Scanbot SDK vs Cognex Mobile Barcode SDK
Cognex discontinued its Mobile Barcode Scanner SDK in September 2025. Scanbot SDK is a Cognex alternative that offers a wide set of scanning workflows including barcode, ID, document, and credit card capture.
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Key considerations
Here are the main considerations to help you choose a mobile scanning solution.
Maintenance & updates
Cognex officially discontinued the Mobile Barcode SDK on September 30, 2025. There will be no further updates, feature development, or OS/device support efforts. Meanwhile, Scanbot SDK is actively maintained, ensuring regular updates, new features, performance improvements, and support for the latest platforms and devices – at no extra cost.
Developer support
With the discontinuation of the SDK, Cognex has stopped issuing new licenses and has ended technical support. Maintenance of any integrations is now up to the developers themselves. In contrast, Scanbot SDK has a technical support team with years of experience ready to assist you.
Product suite
Cognex’s current offerings focus on industrial machine vision systems and hardware barcode readers, including fixed-mount and handheld devices. Scanbot SDK is a software-based solution for mobile data capture workflows like document, check, and credit card scanning in addition to barcode scanning.
“With hundreds of thousands of expected users, we needed a solution that wouldn’t cost a fortune at our scale. Scanbot SDK’s flat-fee model saves us a significant amount of costs compared to alternatives, without any compromise on scanning reliability.“
Side-by-side feature comparison
From scanning modules to barcode types, platform support and pricing, here’s how Scanbot SDK and Cognex Barcode SDK stack up against each other.
Barcode scanning
Yes
Yes
Document scanning
Yes
The Scanbot Document Scanner SDK lets users generate high-quality scans suitable for processing.
Key features: automatic capture and cropping, user guidance, image cleanup (e.g., glare, shadows, fingers), filters (grayscale, binarization), and the Document Quality Analyzer (DoQA).
No
Data extraction from ID documents
Yes
Limited
Only US and Canadian driver’s licenses.
MRZ scanning
Yes
The Scanbot MRZ Scanner SDK extracts data from machine-readable zones on IDs, passports, and other identity documents.
No
VIN scanning
Yes
Limited
Only VINs in Code 39 barcodes.
EHIC scanning
Yes
The Scanbot EHIC Scanner SDK extracts personal information, such as name, date of birth, and personal identification number from European Health Insurance Cards.
No
Check scanning
Yes
The Scanbot Check Scanner SDK extracts information, such as the check, routing, and account number, from the MICR code on paper checks.
No
German medical certificate scanning
Yes
The German Medical Certificate Scanner SDK extracts patient data such as name, diagnosis, and health insurance number.
No
Credit card scanning
Yes
The Scanbot Credit Card Scanner SDK extracts bank information including card number, cardholder name, and expiry date from Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards.
No
Native SDKs
Yes
- Android
- iOS
- Windows (UWP, Win UI3)
Yes
- Android
- iOS
Web SDK
Yes
JavaScript + WebAssembly (WASM)
Yes
JavaScript + WebAssembly (WASM)
Cross-platform frameworks
Yes
- React Native
- Flutter
- Ionic Capacitor
- Cordova
- .NET, MAUI
- Xamarin & Xamarin.Forms
- Compose Multiplatform
Yes
- React Native
- Flutter
- Ionic Capacitor
- Cordova
- .NET, MAUI
- Xamarin & Xamarin.Forms
- NativeScript
Embedded/Server solutions
Yes
Linux
- Python API
- Low-level C API
- NodeJS API
- Java API
Yes
Linux
- Python API
- C API
- C++ API
1D barcodes
Yes
- Codabar
- Code 11
- Code 128
- Code 25
- Code 32
- Code 39
- Code 93
- EAN
- GS1 DataBar
- GS1 DataBar Expanded
- GS1 DataBar Limited
- GS1-128
- IATA 2 of 5
- Industrial 2 of 5
- ITF
- MSI Plessey
- PZN
- UPC-A
- UPC-E
- One-track Pharmacode
- Two-track Pharmacode
Yes
- Codabar
- Code 11
- Code 128
- Code 25
- Code 32
- Code 39
- Code 93
- EAN
- GS1 DataBar
- GS1 DataBar Expanded
- GS1 DataBar Limited
- GS1-128
- IATA 2 of 5
- Industrial 2 of 5
- ITF
- MSI Plessey
- PZN
- UPC-A
- UPC-E
- Telepen
2D barcodes
Yes
- Aztec Code
- Data Matrix Code
- MaxiCode
- Micro QR Code
- MicroPDF417 Code
- PDF417 Code
- QR Code
- rMQR Code
- GS1 DataBar Composite
Yes
- Aztec Code
- Data Matrix Code
- MaxiCode
- Micro QR Code
- MicroPDF417 Code
- PDF417 Code
- QR Code
- DotCode
Postal symbologies
Yes
- USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode
- RM4SCC Barcode
- Australia Post 4-State Customer Code
- Japan Post 4-State Customer Code
- KIX
Yes
- USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode
- RM4SCC Barcode
- Australia Post 4-State Customer Code
- POSTNET
- PLANET
Single Scanning
Detect one barcode at a time.
Yes
Yes
Batch Scanning
Scan multiple codes in succession within one session.
Yes
Yes
Multi Scanning
Capture several barcodes simultaneously from a single camera view.
Yes
Yes
Find & Pick
Visually highlight specific barcodes for selective scanning.
Yes
No
Scan & Count
Count multiple items automatically in one go.
Yes
No
AR Overlay
Display and select detected barcodes with an augmented reality view.
Yes
No
Data parsers
Extract structured information from 1D and 2D barcodes.
Yes
- AAMVA (US Driver’s Licenses, Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title barcodes)
- Boarding Pass (IATA BCBP)
- GS1 Application Identifier
- HIBC (Health Industry Bar Code)
- ID Cards (PDF417)
- Swiss QR Code
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- German Medical Certificate (AU)
- vCard (Contact Information)
- SEPA QR (EPC QR Code)
- German Medication Plan (Medikationsplan)
Yes
- AAMVA (US Driver’s Licenses, Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title barcodes)
- GS1 Application Identifier
- HIBC (Health Industry Bar Code)
- IUID (Item Unique Identification)
- ISBT 128 (Medical products of human origin)
- SCM (Structured Carrier Message)
CCPA and GDPR
Yes
Yes
On-device processing
Yes
Yes
Offline capability
Yes
Yes
Usage tracking
No
No tracking whatsoever.
Unclear
No public information found.
Third-party dependencies
Low risk
Has minimal external dependencies.
Low risk
Has minimal external dependencies.
Licensing model
Fixed, annual pricing
Pricing is fixed, with unlimited scans on unlimited devices.
Cognex no longer offers new subscription licenses
Existing customers can request a free license to continue using the SDK.
Free trial options
Yes
- 7-day free trial: Self-service trial license, no login/email required
- Extended PoC license: Available upon request
Cognex no longer offers new subscription licenses
Enterprise support
Yes
Technical support team with years of experience.
No
Technical support ended on September 30, 2025.
Documentation
Yes
Yes
Sample projects & demos
Yes
Offers sample projects for each supported platform, covering all scanning modules.
Test the Scanbot SDK in the demo apps.
Yes
Offers sample projects for each supported platform.
Pre-built UI components
Yes
Yes
