Add offline 1D, 2D and MRZ decoding to Linux desktop, server, kiosk and embedded applications. The barKoder barcode reader library for Linux has a native C++ API, runs on x86_64 and ARM64, and decodes camera frames, image files and pixel buffers in real time or in batches.
The barKoder Linux SDK is a barcode reader library you link into your own C++ application. It is hardware-agnostic: your code captures the image from any source, and the SDK returns every barcode it finds. Decoding runs locally, with no image sent to a remote service.
The Linux package ships with a sample application and a build script. These steps follow the installation guide.
From the Linux installation guide. Enable only the barcode types your application expects.
using namespace NSBarkoder;
printf("SDK version: %s\n",Barkoder::GetLibVersion().c_str());
//Use valid trial or production key here
ConfigResponse response = Config::InitializeWithLicenseKey("Put valid license key here");
Config *config = response.GetConfig();
// Configure decoder
config->decodingSpeed = DecodingSpeed::Normal;
config->maximumResultsCount = 10;
// Enable specific decoders
config->SetEnabledDecoders(std::vector<DecoderType>{
DecoderType::Datamatrix,
DecoderType::PDF417,
DecoderType::QR,
DecoderType::Code128,
DecoderType::UpcA,
DecoderType::Ean13
// ... add others as needed
});
On Debian and Ubuntu, from the C++ SDK installation notes. The notes also list the yum and dnf packages for CentOS, RHEL, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux and Fedora.
sudo apt update
sudo apt install libcurl4-openssl-dev libjpeg-dev libpng-dev
Need MRZ? Use the libraries from the libs_ocr folder, copy the OCR_Resources files next to your executable and use a license key with MRZ enabled. MRZ is supported on 64-bit platforms only.
Get the Linux SDKOn a server there is no camera preview. Your service receives an image, passes the pixels to the decoder and stores or routes what comes back. The same process works for nightly batch jobs over scanned documents and photo archives.
The Python Barcode Scanner SDK wraps the same decoder for Python 3.11 or newer on 64-bit Linux. It takes a grayscale NumPy array, returns JSON and fits OpenCV pipelines and automation scripts. Its GitHub README covers Linux x86_64 and ARM64 packages.
Server deployment is licensed on custom terms. Tell us your volume and environment when you ask for a quote.
Request a server license quoteThe Linux SDK is lightweight enough for local and embedded use. ARM64 builds let you decode on the device that holds the camera, so a kiosk, a machine or a gateway keeps working without a network connection.
Planning a Raspberry Pi or another ARM64 board? Use a 64-bit operating system, especially if you need MRZ, and test your camera and barcodes with a trial key before you commit to hardware.
The Linux SDK uses the same decoding engine as barKoder's mobile and web SDKs.
| If you are building | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A native Linux service, kiosk or device | Linux SDK (C++) | Direct control of decoding, x86_64 and ARM64 libraries, MRZ with the OCR build. |
| A script or data pipeline | Python Barcode Scanner SDK | One decodeImage call per image, results as JSON, works with OpenCV and NumPy. |
| A browser app that Linux users open | Web Barcode Scanner SDK | Scans with the camera inside the browser, nothing to install. |
| A .NET application on Windows | C# Barcode Scanner SDK | NuGet package for .NET 6.0 or newer on Windows and Windows Server. |
Both teams use the barKoder Web SDK. Their setups, a vision pipeline inside a machine and an unmanned kiosk, are the ones the Linux SDK is built for.
Verified credentials
Certified information security management built around internationally recognized controls.
Official Solution Provider supporting standards-based barcode and data-capture workflows.
Solution Provider listing covering barcode, mobile application and 2D barcode capabilities.
Discover the barKoder Web SDK listing and connect through Microsoft Marketplace.
Registered Independent Software Vendor in Zebra's PartnerConnect ecosystem.
Building more than a Linux service? The same barKoder decoder ships as native, web and cross-platform SDKs, so your mobile, browser and back-office scanning behave the same way.
Direct SDKs for mobile, browser, desktop and server environments.
Official integrations for teams building one application across platforms.
Install the free barKoder demo app, or open the web demo, and scan your own barcodes before you integrate the SDK.
iPhone and iPad
Scan with your camera, or point it at the QR code to open the App Store.
Android phones and tablets
Scan with your camera, or point it at the QR code to open Google Play.
Any modern browser
Runs the Web SDK in your browser, on desktop or mobile, with nothing to install.
Test with known samples. Print or display the testing sheet and scan each 1D and 2D barcode with the demo app. The data sheet summarizes the SDK for your team.
Ubuntu 20.04 or newer, Debian, CentOS and similar distributions. You need gcc and make, plus the libcurl, libiconv, libjpeg and libpng libraries. The Linux installation guide lists every step, and the C++ SDK installation notes give the package commands for Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS, RHEL and Fedora.
The Linux SDK ships ARM64 libraries next to the x86_64 ones and is used in ARM64-based control units, kiosks and embedded systems. The C++ installation notes also list arm32 and x86 builds, but MRZ needs a 64-bit platform. barKoder doesn't publish a list of tested boards, so run your own camera and barcodes through a trial key on the board you plan to ship.
Yes. Load uploaded images, scanned documents or camera frames in your service, pass the pixels to the decoder and read every result. Set maximumResultsCount for images with several barcodes. Server deployment is licensed on custom terms, so request a quote with your expected volume.
Yes. The SDK checks the license key with the barKoder licensing server when it initializes. Decoding runs locally, and each device must reach the licensing server at least once every 30 days. The SDK doesn't store personal information retrieved from scanning a barcode.
Yes. Build with the libraries from the libs_ocr folder, copy the OCR_Resources files next to your executable and use a license key with MRZ enabled. MRZ is available on 64-bit platforms only. See the MRZ Scanner SDK for the document formats and fields.
Yes. The Python Barcode Scanner SDK runs on 64-bit Linux with Python 3.11 or newer, with Ubuntu 22.04 or newer recommended. It needs opencv-python and numpy and returns results as JSON.
All major 1D and 2D types, including Code 128, Code 39, EAN, UPC, GS1 DataBar, GS1 Composite, Interleaved 2 of 5, postal barcodes, QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec, DotCode and MaxiCode. See the full list of supported barcode types.
Register on the Developer Portal and download barKoder for Linux from the Repository section. A free trial license runs for 30 days on up to 25 devices with unlimited scans.
Get a free 30-day trial key and decode your own images on x86_64 or ARM64, or talk to an SDK expert about server and embedded licensing.
