At one time, QR codes were considered the cool, up-and-coming way to connect brands with consumers online. Unfortunately, the tech didn’t quite explode the way some people had hoped. While QR codes have proved useful and are still around, they are hardly ubiquitous. Nonetheless, scanning a QR code is often the fastest and most convenient way to access a web page, and brands often use these codes on their product packaging or promotional materials to guide consumers to product information or special offers.
Both iOS and Android devices have built-in QR code reader capabilities. Apple’s Camera app and Wallet app have embedded QR code readers, and Android’s Google Assistant can help you connect to a QR code via Google Assistant or Google Lens. If these built-in solutions are too obscure or not robust enough for your taste, there are abundant third-party QR code scanner apps out there for both platforms. We’ve selected the best apps available for Android and iOS.
In the meantime, please see our guide on how to scan a QR code with your iPhone or Android device.
QR Code Reader + QR Scanner
This app is an extensive scanning device that can handle QR codes as well as barcodes, so you can conduct your research while you shop. The app automatically creates a new contact in your phone using the QR codes, including contact information. It can do the same thing with Wi-Fi networks, calendar events, product data, SMS messages, and other connecting features, making the data management process quicker and more straightforward.
Kaspersky QR Scanner
Kaspersky QR Scanner is one of the best free third-party scanning apps for iOS and Android. Developed by the cybersecurity experts at Kaspersky, it does what you’d expect a QR scanning app from a cybersecurity company to do: scan for unsafe and malicious QR codes. It’s as easy to use as your smartphone’s native Camera app. It quickly checks the security of every QR code you scan with it, providing a warning whenever it encounters a dodgy link. It also brings the added benefit of a History tab, so you can quickly return to the websites associated with past QR codes.
Free QR scanners
The Android-only app from Simple Design is one of the most popular QR code scanner apps. It’s free to use and lets you save QR codes to your phone or easily share them with friends. The QR code reader supports scanning Diksha and ePathshala QR codes in textbooks quickly and easily. You can quickly toggle on your flashlight from within the app to scan codes in a dark environment, create QR codes, and view your scan history. Unlike some apps, this scanner doesn’t ask for a bunch of permissions, just access to your camera.
QR Reader for iPhone
QR Reader for iPhone can scan anything, including QR codes, barcodes, documents, puzzles, business cards, and PDF documents. A database scanner can send your barcodes to a server. The app’s auto-detect lets you simply point and hold to scan automatically and share via email, messenger, Facebook, or Twitter. Or you can create your own QR codes and export them as PNG or SVG files.
Mixer Box QR Code Reader & QR Scanner
QR Code Reader & QR Scanner is available only for iPhone. It can scan a wide variety of 1D and 2D code types, including QR codes, barcodes, and EAN-13 codes. It scans quickly and saves a history of your scans, so you can go back to a previous QR code quickly. An internet connection is not required for scanning. One nice touch is that it supports flashlight use while the app is working, so you can scan QR codes in the dark. QR Code Reader & QR Scanner is free to download, although you can pay a small fee to remove the ads.
QRTiger QR code generator
There are plenty of QR code readers, and QRTiger is one of them, but what if you want to generate a QR code? Well, QR Tiger can do that for you, too. The code generator helps you create your own custom code, complete with an image if you like. You can generate codes for links, websites, contacts, text, business cards, apps, and social accounts. You can choose between static or dynamic, which lets you track data. Four available menus let you change the pattern, color, or logo. A map chart gives you insight into where people are scanning your QR codes. All code scanning is ad-free.
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