Top 10 Barcode Scanner Apps

For iPhone and Android

One of these free or inexpensive apps below can turn the phone you already have in your pocket into a powerful data-collecting barcode scanner for many basic inventory management, asset tracking, and ticketing needs.

Most apps you will find in iTunes and Google Play only focus on reading barcodes for checking product prices, but there are also many apps ideal for small business and enterprise users.

We reviewed hundreds of apps to bring you the 10 of the most useful barcode scanner apps.

If you find that your needs have outgrown what these apps are capable of, contact us for a complete barcode system.

Scout Mobile Inventory

Type: Warehouse Inventory Management
Cost: Free (Requires topShelf subscription)
Description: Scout is the mobile front end to the topShelf warehouse and inventory management application. Scout is a cloud based app that is scalable to meet the needs of any business from a small retailer to a distribution warehouse. Depending on the version of topShelf, every function involved in inventory management is available including shipping/receiving, order picking, cycle counting, proof-of-delivery, kit building/BOM, and even wave picking. All inventory and supply chain management tasks can be completed by using the phone in your pocket. All your data is available through a simple web portal so you can always have access to your inventory wherever you are.
Application Use: Complete warehouse inventory management
Pros: Very scalable, real-time data updates and reporting, No updates or loading of software, comprehensive solution for any size/type of inventory.
Cons: Requires topShelf subscription
Download: iOS / Android

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Increase your efficiency and scanning speed with a dedicated scanner for:
Smartphones: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner
Tablets: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner

Scan to Spreadsheet

Type: Spreadsheet based data collection
Cost: $2.99
Description: Scan to Spreadsheet is a basic data collecting app that stores information into a simple spreadsheet. You can input information using the built-in barcode scanning option or manually key in information. The spreadsheet consists of the item ID, 2 user defined fields, and a timestamp. Download the spreadsheet off the SD Card or email it directly from your phone. For any simple data collection needs, Scan to Spreadsheet is a cost effective and easy to use solution.
Application Use: Physical Inventory, Cycle Counting, Attendance Tracking, General Data Collection.
Pros: Easy to use, Low cost, Works on multiple OS/devices, Automatic time stamping
Cons: Limited to 4 data fields (2 are customizable)
Download: iOS / Android

Increase your efficiency and scanning speed with a dedicated scanner for:
Smartphones: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner
Tablets: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner

Inventory Droid

Type: Inventory/Asset tracking
Cost: $4.99
Description: Inventory Droid is an easy to use management tool for general inventory or asset management. Each item in your inventory is tracked by a list of custom or pre-defined attributes like model, location, purchase date, serial#, value, etc… Image of the items and their purchase receipts can also be captured. With support for online UPC databases form Google and Amazon, items with UPC codes can have many of their attributes auto-populated by just scanning the barcode. The standard version is designed for a single device and can export data as a CSV file. There is a pro version that offers support for multiple users using a shared cloud based database. Inventory Droid is the perfect solution for asset management with its host of attribute tracking, easy search function, and support for barcodes and photos.
Application Use: Asset Management, Inventory Tracking
Pros: Extensive/customizable attribute list, multiple location/account options, automatic attribute population with UPC code, photo support, on-loan reminders.
Cons: Single user system (Pro version supports multiple users), limited reporting.
Download: Android

Increase your efficiency and scanning speed with a dedicated scanner for:
Smartphones: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner
Tablets: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner

Stock Control

Type: Inventory Management
Cost: $9.99
Description: Stock Control is an easy to use and full features inventory tracking app that allows you to track items by category, attributes and location. The strong point of this app is how customizable it is. There are some fixed attributes for each item but you can also freely create whatever attributes you need. With the item loan function and its ability to search by item or location barcodes, Stock Control can also be used for asset management. It even has a function to let you know when a given item’s stock level goes below a set level for easy re-ordering. You can also easily export and import your inventory data as CSV files for use on your PC or Mac. Stock Control is a very easy to use and flexible app to manage any kind of inventory or asset collection.
Application Use: Inventory and asset management
Pros: Easy search function, shortage alert for each item, customizable categories, locations, and attributes.
Cons: Must use iTunes or iCloud (iOS 5 only) for data transfer
Download: iOS

Increase your efficiency and scanning speed with a dedicated scanner for:
Smartphones: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner
Tablets: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner

Barcode Express Pro

Type: Inventory Tracking
Cost: $1.99
Description: Barcode Express Pro is a simple inventory tracking app for Android devices. This app tracks items by category, ID tag, location, value, and even can include a product image. Barcode Express pro is not a freely customizable as some other apps but has a very comprehensive search function and can export to Google Docs, as a CSV file, or SMS/Email. It can also import product data and images from Amazon. For basic inventory tracking with easy reporting and search features, Barcode Express Pro is a very cost effective option.
Application Use: Inventory tracking
Pros: Extensive search function, reporting, multiple export options.
Cons: Limited customization
Download: Android

Increase your efficiency and scanning speed with a dedicated scanner for:
Smartphones: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner
Tablets: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner

Entry Manager

Type: Event Check-in
Cost: Free (Ticket payment processing service provided by Eventbrite)
Description: Entry Manager allows you to scan and track tickets at your event to ensure they are valid and not duplicates. The app also allows you to tag specific individuals as VIP members or patrons with special needs. Entry Manager has an online portal that allows you to upload all valid patrons and tickets which can be validated by multiple devices at your event since everything is online. After your event you can then review all your event info through a web portal. With support for almost any smartphone, Entry Manager is the easiest and most effective way to validate and track every entry at your events.
Application Use: Event ticket tracking and check-in
Pros: Validates tickets with patron information, supports multiple devices, online reporting
Cons: Paid events require a service subscription with Eventbrite
Download: iOS / Android

Increase your efficiency and scanning speed with a dedicated scanner for:
Smartphones: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner
Tablets: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner

JumpTrack

Type: Proof-of-Delivery
Cost: Free (Requires JumpTrack license)
Description: JumpTrack is a complete proof-of-delivery application that allows your delivery and service workers an easy way to capture signatures, scan products, and even start returns from the field. All of this information is uploaded in real-time so your business can get paid faster by making proof-of-delivery information available to your customers’ accounts payable departments. JumpTrack also allows you to track driver performance by monitoring when packages get delivered. With JumpTrack you can always know who received what and when.
Application Use: Remote proof-of-delivery tracking
Pros: Real-time delivery information, Powerful search function, Signature, photo, and barcode capture options
Cons: Subscription based service
Download: iOS / Android

Increase your efficiency and scanning speed with a dedicated scanner for:
Smartphones: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner
Tablets: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner

vWorkApp

Type: Field Scheduling and Dispatch
Cost: Free (Requires vWorkApp account)
Description: vWorkApp is a comprehensive scheduling and dispatch application that allows you to manage field service and delivery workers. It is a cloud based app so all your data is available in real-time. You can easily track where your workers are via GPS and forward them tasks/jobs from a simple web interface. Field workers can record barcode, photo, and signature data for each job to ensure service/delivery has been completed. They will also have access to accurate maps and directions to every location. Since everything occurs in real-time you can ensure the greatest efficiency by assigning jobs to the right employee as they are completed. vWorkApp is everything you’ll need to manage any fleet of field workers, no matter the task.
Application Use: Schedule field deliveries/services with proof-of delivery and job management
Pros: Real-time dispatching and updates, GPS phone tracking, multiple data capture options, simple web interface.
Cons: User based service
Download: iOS / Android

Increase your efficiency and scanning speed with a dedicated scanner for:
Smartphones: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner
Tablets: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner

EZ Office Inventory

Type: Asset Management 
Cost: Free (full version requires subscription)
Description: EZ Office Inventory is a cloud based asset management application that is scalable to any business size. Quickly and accurately track every asset in your business using your Android or iOS device. Since it is a cloud based service, all your data is accessible at any time with extensive reporting through a web portal. Beyond basic asset attributes and location data, EZ Office Inventory has a great check-in/out feature to always know who is using what assets and even send them reminders when they are overdue. It also allows any user access to asset documentation, drivers and even peer feedback on usage techniques  Being cloud based, it takes no time to get up and running with EZ Office Inventory for any user.
Application Use: Complete enterprise asset management
Pros: Extensive asset data, scalable, check-in/out function
Cons: Requires subscription for additional users and assets
Download: iOS / Android

Increase your efficiency and scanning speed with a dedicated scanner for:
Smartphones: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner
Tablets: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner

Time Station

Type: Attendance Tracking
Cost: Free (Requires subscription for more than 10 users)
Description: Time Station is a barcode-based time and attendance tracking app that runs on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. Using the online service you can create barcodes for each user that they will use to scan on the device to log all their movements. Time Station runs in the cloud, so there’s no software or servers to maintain. Managers can see who’s in and run time and attendance reports anytime, anywhere from a web interface. For any business that needs to track attendance in an easy and convenient way, Tim Station is an accurate yet simple solution.
Application Use: Track employee attendance
Pros: Unlimited departments, locations, and devices, GPS tagging, Exports to Excel
Cons: Limited users for free version
Download: iOS

Increase your efficiency and scanning speed with a dedicated scanner for:
Smartphones: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner
Tablets: 1D Scanner / 2D Scanner

Putting your Smartphone to Work

Smartphones are becoming more useable for a variety of business tasks and putting them work can help every business save time and money. The apps above utilize barcodes and other input capture methods to expand the range of what a smartphone can do well beyond a basic price checker. While many applications will require more rugged and capable mobile computers like the Motorola MC65, many businesses can leverage the tools they already have for greater productivity and efficiency.