By now, we are all familiar with barcodes, which are found almost everywhere in our daily lives. From shopping malls to local supermarkets, they are everywhere.
Regardless of the sector in which we work, Barcodes are used everywhere. These are secret codes that must be deciphered by what is known as a barcode scanner. These devices quickly scan the secret codes and reveal the prices and other data hidden within them.
You can also read: How to Create a QR Code | 10 Generators You Can Use
What is a bar code?
Barcodes are secret codes, or more accurately, an image of data that can be read by a machine.
For example, if a barcode is placed on a dress, it indicates detailed information about that dress, such as price, brand, size, etc. A barcode is usually represented by parallel lines of different diametersThese codes are called linear or 1D (dimensional) codes.
However, using barcode reading software is a good alternative for those who want to decode barcode images or QR codes on a computer with Windows.
These programs help to easily decode QR codes/barcodes in most major image formats. Most of these barcode readers can Scan a wide range of barcode images, as well as scan various types of QR codes.
Most barcode scanners read images, but there are some that can read QR codes from a webcam or video. Let's look at some of them. Free Barcode Readers for Windows that can easily decode barcodes on your Windows PC.
10 Best Free Barcode Readers for PC
1. ByteScout Barcode Reader
One of the most versatile barcode readers is ByteScout BarCode Reader, which can scan many barcodes in different image formats such as PNG, GIF, JPG, PDF, BMP and TIF.
Also You can scan barcodes with the webcam. Once the scan is complete, information about each barcode appears on the screen. The information displayed includes the barcode type and the decoded code, as well as a preview of the image.
This free software can decode almost all known barcode types, such as Code 128, EAN, QR Code, UPC-A, Postnet, PDF 417 and others. In addition, You can copy a barcode as text.
Simply select a barcode value and copy it. To read barcode images from a webcam in real time, bring a QR code object or a barcode paper close to the camera and the software will capture the barcode.
It is also possible to batch scan multiple files simultaneously. This is a compact program that also offers a search function on the left side of the screen principal, allowing you to find barcode images instantly.
Compatible: Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8
2. ZBar Barcode Reader
ZBar Barcode Reader is open source software and a line tool commands that reads barcodes effortlessly. Scans and reads barcodes from a variety of sources, such as image files, raw intensity sensors, and video. Supports many popular barcode types, including Code 128, QR Code, EAN-13, EAN-8, Code 39, and many more.
A simple rinsing effect makes barcodes easy to read and decode. You can use it autonomously, using the built-in interface and command line tools, embed a barcode reader program into your GTK+, PyGTK or Qt based GUI program, or use one of the scripting interfaces like Python, C++, etc. – It’s up to you how to use it.
Provides fast real-time scanning, requires very little computer memory, runs with small code, requires no floating point tasks, is not limited to images, can be used in embedded applications that require a hardware low cost and can use modular components for synchronization.
Compatibility: Linux / UnixWindows iPhone
3. QuickMark for PC
QuickMark for PC decodes many popular 1D and 2D barcode formats using an image file, screenshot, or webcam. This easy to use program and powerful makes it easy to scan QR codes and create custom 2D barcodes with a simple interface.
It offers many customizable options, such as an output mechanism to which a webcam can be connected for automatic keyboard capture.
Here are some of its key features: decoding of 1D barcodes such as Code 128, EAN 8/13 and Code 39, drag and drop image files in various formats such as JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF, screen capture mode allows you to navigate the software and decode barcodes visible on the screen, and create your own 2D barcodes in an offline environment.
In addition, You can save images of your custom 2D barcodes to publish them.
Compatible: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
4. ORPALIS Virtual Barcode Reader
ORPALIS Virtual Barcode Reader is another type of scanning application where you scan a QR code with your computer mouse. When you run this application, a red ring is created around the computer mouse icon. The ring turns green whenever a barcode image appears on it.
The barcode text can be copied by pressing «Ctrl + Shift + C» and the scanning ring can be zoomed in or out by pressing “Ctrl + Shift” together with the mouse wheel. This free software can recognize barcodes anywhere on the screen. It is designed to make barcode reading easier.
It can decode various types of barcodes such as BcdMatrix, UPC-A, DataLogic2of5, EAN13 and others. ORPALIS virtual barcode scanner is integrated into the Windows system tray and can be called from any Windows program.
It supports about 20 symbol fonts and industry-standard linear barcodes such as QR-Code, Micro QR-Code, DataMatrix and PDF417. Windows XP SP3 or later, 32-bit and 64-bit.
5. Bytescout Barcode Scanner
If you are looking for a fast and free program that is also reliable, then Barcode Reader can be your first choice. This free program helps you scan and decode codes of from multiple images downloaded from your computer or webcam.
Supports barcode reading from various image formats, namely PNG, GIF, TIFF and JPG. You can also use your computer's webcam to scan barcodes on products.
The barcode scanner scans your computer images for barcodes and, if found, displays the search results by comparing them to several databases. Use several Symbols one-dimensional and two-dimensional to analyze real barcodes in images. It can search for barcodes regardless of rotation angle and position, and can also detect mirror and inverted codes.
You just need to connect your webcam to your computer, look at the barcode you want to scan and the barcode scanner will try to recognize it. It will then try to scan it into a database which will finally give you the result.
The software not only scans the images and read the item's barcode, but also determines its description and availability. The fact that it also scans barcodes with a webcam makes it an extremely competent program.
Compatible: Windows 2K / XP / Vista 64 bit
6. BarDecoder
BarDecoder is a free program that scans image files and automatically recognizes other types of barcodes, such as Code 93, Interleaved 2 or 5, Code 11, EAN98, Code 39 and Codabar.
It is a simple and easy to use application, which downloads quickly and easily. However, it requires a .NET framework to run, as it has been designed with this platform in mind. Therefore, download and install the software first in order to be able to use it comfortably.
It offers a user-friendly interface with a simple control panel with a menu bar and a toolbar. Here you can extract barcode files in image formats such as BMP, TIF, GIF, PNG, JPG and TIFF.
Other characteristics
Some of the advanced features of this software are the ability to zoom in and out the image, display the previous or next page, display the image in its best size or in its original size, resize the image to fit the width of the screen, mirror it to the left or right or display the mirror effect.
You can also adjust the address and tell the software to change the image and stop processing when the results are available. Start scanning a barcode with a single click. Once recognition is complete, a message will appear on the screen, indicating the number of barcodes detected in the image.
Compatible: Windows 2K / XP / Vista / 7/2003
7. BcWebCam
Get fast results online with BcWebCam, which Scan your barcode instantlyThis extremely easy-to-use application does not require any hardware device to scan barcodes.
Instead, you can simply use your computer's webcam to scan the barcode. However, dedicated barcode scanning software must already be installed on your computer.
It is easy to install and features a powerful user interface, which will allow you to start recovering data in a matter of minutes. The application has an area where the product number is immediately displayed: just click on the barcode image and that's it.
At the beginning of the application, a three-step guide with symbolic screenshots is presented, which makes it easy to use. The only thing to adjust is the focus of the webcam, so that there is no blur when scanning barcodes.
BcWebCam supports a wide range of codes such as Code 93, EAN, Code 39, 2-D, UPC, etc. and various image formats such as PNG, TIF, JPG, BMP, and GIF. The barcode type and text are indicated at the end of the results. You can also read QR codes and the user can specify different recommendations for checksum, maximum angle of change, rotation angle, and length.
Compatible: Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10
8. BarCoder by Image Components
Barcoder by Image Components is a free software that can decode up to 9 different types of 1D barcodes. It opens the most popular image formats, such as png, jpg, tif, bmp and gif.
You can easily navigate between pages by clicking on menus or toolbars. You can also tilt the image to the left or right, zoom in or out, and even mirror it. You can also adjust the size of the image to fit your screen.
This app provides information in the form of text and barcodes. The barcode reader supports code 93, UPCA, code 128, code 11, alternation 2 0f 5, codabar and many more.
We like that it recognizes barcode images and automatically scan the address. In addition to information for barcode text and type, it also provides other useful features for barcode images.
Compatible: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
9. OnBarcode Free Barcode Scanner and Reader
Free Barcode Scanner & Reader is a 100% free application for professional and private use that effortlessly scans and reads various types of barcodes such as 2D and linear barcodes. This program reads barcodes from your webcam and processes the scanned information for various purposes.
It is a simple program with a smart interface that helps you read various codes. The free barcode reader and scanner supports most popular image formats such as JPG, TIFF, GIF, and PNG.
It is developed based on the high-quality OnBarcode framework, which is a .NET barcode reading SDK. Supports scanning and reading more than 10 categories of linear barcodes, PDF417, Datamatrix and QR-Code, the included QR-Code library is of very good quality.
Click BarcodeLabelsScanner.exe to start the program, select a barcode type you want to scan, click “Load Barcode Image” to open the image for scanning, and click OK. It now starts scanning the image and displays the barcode value in the text box below.
Compatible: Windows XP and later
10. Barcode Label Reader
Barcode Label Reader is a free downloadable application that reads 15D and 417D barcodes and over XNUMX other barcode types. This freeware is based on the .NET Barcode Reader component of OnBarcode. Other supported barcode types include PDFXNUMX, Datamatrix and QR-Code.
Select the barcode type, upload the image you want to scan, and scan. Ideally, The barcode label reader can read various codes from a single image. Press the “Load Barcode Image” button and the image you want to scan will appear.
Click Ok to continue. The selected image will be scanned and the result will be displayed in the text box below. This is a compact, standalone application that can export files under 100KB.
Compatibility: Windows NT / XP / 2003 / Vista / 7
You can also read: 7 Best Programs to Read QR Code.
My name is Javier Chirinos and I am passionate about technology. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in computers and video games, and that passion has turned into a job.
I have been publishing about technology and gadgets on the Internet for over 15 years, especially in mundobytes.com
I am also an expert in online marketing and communication and have knowledge in WordPress development.