ReedSCAN vs Dynamsoft

Dynamsoft Barcode Reader reads the widest range of symbologies, on the web, mobile and servers, with usage-based plans from $1,499 a year validated through a license server that devices contact at least weekly. ReedSCAN reads the 13 mainstream symbologies in the browser, with a 0.9 MB engine and a license key verified offline, so nothing is metered or reported. Choose Dynamsoft for specialty codes and server-side decoding; choose ReedSCAN for lean, offline-licensed capture in a web app.

Side by side

ReedSCANDynamsoft Barcode Reader JS
PlatformsWeb only: one SDK for browsers on phones, tablets and computers. No native mobile SDKs.Web, iOS, Android, Flutter, React Native and MAUI, plus server and desktop SDKs for Python, Java, .NET, C++ and Node.js.
PricingPer-domain license key, quoted. No per-scan or per-device fees, no usage metering. Prices not yet published.Usage-based plans "starting at $1,499/year" up to flat annual fees, metered per scan, per device or per browser client.
License check and dataSigned key, verified offline in the browser. No license server, and no usage data sent to us.License seats go through a license server (Dynamsoft's, or self-hosted). Devices connect at least once a week; usage recorded offline is sent when they're back online. Fully offline licenses through sales.
TrialNo key, no sign-up, every feature. Unlimited on localhost and local network; elsewhere a watermark and 60 s of scanning per page load.A built-in 24-hour key, or a 30-day trial key through a form; no credit card.
Engine sizeAbout 0.9 MB WebAssembly engine; 1.3 MB package unpacked.About 5.1–8.6 MB of WebAssembly per variant; 49.6 MB unpacked (measured from npm).
Symbologies13: QR, Data Matrix, Aztec, PDF417, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, Codabar, ITF, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E."50+" in its docs, including DotCode, postal codes, Pharmacode and direct part marks.
Many codes at onceLive AR boxes that follow each code as the camera moves, styled per code from your own data (colour, fill, label, or hidden), plus each code's on-screen position for drawing your own overlay. A read region and an accept rule limit which codes count.Multi-barcode presets, including dense and distant codes.
Beyond barcodesBarcodes and 2D codes only. No document, ID or text scanning.Direct part mark (DPM) reading; Dynamsoft markets "500+ barcodes per minute".
Image processingOn the device. The SDK makes no network request except to load its engine."No image or barcode data is transmitted to external servers." License usage is reported to the license server.
Self-hostingYes: engine and worker can be served from your own domain, including under a strict CSP.Yes, the engine files can be self-hosted.
BrowsersChrome and Edge 99+, Safari 16.4+, Firefox 114+, Samsung Internet 18+.Chrome 78+, Firefox 68+, Safari 14+, Edge 79+.
CertificationNo formal certification yet. No images, scans or usage data reach us.ISO 27001 and O-TTPS certified.

Dynamsoft details from their public pages, checked 3 November 2026. Sources below.

Choose Dynamsoft if

  • You read specialty codes: DotCode, postal, Pharmacode or direct part marks.
  • You also decode on servers or desktops, in Python, Java, .NET, C++ or Node.js.
  • Usage-based pricing that starts small fits a low-volume pilot.
  • You need an ISO 27001 and O-TTPS certified vendor.
  • You must support older browsers.

Choose ReedSCAN if

  • You don't want devices reporting usage to a license server, or a weekly check-in to keep scanning.
  • Your sites go offline for days: the key is verified entirely in the browser.
  • Page weight matters: about 0.9 MB of engine, against 5–8.6 MB.
  • You'd rather not meter scans or count devices.
  • The mainstream symbologies, QR to EAN to Code 128, cover your operation.

ReedSCAN and Dynamsoft: questions

Is ReedSCAN an alternative to Dynamsoft Barcode Reader?
For browser-based capture of the mainstream symbologies, yes. Dynamsoft reads more specialty codes and has server-side SDKs, which ReedSCAN doesn't.
Does Dynamsoft Barcode Reader work offline?
Its decoding runs on the device, but standard licenses go through a license server that devices contact at least weekly; fully offline licenses are arranged through sales. ReedSCAN's key is verified in the browser and never needs a connection.
Why is there no speed benchmark on this page?
Dynamsoft's license agreement doesn't allow disclosing benchmark results without its written approval, so this page compares documented features only. The best test is your own labels: try ReedSCAN on your camera on our home page.
How do they price?
Dynamsoft offers usage-based plans from $1,499 a year, metered per scan, device or browser client, as well as flat annual fees. ReedSCAN licenses per domain with no metering; prices are quoted.

Sources

Dynamsoft is a trademark of its owner. This page isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Dynamsoft. If anything here is out of date, tell us and we'll correct it.

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