UPC Scanner App Comparison: ShopSavvy vs. ScanLife

There are so many fun apps for smart phones.  The possibilities are truly endless...

Today I was on a mission.  The task?

To compare two UPC scanner apps on my HTC Thunderbolt.

App #1 = ShopSavvy

App #2 = ScanLife

So where else would I go to test and review two scanner apps besides the Handbag Department at Nordstrom?  I have been a bit obsessed with crossbody handbags as of late so the search began...

First up was the Dooney and Burke Saddle Crossbody Bag.  I first scanned the UPC with ScanLife.  It scanned incredibly fast.  I was then taken to a screen where I could see two online price comparisons, both of which were Nordstrom.  There was also a link for product reviews, of which there were none.

I proceeded to scan the same bag with ShopSavvy.  Again, incredibly fast...the same as ScanLife.  However, that is where the similarities ended.  The link to stores also provided me with a map of where I could buy this product. I could also share the product to Twitter, Facebook, and via email from that same screen.  Similarly to ScanLife, ShopSavvy also pulls up reviews, of which there were none on this bag again.    

I followed the same process for the Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q High and Classic Q Little Ukita Handbags.  

Both apps were quick to scan and the information on each bag popped up very fast.  No waiting is a major bonus for a UPC Scanner App in my opinion.

The interface on ScanLife is simple, but limited. 

This is a shot of the history screen that users are provided.  From there, you go to a product screen that gives you the name, picture, online prices, and reviews.  The interface on ScanLife is a bit clunky and not intuitive.  I had to hit my back arrow repeatedly to get back to the main home screen instead of finding a link to my home from the menu. 

So for ScanLife, it serves the very basic purpose of scanning the item and providing price and location feedback to users. 

When you open ShopSavvy, you are greeted with this screen, which shows you real time scans that are happening now with the app.  Kinda fun to see what others are up to...

You also have a search bar, a button that takes you to the scanner, Deals, History, and Lists which I will explain more later.

When I go to "History", this is what I get.  You will notice that I have a few items showing up multiple times.  The only complaint I have with ShopSavvy is that it prompted Force Closes a lot.  It happens more frequently when I go into folders or dig deeper than the first few interfaces.  Most of the time, closing it and reopening can take care of it, but still annoying nonetheless.  This glitch also forces the user to rescan or creates duplicates in their history.

From here users can to their product information that includes online prices, local stores, maps, reviews, and the ability to add your own product image.  Again, I had to press the back arrow to get back to my home screen instead of finding a menu link.

The additional perks within ShopSavvy more than make up for this.    You can also save your scanned items to folders!  Talk about Type A HEAVEN!!!  I can go back to these folders and pull up my saved items whenever I want.  A very neat feature in my opinion...

Here are my scans from today all organized in their folder. 

 Additionally, ShopSavvy has a link off of the main page to "Deals".  I saw Best Buy has 68 deals so checked that out. Sales are listed and you are given links to directions and a "Call" button to call your local store directly.  (I tested this to make sure it was my local store and it was.)

Overall, ShopSavvy wins this comparison hands down.  It is as easy to use as ScanLife, but the organization and added features take it beyond being just a basic scanner.

Disclosure:  Collective Bias compensated me for my time.  All thoughts, opinions, and handbag choices are my own. :)