7 best barcode scanning apps on phones

Barcode scanning applications on the phone will help us easily check products quickly, instead of using barcode scanning software on the computer. Then you just need to put the barcode scanning application on the product and search for information. The article below will summarize barcode scanning applications on the phone.

7 best barcode scanning apps on phones

1. Google Lens

7 best barcode scanning apps on phones Picture 1

Did you know you can scan barcodes in the Google Lens app? Just point the search bar at the barcode or QR code and let the app do its thing. The beauty of using Google Lens is that there are so many cool things you can do with it.

You can copy or translate text, identify plants, find similar products, and more. Lens is part of the Google app on iPhone, so you won't need a separate app to scan QR codes. Overall, Google Lens is one of the best barcode scanning apps for Android and iOS.

Google Lens for Android | Google for iOS

2. Orca Scan

7 best barcode scanning apps on phones Picture 2

Orca Scan is not your typical barcode scanner; you can use it as an alternative to a hardware scanner. Orca Scan can track your entire inventory without any specialized software.

The app will not redirect you to a website when you scan a barcode. Instead, it will ask you to fill in the product details for asset tracking. The app has a web-based spreadsheet where all the data is synced.

Of course, you can export the database as a spreadsheet or a JSON file. If you want a free alternative to expensive barcode scanning solutions, Orca Scan is your best bet.

Orca Scan for Android | Orca Scan for iOS

3. SecScanQR

7 best barcode scanning apps on phones Picture 3

If you are looking for a privacy-focused option then you need to check out SecScanQR.

This is an open source app available only for Android through the F-Droid store. It allows scanning of a variety of barcodes and QR codes. You can decide which search engine opens the link. Choose DuckDuckGo if you want to avoid being tracked on the web.

In addition to scanning barcodes, SecScanQR can also generate a variety of different types of barcodes or QR codes. You can generate location QR codes, contact QR codes, or even plain text QR codes. It even has a night mode; pretty cool for an open source app.

SecScanQR for Android

4. Goodreads

7 best barcode scanning apps on phones Picture 4

Goodreads is a great book tracking app that can organize your reading list out of the box and give you book recommendations. A key feature of Goodreads is that you can use its barcode scanner to add books to your reading list.

Let's say you're at a bookstore or library. You can scan a book cover with an app, add it to your read later section, or check online reviews. With the Goodreads scanner, you can quickly add multiple books and decide whether to keep them on your reading list for later.

Goodreads is for avid readers only. If you are looking for a proper QR scanning app, check out the other apps on this list.

Goodreads for Android | Goodreads for iOS

5. QRbot

7 best barcode scanning apps on phones Picture 5

QRbot can scan all common barcode and QR code formats, and also supports scanning barcodes from images. You can use search shortcuts like "Search it on Amazon" to redirect you to the product listing on the Amazon app or website.

The barcode scanner app lets you create codes, but the cool thing is that you can design QR codes. For example, you can change the design or add your own images to the QR code, although this feature is only available on the iOS app. Furthermore, most of the designs are exclusive to paid users.

QRbot for Android | QRbot for iOS

6. Open Food Facts

7 best barcode scanning apps on phones Picture 6

Reading food labels is a good idea if you're really concerned about what you're eating. But they can be difficult to read and sometimes confusing. That's where Open Food Facts (OFF), a food database that gives you the nutritional score for the foods you plan to eat, can help.

You can use the barcode scanner in the Open Food Facts app to find nutritional information on food items. If the information is not available, feel free to add it to the database yourself. Overall, OFF is a great food app and one of the best barcode scanning apps.

Open Food Facts for Android | Open Food Facts for iOS

7. QR & Barcode Scanner by Gamma Play

7 best barcode scanning apps on phones Picture 7

If you want a simple QR scanner app that does everything you expect without any unnecessary features, QR & Barcode Scanner by Gamma Play is probably your best bet. It's easy to use, has a simple user interface, and is lightweight at just under 30MB.

The app has a zoom slider that you can use to zoom in or out and better frame the QR code you're trying to scan in the photo to maximize the chances of the app recognizing it.

You can also scan images saved in your gallery that contain QR codes, view your scanned QR code history, and even create your own QR codes for phone numbers, email IDs, calendar events, WiFi networks, etc.

You can also change the app's color scheme if you don't like the default blue and enable vibration to get haptic feedback when the app recognizes a QR code.

QR & Barcode Scanner for Android | QR & Barcode Scanner for iOS

Why can't I scan the product barcode?

Basically, you just need to use the product code scanning application above to scan, but there are many cases where you cannot scan the product code.

Old, incompatible code reader

Product barcodes come in many different types and their shapes and sizes can vary. If the barcode reader you are using is too old, or is not compatible with the product barcode type, it will not be able to scan it.

Barcode is blurred, defective, unclear

If the barcode is faulty, has unclear numbers or is blurry, it will be difficult to scan the product code.

Barcode placement is not correct

Products with incorrect barcodes, not on the same plane, for example, pasted in a corner, or missing corners, will also affect the reading of the product barcode.

Barcode printing surface

Some products with transparent or opaque colors will cause color contrast, leading to the inability to read the barcode. Metal products or products with product codes on shiny surfaces often encounter this barcode scanning error.

Why use barcode scanning app?

Although they serve a specific purpose, these apps are still very popular. They are a quick and easy way to get product details from a barcode. Some apps are built around this information to provide a specific service, such as a shopping list app that adds items when you scan a barcode.

Lesley Montoya

Update 08 October 2024