I have, in the past, reviewed tools like...

...that allows users encode information (text, phone number etc) into a barcode label. That Information, behind the barcode label, can then be read by a standard barcode scanner or a mobile phone with reader software.

Online Barcode Reader, on the other hand, lets you decode and read the information behind the barcode label online from your browser.

Simply...

  • upload a file with the barcode (as a PNG, JPG, GIF, TIFF or BMP) Note: Max upload file size 1 MB; and
  • click “Send file”.
  • Online Barcode reader automatically detects the barcode format and type of encoded information (text, URI etc.) and extracts the value. (Online Barcode Reader currently supports common barcode formats UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, EAN-13, Code 39, Code 128, QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF 417 and ITF).
Online Barcode Reader is...
  • Free, with no registration.
Try it out at http://www.onlinebarcodereader.com/.