Barcodes and barcode scanners have long been used for decades for quick, easy and error-free data collection.
Now, with modern wireless Bluetooth scanners, and their compatibility mobile devices like Android and iOS, barcode scanning is easier than ever.
♦ What is your scan environment? Office, warehouse, outdoors?
♦ What type of barcodes will you be scanning? 1D or 2D or both?
♦ Do you need scan barcodes from a screen, i.e. scan a barcode displayed on a mobile screen?
♦ What is your use case? Inventory, attendance or event, book scouting?
♦ What quality of barcodes will be scanned?
♦ What material might be overlaying or protecting the barcode (e.g. glass or plastic badge covers)?
There are 3 popular types of barcode scanners: Laser, CCD Linear Imagers, and 2D Area Imagers.
We have outlined the advantages and disadvantages of all 3 types.
The laser barcode scanner is the most common and the most popular. The laser scanner operates by emitting a red diode laser that reflects back the barcode for processing. Bluetooth laser barcode scanners are small and easy to use. Due to their portability, they are the perfect solution for inventory, attendance, or retail arbitrage.
Advantages:
♦ Fast: Laser scanners can decode extremely fast. For example, the Scanfob® 2006 Scanner can decode 100 scans per second. A camera scanner can’t compare! See video.
♦ Accurate: Laser scanners scan most 1D barcodes with ease. Just point and scan for quick results.
♦ Powerful: Unlike a CCD scanner, laser scanners can read large barcodes and from longer distances. Some laser scanners can read barcodes from over 50 feet away.
♦ Ambient Light: Because a laser scanner functions by reflecting light back, high ambient light (such as direct sunlight) may cause difficulties when trying to scan.
♦ Laser Limitations: Most laser barcode scanners cannot read barcodes from a computer or mobile device display. Furthermore, if the barcode is damaged, faded or too small in scale, the laser barcode scanner may not be able to capture the scan.
2. CCD Barcode Scanners (Linear Imagers)
CCD (Charged Coupling Device) barcode scanners use an imaging engine to take a picture of the barcode and then decode the characters. CCD barcode scanners are “linear imagers” meaning that you will still see a red focus line when triggering the scan.
♦ Durable: CCD scanners have no internal moving parts so they are typically a bit more durable than a laser scanner.
♦ More economical: CCD scanners, on average, are usually less costly than other barcode scanners.
♦ Scan In Direct Sunlight & On Device Screens: Essentially, a CCD scanner is “taking a picture” of the barcode. Due to this scanning process, CCD scanners are able to operate in bright sunlight. Most CCD scanners are also able to read scans off a computer or other devices screens.
Disadvantages:
♦ Barcode Size Limitations: CCD scanners are unable to read barcodes that are wider than the imager line.
♦ Scan Distance Limitations: Most CCD scanners are only able to read barcodes from a few inches away.
3. 2D Area Imagers
2D imagers capture an image field and then decode the result. Due to 2D imagers having a wider scope or area than other barcode scanners, a 2D imager can read virtually any 1D or 2D barcode including: QR codes, Data Matrix, and PDF417. 2D imagers are the most powerful of the 3 barcode scanners and are ideal for individuals needing rapid scanning action, such as those at an event or working in outdoor environments.
Advantages:
♦ Versatility: A 2D barcode scanner can scan virtually every barcode symbology.
♦ Powerful: 2D scanners, because of their image capture processing, can read barcodes from nearly every surface type including computer or mobile device screens, and even scan through glass surfaces. Their decoding ability also allows for the user to successfully read heavily damaged barcodes.
Disadvantages:
♦ Price: 2D barcode scanners are typically more expensive than linear imagers or laser barcode scanners.
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Need to accept payments on the go but don’t want to invest on extra hardware? Our list of scan to pay payment apps transforms your smartphones into credit card readers.
Contactless in-person payments like QR codes have become popular methods for many small mom-and-pop shops, market vendors, and service professionals. It does not cost anything except transaction fees and requires no additional hardware to start accepting payments.
The latest payment apps with scan to pay features also allow smartphone cameras to scan physical credit cards to process transactions.
The best QR code payment apps in 2023 are:
Did you know? QR code payments are among the simplest and most cost-effective contactless in-person payment methods. Learn more about QR payments.
Monthly Fee
QR Code Transaction Rate
Chargeback Fee
Bank Deposit Speed
Credit Card Scanner
$0
2.29% + 9 cents
$20
2 business days or instant w/ fee
No
Visit PayPal Zettle$0
2.9% + 30 cents
Waived up to $250
Next day or instant w/fee
No
Visit Square$0
From interchange plus 0.50% + 30 cents
$20
2–5 business days
Yes
Visit Nomod$0
From 1.9% + 10 cents
Not disclosed
2 business days or instant w/ fee
No
Visit Venmo$1.99–$9.99
2.9% + 30 cents
Not specified
5 business days
Yes
Visit SimplyPayMe
Overall Score:
4.52
/ 5RATING CRITERIA
Pricing Scan to Pay Features Ease of Use Expert ScorePros
Cons
Read our PayPal Business review Visit PayPal
PayPal is one of the most trusted and leading names in mobile payments technology. Of PayPal users in the US, 58% use the service for in-person purchases. And, PayPal merchants have the benefit of low QR code payment transaction fees.
And while PayPal usually does not include in-person purchases in its seller protection program, it offers an exemption if buyers pay via QR code. It can even process international credit card-funded transactions, great for businesses that cater to tourists.
Overall, PayPal’s mobile payment app is easy to use and beats Square in QR code transaction rates. However, its reputation for frequent funds hold and account freezes makes it more ideal for seasonal businesses. Learn how PayPal stacks up against Square.
Overall Score:
4.48
/ 5RATING CRITERIA
Pricing Scan to Pay Features Ease of Use Expert ScorePros
Cons
Read our Square Payments review Visit Square
Square is primarily a point-of-sale (POS) platform, which is exactly what makes it stand out in our list. It comes with a free POS system and a website builder so small retailers and even restaurants that deliver can start their business with just a Square mobile app and QR code.
The system also offers a payment links management tool that generates, tracks, and updates your Square QR codes whenever needed. There are no monthly fees, and even chargebacks are waived up to $250 per month.
Most of all, Square is designed with scalability in mind so merchants can start accepting payments with $0 upfront cost and can add more Square features as the business grows. The only downside is that users are limited to using Square’s POS, unlike PayPal, which can be integrated as an added payment option to other POS systems.
Overall Score:
4.31
/ 5RATING CRITERIA
Pricing Scan to Pay Features Ease of Use Expert ScorePros
Cons
Visit Nomod
*Nomod earned a perfect score plus extra points for its scan to pay features.
Nomod is a point-of-sale and payment mobile app that stands out for its flexible transaction rates. Merchants can choose from flat-rate, interchange-plus, and custom pricing based on their sales volume. There are no monthly or setup fees or long-term contracts. We also like how Nomod comes with a credit card scanning feature—it earned the provider extra points in our evaluation. This lets merchants use their smartphone camera to capture a customer’s credit card instead of keying in. The effect is an alternative payment process to QR codes and cheaper fees than keyed-in transactions.
All things considered, Nomod is a strong competitor for any merchant looking for an alternative in-person contactless payment solution—especially if you want to get the cheapest rates, all you need to do is upgrade your plan. It charges similar rates to Square, but the POS tools are far more basic. And as it is still quite new, Nomod’s user reviews are still low.
Overall Score:
4.27
/ 5RATING CRITERIA
Pricing Scan to Pay Features Ease of Use Expert ScorePros
Cons
Read our guide to Venmo Business Visit Venmo
Venmo comes with built-in social media features. And while it is mostly used for peer-to-peer transactions, there is a Venmo business account for small businesses that cater to a younger customer demographic. The app also displays whenever a user makes a purchase which becomes an in-app marketing function for merchants.
PayPal owns Venmo, so it also carries lower transaction rates and instant fund deposit options for a fee. However, Venmo is limited to customers that use Venmo for making payments and lacks native invoicing features. You can also accept Venmo payments on your PayPal account, but the rates are significantly higher.
Overall Score:
4.22
/ 5RATING CRITERIA
Pricing Scan to Pay Features Ease of Use Expert ScorePros
Cons
Visit SimplyPayMe
SimplyPayMe is a simple POS app that offers both QR code and credit card scanning as contactless in-person payment options. We highly recommend it for gig workers and service professionals because it comes with built-in job scheduling software that integrates with its invoicing tools.
Like Nomod, SimplyPayMe is relatively new compared to other payment apps on our list. And upon closer inspection of its terms of service, it seems that US-based merchants are automatically subscribed to its Invoicing Plus Plan. According to the website, there are no additional fees for this service, but it’s best to contact SimplyPayMe to confirm (SimplyPayMe is a UK-based company).
In searching for the best QR code payment apps, we chose providers that offer the best rates and do not require purchasing a credit card reader to start accepting payments. We also looked for contactless in-person payment features, such as convenience, ease of use, and latest scan to pay features, such as credit card scanning tools.
PayPal leads our list primarily for its low fees and ease of use. While it is exclusive to PayPal users, the mobile payment app itself can be readily usable by small businesses even without a separate card reader. It is also included in our recommendations for credit card payment apps.
Click through the tabs below for our full evaluation criteria:
25%
Pricing
25%
Scan to pay Features
25%
Ease of Use
25%
Expert Score
Some payment processors apply online rates for QR code payments, while others offer lower in-person rates. We prioritized those that offer the overall lowest fees, which include any monthly and incidental charges. PayPal, Nomod, and Venmo all earned perfect scores.
This criterion focuses on the available QR code payment features, for which payment method it is available, how the system keeps track of transactions, and the level of chargeback protection. We also gave extra points to those that offer credit card scanning as an additional scan to pay payment method. Nomod leads with a perfect score and additional points for offering credit card scanning.
We evaluated each provider for their compatibility with POS and mobile operating systems. We also prioritized those that offer the fastest deposit speed and quality customer support based on real-life user reviews. PayPal, Square, and Venmo scored the highest with 3.75 out of 5
This is a value score that considers features, pricing, popularity, and criteria like stability, options, and UX. All of the providers did well in this criteria, with PayPal, Square, and SimplyPayMe leading with 4.69 out of 5
*Percentages of overall score
Based on our evaluation, PayPal is the best QR code payment app. Not only is it easy to set up and use, but it also offers very low QR code transaction fees and is covered by PayPal’s seller protection program.
Not entirely. QR code payment tools are included in free credit card payment apps, so there is no extra cost for using the service. However, merchants will still need to pay the cost per transaction of accepting digital payments determined by your chosen payment processor.
You can accept payments through a scan to pay method by generating your QR code from your payment app. Customers who prefer a contactless payment method can scan your QR code with their smartphone camera and receive the transaction details on their digital wallet so they can confirm and pay for their purchase.
In-store shoppers who prefer to use contactless payments are growing in number, and scan to pay payment methods are evolving to keep up with the demands for payment convenience. QR code payments and credit card scanning are both simple, cost-effective solutions that any small business can easily implement in minutes with just a smartphone.
PayPal is our choice for the best QR code payment app. It’s easy to set up, use, and track. It also comes with some of the lowest fees, ideal for mom-and-pop stores, market vendors, and service professionals.
Visit PayPal