Static vs Dynamic QR Codes: Which Should You Use?
LinkScan Team
Product
Every QR code falls into one of two categories: static or dynamic. The difference affects whether you can edit it, track it, or even how it looks. Choosing the right type before you print saves headaches later.
The Core Difference
The distinction is simple but important:
- Static QR codes encode your destination directly into the pattern. The URL is baked into the squares themselves.
- Dynamic QR codes encode a short redirect URL. When scanned, it passes through a server that redirects to your actual destination.
This technical difference unlocks (or limits) everything else.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Static | Dynamic |
|---|---|---|
| Edit destination after printing | ||
| Track scans and analytics | ||
| Works offline (no server needed) | ||
| Never expires | Depends on provider | |
| Complete privacy | ||
| Requires account | ||
| Pattern complexity | Varies with URL length | Always simple |
When to Use Static QR Codes
Best For
- WiFi passwords - No server needed, works instantly
- Personal contact cards - vCard data encoded directly
- Permanent links - Your website homepage, social profiles
- Privacy-sensitive uses - No tracking, no third-party servers
- Offline environments - No internet required to resolve
Static codes are the right choice when you are certain the destination will not change. They are simpler, faster, and completely independent. Once generated, they work forever with no dependencies.
On LinkScan, static codes are generated entirely in your browser. Your data never touches our servers. No account required.
When to Use Dynamic QR Codes
Best For
- Marketing campaigns - Track engagement, measure ROI
- Print materials - Update URLs without reprinting
- Product packaging - Change destination as products evolve
- Event promotions - Redirect to registration, then to event info
- A/B testing - Test different landing pages with the same code
Dynamic codes shine when flexibility matters. Printed 10,000 flyers with a QR code pointing to a campaign page? When the campaign ends, redirect it to your homepage instead of showing a 404.
The Analytics Advantage
Dynamic QR codes let you see how many people are scanning and when. On LinkScan, you get scan counts for each code, so you can track engagement over time and compare performance across different placements.
This data helps you understand which codes are working and whether your campaign is getting traction.
Pattern Complexity
Here is something most guides do not mention: static codes get more complex as your URL gets longer.
A QR code for https://example.com looks simple. A QR code for https://example.com/campaigns/summer-2025/landing?utm_source=flyer&utm_medium=print has far more modules (the small squares). More modules means:
- Harder to scan at small sizes
- Less room for logos
- More visual noise
Dynamic codes avoid this entirely. They always encode a short URL like linkscan.org/s/abc123, keeping the pattern clean and simple regardless of your actual destination.
The Expiration Question
Do QR codes expire? It depends on the type.
Static codes never expire. The data is in the pattern itself. As long as the destination exists, the code works. Print one today, scan it in 50 years. Still works.
Dynamic codes depend on the provider. If the redirect service shuts down or deletes your code, it stops working. On LinkScan, your dynamic codes remain active as long as your account exists. We do not delete codes or hold them hostage behind paywalls.
Decision Framework
Still unsure? Ask yourself these questions:
Will the destination URL ever change?
Yes → Dynamic. No → Static works fine.
Do you need to track scans?
Yes → Dynamic. No → Static is simpler.
Is privacy critical?
Yes → Static (no third-party servers involved).
Is the URL very long?
Yes → Dynamic keeps the pattern clean.
Using Both
You do not have to pick one or the other across your entire organisation. Use the right tool for each job:
- Static for your office WiFi QR code on the wall
- Dynamic for the QR code on your trade show banner
- Static for your personal vCard
- Dynamic for product packaging that might link to updated manuals
Conclusion
Static codes are permanent, private, and simple. Dynamic codes are flexible, trackable, and editable. Neither is universally better.
For personal use and permanent links, static codes are the sensible default. For marketing, campaigns, and anything printed at scale, dynamic codes save you from the pain of reprinting when things change.
LinkScan offers both. Static codes are free forever with no account required. Dynamic codes are free with a login, including full analytics and 250 codes per account.