Scanbot Barcode Scanner SDK vs ML Kit
Google’s ML Kit Barcode Scanner API is free, but limited in functionality. Scanbot SDK delivers enterprise performance, features, and support across all platforms.
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Key differences
Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a mobile barcode scanning solution.
Scanning capabilities
ML Kit brings Google’s machine-learning models to mobile apps, with plug-and-play APIs for vision and language tasks. This includes a Barcode Scanning API. While this scanner performs well, its capabilities and barcode support are limited.
Scanbot SDK builds commercial data capture solutions, including barcode scanning software. The Scanbot Barcode Scanner SDK’s advanced features include specialized scan modes, like Find & Pick or Scan & Count, plus an AR overlay for a better user experience. It is designed for real-world environments and runs fully offline, providing 100% data security.
Customization & developer experience
ML Kit’s core API does not include a UI, so you must build the scanner screen yourself. The Google Code Scanner wraps this API in a basic interface with limited customization options, such as barcode-format filtering and auto-zoom.
Scanbot SDK includes Ready-to-use UI components that are easy to tailor with just a few lines of code. You can configure scanning modes, the result sheet, user guidance, top and action bars, the color palette, and the viewfinder.
Maintenance & support
Google provides no dedicated enterprise support for ML Kit. Any guidance with issues is therefore up to community channels. Updates are sporadic, and since the code is proprietary, you cannot apply your own hotfixes. Finally, Google’s long-term roadmap for ML Kit is not publicly defined.
The Scanbot SDK, conversely, is in active development, including regular updates, new features, and continuous improvements at no extra cost. Customers facing issues can rely on an experienced technical support team to assist them.
With ML Kit, we couldn’t read DataBar codes at all. We solved this by switching to the Scanbot SDK, which not only added DataBar support, but also fixed a critical issue involving accidental barcode scans. It only took us a few weeks from testing to roll-out, not least thanks to the excellent support from the Scanbot SDK developers.
Detailed feature comparison
From barcode types to platform support, pricing, and the integration experience: Here’s how Scanbot SDK and the ML Kit Barcode Scanning API stack up against each other.
Native SDKs
Yes
- Android
- iOS
- Windows (UWP, WinUI 3)
Yes
- Android
- iOS
Web
Yes
- JavaScript + WebAssembly (WASM)
No
Cross-platform frameworks
Yes
- React Native
- Flutter
- Cordova
- .NET MAUI
- Xamarin & Xamarin.Forms
- Ionic Capacitor
- Compose Multiplatform
Through wrappers*
- React Native: react-native-ml-kit
- Flutter: google_mlkit_barcode_scanning
- Cordova: cordova-plugin-mlkit-barcode-scanner
- .NET MAUI & Xamarin.Forms: BarcodeScanner.Mobile
- Xamarin: Xamarin.Google.MLKit.BarcodeScanning
- Capacitor: capacitor-mlkit
* community-driven translator libraries that let cross-platform apps access ML Kit’s native barcode scanning features
Embedded/Server solutions
Yes
- Linux (beta)
- Low-level C API
- Node.JS API
- Python API
- Java API
No
1D barcodes
Yes
- Codabar
- Code 128
- Code 39
- Code 93
- EAN-8
- EAN-13
- ITF
- UPC-A
- UPC-E
- Code 11
- Code 25
- Code 32
- GS1 DataBar
- GS1 DataBar Expanded
- GS1 DataBar Limited
- GS1-128
- IATA 2 of 5
- Industrial 2 of 5
- MSI Plessey
- PZN
- One-track Pharmacode
- Two-track Pharmacode
- UPC/EAN Extension
Yes
- Codabar
- Code 128
- Code 39
- Code 93
- EAN-8
- EAN-13
- ITF
- UPC-A
- UPC-E
2D barcodes
Yes
- Aztec Code
- Data Matrix Code
- PDF417 Code
- QR Code
- GS1 DataBar Composite
- MaxiCode
- Micro QR Code
- MicroPDF417 Code
- NTIN Code
- rMQR Code
Yes
- Aztec Code
- Data Matrix Code
- PDF417 Code
- QR Code
Postal symbologies
Yes
- USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode
- RM4SCC Barcode
- Australia Post 4-State Customer Code
- Japan Post 4-State Customer Code
- KIX
No
Single Scanning
Detect one barcode at a time
Yes
Yes
Batch Scanning
Scan multiple codes in succession within one session
Yes
No
Multi Scanning
Capture several barcodes simultaneously from a single camera view
Yes
Limited
Max. 10 scans per API call
Find & Pick
Visually highlight and selectively scan specific barcodes
Yes
No
Scan & Count
Automatically count multiple items
Yes
No
AR Overlay
Display detected barcodes and select them in an augmented reality view
Yes
No
Data parsers
Extract structured information from 1D and 2D barcodes
Yes
- AAMVA (US Driver’s Licenses)
- vCard (contact information)
- Boarding Pass (IATA BCBP)
- GS1 Application Identifiers
- ID Cards (PDF417)
- HIBC (Health Industry Bar Code)
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- Swiss QR Code
- SEPA QR (EPC QR Code)
- German Medical Certificate (AU)
- German Medication Plan (Medikationsplan)
Yes
- AAMVA (US Driver’s Licenses)
- vCard (contact information)
- Wi-Fi connection information
CCPA and GDPR
Yes
Unclear
Processing is primarily on-device. Based on Google’s public docs, some metadata may be sent to Google services depending on usage and settings
On-device processing
Yes, 100% offline
Yes
Usage tracking
No, zero tracking
No connection to our or any third-party servers
Yes
According to the documentation, ML Kit may send usage and performance metrics to Google
Third-party dependencies
Low risk
Transparent; clearly lists third-party dependencies with version used
Unclear
No clear information on third-party dependencies
Pricing and licensing model
Fixed annual license fee
- Custom quote based on your use case and number of app integrations
- Unlimited scanning for one flat annual fee
- All features and future updates included at no extra cost
Check out our Rimi Baltic success story to learn more.
Free but proprietary
Subject to Google ML Kit terms of service
Free trial options
Yes
- 7-day free trial: Self-service trial license, no login/email required
- Extended PoC license: Available upon request
Free from the start
Developers can access the library API without any signup
In active development
Yes
Continuous feature additions and improvements
Uncertain
Google controls long-term development; Note its record of discontinued products
Enterprise support
Yes
Technical support team with years of experience
No
Documentation & sample projects
Yes
Comprehensive guides and sample projects for each supported platform
Yes
Short guides and code snippets for Android and iOS
Pre-built UI components
Yes
Configurable Ready-to-Use UI screens for fast integration
Android-only (Google Code Scanner)
Core ML Kit API has no UI; you build it yourself
