Best Barcode and QR Code Scanner Plugins for WordPress

Looking for the right WordPress barcode scanner plugin to improve your business operations? Barcode scanning technology has become essential for businesses that need to manage inventory, process sales, and track products efficiently.

For WooCommerce store owners who also operate physical locations, finding a plugin that can scan barcodes and QR codes is essential for connecting your online and offline operations. The top WordPress barcode scanner plugins do more than just scan product codes – they work smoothly with your existing systems.

In this article, we’ll compare the top WordPress barcode scanner plugins available, with a focus on WooCommerce compatibility, mobile scanning capabilities, and point-of-sale integration. We’ll help you identify the solution that best fits your business needs, from scanning product barcodes at checkout to generating QR codes for marketing and creating WooCommerce order barcodes for fulfillment.

Quick comparison: Top WordPress barcode scanner plugins

When choosing a WordPress barcode scanner plugin, consider key factors like supported barcode types, hardware compatibility, mobile scanning options, WooCommerce integration, and point-of-sale features. These elements will determine which solution best meets your business requirements.

Here’s a quick look at what might best fit your business. Check our more detailed comparisons below for an in-depth analysis of each plugin’s capabilities and pricing.

The best WordPress barcode scanner plugins

Scanning products and managing your inventory from all your physical retail outlets is easy and streamlined when you use a good WordPress barcode scanner plugin. Here are six that can help boost the efficiency of your store operations.

1. Jovvie

Jovvie is an all-in-one solution from BizSwoop designed specifically for WooCommerce stores that need to connect their online and physical sales operations. This WordPress barcode scanner plugin enables quick product identification and faster checkouts through efficient barcode scanning.

Barcode capabilities:

• Supports both 1D and 2D barcode types like QR codes.
• Allows input of up to three different barcode types per product (including European Article Number or EAN codes).
• Scans product variations with unique barcodes while still connecting to the correct WooCommerce product.
• Uses your device camera as a barcode scanner through BizSwoop iOS and Android apps.

WooCommerce integration:

• Sits directly in your WordPress dashboard for easy management.
• Syncs inventory in real-time between in-person and online sales.
• Updates stock levels automatically after each barcode scan and completed sale.

Unique selling points:

• Works on any device (tablet, smartphone, computer) without requiring special hardware.
• Integrates with BizPrint, Jovvie sister plugin, for automatic printing of barcode labels and address labels for shipping. 
• Supports 36 languages and multiple payment gateways including Stripe and PayPal.

Limitations:

• Doesn’t generate barcodes (requires a separate but free plugin for barcode generation).
• Requires internet connectivity for cloud-based functionality.

Pricing:

• 30-day free trial with no payment required.
• Basic plan: $29/month (includes real-time sync, support for 1 staff member and 1 location).
• Pro plan: $49/month (unlimited staff, locations, and advanced features).
• Enterprise plans available for large-scale operations.

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The Best Point of Sale
for WooCommerce

Your products, customers, orders & inventory automatically synced, always ready for you to sell your products anywhere!

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2. YITH Point of Sale for WooCommerce 

YITH Point of Sale transforms your WooCommerce installation into a complete cash register system for physical stores. This WordPress barcode scanner plugin helps you synchronize offline and online product data for a unified retail experience.

Barcode capabilities:

• Scans products using Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)-based search functionality.
• Identifies products through barcode scanning.
• Requires the separate YITH Barcodes and QR Codes plugin for barcode generation and full scanning functionality.
• Generates printable lists of barcode labels for physical products when combined with their barcode plugin.

WooCommerce integration:

• Connects natively to WooCommerce through the REST API.
• Syncs all orders made through the Point of Sale (POS) to your WooCommerce database.
• Updates product stock, customer data, and other information automatically.
• Allows creating products directly from the POS interface.

Unique selling points:

• Supports an unlimited number of stores and registers from a single installation.
• Enables split payments across different payment methods.
• Provides a “suspend and save” feature for retrieving shopping carts later.
• Includes a customizable receipt builder for each register.

Limitations:

• Barcode generation requires purchasing a separate plugin.
• No built-in mobile scanning through device cameras (requires external hardware).
• Only one barcode per product allowed.

Pricing:

• $179.99/year.
• Includes 1 year of updates and support.
• 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Additional cost for the separate YITH Barcodes and QR Codes plugin.

3. WCPOS

WooCommerce POS (WCPOS) is a lightweight POS plugin specifically designed for WooCommerce stores. This plugin offers a simple yet effective barcode scanning solution that integrates directly with your existing WooCommerce setup.

Barcode Capabilities:

• Features a dedicated mode for barcode scanning that adds items to cart.
• Uses the product SKU field as the default barcode identifier.
• Can be customized to use other identifiers (like product ID) with PHP programming knowledge.
• Supports scanning barcodes directly into the cart for fast checkout.

WooCommerce Integration:

• Designed specifically for WooCommerce with native compatibility.
• Offers offline storage for fast product search and processing.
• Creates orders directly in your WooCommerce system.
• Allows adding products that aren’t listed in WooCommerce.

Unique Selling Points:

• Cross-platform accessibility via browser or desktop application.
• Free and open-source base version with Pro upgrade option.
• Custom receipt templates that can be tailored with PHP.
• Built-in support with live chat for assistance.

Limitations:

• Requires PHP knowledge for customization.
• Limited barcode format support.
• Lacks built-in mobile scanning capabilities in the base version.
• Advanced features like payment gateway flexibility require Pro upgrade.

Pricing:

• Base plugin: Free (open source).
• Pro version: $129/year or $399 for lifetime license (additional features like multiple POS stores, analytics, and priority support).

4. Oliver POS

As a Point of Sale solution built around WooCommerce, Oliver POS offers an integrated approach to managing your physical store alongside your WooCommerce online business. This plugin focuses on providing a complete point-of-sale system with solid barcode scanning functionality.

Barcode capabilities:

• Offers barcode scanning across all pricing plans.
• Provides “The Oliver Scanner” as an optional hardware add-on for dedicated scanning.
• Features built-in barcode scanning in the Oliver Go mobile POS app.
• Enables scanning products for checkout and receipt printing on the go.

WooCommerce integration:

• Connects directly with your WooCommerce store.
• Synchronizes products, orders, and customer data automatically.
• Updates inventory in real-time across online and physical channels.
• Supports WooCommerce product modifiers in higher-tier plans.

Unique selling points:

• Available as lifetime purchase (not just subscription).
• Offers mobile POS with built-in scanner (Oliver Go).
• Includes end-of-day reconciliation and cash management tools.
• Provides advanced receipt builder in Pro and Enterprise plans.

Limitations:

• Basic plan limited to a single active user.
• Multiple inventories only available in Enterprise plan.
• Some advanced features require separate add-ons.
• Hardware scanner is an additional purchase.

Pricing:

• Basic: $119 (lifetime) – Includes core features with 1 active user.
• Pro: $249 (lifetime) – Adds multiple users, advanced receipt builder, and customer loyalty options.
• Enterprise: $299+ (lifetime) – Provides multiple locations, inventories, and premium support.
• Optional Kiosk add-on: $49 for self-checkout functionality.
• Free 7-day trial available with annual subscriptions.

5. WePOS

WePOS is a fast and responsive WooCommerce Point of Sale plugin designed to work efficiently on both tablets and desktop computers. This WordPress barcode scanner plugin lets you process orders quickly in a busy retail environment through its efficient interface.

Barcode capabilities:

• Allows physical counting of WooCommerce products by scanning barcodes.
• Adds scanned products directly to customer carts for checkout.
• Includes shortcut key support for faster barcode scanning workflow.
• Designed for high-volume environments with quick checkout needs.

WooCommerce integration:

• Built on WooCommerce REST API for fast performance.
• Works as a single-page application for improved responsiveness.
• Integrates directly with your existing WooCommerce inventory.
• Syncs product information between online and physical stores.

Unique selling points:

• Fast response time optimized for high-customer-volume environments
• Intuitive user interface designed for easy navigation
• Shortcut/hotkey support for an accelerated checkout process
• Free version available

Limitations:

• Users report incompatibility with some WooCommerce features, like High-Performance order storage.
• Basic features and limited barcode scanning customization options

Pricing:

• Free version available through WordPress plugin repository.

6. Point of Sale System for WooCommerce from WebKul Store

Webkul’s POS plugin  transforms WooCommerce into a dual-purpose system handling both online and physical store operations. This solution lets store owners manage multiple locations while maintaining unified product and customer information.

Barcode capabilities:

• Enables store admins to generate barcodes and QR codes for products in the store.
• Features “Manage your products with Barcode” functionality for more efficient inventory management.
• Supports barcode readers to scan products and add them directly to customer carts.
• Offers a separate “Point of Sale Barcode Inventory Plugin” as an extension for enhanced barcode functionality.
• Allows sales agents to scan product barcodes for faster checkout processing.

WooCommerce integration:

• Works in both online and offline modes with synchronization capability.
• Creates a front-end management system for WooCommerce.
• Allows managing multiple physical store outlets from the central system.
• Provides real-time inventory visibility across all sales channels.

Unique selling points:

• PWA POS system for mobile that functions with low internet connectivity.
• PWA desktop application option for better handling and faster performance.
• Supports multiple payment methods including split payments.
• Offers extensive reporting and analytics for sales performance.

Limitations:

• Barcode scanning requires a separate paid extension.
• More complex setup process compared to some alternatives.
• Does not support product backorders.
• Higher initial investment compared to some competitors.

Pricing:

• Base plugin: $99 for Regular License (single end product, free to end users).
• Extended License: $297 (for charging end users).
• Additional paid extensions for barcode inventory, price rules, and other features.
• Optional 12-month support extension available for $35.25.

What to look for in WordPress barcode scanner plugins

When selecting a WordPress barcode scanner plugin for your business, focus on these key factors:

Barcode format support:

Look for plugins that handle the specific barcode types your products use. If you’re selling products with manufacturer barcodes, ensure the plugin can read EAN or Universal Product Code (UPC) codes. For creating custom tracking systems, QR code support might be more valuable. The ability to support multiple barcode formats per product (like Jovvie offers) provides flexibility as your business grows.

WordPress integration:

 The plugin should work naturally within your WordPress environment. Check if it integrates directly with your WordPress dashboard, uses standard WordPress APIs, and follows WordPress security practices. This ensures compatibility with your existing theme and other plugins.

WooCommerce compatibility:

The plugin should:

• Sync inventory in real-time between online and in-store sales.
• Use existing WooCommerce product data without duplication.
• Create orders that appear in your standard WooCommerce reporting.
• Support WooCommerce product variations and custom attributes.

Practical Considerations:

 Assess your actual business needs before deciding:

• Do you need mobile scanning or fixed checkout stations?
• Will you scan hundreds of items daily (requiring speed) or just occasional items?
• Do you need to generate new barcodes or work with existing ones?
• Is offline functionality important for your location?

The right plugin matches your specific operational requirements rather than simply offering the longest feature list.

Technical implementation setup

Once you’ve selected the right WordPress barcode scanner plugin, successful implementation requires attention to hardware choices, proper configuration, and security considerations. Here’s what you need to know to get started:

Scanner Hardware Options

Dedicated barcode scanners:

Purpose-built devices ($50-$300) offer speed and accuracy with options for 1D (traditional barcodes only) or 2D scanning (includes QR codes). Wireless models provide mobility within your store.

Mobile device cameras:

Using existing smartphones or tablets eliminates hardware costs. This works well for lower volume scanning or mobile sales, though typically slower than dedicated scanners.

Webcam integration:

Standard webcams can function as budget-friendly scanners for fixed checkout stations with occasional scanning needs.

Setup and configuration tips:

Preparation

• Ensure all products have unique identifiers (SKUs).
• Choose a consistent barcode standard (UPC, EAN, QR).
• Verify hardware compatibility before purchasing.

Testing

• Test with actual products across different barcode types.
• Verify inventory updates across all channels.
• Create simple troubleshooting guides for staff.

Security best practices:

• Keep WordPress, WooCommerce, and barcode plugins updated (as an example, recent vulnerability CVE-2024-38708 allowed unauthorized access to WooCommerce order data through several extensions).
• Implement user roles to restrict who can scan and manage inventory.
• Use HTTPS for all connections between scanners and your website.
• Schedule regular backups, especially before implementing new scanning workflows.

Jovvie is the pick of the bunch

After comparing the leading WordPress barcode scanner plugins, Jovvie emerges as the top solution for WooCommerce store owners looking to connect their online and physical retail operations. Several key advantages make it stand out from the competition:

Superior flexibility and ease of use:

Jovvie excels in its ability to adapt to various business needs. The plugin supports up to three different barcode types per product, making it perfect for businesses with diverse inventory or international products using different barcode standards. Unlike YITH and WebKul which require separate paid extensions for full barcode functionality, Jovvie provides comprehensive scanning capabilities in a single solution. Its integration with both iOS and Android devices means you can use existing smartphones or tablets as barcode scanners, eliminating the need for specialized hardware investments – a stark contrast to WCPOS which requires PHP programming knowledge to customize barcode fields.

Complete WooCommerce integration:

Jovvie operates as a natural extension of your existing WooCommerce setup, maintaining accurate inventory across all sales channels without complicated configuration. This prevents inventory discrepancies that frustrate customers and harm your business reputation. Unlike WePOS with its reported compatibility issues with WooCommerce’s some features or Oliver POS which gates multiple inventory management behind Enterprise-tier pricing, Jovvie works with all standard WooCommerce features regardless of which plan you choose.

Practical solutions for common limitations:

While Jovvie doesn’t generate barcodes itself, this is easily resolved by using a simple WordPress barcode generator plugin alongside it. Once barcodes are created, Jovvie’s integration with BizPrint enables automatic printing of barcode labels, shipping labels, and receipts to complete your workflow.

Cost-effective scalability:

Jovvie’s monthly subscription model provides flexibility as your business grows. You can start with a basic plan and scale up only when needed, rather than making large upfront investments like those required by Oliver POS and WebKul for their lifetime licenses. YITH’s approach of charging nearly $200 annually plus additional costs for their separate barcode extension makes Jovvie’s pricing model significantly more accessible for businesses just starting with barcode scanning. The free 30-day trial allows you to thoroughly test all features in your actual business environment without financial commitment.

For businesses seeking to improve checkout speed, enhance inventory accuracy, and create a unified commerce experience across all sales channels, Jovvie delivers the most balanced combination of features, usability, and value.

Try Jovvie free for 30 days and transform your retail operations. Get started today with no commitment and see why thousands of WooCommerce store owners trust Jovvie for their barcode scanning and point-of-sale needs.

The Best Point of Sale
for WooCommerce

Your products, customers, orders & inventory automatically synced, always ready for you to sell your products anywhere!

Start Free Trial

The Best Point of Sale
for WooCommerce

Your products, customers, orders & inventory automatically synced, always ready for you to sell your products anywhere!

Start Free Trial

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