Free dynamic QR codes: which providers are really free
What this is about
Free is not a clear word in the QR code market. It either means a permanent plan with few QR codes, a trial period of 7 to 15 days, or unlimited QR codes that show advertising when scanned. These three things are not comparable, but all fall under the same heading.
Nine providers side by side
| Provider | Free plan | Advertising on scan | After that from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same-QR | 20 QR codes permanently, 1,000 scans a month | never | €7.90 excl. VAT / month (100 QR codes) |
| QR Code Generator | no permanently free plan, 14-day trial | no | €8 / month paid annually (€96 / year), €16 paid monthly |
| Bitly | 2 new QR codes per month, 5 short links | no | $10 / month (Core), annual contract only ($120 / year) |
| QR TIGER | 3 QR codes, 500 scans each | no | $7 / month (Regular) for 12 QR codes |
| Flowcode | up to 2 QR codes | no | $25 / month (Pro Plus), on an annual contract |
| QRFY | 7-day trial, no credit card | no | €19 / month on 12 months (€228), €29 on 6, €39 on 3 months |
| qr1.at | 15-day trial | no | €5 / month (Starter) for 5 QR codes |
| QRCodeChimp | 10 QR codes, but 1,000 scans per month | no | $6.99 / month (Starter) paid annually, around 30 percent more per month |
| ME-QR | unlimited QR codes and scans, but ads before the destination | yes, in the free plan | $9.99 / month or $69 / year for ad-free QR codes |
| QRCode Monkey | unlimited static QR codes, with logo, as PNG, SVG, PDF and EPS | no | no dynamic QR codes on offer |
What the table does not show
The QR codes themselves are technically equal everywhere — a QR code from provider A does not scan better than one from provider B. Differences arise from the conditions, and these are rarely on the price page, but in the fine print: cancellation terms, scan limits, and what happens to existing QR codes after the end.
Our plans
| Plan | Price | Dynamic QR codes | Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 0 € | 20 | none, no credit card |
| Marketing Starter | €7.90 excl. VAT / month | 100 | cancel monthly |
| Marketing Pro | €19.90 excl. VAT / month | 500 | cancel monthly |
| Marketing Expert | €49.90 excl. VAT / month | 2,000 | cancel monthly |
Our free plan is permanent, ad-free, and includes 1,000 scans a month. To be honest: It includes 20 QR codes, and the goal can be changed twice per QR code. After that, the QR code remains scanable, further changes require a paid plan.
For a fair comparison, the other side must also be considered: Same-QR does not offer team rights for multiple users or a custom short-link domain. Those who need these features are better served by larger providers, while those who need their own QR code reliably and without limits are better served by us.
Frequently asked questions
The 20 QR codes of the free plan remain and are scannable. In addition, with every provider of dynamic QR codes: the redirection runs at the provider's end, without access, the QR codes lead to nothing. For signs that hang for decades, a static QR code is the safer choice.
On every paid plan, yes. The free plan includes 1,000 scans a month; beyond that the QR codes keep working, with a short notice before the destination, but after 7 days above the limit they show only a notice until the end of the month. A scan is a redirect and costs fractions of a cent. A cap would be a sales barrier, not a technical requirement. Automated bulk retrieval is excluded, which does not generate real scans.
In the paid plans unlimited. In the free plan twice per QR code. The number of QR codes and all other features follow the plan you booked, during the trial as well.
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