The ultimate barcode guide: choosing the right barcode for your business
Paula Monteiro
Marketing Communications Director
Barcode technology is essential for optimizing inventory management, logistics, retail operations, and asset tracking. Businesses across industries rely on barcodes to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and streamline workflows. With multiple barcode formats available, choosing the right one can enhance scanning accuracy, reduce costs, and improve data collection.
This guide provides an in-depth look at 1D and 2D barcode types, their industry applications, and how Anyline’s barcode scanning solutions offer fast, reliable, and AI-powered recognition for any business need. Whether you manage retail products, supply chain operations, or digital identification, this guide will help you select the best barcode format to maximize efficiency and accuracy.
Unlocking the Power of Barcodes for Your Business
Barcodes have become an essential tool for businesses worldwide, revolutionizing inventory management, retail operations, and logistics. But with so many different barcode formats available, how do you choose the right one for your business?
This guide explores the key differences between 1D and 2D barcodes, the most common barcode types, and how Anyline’s cutting-edge barcode scanning technology can help your business streamline operations with speed and accuracy.
Jump to key topics
Jump to key topics
Understanding 1D vs. 2D Barcodes
Understanding 1D vs. 2D Barcodes
Barcodes are categorized into two primary types: one-dimensional (1D) barcodes and two-dimensional (2D) barcodes.
- 1D Barcodes (Linear Barcodes): Represent data using parallel lines of varying widths and spaces. They are commonly used in retail and logistics, with examples like UPC, EAN, and Code 128.
- 2D Barcodes (Matrix Codes): Store data both horizontally and vertically, allowing for greater data storage capacity in a smaller space. Examples include QR codes, Data Matrix codes, and PDF417.
2D barcodes offer several advantages over 1D barcodes, including error correction (ensuring readability even if damaged) and the ability to store more complex data.
Common Types of 1D Barcodes
- UPC (Universal Product Code) – Widely used in North America for retail products.
- EAN (European Article Number) – Standard in Europe for product identification.
- Code 128 – Used in logistics and supply chain tracking due to its high data density.
- Code 39 – Common in the automotive and defense industries for labeling goods.
- ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5) – Ideal for direct printing on cardboard packaging.
- Codabar – Used in logistics and healthcare for asset tracking.
- GS1 DataBar – Compact barcodes used in grocery stores and healthcare.
Popular 2D Barcode Formats
- QR Code – Used in marketing, mobile payments, and digital content linking.
- Data Matrix – Found in electronics, retail, and government applications.
- PDF417 – Ideal for high-data applications like ID cards and shipping labels.
- Aztec Code – Used in transportation, including airline and train tickets.
2D barcodes are gaining popularity due to their ability to store large amounts of data in a compact and highly scannable format.
Supported Symbologies
Finding the Best Barcode for Your Business
Choosing the right barcode depends on several factors:
- Retail and Point-of-Sale: Use UPC or EAN barcodes.
- High-Density Data Storage: Opt for PDF417 or Data Matrix.
- Limited Space on Packaging: EAN-8, UPC-E, or Data Matrix work best.
- Corrugated Packaging & Logistics: ITF barcodes are ideal.
- Marketing & Customer Engagement: QR codes are the preferred choice.
Industry trends suggest a shift toward 2D barcodes due to the increased need for dynamic and secure data encoding.
Unlocking Advanced Barcode Scanning with Anyline
Anyline’s AI-powered barcode scanning technology transforms any smart device into a high-performance barcode scanner. Unlike traditional barcode readers, Anyline’s software leverages the power of mobile devices, ensuring fast and accurate barcode recognition in any environment.
Why Choose Anyline?
- Superior Scanning Speed – Instantly scan barcodes, even in poor lighting conditions.
- Offline Capability – No internet? No problem! Scan and store data anytime.
- Seamless Integration – Works with any mobile or web application.
- Multi-Code Scanning – Read multiple barcodes at once, improving efficiency.
Ready to Experience the Future of Barcode Scanning?
Try Anyline’s free SDK and transform your barcode scanning capabilities today!
Fully Supported Barcode Formats in Anyline SDK
Anyline supports a wide range of 1D and 2D barcode formats, ensuring compatibility across industries. The fully supported barcode formats include:
- 1D Barcodes:
- UPC-A, UPC-E
- EAN-8, EAN-13, EAN-14, EAN-18, EAN-99, EAN-128
- Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, ITF-14
- Codabar, GS1-128, MSI/Plessey, US Postnet, US Planet, UK Postal, USPS 4CB
- 2D Barcodes:
- QR Code, Micro QR Code, GS1 QR Code
- Data Matrix
- Aztec, Aztec vCard
- PDF417, Micro PDF417
- RSS 14, RSS Expanded
Anyline’s advanced machine-learning algorithms allow for the scanning of damaged, low-contrast, and distorted barcodes with ease, making it the perfect solution for real-world business needs.
Revolutionize Your Business with Anyline
Barcodes are the backbone of modern business operations, and with Anyline’s advanced scanning technology, you can take efficiency and accuracy to the next level.
Start scanning smarter—Try Anyline for free today!
FAQ
A barcode quiet zone is the blank space surrounding a barcode. It ensures accurate scanning by preventing surrounding text or images from interfering with the barcode reader.
A barcode finder pattern is a visual guide within a barcode that helps scanning devices locate and properly align the barcode for accurate reading. QR codes, for example, use three large squares as their finder patterns.
Absolutely, you can combine all of our scanning modules for different use cases and scenarios, as our versatile web and mobile SDK offers a maximum of flexibility. Feel free to get in contact, in case you have any questions.
Our high performance barcode engine is natively developed for iOS and Android, but supports also common integration frameworks such as Cordova, React Native, .NET (MAUI) and Flutter. The sample code can be found in our documentation, example projects on GitHub.
There are two main ways:
Mobile Apps
Integrate Anyline SDK into your App in just a couple of days. Available natively on iOS, Android and Windows, as well cross-platform on React Native, Xamarin and Cordova.
Web Apps
Integrate Anyline SDK onto your website in a matter of hours with our JavaScript implementation
We offer our packages on the basis of annual licenses and tailor our solutions individually to the needs of each of our customers. Please visit our pricing page and get in touch regarding your individual quote.
