Scanning and barcodes

Scan, decode, and deliver — all in code

Embed TWAIN/WIA scanning and barcode intelligence into your .NET applications. Automate image capture, recognition, and export with precise control and developer-first APIs.

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What do you want to do with documents?

Scan from anywhere

Capture documents using TWAIN or WIA devices with full control over resolution, format, and compression.

Extract data instantly

Detect and decode barcodes at scan time — even in poor conditions.

Streamline every step

Handle acquisition, cleanup, and export in a single automated workflow.

Output what you need

Save to PDF/A, searchable PDF, TIFF, or any supported image format.

How we help

TWAIN AND WIA SCANNING

Capture documents from scanners with full control

Integrate high-volume scanning into .NET desktop apps using TWAIN and WIA support. Automate every step — from source selection to final output — in code.

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Scanning barcodes TWAIN / WIA

Driver-level access

Communicate with both 32-bit and 64-bit TWAIN/WIA drivers from your .NET application.

Customizable scan settings

Configure DPI, color mode, compression, and UI behavior for every scan.

Batch scanning workflows

Scan multiple documents in sequence with built-in post-processing hooks.

Flexible output formats

Save directly to PDF/A, searchable PDF, multipage TIFF, JPEG 2000, and more.

BARCODE READING AND WRITING

Decode, generate, and embed barcodes with precision

Add barcode recognition and generation to your .NET workflows. Detect 1D/2D codes, extract values, and generate barcodes on the fly.

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Scanning barcodes reading / writing

AI-assisted detection

Read QR, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec, Code 128, and more — even if damaged or skewed.

Multi-format compatibility

Scan barcodes from images, PDFs, and scanned documents in more than 100 file types.

Barcode generation tools

Generate 1D and 2D barcodes and embed them into PDFs or image files.

Data-first control

Extract the value, checksum, confidence, angle, and other metadata from every scan.

Supported on your platform

Web
.NET
iOS
Android
Mac Catalyst
Salesforce
Windows
Electron
Flutter
visionOS

Related components

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Prefer a cloud deployment?

Nutrient’s Document Web Services (DWS) platform offers cloud-native APIs that support every stage of the document lifecycle — from rendering a single PDF in the browser, to high-volume processing and automation.

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DWS Processor API

Handle advanced, headless document workflows from the cloud — generate, convert, extract, add watermarks, and more with a processing API built for scale.

DWS Viewer API

Deliver rich, interactive document experiences directly in the browser — render PDFs, annotate, fill forms, and collect signatures with a cloud-hosted viewer API.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between TWAIN and WIA scanning?

TWAIN and WIA are both Windows imaging protocols, but they differ in device support and control options:

  • Device compatibility — WIA offers better support for digital cameras and video devices, while TWAIN is typically more robust for scanners.
  • Interface flexibility — WIA uses a standardized interface with limited customizability. TWAIN allows dialog customization and deeper control.
  • Duplex scanning — TWAIN supports more advanced duplex options; WIA uses the same settings for both sides of a page.
  • Transfer modes — TWAIN supports native, memory, and file modes. WIA only supports memory and file modes.
  • ADF support — TWAIN generally provides better integration with automatic document feeders.
  • Scan settings — TWAIN remembers the previous scan settings; WIA does not.

For the most control and compatibility with scanners, we recommend TWAIN.

What is WIA support through the TWAIN compatibility layer?

WIA includes a TWAIN compatibility layer so TWAIN-aware applications can connect to WIA devices. However, it has limitations:

  • It doesn’t expose the full WIA feature set.
  • The user interface cannot be suppressed via the compatibility layer.

If your device supports both TWAIN and WIA, using TWAIN directly will offer better performance and flexibility.

Can I use WIA for web-based scanning?

Yes. Nutrient provides web scanning support through DocuVieware, our HTML5 document viewer and toolkit.

  • DocuVieware handles both TWAIN and WIA protocols.
  • If a TWAIN driver isn’t available, WIA is accessed via TWAIN 1.9 support.
  • You can try live web scanning in our DocuVieware demo.

Insights from our team

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Replaced paper and email with Nutrient Workflow to automate multilevel approvals across six Latin American offices, processing 236 asset requests.

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Renders multipage PDFs and signature tags with Nutrient, keeping 200 million users in 188 countries moving at the speed of eSignature.

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Empowers 34,000 pilots to view, annotate, and sign 90‑page flight releases on iPad using Nutrient iOS SDK, saving minutes — and money — on every flight.

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Barcode scanning SDKs

What are the advantages?

Integrating barcode scanning capabilities into your applications can significantly enhance operational efficiency and accuracy. This section will delve into the essentials of barcode scanner SDKs to guide you through this integration.

What is a barcode scanner SDK?

A barcode scanner SDK (software development kit) is a collection of tools and APIs that enables developers to embed barcode scanning functionalities into their software applications. This allows devices equipped with cameras, such as smartphones and tablets, to read and process various barcode symbologies, facilitating tasks like inventory management, asset tracking, and point-of-sale operations.

How to choose the right barcode scanner SDK

When selecting the appropriate barcode scanner SDK, consider the following factors:

  • Supported barcode types — Ensure the SDK supports a wide range of barcode symbologies, including both 1D and 2D codes, to cater to diverse use cases.
  • Performance — Look for high-speed and accurate scanning capabilities, even under challenging conditions such as low light, damaged codes, or varying angles.
  • Platform compatibility — Verify that the SDK is compatible with your target platforms, whether it’s iOS, Android, Windows, or web applications.
  • Customization — Assess the flexibility to tailor the scanning interface and functionalities to match your application’s design and user experience.
What are the best solutions to solve my barcode scanning needs?

Various barcode scanning tools are available, each offering distinct features:

  • Basic scanning tools — Suitable for applications requiring simple barcode reading functionalities without advanced features.
  • Advanced scanning solutions — Ideal for applications needing comprehensive scanning capabilities, including support for multiple symbologies, batch scanning, and augmented reality overlays.
  • Commercial SDKs — Offer robust features, dedicated support, and regular updates, ensuring reliability for enterprise-level applications.
What are the benefits of using Nutrient’s barcode scanner SDK?

Choosing Nutrient’s barcode scanner SDK offers several advantages:

  • Comprehensive scanning capabilities — Enable your applications to capture and process information from physical documents using robust scanning features, facilitating seamless integration into digital workflows.
  • Barcode recognition and processing — Automatically detect and extract barcode data from scanned documents, streamlining processes like inventory management, shipping, and asset tracking.
  • Web application integration — Scan documents directly from web applications, allowing for remote document capture and immediate processing without the need for specialized software.
  • High performance — Designed to handle large-scale scanning operations efficiently, ensuring quick and reliable data capture for enterprise applications.
  • Ease of integration — With comprehensive documentation and support, integrating Nutrient’s SDK into your application is straightforward, reducing development time.
  • Security and compliance — Adheres to data protection regulations, ensuring sensitive information is handled securely during the scanning process.
How does Nutrient’s barcode scanner SDK compare to other solutions?

While other barcode scanning tools may offer basic functionalities, Nutrient (formerly PSPDFKit) stands out with its advanced features, high performance, and focus on user experience. Its design prioritizes ease of use and seamless integration, making it a robust choice for applications aiming to enhance document interaction and data collection processes.

Integrating a barcode scanner SDK into your application is a strategic move to boost functionality and user satisfaction. By carefully evaluating your needs and exploring available options, you can select a solution that not only meets your current requirements, but also supports your application’s future growth and evolution.