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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App

45
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

The QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App is praised for its speed and ease of use, but recent reviews overwhelmingly criticize its aggressive monetization, including high subscription fees, forced subscriptions, and excessive ads, which contradict its 'free to download' status and significantly degrade the user experience.

4.7★ lifetime (140,002) Free to download since 2014 by MixerBox Inc. updated 3.5 mo ago recent negative 18% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Monetization & Cost Ads & Pop-ups Scanning Performance Subscription Management
5★585
4★53
3★25
2★16
1★131
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.7★ lifetime average

This QR scanner app is generally lauded for its quick and effortless scanning capabilities, making it easy for users of all technical levels. However, recent user feedback highlights significant issues with its monetization strategy, including unexpected subscription charges and a high volume of intrusive ads that hinder functionality. Despite a high lifetime rating, the recent negative sentiment indicates a decline in user satisfaction due to these changes.

What users like

  • Scans QR codes quickly and easily, often instantly without extra steps.R4R6R11R18
  • Simple and straightforward to use for all ages.R13R19R22
  • Effective for various uses like accessing accounts or product information.R4R24

What users complain about

  • Not truly free, as it aggressively pushes expensive subscriptions (e.g., $15/month, $3.99/week, $10.66/month, $42/year).R1R8R31R44
  • Users report being tricked or unknowingly subscribed to paid versions, sometimes without explicit confirmation.R38R44R54R92
  • Excessive and intrusive pop-up ads, including for paid versions, disrupt usability.R31R42R80R224
  • Some users experience the app not working or failing to scan codes even after paying for a subscription.R17R38R73R91
  • Difficulty in unsubscribing or canceling subscriptions.R218R353
  • The app's behavior contradicts developer claims of 'minor bug fixes,' as core issues like ads and subscription traps persist.R264R269R277R350

Latest update · v2.35

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

- Minor bugs fixed

Recurring themes

Monetization & Cost negative
Many users complain that the app, advertised as 'free,' aggressively pushes expensive subscriptions and charges users without clear consent. Prices mentioned include $15/month, $3.99/week, $10.66/month, and $42/year. This leads to feelings of being scammed or ripped off.R1R8R31R38
Ads & Pop-ups negative
Users are frustrated by the overwhelming number of pop-up ads, many of which promote the paid version or other services, making the app difficult to use and interrupting the scanning process. Some ads cover essential buttons.R31R42R80R224
Scanning Performance mixed
While many users praise the app for its fast and effective QR code scanning, some report issues with it not working at all, failing to scan certain codes (like Royal Mail 2D barcodes), or being overly sensitive. There's a discrepancy between positive experiences with scanning and negative experiences with functionality.R4R6R11R18
Subscription Management negative
Users express difficulty in unsubscribing from the app, with some reporting that they were charged without clear consent or that the cancellation process is unclear. This adds to the perception of deceptive practices.R44R54R141R197

Who it's for

This app is for users who prioritize extremely fast and easy QR code scanning and are willing to tolerate or pay to remove aggressive advertising and subscription prompts R18R19. It is NOT for users who expect a truly free app, are sensitive to intrusive ads, or are wary of unexpected charges and difficult subscription cancellations R1R8R31R141.

Evidence note: The recent reviews heavily skew negative, focusing almost entirely on monetization issues and intrusive ads, despite the lifetime rating being very high. The positive points are primarily drawn from 5-star reviews that are often brief or less detailed, and some of these positive reviews seem to be unrelated to the app's core function (e.g., restaurant reviews). The developer's release notes about 'minor bug fixes' are contradicted by the widespread and persistent user complaints about core functionality and monetization.

Frequently asked

Is the QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App truly free?
No, despite being free to download, recent reviews indicate the app aggressively pushes expensive subscriptions, with users reporting charges like $15 a month, $3.99 a week, or $42 a year, and many feel tricked into subscribing R1R8R31.
Does the app have a lot of ads?
Yes, many users report excessive and intrusive pop-up ads, including multiple consecutive ads for the paid version, which significantly disrupt the user experience and make the app frustrating to use R31R80R224R350.
How easy is it to cancel a subscription?
Several users have reported difficulty in unsubscribing or canceling their subscriptions, with some stating they couldn't find the option or were charged without clear consent R218R353R141.
Does the app scan QR codes effectively?
Many users praise the app for its speed and ease in scanning QR codes, often working instantly, but some recent reviews indicate issues with the scanner not working at all or failing to read certain types of codes R4R6R18.

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 QR code Scanner: Makes lightning into accounts very much easier than having to type out my email and password over and over. Highly recommend!
  2. [R6] 5/5 · US It actually worked first time: It actually worked first time.
  3. [R11] 5/5 · US Easy: One step and it’s done.
  4. [R18] 5/5 · US this thing is lowkey addicting: ok so i was literally just messing around w my phone at lunch and my friend was like scan this and shoved a qr code on his water bottle at me 😭😭 i didnt even have a scanner so i grabbed this one real quick and BRUH it was so fast like i pointed my camera and it just *knew* instantly what it was??? no loading no spinning wheel no nothing it just went BAM heres the li
  5. [R13] 5/5 · US Retired: Using app is effortless. Well done.
  6. [R19] 5/5 · US LOVE IT!: I am 70 years old and even I can work this. That is saying a lot if you knew me. Thanks guys for your hard work.
  7. [R22] 5/5 · US Best QR code scanner out there: Easy to use
  8. [R24] 5/5 · US QR review: I love the QR’s on the product, can convey much more info than what is printed on the package.
  9. [R1] 1/5 · US Too expensive: $15 a month for an app that I might use 5 times a year. I’ll do without a QR scanner before I pay that much. I deleted my app.
  10. [R8] 1/5 · US Not free: Was a good app when it was free. Not paying $3.99 a week for an app you use 5 times a year.
  11. [R31] 1/5 · US Only 3-day free trial: Only 3-day free trial until you’re automatically charged every month. The MULTIPLE pop-up ads for paid version (3 in a row!) was last straw. Awful.
  12. [R44] 1/5 · US Refund denied: I haven’t used the scanner for a couple years and the last time I used it it was free and then when I recently used it, they enrolled me in a weekly fee of $10.66 a month They supposedly now canceled but will not return the two weeks they charge me for
  13. [R38] 1/5 · US Does not work: Paid for subscription just for it to say item not found. This is a scam
  14. [R54] 1/5 · US Rip off: Was charged for ad-free and didn’t sign for it. Apple said, “not eligible for refund”. Be careful
  15. [R92] 1/5 · US Absolute Sham: Requires you to opt-in to an add-free subscription after explaining you don’t have to pay for the add-free version. The app opens with a screen that has two buttons: 1 button says Continue with free version and 1 button says View Plans. When you click on either button your iPhone opens the bottom-of-the-screen security dialogue box and it advises you to Double click your side versio
  16. [R42] 1/5 · US Disappointing: I’m not falling for a scam. “Continue for free but also subscribe? Shady ahh app. It’s disgusting
  17. [R80] 1/5 · US Bad: After update too many commercials, you can’t even use it. Every time something pops out on the screen, you exit something else pops out. Very frustrating.
  18. [R224] 3/5 · US Es molesto: Me quita muchas veces la página que abro para pedir que pague y me pone muchas trabas antes de poder usar correctamente el app.
  19. [R17] 1/5 · US Horrible does not work: Horrible does not work
  20. [R73] 1/5 · US Reader Master: Wouldn’t work
  21. [R91] 1/5 · US Owner: Scan works (Useless)Take it off my phone!!!!!!!
  22. [R218] 3/5 · US Not sure how to unsubscribe.: I signed up to check this out and want to unsubscribe. How do I unsubscribe?
  23. [R353] 1/5 · GB Cancel subscription: When you open app I don’t see the cancel subscription option. Be careful don’t download Thanks Apple for sorting that out
  24. [R264] 1/5 · GB No longer free!!: As per other reviews this app is no longer free! You click on continue fee button and Apple Pay pops up for your subscription click on the X to close and then you go round in circles. App deleted
  25. [R269] 1/5 · GB Not free!: Click on "continue free" and the ApplePay screen pops-up. Updated, same experience. Deleted.
  26. [R277] 1/5 · GB Too Many Traps To Charge You Money: As in title just too many traps and pop ups to get you to take an expensive paid subscription or different paid for apps. Works OK but I just couldn’t it quickly enough!
  27. [R350] 1/5 · GB HOPELESS NOW: Was fantastic in the beginning, years ago, but now constant adverts and pop ups
  28. [R141] 1/5 · US Be Very Careful. Bad business practice: I used this ONCE to scan a coupon. Never got the Normal Apple box that confirms a subscription. I just happened to look at another subscription & I was charged for $19.99 for a scanner when I used them once in a blue moon. I would have NEVER confirmed this. Bad business practice when they charge ppl without their knowledge!! Not happy at all!!
  29. [R197] 1/5 · US Tricked me into subscribing: Be careful! I installing also subscribed! No option to cancel.
  30. [R99] 1/5 · US Qr reader not good: Why are you now charging to use and scan QR codes. Not pleased at all

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