Chances are, you've seen a QR code. These black and white patterns are appearing in newspaper and magazine ads, on flyers you receive in the mail, and even on billboards. They are used to encode some sort of information that you may want, whether it's in the form of a URL, an address, a phone number, or something else.
To read QR codes, you need a camera-equipped cell phone and a compatible QR code reader. Here are some of the best QR code readers available today.
BeeTagg Multicode Reader
BeeTagg
The BeeTagg QR System can decode QR Code, Datamatrix, and proprietary BeeTagg Codes.
i-nigma Reader
i-Nigma QR Code Reader
The company says this is "the most widely-used mobile barcode reader in the world." It's capable of reading QR Code, Datamatrix, EAN13, EAN8, UPC-A, and UPC-E codes.
Kaywa
Kaywa QR Code Reader
A free 2D barcode reader that works with a variety of mobile phones. It reads QR Code and Datamatrix.
MobileTag
Mobile Tag QR Code Reader
This free reader can decode a variety of 1D and 2D barcodes, including EAN13, UPC, Datamatrix, Flashcode, and QR Code.
NeoReader
NeoReader QR Code Reader
This free reader can decode a variety of 2D barcodes, including Datamatrix, QR Code, and Aztec Code.
Optiscan
OptiScan QR Code Reader
A fast QR Code reader for the iPhone. It costs $1.99.
Qrafter
Qrafter QR Code Reader
Qrafter provides a QR Code reader for the iPhone and other iOS devices, and an online QR Code generator. It's free, but ad-supported; you can pay 99 cents to have the ads removed.
QuickMark
QuickMark QR Code Reader
This barcode reader works on a variety of mobile phones and portable devices, such as tablets.
ScanLife
ScanLife QR Code Reader
This free reader is able to scan and decode any type of 2D barcode, including QR Code.
UpCode
UpCode QR Code Reader
This free reader can decode the proprietary UpCode format, as well as QR Code and DataMatrix.