Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

QR Code Reader · vs QR Code Reader

QR Code Reader · 4.7★ · Free + IAP 40
Winner QR Code Reader
QR Code Reader 4.7★ · Free to download 75

For a reliable, free QR code scanning experience without intrusive ads or subscription demands, App B is the clear choice over App A.

Full reviews: QR Code Reader · · QR Code Reader

App A, 'QR Code Reader ·', despite a slightly higher lifetime rating, is plagued by aggressive ads and mandatory subscriptions, leading to a poor user experience. App B, 'QR Code Reader', offers a consistently free and functional scanning experience, though some users report issues with scanning and data tracking.

Head to head

Features & Functionality edge: QR Code ReaderR8R15R20R31
QR Code Reader · App A generally works for scanning QR codes, with some users praising its speed and clean interface R8R38. It also offers QR code creation R15R20. However, many users report that it fails to scan or navigate to the correct links R31.
QR Code Reader App B is praised for its ability to scan QR codes quickly and reliably R62R67. It also reads bar codes . Some users, however, report that it stopped working for them R80.
Ease of Use edge: QR Code ReaderR4R11R29R38
QR Code Reader · Some users find App A easy to use R4R11R38. However, others describe it as confusing and unintuitive, leading to quick uninstallation R4R29.
QR Code Reader App B is widely praised for its simplicity and ease of use R62R67R87R89.
Reliability & Stability edge: QR Code ReaderR3R23R25R31
QR Code Reader · App A has reports of crashing R23 and not consistently scanning or leading to the correct links R31. Some users also report suspicious activity like virus warnings or being hacked R3R25.
QR Code Reader App B is generally described as reliable and consistent . However, some users report that it stopped working after an update or for no apparent reason R80.
Price & Value edge: QR Code ReaderR1R13R15R16
QR Code Reader · App A is heavily criticized for its aggressive monetization, including frequent and intrusive ads, forced upgrades, and high subscription fees R1R13R15R16. Many feel it's not truly free as advertised and that the cost is exorbitant for a QR reader R27R37.
QR Code Reader App B is widely praised for being free, with users appreciating that it works without ads or subscriptions R62R89. Some users note that it used to be free but now demands payment R78R80.
Support & Transparency tieR33R37R39R41
QR Code Reader · Users of App A report difficulty canceling subscriptions and getting refunds, with no clear option to cancel within the app R39. The app is also accused of shady purchasing practices and auto-billing R33R37R41.
QR Code Reader App B has reports of a consent form for data tracking with many options, which creates a bad impression R82. There are also claims of fake reviews .
Pick QR Code Reader · if

You are willing to pay a monthly subscription (e.g., $9.99/month) to avoid ads and potentially access QR code creation features, and you trust the app despite reports of aggressive monetization R15R27.

Pick QR Code Reader if

You prioritize a free, simple, and reliable QR code scanning experience without intrusive ads or subscription demands R62R89.

Evidence note: Many reviews for both apps are irrelevant or appear to be spam, making it challenging to assess certain dimensions comprehensively. The negative reviews for App A are heavily skewed towards its aggressive monetization and ad practices, which aligns with the free-vs-paid asymmetry. App B's negative reviews are fewer and more focused on functionality issues or data tracking concerns.

Frequently asked

Is QR Code Reader · truly free?
No, while App A is free to download, many users report that it quickly demands subscriptions, forces upgrades, and bombards them with intrusive ads, making it effectively a paid-only app for a usable experience, with costs up to $9.99/month or $12.50/month R1R13R27R37.
Does QR Code Reader (App B) have ads or subscriptions?
Many users praise App B for being free and not having ads or subscriptions R62R89, though some recent reviews indicate it might have started asking for payment or tracking data R78R80R82.
Which app is easier to use for scanning QR codes?
App B, 'QR Code Reader', is consistently praised for its simplicity, ease of use, and intuitive interface for scanning QR codes R62R67R87R89.

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. [R8] QR Code Reader · 5/5 · US The Best!: This is the best QR scanner !!
  2. [R15] QR Code Reader · 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
  3. [R20] QR Code Reader · 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
  4. [R31] QR Code Reader · 1/5 · US This app sucks: This app sucks. I think that about sums it up. It rarely takes you to the site .
  5. [R4] QR Code Reader · 2/5 · US Easy: Too difficult for an elderly person to
  6. [R11] QR Code Reader · 5/5 · US Sorpresa: Se mira muy fácil y sin muchos comerciales
  7. [R29] QR Code Reader · 1/5 · US So intuitive: This another one of those apps that are so intuitive that you just want to delete them the instant you begin interacting with them PS the help file that doesn’t exist helped me a lot. I interacted with this app for two minutes, then deleted it. It was so bad I figured out how to write the review.
  8. [R38] QR Code Reader · 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. [R3] QR Code Reader · 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
  10. [R23] QR Code Reader · 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!!!
  11. [R25] QR Code Reader · 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.
  12. [R1] QR Code Reader · 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.
  13. [R13] QR Code Reader · 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
  14. [R16] QR Code Reader · 1/5 · US Asks for money: Don't even download it · translated
  15. [R33] QR Code Reader · 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.
  16. [R37] QR Code Reader · 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
  17. [R39] QR Code Reader · 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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  18. [R41] QR Code Reader · 1/5 · US Scammers: Stay away from this app, it tries to auto bill you. SCAMMERS
  19. [R27] QR Code Reader · 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.
  20. [R62] QR Code Reader 5/5 · US Awesome QR code Reader: Awesome QR code reader, always works, simple and free!!
  21. [R78] QR Code Reader 1/5 · US Used to be free: Used to be free
  22. [R80] QR Code Reader 1/5 · US Scan will not work!!!!!!!: Wanted me to give credit card information and still will not work. I do not want to be charged for scanned. July 18 2024 Does not scan for me!!!!
  23. [R82] QR Code Reader 2/5 · GB Asks to track data and then copy buttons are broken: A consent cookie form pops up when you open the app asking you to agree to at least 30+ different types of tracking and advertising options. Instant bad feeling about the app. It does work I did some testing but, the copy buttons are broken, so you have to manually copy the data and can’t share it properly. Pretty poor app.
  24. [R67] QR Code Reader 5/5 · US QR code scanner.: This app functions intuitively with prompt display. Usefulness can not be measured.
  25. [R87] QR Code Reader 5/5 · US The Best Yet: I had another QR reader that I liked but when I tried this one I was really impressed by the ease of it. Love It!
  26. [R89] QR Code Reader 5/5 · US Simple and straightforward: This app does what it needs to do efficiently. No ads, or subscriptions needed to use it, unlike many other iOS apps.

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