Listed below is the best free QR code readers. There are many iPhone QR code reader apps, Android QR code reader apps, Blackberry and Windows Phone QR code reader apps. I hope this list below will help you make sense of all of these. If you know of a QR code reader that you use that has not been posted, please post the QR code reader’s information in the comments below and I will work on adding it to this list.
UPDATE 07/03/2017 – The new iOS 11 now auto scans QR codes using the built-in Camera app on both the iPhone and iPad. iOS 11 is currently in public beta and is set to be released early fall of 2017. I have had some time to test this and it is amazing. I highly suggest using it.
Free QR Code Readers for all Mobile Smartphones
These QR code readers and QR code scanners work on all the major smartphones and come highly recommend. Simply download the QR code reader to your mobile device and enjoy.
NeoReader
NeoReader is a cross-OS QR code reader that scans QR codes, DataMatrix, Aztec, EAN and UPC codes. It is simple to use with an elegant UI. NeoReader saves vCards and MECARDs directly to your phone contacts. Another great feature of NeoReader is the ability to view the history of perviously scanned codes. Get it for:
[iTunes] [Google Play] [Blackberry App World] [App Marketplace]
TapMedia’s QR Reader
QR Reader by TapMedia is a 100% free QR code scanner for the iPhone, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry. It only works with QR codes, however, it is fast and effective. When you open the app, it will open in real-time scanning mode ready to auto-detect a QR code. QR codes can be shared using Facebook, Twitter, Email and other social sharing sites. With it’s integrated map view and integrated web browser, QR codes can be quickly scanned and viewed without ever leaving the app. Get it for:
[iTunes] [Google Play] [Blackberry App World] [App Marketplace]
i-nigma
i-nigma is a multi-code scanner capable of reading QR codes, DataMatrix and UPC/EAN codes. With their SDK, you can additional codes as well. i-nigma works well with colored and custom designed QR codes with few errors. The QR code scanner will automatically detect the code type and will open the QR code in either a browser or on a map. If the QR code is a vCard or MECARD, i-nigma will give you the option to save the data directly to your phone contacts. Share QR codes across multiple social networks or by email easily. Get it for:
[iTunes] [Google Play] [Blackberry App World] [App Marketplace]
Other QR Code Readers and QR Code Scanners
iPhone QR Code Reader Apps
- Optiscan ($1.99) – This one claims to be the fastest QR code scanners, however, that may not be exactly true. It is pretty quick. One unique feature with this app is it will save the QR code data so that you can pull it up later rather than having to rescan it each time. [ itunes link]
- Barcode (Free) – Barcode scans QR Code and Data Matrix. The big issue I have with this one is you have to select which type of code you are scanning rather than it auto detecting it. [ itunes link]
- QuickMark ($0.99) – CNET rated this app as the best QR code reader app for the iPhone. Google recommends this app as well. [ itunes link]
- ScanLife (Free) – Reads EZ Code, QR code, Data Matrix and UPC codes. ScanLife makes their app for multiple mobile OS. [ itunes link]
- QR Pro ($1.99) – Profile Exchange, Reader and Creator of QR 2D Barcode Profession Version in iPhone [ itunes link ]
- QR Scanner for iPhone ($0.99) – Claims to be the simplist QR code reader for iPhone. [ itunes link ]
Android Free QR Code Reader Apps
There are many great free QR code readers for Android. Because of this, I only have listed the free Android qr code readers rather than any paid Android QR code readers.
Barcode Scanner (Free) – This is the one I personally use. This one scans UPC, QR code and Data Matrix. Works great. [info]- ShopSavvy (Free) – This app scans QR codes but also scans UPC codes and finds the best prices near you. I found it to be slow back when I used to use it however it is not bad. [info]
- ScanLife (Free) – Reads EZ Code, QR code, Data Matrix and UPC codes. ScanLife makes their app for multiple mobile OS. [info]
- QuickMark (Free) – Same as the iPhone QR reader however on Android and best of all, FREE. Reads Quick Code, QR code, UPC and Data Matrix. [info]
- QR Pal (Free) – This app saves each of your codes and sorts them for you. Great interface and easy to use. Right now only on Android but plans to release onto other platforms. [ info ]
Blackberry QR Code Reader Apps
ScanLife (Free) – Reads EZ Code, QR code, Data Matrix and UPC codes. ScanLife makes their app for multiple mobile OS. [app world link]- BeeTagg (Free) – Reads QR Code, Data Matrix and BeeTagg Code. [app world link]
- QR Code Scanner Pro (Free) – This app seems to have it all included in one package. [app world link]
Windows Phone 7 QR Code Reader Apps
PhraseMeme Scanner (Trial then $1.99) – This is a new QR code reader for Windows Phone 7. PhraseMeme is a multi-format barcode scanner for Windows Phone 7 which includes a QR code reader.- Stripes ($0.99) – This is a UPC barcode reader that is starting to support QR Codes, however they are still working to get QR codes to work correctly with it.
- BeeTagg (Free) – The BeeTagg QR Reader for Windows Phone 7 can read QR Codes, BeeTagg Codes and Datamatrix. It supports the following formats: vCard, meCard, vEvent, Geo, Phone, SMS, Text
- Quickmark (Free) – Same as the iPhone app however on Android and best of all, FREE. Reads Quick Code, QR code, UPC and Data Matrix.
Your Suggestions
Please let us know in the comment sections below what QR code readers you have found. Also, please let me know if any of the information on the QR code readers above has changed, such as price, description or links and I will get the updated as soon as possible.
Please try downloading and installing Yeescan app from Doozone to see the big difference with other QR code scanners.
You can try Yeescan by Doozone and see the difference for yourself. It can do a lot aside from being just a QR code scanner.
I am looking for a qr code reader app that can be recommended for use on store merchandise. It must have maximum relevancy to mobile phones used in the UK. The recommendation could be printed on the merchandise alongside the qr code, but I not sure about the wording and which app to recommend.
any qr readers that automatically send info to an email address??
You should have at least a quick summary of privacy information for
these apps. That’s always a concern but, at the moment, this is a key issue. I am looking for a scanner to use with anonymous surveys. The idea is to pass out a series of printed QR codes which each encode a URL with a different anonymous identifier. The thing is that some of these apps want permission to your contacts list, for example, and I am afraid that this could compromise anonymity. I want to narrow down the list of possible apps to use before contacting one or two vendors to get positive assurance that they are not tracking users.
What about a QR reader that will output the data through the USB to a PC as a keyboard input?
umm yeah i am not sure what you are talking about up there.. i really don’t know what a QR reader that is outputting the data through the USB to a PC as a keyboard input?.. i just don’t get this at all.. could you please explain it to me.. and yes thank you ?..
Bye then
Hello?
Please answer.
How do I find a non app qr code reader?
All QR readers would be app based. This is due to the fact that they must use your phone’s camera which requires special permissions.
Does anyone have information about how much personal data these apps send back to their maker?
For example, I saw this quote:
“Anyone take any notice of the terms and permissions for barcode
scanner? That sucker wants your personal information and your browsing
history and bookmarks!”
I use the BestBuzz QR Code Reader. It is the most accurate out there and I can use it on the droid or the iPhone. If you are looking for something more accurate just text BUZZ to 635-66 and you can download it easily. Well worth the download for sure.
-Rachel
I am looking for a QR reader that will allow me to save the info and also allow me to add notes to the saved info.. Any suggestions..P.S. Iphone
What’s a good app for windows phone for qr,
UPC and others
Red Laser…I use it on the little old iPod I have.
I am searching for a QR Code Reader for Windows Phone 7 to automatically redirecting to the URL contained in QR Code without the necessity of a button press. Does anyone have a hint for me?
PlainPay App for iPhone & android with special features as the possibility to save all scans in memory where you can retrieve them with a search function for future use.
Using QRCode Reader HD on my iPhone and iPad, http://itunes.apple.com/in/app/qrcode-reader-hd/id448292686?mt=8
How do you like it?
Please add BestBuzz to the list! It is on iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and they have a Windows release next month. I love their scanner- it also connects with all my social media networks. 🙂
I have a question… If I receive a QR Code in an email, and I open it in my Iphone or BB, the only option I have is “save picture”, then I have a picture of the barcode in my pictures app. Is there a reader that recognizes that the picture you just received is a barcode and gives you the option of “open with”, and then you choose the Reader ? I have seen lots of readers, but you need to scan it… Thanks!
Getting back to Bing Vision mentioned here already: if you have a Windows Phone (Mango), there is a QR reader feature built into the phone:
Just touching the phone’s search button (magnifying glass, bottom right), then tapping the eye icon on the bottom opens a scanner which identifies barcodes, QR codes and Microsoft Tags (it also does OCR, to some level). I’m not saying this is better or worse than any other QR app out there, but it should definitely be on the list so people can try it out prior to looking for apps that do the same.
Very interesting! I am surprised more phones do not have built in QR Code/Barcode readers in them. Can anyone else verify this as true? If so, I will add it to the article. Unfortunately I do not know anyone with a Windows Phone to test it for me.
Yes, I have a HTC HD7 WP7 phone, Bing does have built in QR reader as mentioned by Norman. I found it strange that is was not on the list.
Very cool. I will add it to the list in a few days time. Thanks guys!
Very interesting! I am surprised more phones do not have built in QR Code/Barcode readers in them. Can anyone else verify this as true? If so, I will add it to the article. Unfortunately I do not know anyone with a Windows Phone to test it for me.
Is there a reason Zappit isn’t listed here? I thought that was the most used QR Code reader? In print, we want to put a qr code in and say “download a QR Code reader to your smartphone from …..” – was going to put Zappit in for this reason but as I’ve now learned there are so many, is it better to say “from your appstore” or something?
I would say it is best to recommend from your App Store or Google Play rather than list a specific one. The other option is to find one that is on all mobile platforms and recommend it. That way if they are on Android or iPhone they will find it. Remember, iOS only has 30% of the market with Android having 50% and 20% being others (latest data from comscore). You want to make sure you pick one that everyone can find.
I would say it is best to recommend from your App Store or Google Play rather than list a specific one. The other option is to find one that is on all mobile platforms and recommend it. That way if they are on Android or iPhone they will find it. Remember, iOS only has 30% of the market with Android having 50% and 20% being others (latest data from comscore). You want to make sure you pick one that everyone can find.
FAbulous information for newbies like me, discovering what QR codes are all about. Than ks for the effort expended in great research.
So well… I tried them all. And Qrafter is really the best at this point: the pro version reads and produces all QR, never fails, is really fast and integrates automatically vcards on iphones. Which no other decent reader does…
Shouldn’t it say “iOS QR Code Reader Apps ” instead of Iphone?
Or doesn’t these apps work on Ipad x’s?
Added this to the list. thanks.
I can recommend Esponce QR Code reader for Windows Phone: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/fe3d0938-631e-4e9a-bfda-be2e70ec43d4
Oops Scan Life is there but not TapMedia
What about TapMedia or ScanLife?
I added the TapMedia QR code reader to the list.
i-nighma you haven’t listed and is the best!
Wow. I can’t believe I did not add i-nigma since it is a QR code reader for iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone. It has now been added to all those sections. Thanks.
QR code is a great invention people made. I’m making mobile apps currently and find it really cool to implement QR codes into them. I’m amazed at QR code coupons Snappii app builder allows to create. They are really helpful for small businesses.
QR Code didn’t work on my HTC EVO 4G too well. It was hit or miss with reading the QR codes. Even tried different angles but spent way too much time trying to get it to read. Based on the list above I went with the app “Barcode Scanner” by ZXing (the same app the author uses) and so far I’m having no problems. The QR codes are scanned real fast. Haven’t tried this new app too much with standard Bar Codes.
TapMedia (.co.uk)
Don’t bother with any other QR Code reader!
This one doesn’t do barcodes, but what it does for QR Codes is phenomenal.
You can also create your own codes with this one!
Easily email them, or send to Twitter or Facebook.
Takes an image of a scanned code and can, if you want, recreate it so you have a ‘pure’ image.
Keeps a history of those you’ve scanned or created.
Absolutely fantastic and knocks spots off all the others.
Create a QR Code for:
Web URL
Phone Number
Text
GEO Location
Email address
Mecard contact
SMS
It’s called:
QR Reader for iPhone (Free)
or
QR Reader (Premium): only $0.99 as at 16th December 2011
There is a separate barcode reader from TapMedia, if you simply must…
Hi, i want to know is it any com QR Reader for Android, Blackberry,Iphone,Window phon,Nokia.if any QR Reader is there which is common for all please let me know by mailin me at [email protected]
@gmail:disqus
You should try out xXess QR reader very QUICK! for android and iphone
I use the app, Scan for iPhone, and it’s a delight. And I hear that it is great for Android also.
i have yet to find a reader on WP7 that works reliably i have tried, phrase me, neoreader, quick mark, beetag, and quite a few others and not reliable at all. I do QR codes for nearly all my clients now and when i am customizing a qr code i always have to grab someone elses phone to test the design, its the only downside to the WP7 so far
thats what you get for buying a windows phone…
lol its built into the phone. BING VISION
I-nigma works wonderfull for me. Bing Vision is not available anymore.
Bing Vision is still avilable on Windows Phones that have WP7.5, aka Mango, installed on them. Simply open the Bing app on Windows Phone by using the Search button on your phone. Then tap the little “eye” icon at the bottom of the app. This will take you to Bing Vision which allows you to scan barcode/QR code/Microsoft Tag, covers, posters, products scanning, and OCR text translation.
Check out “Qwerk It” for the iPhone. Really quick and will take you to their website with their really cool QR clothes!
QR droid for android is very complete
Added.
Adam,
This looks great. I checked out the site and looks like it is pretty cool scanner. Its only on Android but looks like they are trying to get into the iPhone Market. I will download it and play around with it and if I like it I will add it to the list above. Thanks for the suggestion!
Many of our customers use the NeoReader app and it seems to work awesome.
Oops…You forgot two big players in the list: “Lynkee” and “Nigma”. I had Lynkee on my Android, now i still use it on my new Samsung Omnia on windows phone…by far the most complete IMO. FYI http://www.lynkee.com
Oops I sure did. I can’t believe I did not list Nigma. Ill add them in my next update.
Quickmark recently demo real time barcode scanning on WP7
http://goo.gl/kZ7up
QR READER foriPHONE by tap media is the king
I use it all the time in education and for my own personal use
it does EVERYTHING and I mean everything
not just a reader but a creator as well
Just magic – never lets me down
quickmark on W7 phone now
Oh nice! Yeah I knew they had plans to launch their QR Reader on Windows Phone 7 but now that they have I will add them to the list tonight.
When I had an Android I used to use Google Goggles, which was pretty good with barcodes. I just dl’d BeeTagg for my WP7 and it seems to work well, too.
just wondering why quickmark for iphone is 0.99 but for android is free.
You may also want to add Qrafter for iPhone to your list. It has been 2 months since its release and it has already been featured in The Sunday Times of UK and has received a lot of positive critics. It is currently the highest rated QR Code reader on the App Store and it is being actively maintained and updated according to feedback from its users. You can get Qrafter from http://qrafter.com/get/
Hey guys, I’m really surprised that you did not mention one of the best or simply the best reader on the market so far: Lynkee (www.lynkee.com). I used it on my old BBerry Bold 9700 and now on iPhone 4G. Their new version on iPhone is really amazing…with lots of features I have not found elsewhere.
It’s now so easy to make sure you are getting the best price on everything you buy, just a quick scan of the barcode and you can check all the prices on line. Kinda feel sorry for the retailers though how can the compete against companies selling the same products as them online, Well as long as it saves me a couple of cents I’m happy
I use barcode scanner on android, the Best (events, wifi ) but it does’nt decode design qr codes well so i need others for this kind of qr : mobiletag , i-nigma
I just released a barcode scanning app for Windows Phone 7 called PhraseMeme Scanner. It is based on ZXing, which is the same library behind the Android Barcode Scanner. You can check it out at http://WWW.PhraseMeme.com/Scanner
Thanks Greg! I have added this product to the list. Now there are 3 QR code readers for Windows Phone 7…wow, too bad Microsoft can’t seem to open up their camera API so that developers can make a scanner in realtime rather than having to take a photo then download the photo. Heck, even the closed iPhone system allows developers that kind of access.
Hi,
For Android, there is “QR Droid”. It not only scans from camera but from images shown in Android Browser or attached in an email.
Just download image from email or Browser (long click > Save image). Then open image from notification bar. An finally choose Menu > Share > Decode with QR Droid.
I always recommend RedLaser for Iphones.
Thanks,
Tara
thank you, this one looks great and works great! 🙂
quickmark, please release Blackberry and Windows Phone 7!