Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Open Shell VS Scan QR Code Reader

Compare Open Shell VS Scan QR Code Reader and see what are their differences

Open Shell logo Open Shell

Open Shell is a fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start...

Scan QR Code Reader logo Scan QR Code Reader

Scan is the most straightforward QR Code scanner available for iPhone and Android.
  • Open Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-07
  • Scan QR Code Reader Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30

Open Shell features and specs

  • Customization
    Open Shell provides extensive customization options, allowing users to modify the Start menu to fit their preferences, from design to functionality.
  • Familiar Interface
    It offers a classic start menu which is familiar to users of older Windows versions, making it easier for them to navigate.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, it allows for community contributions, making it more transparent and potentially more secure.
  • No Cost
    Open Shell is free to use, providing a cost-effective solution for users who want a different Start menu experience without paying for software.
  • Regular Updates
    The project is fairly well-maintained, receiving updates that add new features and fix potential issues, improving user experience over time.

Possible disadvantages of Open Shell

  • Compatibility Issues
    There could be compatibility problems with certain Windows updates or third-party applications, requiring troubleshooting and fixes.
  • Learning Curve
    While it offers many customization options, new users might find the settings and customization process overwhelming and confusing initially.
  • Community Support
    As an open-source project, it relies heavily on community support rather than professional customer service, which can be a drawback for users needing prompt assistance.
  • Resource Usage
    Though generally lightweight, Open Shell can consume additional system resources, which might be impactful on less powerful machines.

Scan QR Code Reader features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Scan.me provides a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users of all ages to scan QR codes quickly and efficiently.
  • Speed
    The QR code reader is designed to quickly recognize and process QR code data, minimizing the time users spend waiting.
  • Multi-platform Support
    Scan.me is accessible on multiple platforms, including iOS and Android, making it versatile for various devices.
  • Offline Functionality
    Scan.me can scan QR codes without requiring an active internet connection, which is useful in areas with limited connectivity.
  • Customization
    Scan.me allows businesses to create customized QR codes that can link to different types of content, offering marketing versatility.

Possible disadvantages of Scan QR Code Reader

  • Data Privacy
    There may be concerns about how collected data from scans is used or shared, which could raise privacy issues for some users.
  • Limited Features
    Compared to other QR code readers, Scan.me might have fewer advanced features, which could limit its functionality for power users.
  • In-App Purchases
    The app may include in-app purchases or advertisements, which could detract from the user experience for some individuals.
  • Compatibility Issues
    There might be issues with the app's compatibility with certain device models or software versions, leading to functionality limitations.
  • Security Risks
    Like all QR code readers, there is a risk of scanning malicious codes that could redirect users to harmful websites or links.

Analysis of Open Shell

Overall verdict

  • Open Shell is considered a good tool for those who desire a more traditional Start Menu experience on modern Windows versions. It is reliable, versatile, and generally well-received by the community for resurrecting the familiar interface from previous Windows iterations.

Why this product is good

  • Open Shell (formerly known as Classic Shell) is appreciated for its ability to bring back the classic Start Menu functionality to Windows, particularly for users who prefer the interface design and usability of older versions of Windows. It provides a customizable menu, various skins, and additional enhancements for the Start Button, File Explorer, and Internet Explorer. The software is lightweight, free, and open source, allowing for a high degree of personalization and adaptability.

Recommended for

  • Users who prefer the classic Windows Start Menu.
  • Individuals who are not satisfied with the default Start Menu on newer Windows versions.
  • Users seeking a highly customizable and lightweight menu solution.
  • Technical users who appreciate open-source software and want to tweak their system appearance and functionality.
  • Anyone upgrading from older Windows versions who wants to maintain a consistent user interface experience.

Open Shell videos

Classic Menu for Windows 10 with Open Shell

Scan QR Code Reader videos

No Scan QR Code Reader videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Open Shell and Scan QR Code Reader)
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0
Barcode And QR Code
0 0%
100% 100
OS & Utilities
91 91%
9% 9
Barcode Scanner
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Scan QR Code Reader seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Open Shell mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Open Shell yet. Tracking of Open Shell recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Scan QR Code Reader mentions (1)

  • A wanmin welcome web event QR code not working?
    I tried everything and was about to give up (the code either would not scan or would give me a scan.me error. Then I tried the QRQR QR Code Reader. It worked! Source: over 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Open Shell and Scan QR Code Reader, you can also consider the following products

Fences - Keep your desktop organized with Fences. This is a simple software program that allows you to sort the tabs on your desktop and create files that are easily recognizable to you.

ZXing - Barcode Scanner for Android

Classic Shell - Classic Shell was developed for Windows 8 since that was the first version of the popular operating system to forgo the iconic Start menu.

QR Code Reader โ€œQโ€ - Formerly QR Code Reader โ€œQ,โ€ now QRQR, is a smart code reader application.

Start Menu X - Start Menu X with Start Button. Power users know how inconvenient and time-consuming it is to launch programs from the system menu.

QR and Barcode Scanner - QR and Bar code scanner application allows scan and decode QR and Bar codes of different formats.