Search for "free QR code generator" and you will find dozens of options. Most promise unlimited codes, full customisation, and professional features at no cost. The reality is more complicated.
After years of watching this industry, a pattern is clear: many QR code tools use "free" as a hook, then introduce limitations that push users toward paid plans. Some of these limitations are reasonable. Others border on deceptive.
This guide breaks down the eight most common hidden costs in the QR code generator market. Not to shame specific companies, but to help you make informed decisions and understand what questions to ask before committing to a platform.
The "Free" Illusion
The word "free" in software typically means one of three things:
- Freemium: Basic features free, advanced features paid. This is honest and sustainable.
- Free trial: Full access for a limited time, then payment required. Also honest, if clearly labelled.
- Free with catches: Technically free, but with limitations designed to frustrate you into upgrading. This is where problems arise.
Most QR code generators fall into the third category. The free tier exists primarily as a conversion funnel, not as a genuine product. The goal is to get you invested in the platform, then reveal limitations at the worst possible moment.
Imagine printing 10,000 flyers with a QR code, distributing them across your city, then discovering your code will stop working next month unless you pay. That scenario is more common than you might think.
1 Codes That Expire When You Cancel
This is the most frustrating hidden cost in the industry. You create a dynamic QR code, print it on packaging or marketing materials, and everything works perfectly. Then you decide to cancel your subscription.
What happens next depends on the platform. Some will:
- Immediately deactivate all your codes, returning a 404 error to anyone who scans
- Redirect your codes to their own homepage or an upgrade prompt
- Keep codes active for a "grace period" (often 30 days) before deactivation
- Require you to pay a "reactivation fee" to restore access
The Real Cost
If you have printed materials with QR codes that suddenly stop working, the cost is not just the subscription fee. It is the cost of reprinting, the damage to your brand credibility, and the lost engagement from customers who scanned a dead code.
The logic from the platform's perspective is understandable: dynamic QR codes require server infrastructure to handle redirects. That costs money. But the ethical approach is to be upfront about this from the start, not to surprise users after they have already deployed codes in the real world.
What to Look For
Before creating dynamic QR codes on any platform, find clear answers to these questions:
- What happens to my codes if I cancel or downgrade?
- Is there a way to export or migrate my codes to another service?
- Are there any "reactivation" or "restoration" fees?
- Does the platform have a stated policy on code permanence?
If the terms of service are vague on this point, assume the worst. A platform confident in its approach will state its policy clearly.
2 Scan Limits and Overage Charges
Another common restriction is limiting the number of times your QR codes can be scanned per month. Free tiers might offer 100, 500, or 1,000 scans. Hit that limit and one of several things happens:
- Your codes stop working until the next billing cycle
- You are automatically upgraded to a paid plan
- You are charged per additional scan (overage fees)
- Your codes redirect to an upgrade prompt instead of your destination
Scan limits are particularly problematic because they are unpredictable. A single viral social media post or a mention in a popular newsletter could exhaust your monthly allocation in hours. If your QR code is on physical signage or packaging, you have no way to control how many people scan it.
The Overage Trap
Some platforms charge overage fees that can be surprisingly expensive. Rates of £0.01 to £0.05 per scan above the limit might sound trivial, but a successful campaign could generate thousands of scans. A £5/month plan could turn into a £50+ bill.
The most problematic version of this is automatic billing. If overage charges are enabled by default (often buried in the terms of service), you might not realise you are being charged until you check your credit card statement.
Calculate the True Cost
Before choosing a platform with scan limits, estimate your expected monthly scans. If you are using QR codes for marketing, assume success. What would your bill be if a campaign performs well? If the answer is uncomfortable, look for a platform with unlimited scans.
3 Dynamic Codes Behind Paywalls
Many "free" QR code generators only offer static codes for free. Dynamic codes, which allow you to edit the destination URL after creation, require a paid subscription.
This distinction is often not made clear until after you have started creating your code. The user flow typically goes:
- Enter your URL and customise your design
- Click "Create" or "Generate"
- See a prompt explaining that dynamic codes require a paid plan
- Choose between paying or accepting a static code
The problem is not that dynamic codes cost money. Server infrastructure has real costs. The problem is the bait-and-switch: advertising "free QR codes" when the most useful type of QR code is not actually free.
Why Dynamic Codes Matter
For many use cases, static codes are perfectly fine. WiFi passwords, contact cards, and permanent links do not need to change. But for marketing, events, or any situation where you might need to update the destination, dynamic codes are essential.
Without dynamic codes, a typo in your URL means reprinting everything. A website migration means all your existing codes become useless. A seasonal promotion requires a new code each time.
If you know you need dynamic codes, look for platforms that offer them in the free tier, with clear terms about what happens if you later decide to leave.
5 Watermarks and Forced Branding
Some free QR code generators add their branding to your codes. This might be:
- A visible watermark on the QR code image
- The platform's logo embedded in the code
- A branded frame around the code
- An interstitial page before redirecting (for dynamic codes)
The interstitial page is particularly problematic. When someone scans your code, instead of going directly to your website, they see a page with the platform's branding and possibly advertisements. Then they click through to your actual destination.
This harms the user experience, slows down access to your content, and makes your business look unprofessional. For branded marketing materials, having another company's logo on your QR code undermines your visual identity.
The Subtle Version
Watch out for the subtle version of this: branded short URLs. If your dynamic QR code uses a domain like qr-platform.co/abc123 instead of your own domain or a neutral short domain, every scan advertises the platform to your audience.
Some users will notice and wonder why you are using a free tool. Others might be suspicious of unfamiliar domains. Neither outcome is ideal for professional use cases.
6 Customisation Restrictions
QR codes do not have to be black and white squares. Modern generators offer extensive customisation: colours, gradients, patterns, rounded corners, embedded logos, and decorative frames.
On many platforms, these customisation options are visible but locked behind paid plans. You can see what your code would look like with a gradient background or rounded modules, but downloading that version requires upgrading.
Common restrictions include:
- Colour limitations: Only black and white available for free
- No logo upload: Adding your logo requires a paid plan
- Basic patterns only: Dots, rounded corners, and other styles are premium
- No frames: Call-to-action frames like "Scan Me" require payment
- Lower resolution: Free downloads are limited to 200x200 or similar low resolutions
- PNG only: SVG and other vector formats are premium
Why Resolution Matters
A 200x200 pixel QR code is fine for digital use on mobile screens. But if you are printing on packaging, posters, or banners, you need much higher resolution. A code that looks crisp on screen might appear pixelated when printed at larger sizes. Always check the export resolution before committing to a platform.
7 Account Walls for Basic Features
Creating an account is not inherently problematic. But some platforms require registration for features that have no technical reason to require it.
Static QR codes, for example, can be generated entirely in the browser. The data is encoded directly into the code image. There is no server involved, no redirect to track, no reason to create an account.
Yet many platforms require account creation before you can download even a basic static code. The reasons are business-focused, not user-focused:
- Building an email list for marketing
- Creating a user base to report to investors
- Enabling future upselling and promotional emails
- Tracking usage patterns for product development
None of these benefit you as the user. If you just need a quick static QR code for a WiFi password or a contact card, being forced to create an account adds friction without adding value.
The Email Marketing Play
After creating an account, expect emails. Some platforms are reasonable, sending only essential notifications. Others will add you to marketing lists, sending weekly tips, upgrade prompts, and promotional content.
Check the privacy policy and email preferences before signing up. Look for platforms that let you use basic features without an account, or at minimum, that respect email preferences from the start.
8 Data Privacy Concerns
Every time someone scans a dynamic QR code, data is collected. At minimum, this includes the time of scan and the IP address. More sophisticated tracking can determine approximate location, device type, operating system, browser, and even infer demographic information.
This data has value. Some platforms monetise it in ways that users do not expect:
- Aggregate statistics: Selling anonymised scan data to market research firms
- Advertising profiles: Using scan data to build profiles for ad targeting
- Third-party sharing: Providing data to partners for various purposes
- Retention beyond need: Keeping detailed scan logs indefinitely
For businesses subject to GDPR, CCPA, or other privacy regulations, the data practices of your QR code provider matter. If your QR codes are collecting data that feeds into advertising networks, you may have disclosure obligations to your own customers.
Privacy Checklist
Before choosing a QR code platform, review:
- What data is collected on each scan?
- How long is scan data retained?
- Is data shared with third parties?
- Can you delete your data if you leave?
- Where are the servers located (jurisdiction)?
Static Codes and Privacy
For maximum privacy, static QR codes are the safest option. When generated client-side (in your browser), the data never touches a server. No tracking is possible because there is no redirect. The code simply encodes the destination directly.
The trade-off is losing editability and analytics. For privacy-sensitive applications like personal contact cards or internal company WiFi credentials, this trade-off often makes sense.
What "Actually Free" Should Mean
After examining all these hidden costs, what would a genuinely free QR code generator look like? Here is a reasonable standard:
For Static Codes
No account required
Generate and download without signing up
Full customisation
Colours, patterns, logos without restrictions
High-resolution export
PNG and SVG at print-ready quality
No watermarks
Clean codes without platform branding
All content types
URL, WiFi, vCard, email, SMS, phone
Client-side generation
Data stays on your device, not uploaded to servers
For Dynamic Codes
Codes never expire
Even if you stop using the platform
Unlimited scans
No monthly caps or overage fees
Full analytics included
Scans, location, device data without upsells
Edit anytime
Change destination URLs without creating new codes
No interstitial pages
Direct redirects without platform branding
Transparent data practices
Clear documentation of what is collected and why
Is this standard unrealistic? Not necessarily. The costs of running a QR code redirect service are modest: server infrastructure, domain registration, and storage. A platform can offer genuinely free dynamic codes and make money through premium tiers that offer additional features like bulk generation, API access, team collaboration, or custom domains.
The key difference is where the line is drawn. A sustainable free tier provides genuine value on its own. An exploitative free tier exists only to create frustration that converts to paid subscriptions.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Platform
Before committing to any QR code generator, especially for business use, get clear answers to these questions:
About Code Permanence
- What happens to my dynamic codes if I cancel or downgrade?
- Is there a policy guaranteeing code permanence?
- Can I export my codes and data if I leave?
About Limits and Pricing
- Are there scan limits? What happens when I hit them?
- Are there overage charges? Are they automatic?
- What features require paid plans?
- Are prices locked, or can they increase?
About Features
- What customisation options are available for free?
- What analytics are included? For how long is data retained?
- What export formats and resolutions are available?
- Is there an API? Is it included in the free tier?
About Privacy
- What data is collected on each scan?
- Is data shared with third parties?
- Where are servers located?
- Can I delete all my data if I leave?
Test Before You Commit
Create a test QR code on any platform you are considering. Go through the full flow: customisation, generation, download. Note where you hit paywalls or account requirements. Check the export quality. Scan the code on multiple devices. Only then make a decision for your production codes.
Conclusion
The QR code generator market is full of "free" options that are not quite what they seem. Hidden costs come in many forms: codes that expire, scan limits, paywalled features, forced branding, and opaque data practices.
None of this means you cannot find a genuinely good free option. They exist. But finding them requires asking the right questions and understanding what trade-offs you are making.
For simple, one-off static codes, many generators work fine. The stakes are low. For dynamic codes that you will print on physical materials or use in ongoing campaigns, the stakes are higher. A code that stops working after you have distributed it is worse than no code at all.
Take time to evaluate your options. Read the terms of service. Test before committing. And if something seems too good to be true, look for the catch. It is usually there.
About LinkScan
We built LinkScan with the principles in this article. Unlimited static codes without an account, generated client-side for privacy. Unlimited dynamic codes with full analytics, no scan limits, and a commitment that your codes will never expire or be deactivated. Free forever, with optional paid tiers for teams that need additional features.
Try LinkScan Free