Buycott is a shopping utility that uses barcode scanning to track corporate ownership and boycott campaigns for conscious consumers on iOS.
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
It removes the cognitive cost of researching corporate affiliations during shopping trips by providing instant, value-aligned product alternatives.
For Conscious consumers looking to align their purchasing habits with ethical or political causes.
What does it look like?
Key features
Camera-based UPC, EAN, ISBN, and ASIN lookup for product identification.
User-joined groups that track company values and boycott lists.
Suggests substitute products that align with user-selected campaign values.
How much does it cost?
Hybrid model combining a low-cost consumer app purchase with a B2B-focused API subscription service.
Velocity
Dormant developmentUX improvementsperformanceShow more...
Buycott has been inactive for 3,079 days, indicating the project is no longer receiving development support. The final release focused on minor bug fixes and platform-specific icon updates, marking a complete cessation of feature development. There is no evidence of ongoing maintenance or operational activity.
Who built it?
User Sentiment
What do users think recently?
The recent review mood reads upset. Users appreciate the core concept of tracking corporate ownership and boycott campaigns remains highly relevant for conscious consumers.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- The core concept of tracking corporate ownership and boycott campaigns remains highly relevant for conscious consumers
- Persistent application crashes and failure to load the barcode scanner render the software entirely non-functional
49 of 49 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Upset overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 2 more frustration themes and 1 user request, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Buycott - Barcode Scanner & QR Bar Code Scanner
How's the Shopping market?
Buycott maintains a presence in the Shopping category with a $1.99 price point, yet its lack of updates since 2018 has stalled its competitive standing. The app's 4.49 rating across 2,402 total ratings is heavily legacy-weighted, as current user sentiment is overwhelmingly negative due to technical failure.
The rivals identified
The Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Buycott - Barcode Scanner & QR Bar Code Scanner
Where is it heading?
The ethical shopping category is shifting toward real-time, stable integrations, leaving Buycott's dormant state exposed. Without a technical refresh, the app will continue to lose its remaining user base to more reliable, actively maintained alternatives.
- The lack of updates since 2018 leads to systemic crashes, which erodes the user base and prevents new acquisition.
The SWOT
- 642 million product database creates a high barrier to entry for new competitors.
- Native Apple authentication could bypass current login hurdles.
Next best moves
Stabilize the barcode scanner and login flow because these are the top-cited failure points → restore basic utility
The counter-intuitive read
The 642 million product database is a liability…
Read the full takeSince the last report: Technical stagnation has deepened, with the app now reaching 3,079 days of inactivity. The primary shift is the formalization of the 642 million product database as a competitive barrier, contrasted against the total failure of core login and scanning systems.
Bottom line
The app's technical state invalidates its value proposition, as users cannot access the features they purchased. A pivot toward basic stability is the only path to restore utility, as the current abandonment signals are driving permanent churn.
Unlock 2 critical frictions, 1 market threat and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeSources
Report last updated