Look around the room you’re in. You will find at least a dozen products with a barcode on them. Every product sold in a market comes with a unique identifier. You can scan these codes using a barcode scanner app and find the associated product on the web.
Other than finding a product on the internet, a code scanner has a number of use cases. For instance, you can also use code scanner apps to scan QR codes, which have become quite popular. A lot of people nowadays make QR code payments.
Also, many businesses have a QR code for their website, so people can quickly go to the site without having to type the URL. Here we have curated a list of the best barcode scanner apps for Android and iOS.
1. Google Lens
Did you know you scan barcodes in the Google Lens app? Just point the search frame to a barcode or a QR code, and let the app do its thing.
The upside of using Google Lens is that there are a lot of interesting things you can do with Google Lens. You can copy or translate text, identify plants, find similar products and a lot more.
Lens is part of the Google app on iPhones, so you won’t need a separate app for scanning QR codes. Overall, Google Lens is one of the best barcode scanner apps for Android and iOS.
Download: Google Lens for Android (Free)
Download: Google for iOS (Free)
2. QR Scanner from Kaspersky
With so many barcode scanner apps on the app store, there is no knowing which one is safe to use.
However, you can trust QR Scanner from Kaspersky. The company is famous for its antivirus solutions for PCs and smartphones. You will find Kaspersky products on many of our lists as well.
The QR scanner is fast, has a flashlight toggle and keeps a track of the codes scanned. While it’s one of the best QR code readers, it lacks the ability to scan barcodes.
Take a look at the other barcode reader apps on this list if that’s your primary goal.
Download: Kaspersky QR Scanner for Android | iOS (Free)
3. Orca Scan
Orca Scan isn’t a run of the mill barcode scanner; you can use it as an alternative to hardware scanners. Orca Scan can track an entire inventory without any specialized software.
The app won’t redirect you to the web when scanning a barcode. Instead, it will ask you to fill in details about the product for asset tracking.
The app has a web based spreadsheet where all the data gets synced. Of course, you can export the database in the form of a spreadsheet or a JSON file.
If you want a free alternative to expensive barcode scanning solutions, Orca Scan is the best barcode scanner for you.
Download: Orca Scan for Android | iOS (Free)
4. SecScanQR
If you are looking for a privacy-focused option, then you need to take a look at SecScanQR.
It's an open-source app only available for Android. It allows scanning multiple types of barcodes and QR codes, and you can decide which search engine should open the link. Choose DuckDuckGo if you want to steer clear of web tracking.
On top of barcode scanning, SecScanQR can generate different types of barcodes or QR codes. You can create a location QR code, a contact QR code or even a simple text QR code. It even has a night mode; a pretty sweet deal for an open-source app.
The app is completely free and is available on the F-Droid store.
Download: SecScanQR for Android (Free)
5. Goodreads
Goodreads is an excellent book tracking app that can organize your out of control reading list, and give you book recommendations.
An underlying feature of Goodreads is that you can use its barcode scanner to add books to your reading list.
Let’s say you are at a bookstore or a library; you can scan the book cover with the app, add it to your read later section or check its reviews online.
With the Goodreads scanner, you can quickly add a whole bunch of books, and can decide whether to keep them in your reading list later on.
Goodreads is only for avid readers. If you are looking for a proper QR scanner app then check out other apps on this list.
Download: Goodreads for Android | iOS (Free)
6. QRbot
QRbot can scan all the common barcode formats, QR codes, and supports barcode scanning from photos. You can use the search shortcuts such as “Search it on Amazon” that will redirect you to the product's listing on the Amazon app or the website.
The barcode scanner app allows creating codes, but the best part is you can design QR codes.
For instance, you can change the design or add your own image in the QR code, although this feature is only available on the iOS app. Moreover, most of the design templates are exclusive for paid users.
QRbot is the only app on this list to feature ads, but, it's also the one that allows customizing QR codes. The choice is yours!
Download: QRbot for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
7. Open Food Facts
Reading food labels is a good idea if you are conscious of what you consume. But they can be tricky to read and sometimes difficult to make sense of.
That’s where you can take the help of Open Food Facts (OFF), a food database where you can get a nutritional score of the food that you are planning to eat.
You can use the barcode scanner in the Open Food Facts app to find nutritional facts about food items. If the information is not available, feel free to add it to the database yourself.
All in all, OFF is a fantastic food app to simplify nutrition, and one of the best barcode scanner apps.
Download: Open Food Facts for Android | iOS (Free)
Scan Barcodes Without an App
If you are wary of third-party barcode scanners, you can scan QR codes on Android and iPhone using their in-house barcode scanner.
If you own an Android phone, you can use the camera app to scan barcodes. Some Androids offer a dedicated barcode scanner option in the Quick settings menu.
Meanwhile, if you own an iPhone or an iPad, you will find the barcode scanner option in the control center.
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