A real-time HTML5 QR code scanner that uses your device's webcam via the WebRTC API.
Instascan is a JavaScript library that enables real-time QR code scanning directly in web browsers using the device's webcam. It solves the problem of integrating QR code scanning into web applications without requiring native apps or server-side processing. The library provides a simple API to access cameras, scan continuously, and decode QR codes entirely on the client side.
Web developers building applications that need QR code scanning functionality, such as attendance systems, inventory management, or authentication flows, without relying on mobile apps or external services.
Developers choose Instascan because it's a pure JavaScript solution that works across modern browsers, requires no server-side dependencies, and offers real-time scanning with minimal setup. Its client-side processing ensures privacy and reduces latency compared to server-based alternatives.
HTML5 QR code scanner using your webcam
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Continuously scans the webcam feed and emits scan events upon detection, enabling live interaction without manual triggers, as shown in the continuous mode configuration.
Enumerates available cameras with stable IDs for persistence, allowing easy selection and switching, demonstrated in the Instascan.Camera.getCameras() API.
Works on Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Edge (non-iOS) via WebRTC, providing broad support for modern browsers as listed in the compatibility section.
Uses a compiled ZXing library for all decoding in the browser, ensuring data privacy and reducing server dependencies, noted in the lightweight feature description.
Does not work on iOS or Safari due to Apple's lack of WebRTC support, severely limiting cross-platform use, as explicitly stated in the README.
Mandates HTTPS in Chrome for camera access, forcing secure deployments and adding complexity for local or non-HTTPS environments, highlighted in the installing notes.
Scanning is CPU-intensive at high resolutions and sensitive to environmental factors like blur or lighting, requiring careful setup as admitted in the performance section.