Handheld scanners are designed for use in industrial settings, warehouses, and other applications where durability is required. But they can be heavy and bulky, and, let’s face it: They’re not always convenient.
If you have staff working with products in the field or employees who have the occasional need to scan a bar code, but the frequency doesn’t necessitate carrying around a handheld scanner all day, a barcode scanner app can be just the ticket to maintain functionality without adding complexity to otherwise simple processes.
The great thing about barcode scanner and inventory apps is that they’re often compatible with your existing software, and many are available with cross-device compatibility. That means your team could be using their personal smartphones to scan barcodes on the job, with a minimal additional cost to your organization, provided security can be adequately mitigated with a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy.
The following barcode scanner apps are among the most functional and popular applications available for reading barcodes. While they’re not rated or ranked in any particular order, we’ve provided all the information you need to decide which app is best for your unique needs.
The ASAP BarCloud App is actually a complete, cloud-based asset management or inventory program, accessible from any iOS or Android device, as well as from any Internet browser. With automatic backup and the ability to schedule your own custom backups, your data is always secure and readily accessible. Simple inventory counting to complex systems, such as batch-lot and serialized inventory, are supported, and you’ll never lose track of shared assets with BarCloud’s check-in and check-out system. There aren’t an abundance of user reviews available, but the mobile apps earn four stars or better on both iTunes and Google Play.
OS: iOS, Android
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/barcloud-pro/id1065877687?mt=8
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.asapsystems.barcloudpro&hl=en
iTunes Rating: 4+
Google Play Rating: 4/5 stars
Key Features:
Cost: Mobile app – FREE
Asset Management Plans & Pricing:
Inventory Plans & Pricing:
Scandit is an SDK that enables enterprises to incorporate barcode scanning functionality in a mobile app. An SDK is similar to an API for developers, as it enables companies to build mobile apps for iOS or Android. Not quite the traditional ready-to-go mobile app, Scandit is an option for developers who are building apps that would benefit from scanning capabilities, as well as enterprises commissioning proprietary mobile apps where this capability would be a value-added component and alleviate the need to download a third-party application.
OS: iOS, Android, and Symbian, Phonegap plugin
Download: Get Trial or Full Downloads here.
iTunes Rating: N/A
Google Play Rating: N/A
Key Features:
Cost:
BerryWing is a simple app with simple functionality. But sometimes, that’s exactly what users need; a basic app that scans barcodes and stores data in a central database, Scan to Spreadsheet is precisely what you’re looking for. A few reviewers criticize its lack of flexibility and customization tools, but others like its basic features.
OS: iOS, Android
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scan-to-spreadsheet/id478631675?mt=8
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.berrywing.scantospreadsheet
iTunes Rating: 4+
Google Play Rating: 3.4/5 stars
Key Features:
Cost:
With QuickMark, you can not only scan, but create barcodes and QR codes. The cross-platform scanner reads multiple types of barcodes and multiple barcode formats, making it one of the most versatile barcode apps available. With less manual data entry, you can quickly and easily record URLs, item names, locations, and much more. Overall, owners seem to be pleased with the QuckMark app, although a few users complain that it doesn’t scan much.
OS: Android, iOS, Windows
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tw.com.quickmark
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/
Other Download Options: http://www.quickmark.com.tw/En/basic/downloadmain.asp
Google Play Rating: 4/5 (21,327)
iTunes Rating: 4+
Key Features:
Cost: FREE
ScanLife is a barcode inventory app that allows consumers to scan QR codes and barcodes on any product and pull up information such as nutritional facts and ingredients, prices, and nearby locations where products can be purchased in real time. The ScanLife app is part of a larger platform for businesses who want to better engage mobile users, by incorporating QR codes into marketing strategies. With nearly 48,000 user reviews on Google Play alone, ScanLife gets positive feedback overall.
OS: iOS, Android
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scanlife-barcode-scanner-qr/id285324287?mt=8
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ScanLife
iTunes Rating: 4+, user rating 3.5 (6,200+ ratings)
Google Play Rating: 4/5 stars (46,700+ ratings)
Key Features:
Cost:
NeoReader gets tons of user feedback at the iTunes and Google Play Stores, but it seems the most current version fares much better than previous editions of this app. At iTunes, the current version earns an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, in just over 30 user reviews. The overall rating, however, is just two stars, based on more than 5,200 user reviews. Most users say it scans practically any code, in contrast to typical barcode scanner apps, which can be limited on the scope of their scanning capabilities.
OS: Android, iOS, Blackberry, Windows, Ovi
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.gavitec.android&hl=en
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/neoreader-qr-reader-barcode/id284973754?mt=8
iTunes Rating: 4+, user rating 2/5 stars (5,200+ ratings)
Google Play Rating: 4/5 stars (18,600+ ratings)
Key Features:
Cost: FREE
i-nigma is free to download, but the company uses advertising to offset some of the development and ongoing maintenance costs. This causes some users to gripe about small ads on the dashboard, but most don’t seem to mind and say they have no problems scanning just about any barcode using this app. It scans vCards and MECARDs to act as a streamlined Rolodex, instantly storing contact information in your phone’s contact list, opens maps with Geo codes, and adds events to your phone’s calendar with calendar barcodes, all in addition to scanning QR, DataMatrix and UPC/EAN codes for a fully-functional app for reading barcodes.
OS: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/app/i-nigma-4-qr-datamatrix-barcode/id388923203?mt=8
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.threegvision.products.inigma.Android
Main Download: http://www.i-nigma.mobi/
iTunes Rating: 4+, user rating 4/5 stars (260+ ratings)
Google Play Rating: 4.4 stars (6,600+ ratings)
Key Features:
Cost: FREE
A free optical barcode scanner app that supports 2D, Bidi and 1D (Datamatrix / QR /Ean 8 & 13) barcodes, UpCode is designed to be simple and straightforward to use. Users can create their own optical barcodes for free, and scan any supported barcode to quickly access content like music, images, videos, files, websites, and more. Built-in sharing features enable you to share the content you discover with your contacts, as well. This barcode app gets just two stars at iTunes, but no written reviews are available, so it’s difficult to tell why users give it a low rating. Google Play users generally like it, but some think it’s just standard technology and nothing special.
OS: iOS, Android, Lumia and Windows
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/fi/app/upcode/id297104013?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fi.upcode.upcode
Main Download: http://www.upcode.fi/mobile/pc_download.asp?language=1
iTunes Rating: 4+, user rating 2/5 stars (130+ ratings)
Google Play Rating: 3.9/5 stars (315+ ratings)
Key Features:
Cost: FREE
BeeTagg has a set of apps: a mobile barcode scanner app, a QR code generator app, an app for contacts management and generating your own personal QR-code business card, a PriceCheck app and now even a mobile app to make fancy, designer QR codes. A free barcode app, BeeTagg is pretty sophisticated in terms of its scanning functionality, but it doesn’t offer any comprehensive built-in database capabilities. That said, you can copy and paste information and codes for later documentation. Users generally say it works okay, but there are some difficulties reported with 1D codes and certain phone models.
OS: iOS, Blackberry, Android, Windows, Samsung, Ovi
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/beetagg-qr-reader/id313157282?mt=8
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.connvision.mobileaccessor.android
Main Download: http://get.beetagg.com/en/qr-reader/download
iTunes Rating: 4+, user rating 2.5/5 stars (450+ ratings)
Google Play Rating: 3.4 stars (880+ ratings)
Key Features:
Cost: FREE
Kaywa claims to be the best mobile barcode scanning app around, and users seem to agree for the most part. This app gets solid reviews on both iTunes and Google Play, with users saying they love that the scan images are held in memory for later reference. That said, data for this QR barcode reading app is stored in your phone’s internal memory. That means it may eventually slow down other apps, and it can’t be easily removed and transferred to another device if you switch. Otherwise, it lives up to its claim of speed, accuracy, and simplicity.
OS: Android, iOS
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kaywa-qr-code-reader-scan/id520776783?mt=8
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kaywa.barcode
iTunes Rating: 4+, user rating 4/5 stars (40+ ratings)
Google Play Rating: 4.1/5 stars (460+ ratings)
Key Features:
Cost: FREE
EZ Office Inventory is a complete office inventory management platform that comes with a free barcode scanning app to streamline the process of tracking and maintaining accurate inventory counts. When combined with the full-featured program, you can take advantage of features such as data backup, chart-based actions, bundles, and more. Users say it’s easy to set up, super functional, and is ideal for a variety of applications.
OS: iOS, Android, Windows
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/office-inventory-tracking/id516935177?mt=8
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ezofficeinventory.mobile2
iTunes Rating: 4+, user rating 3.5 stars (11 ratings)
Google Play Rating: 4.4./5 stars (25 ratings)
Key Features:
Cost:
Scout is a product of topShelf, a web-based and fully mobile-enabled inventory management system that can be used either as a standalone software platform for managing inventory and asset control, or can be configured as an adjunct to an existing application, such as accounting software or CRM. Available for most modern devices, Scout earns middling scores from users who say it works, but it seems slow and sluggish.
OS: iOS, Android, Blackberry
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scout-mobile-inventory/id380138845?mt=8
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.scoutsft.mobileInventory&hl=en
iTunes Rating: 4+ (not enough customer ratings)
Google Play Rating: 3/5 stars (21 ratings)
Key Features:
Cost:
OnHand BT is a product of Steven’s Creek Software, designed to streamline inventory management by turning an existing mobile device into a barcode scanner. It captures all one-dimensional barcodes, and it has a built-in calculator for entering data or changing quantities. With a number of features designed to make the inventory process simpler, such as a restocking mode, it’s a useful platform for any business dealing with inventory. It is one of the more expensive barcode apps available, though, at about $30 on iTunes and Google Play. There aren’t an abundance of user reviews, but the few available reviews indicate that developer support is excellent and features and functions are adequate for a variety of settings.
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stevenscreek.onhand&hl=en
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/on-hand/id365920832?mt=8
iTunes Rating: 4+ (Not yet enough reviews to determine an average rating for the current version.)
Google Play Rating: 5.0 (2 reviews)
Key Features:
Cost:
Users say CLZ Barry is quick, accurate and efficient, although a few complain that it doesn’t have a feature for entering ISBN book codes. It’s really geared to the collector audience, for those who collect things like comic books, DVDs and the like. Because it can be configured to export data to Excel and other programs, it’s useful for a variety of applications, and users say it’s a huge time-saver. This barcode scanning application requires Android 2.1 or higher, so it may not work on all devices.
Download for iOS: http://www.itunes.com/apps/clzbarrywirelessbarcodescanner (NOTE: link only works for iOS users with an iTunes account or iPhone)
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.collectorz.clzbarry
iTunes Rating: 3.5 stars (8 ratings)
Google Play Rating: 4/5 stars (165+ ratings)
Key Features:
Cost: $7.99
With CodeREADr, you can turn your mobile devices into enterprise-grade barcode scanners and data collection tools. Quickly and accurately scan all types of 1D and 2D barcodes, collect photos, and more, with the option to store your scan data on your own servers or in the cloud.
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/codereadr-production/id389044458?mt=8 (NOTE: link may only work for iOS users with an iTunes account or iPhone)
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skycore.android.codereadr&hl=en
iTunes Rating: 3.5 stars (11 ratings)
Google Play Rating: 3.5 (238 ratings)
Key Features:
Cost: FREE
Gamma Play’s QR & Barcode Scanner is a fast QR/barcode scanner that is easy to use with your iOS or Android device. Simply point your device at a QR code or barcode and the app automatically will detect and scan it. You won’t need to waste any more time pressing buttons, taking photos, or adjusting your zoom.
OS: iOS, Android
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/qr-code-reader-barcode-scanner/id1159068566
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gamma.scan
iTunes Rating: 4
Google Play Rating: 4.3/5 stars
Key Features:
Cost: FREE
Scan is a QR code and barcode reader app available on iOS, Android, Windows, and more. Scan is easy to use and does not require pressing a button or taking a photo because the app automatically recognizes the code at which your camera points.
OS: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, OS X, Windows
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scan-qr-code-barcode-reader/id411206394?mt=8
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.scan.android.scan
iTunes Rating: 4.5
Google Play Rating: 4.3/5 stars
Key Features:
Cost:
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/inventory-scanner/id365563373?mt=8
iTunes Rating: 4+ (Not enough info for average rating, 284 ratings)
Key Features:
Cost: FREE
AssetTrack is a simple-to-use scanner app designed for iOS devices. Apps like AssetTrack make it possible for enterprises to capitalize on the growing BYOD trend, although in this case, all employees or users would require an iOS (Apple) device. With options for pre-configuring certain form-field options and data entry information, scanning both expected and rogue inventory is simple with AssetTrack.
OS: iOS
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/TR/app/id916955240
iTunes Rating: N/A
Key Features:
Cost: Contact for a quote
Business Inventory is an iOS barcode app available from the iTunes store for just 99 cents. It gets some mixed feedback from users, however, with complaints of bugs and crashes. One user gripes that you can’t mark an item as sold by using the scanner function. It does have touchscreen options for doing so, along with filters to generate custom reports, inventory reporting options, exporting capabilities, and more.
OS: iOS
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/app/business-inventory/id535888410?mt=8
iTunes Rating: 4+, user rating 2/5 stars (19 ratings)
Key Features:
Cost: $0.99
Stock Control is a barcode scanner app developed by Kiwi Objects, designed to improve your productivity by giving you better control over your inventory counts. Users are generally positive about this app, and it’s pretty straightforward to use. Simply scan your items, organize your database by category, type, personal vs. work, or whatever hierarchy works for your purposes. You can manage two sets of stock completely independently. For precise control, Stock Control enables refined management of quantities in different locations, such as storage, as well as shortage alerts so you’ll never find yourself out of supplies again.
OS: iOS
Download for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stock-control-easily-manage/id492472375?mt=8
iTunes Rating: 4+, user rating 4/5 stars (100+ ratings)
Key Features:
Cost:
The Barcode Scanner App recognizes a variety of 1D and 2D barcodes. This demo app gets positive feedback from users, earning an average rating of four stars out of five in more than 165 reviews. Accusoft also offers a Barcode Xpress for iOS SDK if you’re building a custom application requiring barcode-scanning capabilities for an iPhone or other iOS device.
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.accusoft.barcodescanner.client
Google Play Rating: 4/5 stars (160+ ratings)
Key Features:
Cost: FREE
ixMAT relies on Java-based software to turn your device into a barcode scanner. This free barcode scan app works for Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile and JavaME devices, but it’s not available for the iPhone or iPad. It supports a variety of 1D and 2D codes, analyzing automatically without the need to input the barcode type. Those who want to share contact information via a 2D code may be initially put off by the idea that this requires constant access permission, but the company assures users that their personal privacy settings are honored. Users, however, say this barcode reader asks for a slew of permissions.
OS: Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, JavaME
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ixellence.ixmat.android.community
Google Play Rating: 3.8/5 stars (2,700+ ratings)
Key Features:
Cost: FREE
Another barcode scanning app exclusively for Android devices, Hi Tec’s GetBlue Bluetooth Reader offers a variety of data collection methods and exporting options, including files, spreadsheets, third-party applications and more. GetBlue gathers data from any supported data source and forwards it to any supported Bluetooth SPP and Bluetooth RFCOMM. Any Bluetooth that supports the Serial Port Profile, such as SPP or RFCOMM barcode scanners, can be used.
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tecit.datareader.android.getblue.demo
Google Play Rating: 3.9/5 stars (450+ ratings)
Key Features:
Cost: Demo version: FREE
The Wireless Barcode Scanner is another product by Tec-It, but unlike its sister products, this barcoding app doesn’t yet have any user feedback. With adjustable 1D and 2D barcode scanning support, adjustable character sets, and compatibility with some standard software tools, the Wireless Barcode Scanner offers usability and functionality for a variety of uses and applications. This mobile barcode app only works with Android devices.
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tecit.android.bluescanner.full
Google Play Rating: 0 (no ratings available)
Key Features:
Cost: $12.99
Inventory Droid, as its name suggests, is available only for the Android operating system. A similar barcode app is available for web-based reporting and inventory tracking that’s compatible with iOS devices, but this app does not support barcode scanning. Inventory Droid gets positive feedback overall, with a few quirks noted. For instance, one reviewer says she’d prefer that the inventory search evaluates her inventory only, not that of Amazon and other online retailers.
OS: Android
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.inventorydroid&hl=en
Google Play Rating: 4/5 stars (298 reviews)
Key Features:
Cost: $4.99
Other than some compatibility issues with specific devices, users say the Barcodescanner Keyboard works well. With multiple keyboard layouts to support a variety of languages, this reader application is both versatile and functional.
Download for Android:
Demo: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tecit.android.barcodekbd.demo
Full: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tecit.android.barcodekbd.full
Google Play Rating: 4.2/5 stars (60+ ratings) – full version
Key Features:
Cost:
ScanPet is a barcode app for Android devices, and it’s compatible with the Kindle Fire. This barcode app garners feedback from more than 1,500 users on Google Play, where it earns an average rating of 4.1 stars out of 5. ScanPet uses Excel as an item database, enabling the app to function as a complete inventory management application – all managed by your smartphone, which doubles as a scanner. It’s being used for everything from personal CD collections to business inventory. With exporting options and a slew of other features, it’s easy to get the essential inventory data you need to other applications and programs. There’s a basic, free version and a more sophisticated, paid version available.
OS: Android
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.maiko.scanpet&hl=en
Premium/Paid Version Download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.maiko.xscanpet
Google Play Rating: 4.1/5 stars (1,500+ ratings)
Key Features:
Cost:
The ultimate inventory, asset management and collection app, Inventory X Pro has a built-in barcode scanner and the other tools and capabilities to turn your smartphone into a total inventory control system. It’s only available for the Android operating system, and it doesn’t have many reviews. Those that are available are positive, however, with users praising developer support and overall functionality and usability.
OS: Android
Download for Android: http://inventory-x.msurflab.com/
Google Play Rating: 4.4/5 stars (7 ratings)
Key Features:
Cost: $2.99
The Rapid Inventory App for Android can solve your most pressing inventory concerns by turning your smartphone or other mobile device into a barcode scanner. Easy importing and exporting options make it possible to transfer data to other applications for accounting and other purposes. With customization options, such as custom fields, you can categorize and filter your products in a variety of ways to suit your needs. With simple, intuitive operation and three different price levels, including a free version, sers say this smartphone barcode scanner is exactly what they needed.
Download for Android: http://www.tec-it.com/en/download/android/rapid-inventory/Download.aspx
Free – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tecit.inventory.android.demo
Business – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tecit.inventory.android.personalUnlimited – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tecit.inventory.android.business
Google Play Rating:
Key Features:
Cost:
My Inventory enables you to create several inventory databases, sort and categorize products based on a variety of characteristics, construct reports, export product lists, full inventory, check-in and check-out entries, and more via CSV or XML. Bulk-scanning products is possible once you’ve created your inventories. Users say it’s stable and easy to use, but the help page could be more robust and the exporting feature could be a bit simpler to use. Otherwise, users seem to think this is an excellent barcode app to scan and manage inventory.
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appdevandroid.framework.inventories
Free: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appdevandroid.framework.inventoriesfree
Paid: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appdevandroid.framework.inventories
Google Play Rating: 3.7/5 stars (30 ratings)
Key Features:
Cost:
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actionplus.CCC_BQNE&hl=en
Google Play Rating: 3.3 (75+ reviews)
Key Features:
Cost: FREE
Mobile Inventory is a barcode scanner and inventory app that makes it easier and faster to manage inventory. Designed for 30% – 40% time savings in the inventory process, Mobile Inventory features a barcode and QR code scanner and allows users to add images to products.
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ro.bino.inventory
Google Play Rating: 4.2/5 stars
Key Features:
Cost: FREE with in-app purchases available
Stock and Inventory Simple is an easy-to-use Android app that speeds the inventory process by enabling users to scan barcodes with your smartphone camera. Use your mobile device to manage and control stock, maintain product catalog, and streamline inventory processes.
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stockmanagment.next.app
Google Play Rating: 4.1/5 stars
Key Features:
Cost: FREE
A professional edition barcode scanner, Barcode Scanner Pro is one of the fastest and most accurate barcode scanning apps available for Android devices. With more than 57,300 5-star ratings by Google Play users, Barcode Scanner Pro also is one of the most popular and highly-rated barcode scanners.
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.geekslab.qrbarcodescanner.pro
Google Play Rating: 4.6/5 stars
Key Features:
Cost: FREE
The good news is inventory and asset management doesn’t have to be a long, tedious process, thanks to apps like these. Many of the best barcode scanner apps are free, and most others are low-cost, even if you opt to subscribe to the full asset management platform.
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