app - Add a scanned contact to Contacts, a scanned event to Calendar - Join a Wi-Fi network straight from a scanned code - Searchable history with favourites and notes - Light, dark and system themes QR Scanner is supported by ads. If you would rather not see them, a single one-time purchase removes every ad forever, on all your devices. It is not a subscription: nothing renews, and there is nothing to cancel.

About

Code Reader

Easily scan, generate, and share QR codes and barcodes. Quickly read various code types, including links, contacts, and product information. Generate new codes from text, emails, or Wi-Fi details, and utilize convenient extensions for seamless integration.

Highlights
  • Scan QR codes and barcodes
  • Generate QR codes and barcodes
  • Read codes from images via extension
  • Generate codes from text, email, Wi-Fi
  • Save and share scanned/generated codes
  • Automatic web page opening for product barcodes
  • Scanner preview with zoom and stabilization
Read full description

A feature-rich QR and barcode scanner: scan, generate, and share codes — fast and privately. Scan codes with text, links, contacts, emails, locations, Wi‑Fi networks, product barcodes, and more. When you scan a code, the app acts on it intelligently: links open in the browser, email addresses let you compose a message quickly, and vCards can be viewed or added to Contacts. You can read codes with the camera or generate them in the app — plus use action extensions to scan or create codes from other apps.¹ Spotted a QR code in a photo or on a website? Use the Read Code extension to scan it instantly.¹ Main features • Scan with the camera — text, links, contacts, emails, product barcodes, Wi‑Fi, and more • Read QR codes and 1‑D barcodes from images with the Read Code extension¹ • Product barcodes can open relevant web pages or Amazon (configurable in Settings) • Generate QR codes and 1‑D barcodes • Create codes from text, links, contacts, email, SMS, phone numbers, and Wi‑Fi • Join Wi‑Fi networks automatically from a scanned code • Scan and save multiple codes in one session • Generate a code from text, a link, or a contact with the Generate QR extension¹ • Smooth up to 60fps scanner preview with optical image stabilization and zoom (including optical 2× zoom on iPhones with dual cameras) • Optionally copy scanned content to the clipboard automatically • Option to prefer HTTPS and avoid insecure websites • Recents for scanned and generated codes, with search and filters • Custom QR colors — two‑finger tap on the image or use the menu when viewing a code • Share any barcode • Custom URL scheme to generate QR codes from a URL or text² • Widgets for recent codes and quick access to the scanner Code Reader Pro Upgrade to Code Reader Pro for advanced tools — no ads, and your data stays on your device. Choose monthly, yearly, or a one‑time lifetime unlock. Pro includes: • Batch scan — read many codes from photos or PDFs at once • Export & import history — back up or move your scan library (CSV/JSON) • Custom names — label scans so you can find them quickly • Starred scans — pin important codes and filter your history • Notes — add context to any saved scan • QR codes with logo — embed your brand in generated codes • High‑res & PDF export — share sharp QR images and PDFs • Link safety warnings — alerts for suspicious links (IP addresses, punycode, mixed scripts, and more) before you open them Restore purchases anytime from the Pro screen. ¹ The extension might need to be enabled manually: open the share menu, tap More at the bottom, and turn on the app extensions (Activities). ² Try it in a browser or messaging app: add generateqr:// before a URL or text to open the app and generate a QR code image. - Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ - Privacy Policy: https://illescasdaniel.github.io/qr-code-reader-app-info/

Screenshots

QR & Barcode Scanner Reader4 screens
Code Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Code Reader at 64% against QR & Barcode Scanner Reader's 29%. Code Reader also leads on ads (none vs shown) and device support (4 vs 2). QR & Barcode Scanner Reader's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7). On price and update cadence 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. Code Reader sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. QR & Barcode Scanner Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

QR & Barcode Scanner Reader ships an update every 2 months, Code Reader every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
QR & Barcode Scanner Reader versus Code Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQR & Barcode Scanner ReaderCode Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.6 (243 ratings) — better
Positive reviews28.6% of reviews64.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—243 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB3 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperImmaginet SrlDaniel ILLESCAS ROMERO

Customer experience

QR & Barcode Scanner Reader

Written reviews7 reviews
Positive28.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative71.4%

Code Reader

All ratings224 ratings
Positive92.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews114 reviews
Positive64.0%
Neutral2.6%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

QR & Barcode Scanner Reader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Code Reader

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • App not working after MacOS update
  • Cannot get permissions to save
  • QR codes not readable by Mac camera
  • App crashes QREncoder
  • Sequence of letters then stops
Show 10 more
  • Camera doesn't focus on QR code
  • No 'Take picture' or red button
  • Account closed for misuse (reported scam)
  • Error scanning WiFi QR codes
  • Contact access without privacy section
  • Inaccurate barcode numbers
  • Cannot scan from files/photos
  • Donation button error
  • Errors when scanning
  • Cannot open scanned content

Requested features

9 requests
  • Add date & time to QR history
  • Option to select camera
  • Ability to save QR codes
  • Support for SVG files
  • Add logos to QR codes
Show 4 more
  • Choose QR code color
  • Generate QR codes from photos
  • Dynamic QR codes
  • Widget support

In-app purchases

None

QR & Barcode Scanner Reader

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Code Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Code Reader Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Code Reader Pro Yearly$9.991 Year
One-time5
  • Donation 1$0.99
  • Donation 2$1.99
  • Code Reader Pro Lifetime$2.99
Show 2 more
  • Donation 5$4.99
  • Donation 10$8.99

Questions

Is QR & Barcode Scanner Reader free?
QR & Barcode Scanner Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Code Reader free?
Code Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do QR & Barcode Scanner Reader or Code Reader have ads?
QR & Barcode Scanner Reader shows ads; Code Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, QR & Barcode Scanner Reader or Code Reader?
QR & Barcode Scanner Reader ships an update every 2 months, and Code Reader every 6 weeks. Most recently, QR & Barcode Scanner Reader was updated on October 3, 2026 and Code Reader on October 7, 2026.

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