scantrust or authe? depends who you are
Scantrust is a serious enterprise anti-counterfeit platform. If you're a global brand with a packaging line and a compliance team, evaluate it. If you're a seller or maker who needs each item to prove it's the real one — that's exactly what authe is for.
what each one is
scantrust
An enterprise platform for secure QR codes and supply-chain traceability, used by global brands — with public case studies in wine, agri-food and industrial goods. Onboarding runs through their sales team, pricing is quoted per project, and the platform is built to integrate with production and packaging lines. Their codes can also register as Amazon Transparency serials via interoperability.
authe
A self-serve verification layer for any channel. Each item gets a unique scan-tag; your buyer points a phone camera at it and sees ‘verified by authe’ plus the item's story — no app, no account. The verified history stays with the item, even when it's resold. Free to start, then cents per item — no contract, no sales call.
side by side
| scantrust | authe | |
|---|---|---|
| built for | global brands with production lines and compliance teams | marketplace sellers, makers, collectibles, small brands |
| getting started | demo call and sales-led onboarding, scoped per project | apply online, approved by hand (usually quick) — first item tagged in minutes |
| cost shape | quoted through sales — enterprise contracts | free to start, then cents per item — pay-as-you-go, no contract |
| printing codes | integrates with packaging lines and print partners | print-ready label files — from a sticker sheet at home to industrial formats |
| what a buyer's scan opens | a brand-configured landing page (web, no app) | the item's own verify page — proof it's the real one, plus its story (web, no app) |
| resale & ownership | — | a verified history and certificate of ownership that transfer on resale |
| amazon transparency | yes — interoperability path | yes — interoperability path; serials export self-serve, you enrol with Amazon directly |
what you get
- ·self-serve from day one — no procurement process, no minimums, one item is fine
- ·works across channels: Amazon, Etsy, your own shop, in person, resale
- ·a verified history that stays with the item, even when it's resold
- ·free to start, then cents per item
straight talk
- ·authe isn't an enterprise deployment — no packaging-line integration project, no dedicated account team
- ·no covert or forensic marking technologies — it's proof of a consistent identity via unique per-item tags
- ·authe is not affiliated with Scantrust; for the global brands it's built for, their platform is a credible choice
common questions
is authe a scantrust alternative?+
For a small brand or seller, yes — the gap authe fills is self-serve: no sales call, no enterprise contract, free to start, then cents per item. For a multinational with a packaging line and compliance requirements, Scantrust is the kind of platform to evaluate.
what does scantrust cost?+
Pricing is quoted through their sales team — enterprise contracts, scoped per project. authe publishes its pricing: free to start, then cents per item, pay-as-you-go, no contract.
can both work as my amazon transparency serial?+
Yes — both support Amazon's interoperability path, where your own per-unit serials are registered as Transparency codes. Either way, you enrol your own brand with Amazon and pay Amazon directly.
do buyers need an app for either?+
No — both open a web page from a phone-camera scan. The difference is what's on it: authe's page is the item's own verify page, with its story and a history that transfers when the item is resold.
i'm a small seller — which should i pick?+
Straight talk: if you're reading comparison pages instead of sitting in a sales demo, you're probably authe's user. Start free; if you ever outgrow us into a packaging-line deployment, the enterprise platforms will still be there.
your turn
start free — we’ll add $10 / €10 of credit, so your first items are on us
try it freerelated: authe vs amazon transparency · authe vs enterprise platforms
Scantrust is a trademark of its respective owner. authe is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Scantrust. Descriptions of their offering are based on their public materials and can change — verify details with them directly.