Cordova Barcode Scanner SDK

The Cordova Barcode Scanner SDK is a full-featured software library to integrate barcode scanning into your Cordova apps.

The Cordova API allows you to access cameras available on the device for video input, display a barcode scanner interface, configure in-depth settings for AI-powered scanning and performance, and customize the UI for your users and brand.

All samples for the Cordova Barcode Scanner SDK are in the GitHub repo datacapture-cordova-samples. Instructions for running the samples are in the README file.

You will need a license key to run the samples.  You can obtain one by signing up for a free trial of the SDK.

Read our system requirements to learn what’s needed to develop and run Scandit’s Android software.

The minimum supported Cordova versions are listed here.

Our Cordova barcode scanner supports 30+ of the most common barcodes, including UPC, EAN, Code 39, Code 128, ITF, Code 93, Codabar, Databar, MS1 Plessey, QR codes, DataMatrix, PDF417 and Aztec codes. 

For a detailed list, please refer to our Barcode Symbologies documentation page.

The Cordova Barcode Scanner SDK has significant advantages over open source alternatives for enterprise developers. While open source libraries offer basic functionality, Scandit software provides advanced features, enterprise-grade reliability, consistent updates, and dedicated technical support – critical factors when scanning is central to business operations.

Using proprietary AI and computer vision algorithms, Scandit solutions typically outperform open source in challenging environments with poor lighting, damaged codes, or unusual angles. They also offer advanced capabilities like batch scanning, context-based scanning, and augmented reality overlays that open source solutions cannot match.

The Cordova Barcode Scanner SDK also saves valuable development time with comprehensive documentation, cross-platform compatibility, and pre-built components that allow teams to focus on core business logic rather than maintaining the scanning engine.

The tables in this article give you an indication of the built app size containing the Scandit SDK for Android.

Our production licenses do not require a continuous internet connection. However, test licenses require an internet connection during scanning.

If you need to test offline, we can provide a license key – please contact support.

To implement Scandit barcode scanning in a Cordova app, you have two options:

1. To use the SparkScan pre-built component, download the package, configure and initialize the library, enable barcode symbologies, and register a barcode capture listener to receive scan events. This Get Started guide has the details.

2. To use the fully customizable Cordova Barcode Scanner SDK, install the SDK, configure and initialize the library, enable barcode symbologies, register a barcode capture listener to receive scan events, and consider how to design your scanning UI. This Get Started guide has the details.

You can also read our developer’s guide to adding a Cordova barcode scanner.

Scandit’s Cordova barcode scanning library adds barcode scanning features directly to your app.

The Cordova API allows you to access cameras available on the device for video input, display a barcode scanner interface, configure in-depth settings for AI-powered scanning and performance, and customize the UI for your users and brand.

Yes! Read using Cordova 6.x with Ionic for instructions on integrating the Cordova Barcode Scanner SDK with Ionic applications.

Cordova apps commonly use callbacks, called event listeners, that trigger actions in response to successful barcode scans.

Scandit’s Cordova barcode scanning library provides a BarcodeCaptureListener interface that you can implement to inform your app whenever a new barcode is recognized, and the BarcodeCaptureSession class that contains the list of barcodes to handle.