Look around the room you're in. You will find at least a dozen products with a barcode on them. Every product sold comes with a unique identifier. You can scan these codes using a barcode scanner app and find the associated product on the web.

You can also use it to make online payments and check menus since many bars and restaurants today are switching to QR codes. Many businesses use QR codes so people can quickly go to their site without having to type the URL. Knowing this, here's a curated list of the best barcode scanner apps for Android and iOS.

1. Google Lens

Did you know you scan barcodes in the Google Lens app? Just point the search frame to a barcode or a QR code, and let the app do its thing. The upside of using Google Lens is that there are a lot of interesting things you can do with Google Lens.

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

Download: Google Lens for Android (Free)

Download: Google for iOS (Free)

2. Orca Scan

Orca Scan isn't a run-of-the-mill barcode scanner; you can use it as an alternative to hardware scanners. Orca Scan can track an entire inventory without any specialized software.

The app won't redirect you to the web when scanning a barcode. Instead, it will ask you to fill in details about the product for asset tracking. The app has a web-based spreadsheet where all the data gets synced.

Of course, you can export the database in the form of a spreadsheet or a JSON file. If you want a free alternative to expensive barcode scanning solutions, Orca Scan is the best barcode scanner for you.

Download: Orca Scan for Android | iOS (Free)

3. SecScanQR

If you are looking for a privacy-focused option, then you need to take a look at SecScanQR.

It's an open-source app only available for Android via the F-Droid store. It allows scanning multiple types of barcodes and QR codes, and you can decide which search engine should open the link. Choose DuckDuckGo if you want to steer clear of web tracking.

On top of barcode scanning, SecScanQR can generate different types of barcodes or QR codes. You can create a location QR code, a contact QR code, or even a simple text QR code. It even has a night mode; a pretty sweet deal for an open-source app.

Download: SecScanQR for Android (Free)

4. Goodreads

Goodreads is an excellent book-tracking app that can organize your out-of-control reading list, and give you book recommendations. An underlying feature of Goodreads is that you can use its barcode scanner to add books to your reading list.

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

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

Download: Goodreads for Android | iOS (Free)

5. QRbot

QRbot can scan all the common barcode formats and QR codes and supports barcode scanning from photos. You can use the search shortcuts such as "Search it on Amazon" which will redirect you to the product's listing on the Amazon app or website.

The barcode scanner app allows creating codes, but the best part is you can design QR codes. For instance, you can change the design or add your own image in your QR code, although this feature is only available on the iOS app. Moreover, most of the design templates are exclusive to paid users.

Download: QRbot for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

6. Open Food Facts

Reading food labels is a good idea if you are conscious of what you consume. But they can be tricky to read and sometimes difficult to make sense of. That's where you can take the help of Open Food Facts (OFF), a food database where you can get a nutritional score of the food that you are planning to eat.

You can use the barcode scanner in the Open Food Facts app to find nutritional facts about food items. If the information is not available, feel free to add it to the database yourself. All in all, OFF is a fantastic food app to simplify nutrition and one of the best barcode scanner apps.

Download: Open Food Facts for Android | iOS (Free)

7. QR & Barcode Scanner by Gamma Play

If you want a no-fuss QR scanner app that can do everything you'd expect from it without any unnecessary features, QR & Barcode Scanner by Gamma Play is probably your best bet. It's easy to use, has a simple UI, and is lightweight at just under 30MB.

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

You can also scan images saved in your gallery that contain QR codes, see the history of your scanned QR codes, and even create your own QR code for your phone number, email ID, calendar event, Wi-Fi network, and more.

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

Download: QR & Barcode Scanner for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Scan Barcodes Without an App

If you are wary of third-party barcode scanners, you can scan QR codes on Android and iPhone using their in-house barcode scanners. If you own an Android phone, you can use the camera app to scan barcodes.

Some Android devices offer a dedicated barcode scanner option in the Quick settings menu. Meanwhile, if you own an iPhone or an iPad, you will find the barcode scanner option in the control center.