QR Code vs. Data Matrix vs. Linear

QR Code (Quick Response Code)

qr code example

  • 2D Barcode
  • Can contain up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters
  • Typically leads to a website
  • Developed in 1994
  • Can be scanned with a smart phone or 2D scanner

We usually default to Low density for the QR code to make the bar code the most readable with a cell phone.

But, if a higher redundancy is needed, we can increase it to these levels.

Level L (Low) 7% of data bytes can be restored.
Level M (Medium) 15% of data bytes can be restored.
Level Q (Quartile)[79] 25% of data bytes can be restored.
Level H (High) 30% of data bytes can be restored.

Please note, the higher the error correction level, the capacity for data storage gets lower.

For more information please refer to this wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code

Data Matrix

data matrix example

  • 2D Barcode
  • Can contain up to 2,335 alphanumeric characters
  • Great for encoding large amounts of information on a small amount of space
  • Most secure barcode there is
  • Developed in 1989
  • Can be scanned with a smart phone or 2D scanner

Linear

barcode example

  • 1D Barcode
  • Developed in 1960s
  • Can be scanned with a 1D scanner and most 2D scanners
  • Code 39
    • Can encrypt the alphabet, digits 0-9, and special characters: – “. $ % + –  / *”
    • Uses 9 elements per character (5 bars and 4 spaces)
    • Larger in size
    • Great for encoding short serial numbers
  • Code 128
    • Can encrypt all 128 ASCII symbols
    • Uses 6 elements per character (3 bars and 3 spaces)
    • More space efficient
    • Great for encoding long strings of information
  • Interleaved 2 of 5
    • Can encrypt numeric data
    • Requires of an even number of digits 0-9
    • Must be 2, 4 or 6 digits long (maximum of 6 digits)
    • Mostly used on wing bands or small surface areas