If you want to track inventory or display basic information, a barcode is sufficient. However, if you need to provide more detailed information or enable interactive experiences, QR codes are ideal.

Let’s discuss the difference between Barcode and QR Code in detail.

What is Barcode?

A barcode is a series of parallel black lines with white spaces that represent data in a machine-readable form that can be used to encode data.

Barcodes are widely used on products, packaging, and components to efficiently store information for marketing, inventory management, and other applications.

What is QR Code?

QR code stands for Quick Response code. It’s a type of two-dimensional barcode consisting of a square grid of black and white squares that encodes information in a machine-readable format.

Read About: Create Custom Branded QR Code with Razorpay

Differences Between Barcode and QR Code

Here is a table explaining a barcode vs QR code.

How Does Barcode Get Decoded?

Barcode decoding is the process of reading and interpreting the encoded data within a barcode.

The following steps outline this process:

STEP 1: A barcode reader employs a light source, typically a laser or LED, to scan a barcode.

STEP 2: The reflected light from the barcode is captured by a light sensor within the reader.

STEP 3: The sensor converts the light variations into electrical signals representing the barcode’s pattern of black and white bars.

STEP 4: The electrical signals are processed by the reader’s decoder to convert the pattern into digital data.

STEP 5: The decoded data, in the form of a code, is transmitted to a connected device, such as a computer or point-of-sale system.

STEP 6: The received data is interpreted and used for various applications including inventory management, product identification, and tracking.

How Does a QR Code Get Decoded?

A QR code is decoded through a process involving image processing and pattern recognition.

STEP 1: Image Capture: A device, like a smartphone camera, captures an image of the QR code.

STEP 2: Pattern Recognition: The image is processed to identify the specific pattern of black and white squares that make up the QR code.

STEP 3: Data Extraction: The decoder extracts the encoded data from the pattern, using algorithms designed to interpret the specific structure of QR codes.

STEP 4: Error Correction: QR codes have built-in error correction mechanisms. The decoder uses these to account for any damage or imperfections in the code.

STEP 5: Data Interpretation: The extracted data is converted into a readable format, such as text, a URL, or contact information.

Read More About: Beginner Guide to QR Code Generation

Conclusion

The answer to QR code vs barcode is that barcodes consist of numbers and parallel lines of varying width, while QR codes are composed of black and white squares. QR codes have the advantage of being able to store more data compared to barcodes. The difference between a barcode and a QR code lies in their visual representation and data storage capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which is better QR code or barcode?

The choice between a QR code vs barcode depends on the specific use case. Barcodes are ideal for simple identification purposes and can efficiently store numeric data. They are commonly used in retail for product pricing and inventory management. On the other hand, QR codes offer more versatility as they can store larger amounts of both numeric and alphanumeric data, including URLs, contact information and text.

2. What is the capacity of barcodes vs QR codes?

Barcodes have limited storage capacity and can typically hold 20-25 characters of numeric data. In contrast, QR codes have a much larger capacity and can store up to 7,089 numeric characters or 4,296 alphanumeric characters.

3. Is a barcode cheaper than a QR code?

Barcodes are generally cheaper to produce compared to QR codes because they only require printing parallel lines on paper or labels. On the other hand, generating QR codes involves more advanced technology, such as software applications or online generators that allow you to customise the code’s design and content. However, considering the additional functionality and versatility offered by QR codes, they may provide better value for certain use cases despite the slightly higher cost.

4. How much data is stored in a barcode?

A barcode typically stores 12-20 characters of numeric data. This length may vary depending on the specific type of barcode used (such as UPC or EAN), but it generally remains within this range.

The post What is the Difference Between Barcode and QR Code? appeared first on Razorpay Learn.

QR codes have become an integral part of our lives recently, but they have been around for some time now. The fact is that they were invented as early as 1994 by a Japanese company called Denso Wave. Since then, QR codes have been evolving and becoming more mainstream; as you already know, they aren’t merely ways to manage inventory or sales today because there are QR codes for everything now!

In fact, in a report by RBI, NPCI, and HSIE, UPI payments made through QR codes made up a whopping 28% of the digital payments in India in 2021 so far, beating both credit and debit cards by at least 10% each.  Let’s dig deeper to understand this startling phenomenon in a better light.

What is a QR Code?

A QR code belongs to the same family as the barcode, but it has extended functionality. In short, it does more. A QR code is made up of a two-dimensional matrix barcode. Today, QR codes are widely used for navigating customers to websites – this is because these codes can store information up to 4296 characters. To put it into perspective, 4296 characters are approximately 1,000 words (technicalities notwithstanding). This says that QR codes can carry URLs or other information that consumers can access by scanning them.

A QR code is designed to convey information regarding the product when scanned by a mobile device or a QR code reader. Each QR code is unique because of the way information is converted and stored on it, which makes its patterns differ.

Let’s get into more detail on how QR codes function.

How QR Codes Work

QR codes are a 2-dimensional grid made of pixels that can be read and understood by computers. A computer processes them in two steps: first, reading from top to bottom and then from right to left. Let’s understand the parts of a QR code to see how they work.

1. Position Markers

If you observe, you will find three distinct position markers on the code in the form of concentric squares: these help the scanner locate the code, recognize it and finally scan it properly (and this happens within moments). The secondary function of these position markers is to orient the code correctly in the scanner so that information is read properly.

2. Alignment Markers

The second marker used in a QR code is an alignment marker. These are also concentric squares but smaller in size than position markers. If your QR code is big and pasted onto a curved surface, an alignment marker will help straighten the code when scanning, thus preventing errors.

3. Pattern Markers

A series of alternating black and white pixels help the scanner measure the size of the data matrix, allowing it to determine the information on it accurately.

4. Code Version and Format Patterns

A distinct pattern on each QR code differentiates the one being used from 39 other versions of this technology. Additionally, the format information on the code contains error tolerance limits that the code can carry.

5. Error Correction Duplicates and Data

This is the area of the code that carries the data you need access to, in addition to some duplicates that come into play in case certain parts of the code are damaged or unreadable. Typically, the damage tolerance for a QR code is 30%.

6. White Space

This space surrounds the code on all four sides and has the same significance as in design – it allows the scanner to isolate the code from its surroundings and focus on it properly. QR codes come in various types, and the patterns on them differ accordingly. Let’s see what they are.

QR Codes as a Payment Method

QR codes make for a contactless, digital payment solution that ensures simple, quick, and secure payment transfers, thus allowing businesses to accept payments from their customers directly into their bank accounts.

QR codes, therefore, serve as an efficient contactless alternative to accepting cash in physical stores or with delivery agents. Bharat QR codes can be used with UPI, debit, credit and prepaid cards, while UPI QR codes can only be used to accept UPI-based payments. 

    Related Read: How To Make UPI Payment Without Internet?

Types of QR Codes

There are two distinct types of QR codes that are used for facilitating contactless payments today. 

1. Static QR Codes

These codes are permanent once generated. This means that the information they carry cannot be edited or altered in any way – and this makes static codes great to use as employee IDs, product documentation, personal purposes, etc. When it comes to payments, static QR codes can be used to accept multiple payments from different customers, and have no expiration date. 

2. Dynamic QR Codes

As the name goes, the information in these codes can be edited at will. Whether you wish to correct errors in the information, add new information, update details, or such, these codes allow you to do that. They find extensive use in marketing campaigns. For payments, dynamic QR codes are generated for a specific amount for a particular customer, and then expire post that particular transaction is done. 

With a static QR code, you can generate the code only once, and it reads the same way for all transactions. The customers then scan the code and enter the value of the required transaction to make the payment. With a dynamic QR code, you can pre-code the value of the transaction into the code. Post-scanning, your customer only needs only enter their PIN number and the payment is done. Static QR codes, therefore, are used in physical stores, and dynamic ones are more useful in the case of collecting payments via home delivery agents. 

 Related Read: How to Generate GST-Compliant Dynamic QR Codes?

How to Get Bharat QR Code

BharatQR, as the name suggests, is a QR-based solution that enables digital payments and can be used across BharatQR enabled apps. It is developed by NPCI in collaboration with VISA, Mastercard, Amex, and Rupay. It is the newest payment mode that businesses in India can use to accept money from their end customers directly into their current accounts. The top 3 benefits of using the Bharat QR code are:

• Security- Bharat QR is as safe as using a UPI app. Your payments are safe from any third party. 
• Interoperability- Bharat QR is compatible with a host of apps. You can use cards such as Visa, MasterCard, Annexe or RuPay) or BHIM UPI.
• No additional charges- As the term suggests, you need not pay extra money to use Bharat QR.

You can use Bharat QR in the following simple steps:

• Download an app that is compatible with Bharat QR.
• Scan the QR code. 
• Complete the payment using a debit card or UPI. 
• You’re done!

Conclusion

QR codes have made life simpler for many large-scale enterprises as well as small businesses. They have ushered in a new era of contactless payments by making them more seamless than ever. 

Want to experience the futuristic QR codes for your business? Give Razorpay MultiQR Codes a shot. Razorpay MultiQR Codes empower you to: 

✓ Create multiple static, dynamic, Bharat or UPI QR codes absolutely free of cost 

✓ Offer multiple payment modes to your customers 

✓ Integrate your QR codes with POS, billing system, and delivery app 

✓ Get your own multi-branded QR code with your company name, logo and custom merchant VPA 

✓ Generate QR codes for multiple stores and multiple customers

The post What Goes Behind a QR Code? appeared first on Razorpay Learn.