VS Barcode Reader

All the reasons your project could benefit from our Barcode Scanner library are detailed below. But first, please try it for yourself: the free app Vision Smarts for iOS and Android showcases the latest version of our Barcode Scanner SDK. You can verify that it easily scans the kind of barcodes your users will encounter, even in the most challenging conditions.

Scan one or a batch of twenty UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-13, EAN-8, EAN+2, EAN+5, GS1 Databar, Code 128, Code 39, Codabar, Code 93, ITF, Standard 2 of 5, Telepen, DataMatrix, and QR codes. Share via the standard action sheet.

VSBarcodeReader is the most reliable and cost-effective barcode scanner library for iPhone and Android. The SDK allows you to add barcode scanning functionality to your app in minutes. Our proprietary algorithms can read UPCs and EANs that are blurry either because they are too small, or because they are captured by the front camera of a tablet. Narrow, dirty or damaged barcodes, curved or crumpled packaging, low light, bright spots, the scanner can handle it all.

barcode scanner

Fixed Focus and Auto Focus

fixed focus vs autofocus

The left barcode is out of focus (fixed-focus front cameras, or slow-focus devices). The right image is taken with autofocus. The VSBarcodeReader library can easily read both, thanks to a unique combination of mathematical tools and image processing algorithms.

Key Features

  • Live scan, similar to a checkout scanner.
  • On-device processing, no network connection active at any time.
  • Reads UPC-A/E and EAN-13/8 bar codes (even blurry) on iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and all Android smartphones and tablets.
  • Decodes the EAN+2 and EAN+5 extensions on books and magazines.
  • Supports Code39, Code128, Code93, Codabar, Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF), Standard 2 of 5, Telepen symbologies and all GS1 Databar variants (omnidirectional, stacked, expanded, limited).
  • Also supports QR codes and DataMatrix no matter how small or difficult.
  • White label license. You have complete control of the user interface.
  • Privacy guarantee. No tracking or analytics.
  • Extremely easy to integrate, there is no parameter to tune.
  • Royalty-free license with straightforward pricing (per app and per year)
  • Fully compatible with iOS9+, Android 4.4+

Supported Platforms

  •   iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad)
  •   Android (smartphones and tablets)

Barcode Symbologies

  • EAN-13
  • EAN-8
  • UPC-A
  • UPC-E
  • EAN+2
  • EAN+5
  • Code 93
  • Code 39
  • Code 128
  • Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF)
  • Standard 2 of 5
  • Codabar (NW-7)
  • Telepen
  • GS1 Databar (all)
  • QR Code
  • DataMatrix

Comparison Chart


VS Barcode Reader

Other Commercial

Built-in APIs
Fixed Focus or Slow Focus Cameras
Damaged or dirty barcodes
Spyware-Free
White Label (no attribution needed)
Royalty-Free
"All-Terrain" Scanning

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Why Choose Our Barcode SDK

Maybe you shouldn't! The first step would be to test the Vision Framework made by Apple for iOS or ML Kit made by Google for Android and iOS. If your app faces a well-defined range of barcodes and environmental conditions, you should be able to verify that the built-in libraries are adequate.

On the other hand, if your app will have to scan diverse barcodes from many sources, on older devices, and in challenging conditions, then you should consider our SDK. Supermarkets for example do not have control over the barcodes printed by thousands of suppliers. Some will be small, narrow, bent, and occasionally dirty or damaged. Nevertheless, their smartphone apps need to read them all or risk disappointing their customers.

Time-tested

Why do we emphasize the 10+ years we have been developing and licensing barcode scanners? Because the quality of our scanner and SDK is the result of years of experimentation and improvements. It is the accumulation of countless fixes and optimizations to fully exploit the capabilities of mobile processors and cameras. That experience cannot be replicated in a hurry.

Furthermore, our SDK implements the best practices for capturing usable images on all devices, regardless of age, performance, OS version, and autofocus capability. Because our apps have millions of users, we are able to detect most issues early. We track platform changes and quickly release the necessary updates.

Thanks to our clients and thanks to the users of our apps, we never run out of improvement ideas!

Simplicity and Efficiency

We use the very same libraries and APIs in our own apps. As engineers, we strive to make our libraries as efficient and easy to integrate as possible, with no parameters to adjust and no surprises. The binary library is lightweight with no dependencies. The API is just one method and the SDK includes the source code (excluding the barcode scanner library) of the showcase app. You can copy the parts your need to get up and running in minutes, then change as much or as little as you want.

Absolute data privacy

Our barcode library implements image processing algorithms and nothing else. All the processing happens on the mobile device. It doesn't collect user or device information, does not access the network, and doesn't display ads or our logo either. You have full control over the UI of your app, as there is no "black box" scanner view or activity, only ready-to-use sample code.

Royalty-free licensing

Our licensing model is as straightforward as our API: there are no options, packages, or additional services. Pricing is a flat annual fee per app that includes unlimited installs (of one app), unlimited scans, support and updates.

Cross-platform app frameworks

Is your app built with cross-platform or multi-platform development tools such as Cordova, PhoneGap, Ionic, Xamarin, etc.

The Vision Smarts barcode scanner library and APIs are fully compatible. Just mention which one you need when you contact us for more information. The cost is the same.

App Clips and Instant Apps

With no extraneous code and no dependencies, the Barcode Reader library easily fits inside iOS App Clips and Android Instant Apps. And it leaves plenty of room for your own code. We can further thin it down upon request by removing unused symbologies.

Truly white-label

You don't display our logo in your app, or our name in the credits. We also don't show your logo on our web site.

Our scanner library is 100% proprietary: we are not selling re-packaged open source software. There are some great open source or built-in libraries out there, and you should use them for free if they meet your requirements.



Please try the demo app (iTunes, Google Play) on the hardest barcodes you can find and let us know what you think!