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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
The verdict on

QR Code Reader ·

35
User verdict / 100 High confidence In trouble

QR Code Reader is a functional scanner for basic needs, but its aggressive monetization tactics, including frequent and intrusive ads and high subscription fees, significantly detract from the user experience, leading many to feel misled and frustrated.

4.7★ lifetime (668,822) Free + in-app purchases since 2017 by App Lock LLC updated 0.1 mo ago recent negative 45% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Ads & Monetization Functionality & Performance Security & Trust
5★477
4★43
3★28
2★32
1★420
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.7★ lifetime average

QR Code Reader is a utility app designed to scan QR and barcodes, with some users finding it effective for its core function and for creating QR codes R10R128. However, recent reviews highlight significant issues with pervasive ads, high subscription costs, and deceptive payment practices, causing many users to uninstall the app or cancel subscriptions R2R7R12R18. The app's lifetime rating is high, but recent sentiment is strongly negative, suggesting a decline in user satisfaction.

What users like

What users complain about

  • Overrun with frequent, intrusive, and unskippable ads, even for pro usersR2R7R9R48
  • Aggressive and deceptive subscription practices, with high monthly fees and accidental chargesR12R18R24R29
  • App crashes or gets stuck frequentlyR19R76R153
  • Some users report the app doesn't scan or link correctlyR23R26R38R40
  • Difficult to cancel subscriptions or delete the appR5R33R74R86
  • Concerns about security, including virus warnings, hacking claims, and redirects to scam/pornographic websitesR14R17R65

Latest update · v2.6.0

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

- Performance improvements

Recurring themes

Ads & Monetization negative
Many users complain about an excessive number of ads, including pop-ups that block functionality and are difficult to close. The app frequently pushes expensive monthly subscriptions (e.g., $9.99/month, $6.99/month) after a short 'free trial,' leading to accidental charges and frustration. Users feel the app is not truly free as advertised and that the pricing is exorbitant for a basic QR scanner. This contradicts the developer's claim of 'performance improvements' as user experience is severely hampered by these issues.R2R7R9R12
Functionality & Performance mixed
While some users find the app effective and fast for scanning QR codes and even creating them, others report issues with the app failing to scan, not taking them to the correct link, or crashing frequently. The developer notes mention 'performance improvements,' but recent reviews still report crashes and scanning issues.R4R10R15R16
Security & Trust negative
Several users express serious concerns about the app's security, reporting virus warnings, claims of being hacked, and redirects to scam or pornographic websites. There are also complaints about the app being difficult to delete or cancel subscriptions, leading to feelings of being scammed.R5R14R17R29

Who it's for

This app might be for users who need a basic QR code scanner and are willing to tolerate frequent, intrusive ads or pay a high monthly subscription fee. It is NOT for users who expect a free, ad-free experience, are on a budget, or are concerned about privacy and deceptive payment practices R7R12R18.

Evidence note: The recent reviews heavily skew negative, focusing on monetization issues and app performance. While there are positive reviews, they are less detailed and often appear generic, making the negative points more prominent and supported by specific user experiences.

Frequently asked

Is QR Code Reader truly free?
No, while advertised as free, many users report that the app demands payment for full functionality, offers a very limited free trial, or bombards users with ads to force a subscription R12R71R81.
How much does the premium version of QR Code Reader cost?
The premium version is reported to cost around $9.99 per month, or sometimes $6.99 per month, which many users find excessively high for a QR code scanner R18R49R51R517.
Does QR Code Reader have a lot of ads?
Yes, numerous users report that the app is overrun with frequent, intrusive, and sometimes unskippable ads that significantly hinder the user experience, even for those who previously had a pro version R2R7R9R48.
Can I cancel my subscription easily?
Many users report difficulty canceling subscriptions, with some stating there is no clear option to cancel within the app, leading to accidental charges R5R33R74R86.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R4] 5/5 · US Thanks: For scanning everything
  2. [R10] 5/5 · US The Best!: This is the best QR scanner !!
  3. [R15] 5/5 · US Love this app: I really love this app
  4. [R22] 5/5 · US At code reader: I love it!
  5. [R16] 4/5 · US I know that I like it so much that I just make it how I can make QR codes, but make it an AR: Creating and playing my favorite game, City Smash 2
  6. [R128] 3/5 · US App Works, but hate the Ads: I appreciate the functions that I’ve used on this app, like creating QR codes for visitors too easily scan and log onto the proper WiFi network. In that respect, I think it’s well-programmed, but the Ads are frustrating me. I don’t use this app very often (so not paying $10/mo for a Pro subscription), but I’d say that about 1/3 of the time I’ve spent on it has been wai
  7. [R11] 5/5 · US Sorpresa: Se mira muy fácil y sin muchos comerciales
  8. [R32] 5/5 · US BEST QR CODE READER APP IN APP STORE!!!: Developers made some big improvements with this app in 2025. It’s faster and scans any QR code instantly even makes a confirmation sound. Clean interface. Good utility app
  9. [R58] 5/5 · US Excellent Service: Fast and efficient. I made a mistake and called my order in to the wrong restaurant, but they were really nice and accommodated me and got my order out quick.
  10. [R59] 5/5 · US What a help: Made assembly so easy. Thanks much
  11. [R2] 2/5 · US Used to love but no more: I used to love this app and I had the pro version. I just cancelled it due to the ads. I probably wouldn’t have minded them but it was the kind of ads where they have x’s so small or light that you can’t get out of the ad as it try’s to force you to get whatever product it is for. It was a great product but they ruined it.
  12. [R7] 1/5 · US So much help: This app just wants money. Every second buy our this buy our that. Fix this and it won’t scam
  13. [R9] 1/5 · US Used to be a good app: I bought this app to use to read QR codes, but now it is forcing me to upgrade to a qr/bar code reader, without the option to by pass the ad.
  14. [R48] 1/5 · US Unusable App: Just force people to pay before downloading. The initial experience of using the app is bombarded with ads both before and after scanning.
  15. [R12] 1/5 · US Demands purchase: Demands purchase. Not free as advertised.
  16. [R18] 1/5 · US $9.99/month…Greed is a thing.: So I have to set everything up to subscribe just to use it for free for 3 days..then it’s $9.99/month for a QR reader. But hey that covers all the necessary updates and new features…FOR A QR READER. I’d give this minus stars just for the greed. NO THANKS.
  17. [R24] 1/5 · US Instant payment without okay: Don’t mind a free trial, but first page to continue a payment window automatically charges do fast couldn’t read the second word and done. No option but pay.
  18. [R29] 1/5 · US Shady purchasing practice: I see I am not the only one this happened to so it shows me we are being ripped off by “trying out” this App. I NEVER pay $12.50 for an App. Much less one that does so little. My camera can do this without an App so why would I buy this? I didn’t, yet I was charged $12.50 for a month!! If I had to scan the inventory at Walmart I couldn’t justify this cost. Don’t expect A
  19. [R19] 4/5 · US crashes: i like using this app a lot but for some reason it keeps crashing, it’s getting a bit annoying but the app is really good!!!
  20. [R76] 1/5 · US Worst QR reader: This reader is absolutely overrun by ads. And even after watching ads it locks up. I’ve found several others that are pretty good.
  21. [R153] 3/5 · US some times stucks: some times stucks
  22. [R23] 1/5 · US This app sucks: This app sucks. I think that about sums it up. It rarely takes you to the site .
  23. [R26] 1/5 · US Doesn’t scan: Waste of time. Doesn’t scan anything.
  24. [R38] 1/5 · US What’s wrong with your app: It was too confusing and it did not scan
  25. [R40] 4/5 · US Needs just a little improvement.: I like this app but it doesn’t take me to the Digital place that’s a QR code leads to.
  26. [R5] 1/5 · US Terrible: Terrible won’t let me delete it
  27. [R33] 1/5 · US No option to cancel: The advertisement says 3 days free trial but after I downloaded this app there was no option to cancel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  28. [R74] 1/5 · US App doesn’t allow you to cancel.: App doesn’t allow you to cancel.
  29. [R86] 1/5 · US Cancel me!!: I can not get this off my phone! Please help!!! How can I delete and cancel????
  30. [R14] 3/5 · US Is it a bug or something: I was using it but it said that I had a virus and 1 day later it said I was hacked
  31. [R17] 1/5 · US Garbage Porn App: This app was clearly hacked because when you install it, it just brings up porn and tries to send you to porn websites. Absolute garbage.
  32. [R65] 1/5 · US Redirects legit QR codes to scam websites: It does it just infrequently enough for you to think it’s the fault of the QR code you’re scanning; but really it’s the app doing it. I’ve gotten a redirect to a website called fitcrazehub.com on more than one occasion. Beware
  33. [R71] 1/5 · US Free: Why is this app asking you to pay and you have it for free what’s going on with that so it’s not the best app ever whoever wrote that review to entice people to get it come on Free is not Free!!!!!
  34. [R81] 1/5 · US Unusable: Unusable unless you agree to 9.99 monthly cost. Of course it looks like a free app when selecting it.
  35. [R49] 1/5 · US crapware: 7$ a month to scan barcodes? get real. reviews must be fake.
  36. [R51] 1/5 · US Going to look elsewhere: Pricing too high for features. Discounts down to $6.99 per month?! Yikes. Not per year? Only a 3 day trial? Double yikes. Unclear while rated so high.
  37. [R517] 3/5 · CA Très bonne appli, avec un gros défaut: Les « plus »: L’application est légère et démarre très vite. Je n’ai pas eu de difficultés avec des QR ou des Barcodes que j’ai généré pour mes besoins. La raison pour laquelle je ne peux pas la recommander: Le gros problème est qu’on n’a que deux choix 1- un abonnement mensuel à 6,99$ ou 2- des pubs très bruyantes et envahissantes qui apparaissent dans le

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store