The 6 best QR Code generators in 2024

A detailed comparison of QR Code generators (yes, I tested all of them)

Your QR Code is a marketing channel. Pick a QR solution, not just a generator.

QR Codes are wallpapering the world today — from restaurant menus to business cards to product packaging. With a simple scan using your mobile phone, these tiny squares (now even circles) unlock the information of your choice — a website, a video, or your social channel. We are in 2024 and the New York Times’ prediction that QR Codes are not a pandemic product and are here to stay is proven true.

However, today, when you search for the best QR Code generator, there are about 2,38,00,000 results on Google, and picking one is daunting. 😵‍💫

I am here to help! Whether you are a business owner, a marketing professional, or just someone who wants to reveal information on a scan, this article should have answers for you. I have listed out the 6 best QR Code generators that you can consider using depending on your requirements.

Table of Contents

1. Best QR Code generators list
2. How I evaluated and tested these apps
3. What is a good QR Code generator?
4. Top QR Code generator options
5. Safe QR Code Generators
6. Conclusion

Best QR Code generators by categories

Here’s a list of the best QR Code generators:

1. Uniqode QR Code generator — QR Code generator for businesses and teams
2. QR Code Generator Pro — QR Code generator with limitations
3. The QR Code Generator — Best free & easy-to-use QR Code generator
4. QR Code Monkey — Good option as a free QR generator
5. Adobe’s QR Code generator — Complementary simple service along with Adobe Express project
6. Canva’s QR Code generator — Complementary humble service along with Canva subscription

In my research, I understood that not all QR Code generators are equal. Here’s how I categorize them:

How did I do the testing?

During my 2 week testing free trials on each platform, I managed QR Code campaigns for one of my freelance projects — a D2C company. They were launching a new beverage line, healthy soda for digestive health.

I compiled a Google Sheet to capture what I learned about each QR Code platform. Here’s the sheet comparing the best QR Code generators side-by-side. (Last updated on April 23, 2024)

Click here to access the entire sheet

What is a good QR Code generator? (+ Why do you need a paid solution?)

Instead of stopping at the first Google result for “best QR Code Generator” or checking threads on Reddit or Quora, it’s best to focus on what makes a good QR Code generator categorically.

Based on my research, some of the most important criteria for being a good (if not the best) QR Code generator lies in having these features:

• Supporting both dynamic and static QR Codes
• A healthy balance of ease-of-use and customization options
• Offers enough data insights to measure performance

Please note that all generators offer static QR Codes for free. And, all QR Code generators on the internet have a 14-day free trial for dynamic QR Codes — without exception.

This also means that if you wish to keep your QR Codes working after the free trial ends, you must get a paid subscription.

Keeping the things mentioned above in mind, here’s what you should look for in a good QR Code generator and why a paid QR Code generator might be a better fit:

1. Easy to create: Good QR Code generators should make it easier to focus on creating and deploying QR Codes rather than dealing with a clunky interface.
2. Unique customization options: You should be able to customize all elements of the QR Code, such as adding a logo, changing QR Code colors, changing patterns, and more! This is important to keep your QR Codes attractive and aligned with your brand.
3. Ability to track: Dynamic QR Codes are known for their trackability. You should know where QR Code scans come from, when they occur, and from which devices (iOS, Android?). Bonus points if you can connect them to your Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, or UTM parameters.
4. Security: With QR Codes being a favorite of scammers, strong data protection is non-negotiable when using QR Codes for a wider audience or incorporating them into marketing plans. Look for international security certifications such as GDPR, SOC® 2, etc. In the past, Heinz Ketchup, like a few other brands, has been embarrassed because its QR systems were compromised 😞
5. Responsive customer support: In 2024, this is a given, isn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s not with all QR Code generators. I believe customer support should not be restricted to premium users only. Tools should extend support for trial users, too. Pick a solution with responsive customer support via chat and email. It’s a bonus if phone support and a customer success manager are available.
6. Collaboration and control: This might be relevant if you are running a team or deploying QR codes at an org-wide level. You may want team members to collaborate on the QR Code dashboard. Look for multi-access capabilities, admin controls, and brand asset management options to collaborate on campaigns.

Ultimately, a good QR Code solution is what lies behind a great QR Code campaign.

Example: Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” album campaign, broke new ground by using dynamic QR Codes hidden as Easter eggs. Unlike her usual cryptic social media posts, the QR Codes on physical murals linked to her YouTube channel’s ever-changing video content. This innovative use of dynamic QR Codes blurred the lines between online and offline marketing, creating a captivating treasure hunt for Swifties.

Best QR Code generators at a glance

QR Code generators compared

Top QR Code generators for your next campaign -

#1. Uniqode’s QR Code generator

⭐ G2 ratings: 4.94/5 (403 reviews)

💵 Entry level price: $5/month

🗓️ Subscription model: Paid, with a 14-day free trial

Uniqode’s QR Code generator

I started off by signing up for a free trial to explore their features.

The customization, tracking, and security features stood out as I created a QR Code for a digestive soda company

I could change the shape and customize QR Codes according to branding, such as adding a logo, fine-turning my brand color using a hex editor, and exploring templates and other specific QR Code design options.

Since I used dynamic QR Codes, I could update the destination link later.

Once I deployed the QR Codes, I could add tracking parameters and track data, such as scan numbers, location, and time of day, on Uniqode’s dashboard. The platform is SOC 2® Type 2 and GDPR-certified, which assures that the campaign will be free of security breaches.

👍Pros:

1. Custom domain: I could use my client’s domain (e.g., qr.domain.com) instead of the standard QR Code URL to improve brand recognition and trust.
2. Smart QR Codes: Going beyond dynamic QR Codes, I could offer personalized content using QR Codes triggered by smart rules based on time, day, device, etc.
3. Tracking and data export: Scan metrics such as location, device, unique users, and number of scans were available. You can export the data in CSV and PDF format. You can even push scan data into Google Analytics easily.
4. Organization: I was able to filter the campaign QR Codes by number of scans, date created, QR Code type, label, and source (such as dashboard or bulk creation).
5. Multiple logins: There is an option to invite team members to collaborate, with varying access levels for each member that trickles down from the admin.
6. Bulk generation: There is an option to create bulk QR Codes, and download and conduct bulk operations. You can also assign labels to batches and export data from multiple QR Codes simultaneously.
7. APIs: If you need to create QR Codes in bulk and automate QR Code commands, there is QR Code API to integrate with apps.
8. Integrations: Uniqode has diverse integrations with Zapier, Slack, Canva, and Monday to integrate QR Codes into your daily workflow seamlessly.

👎 Cons:

1. You cannot reset QR Code scans on the dashboard and would have to reach out to support to do so
2. Scope to add newer QR Code templates

Pricing: Uniqode’s QR Code pricing caters to different needs. The Starter plan starts at $5/month, which is best for individual use cases. The Lite plan starts at $15/month and is best for individuals with advanced requirements. Uniqode also has a Pro, Plus, and Business+ tier for businesses of all sizes.

#2. QR Code Generator Pro

⭐ G2 ratings: 2.5/5 (21 reviews)

💵 Entry level price: $5/month but offers only 2 Dynamic QR Codes as against Uniqode, which offers 3 Dynamic QR Codes for the same price.

🗓️ Subscription model: Paid, with a free trial

QR Code generator Pro

First, I found the website easy to navigate and use. When I started with the free trial, there was a guide on creating a QR Code and common questions on printing and using them.

The solution offers customization options to change the color and pattern of the QR Code. I could choose a logo from the logo bank and download a static QR Code. Any advanced features, such as dynamic QR Codes and trackability, were available during the free trial.

👍 Pros:

1. Customization: I found options to use templates to change the pattern, eye shape, and color, but I was unable to change the shape of the QR Code
2. QR Code metrics: The data available for tracking the performance of QR Code campaigns are location, number, and unique scans.
3. Collaboration and organization: The team collaboration option lets you add up to 5 members on the dashboard, with different access levels for each user. You can also organize the created QR Codes in different folders.
4. Short URL: I was able to shorten longer QR Code preview URLs, such as “https://qr.code/eastersale”
5. Bulk QR Codes: The dashboard offers an option to create bulk QR Codes and organize multiple batches, which I found helpful.

👎 Cons:

1. I could not download custom QR Codes in EPS format — useful for large-sized printing.
2. There is no option to adjust the white space between the QR Code and the frame, which may slightly hinder scannability.
3. I felt there is a lack of advanced analytics, such as top-performing campaigns, and the option to download tracked data in PDF format, which is helpful for reporting.

Pricing:

QR Code Generator Pro has an advanced plan that starts at $15/month, billed annually. Their pricing tier also includes a professional plan. To know more about enterprise options, you have to email their support.

#3. The QR Code generator

⭐ G2 ratings: No reviews

💵 Entry level price: $5/month

🗓️ Subscription model: Freemium, and a paid plan

The QR code generator

The QR Code generator has an easy-to-use interface, and you can start creating a QR Code as soon as you land on their platform. You do not need to sign up to create static QR Codes; however, you must sign up for dynamic QR Codes.

The user interface is smooth, and options are all laid out in a single overview instead of tabs and windows for different options.

Given that they offer a freemium model, I found it best for one-off campaigns where users have immediate and temporary needs.

For my use case on a soda bottle, I could use any feature on the dashboard, such as choosing between QR Code types and shapes, changing the QR Code look and feel using pre-set patterns, and more, sans restriction.

👍Pros:

1. Dynamic QR Codes: The QR Code generator offers two free dynamic QR Codes with a trial, but integrated with ads. To go ad-free, you would have to upgrade to a paid plan.
2. Customization: The dashboard has ample customization options such as ready-to-use templates, changing color and pattern, adding a frame and CTA, etc.
3. Tracking: You can check QR Code metrics such as time, date, and scan location, represented in a graph.
4. Data security: Their enterprise plan is handled by Uniqode (formerly Beaconstac), which is SOC® 2 and GDPR compliant. So, data security is solid.

👎 Cons:

1. There were no options for bulk QR Code generation or API.
2. The free plan comes with ads.
3. There was a lack of customization options such as eye shape, background image, etc.

Pricing:

The QR Code generator seems like one of the most affordable options on this list. Its paid plan starts at $5/month and is billed annually. They also have an advanced ($12.5/month) and a professional ($37.5/month) tier.

#4. QR Code Monkey

(Now acquired by QR Code generator Pro)

⭐ G2 ratings: No reviews

💵 Entry level price: $15/month

🗓️ Subscription model: Paid, with a free trial

QR Code Monkey

Like The QR Code generator, QR Code Monkey comes under the basic/free QR Code generator category that I defined at the beginning of this post, thanks to their focus on static QR Codes.

Based on my usage, the tool is focused on static QR Code creation, with extra options such as adding a logo. I could create and download a static QR Code, but for dynamic QR Codes, you must sign up for a free trial.

There were enough customization options for static QR Codes, ample logos in the logo bank, the ability to fine-tune the QR Code look and feel, and more. There are pre-built templates and a slider to change the downloadable file size to fit your needs.

A paid plan unlocks more features, such as dynamic QR Codes, folders, and performance tracking on the dashboard.

Signing up for a trial or using a paid version of the tool redirects you to QR Code Generator Pro’s dashboard. That’s because this platform is powered by Bitly.

👍 Pros:

1. QR Code templates: Without a trial, I could still access non-editable QR Code templates for your use case.
2. Error correction: This was a slight bonus, as the free version offered a minimal error correction feature. Your QR Codes still work with up to 30% damage, but I couldn’t increase the error correction level.
3. Static QR Code options: QR Code Monkey offers a wide range of static QR Code types such as SMS, text, vCard, WiFi, etc.

👎 Cons:

1. There is no real-time preview of the QR Code. I had to choose the features and click “create” to preview the QR Code.
2. You cannot download custom QR Codes in PDF and EPS formats.

Pricing:

Their pricing options are the same as QR Code Generator Pro. The self-serve plans start at $15/month, billed annually.

5. Adobe Express (6/10)

⭐ G2 ratings: No reviews

💵 Entry level price: Free to use

🗓️ Subscription model: Free to use

Adobe’s QR Code generator

Adobe Express is a design suite that offers a QR Code generator as a complementary service. So, the QR Code you can create is static. Given the other tools in this list, Adobe Express works best for basic needs such as sharing links.

The free plan provides access to static QR Codes, while paid plans (under the larger Adobe Express product) unlock advanced design tools and do not include QR Code-related features.

As far as customization goes, this generator lacks enough options. For instance, only 5 QR Code colors and fewer options exist to tweak the QR Code design. You can download the QR Code in PDF, JPG, and SVG.

For my use case on product packaging, the user interface was helpful and easy to use, but it was limiting in terms of customization.

👍 Pros:

1. Professional templates: You can access diverse stylish templates by signing up for Adobe Express.
2. Customization: Once you sign up for the design suite, you can add a logo and change the color of the QR Code on the design platform.
3. Free QR Codes: Adobe offers unlimited static QR Codes to share URLs.

👎 Cons:

1. It is unsuitable for dedicated marketing campaigns as Adobe doesn’t provide dynamic QR Codes.
2. I could not change the QR Code’s eye shape and the color of individual elements.
3. There is no option to download QR codes in EPS format.

Pricing:

You can only create free static QR Codes with Adobe Express’s QR Code generator. If you want access to more customization and design, you must sign up for their design suite, which starts at $9.99/month.

7. Canva QR Code generator

⭐ G2 ratings: No reviews

💵 Entry level price: Free to use

🗓️ Subscription model: Free to use

Canva is another popular design suite that has recently started offering a QR Code as a complementary service.

Canva has always been my go-to for presentation templates or for social media use cases. So, adding a static QR Code natively on Canva felt like another design element. I liked the ease of use.

However, like Adobe’s static QR Codes, the QR Codes here are limited to just sharing URLs. There is no option to edit the QR Code destination later if you wish to, and creating a new one is the only option.

Regarding customization, the generator offers 3 options only: background color change, foreground color change, and a slider to adjust the QR Code margin size. There are no other options to adapt the QR Code look and feel further.

👍 Pros:

1. Easy to use: Canva’s interface is known for being user-friendly. The QR Code option is a search away; you can easily add it to any design collateral.
2. Sizeability: I could resize the QR Code according to the template used. There is a handy slider for this. Once the QR Code is in the design, you can adjust it like any other design element.
3. Free QR Codes: Canva offers unlimited but static QR Codes.

👎 Cons:

1. The options are limited to changing the background and foreground color only. Using darker colors may make it unscannable.
2. There is no option to change the URL post sharing the QR Code.
3. I couldn’t make other QR Code-design changes, such as patterns, shapes, eyes, etc.

How do I choose a safe QR Code generator?

QR Codes have often been termed unsafe.

But here’s the thing: ensuring that your QR Code provider offers the right security can make it as safe as any other SaaS tool you use.

A secured QR Code generator can actively thwart phishing attempts and ensure secure content exchange with every scan.

Here are some industry-standard security features to look out for in QR Code generators:

1. 🔎Anomaly detection: This measure helps identify inconsistencies in user scan behavior (such as bot scans), notifies the account owner, and filters such traffic, maintaining data sanity.
2. 🧿Phishing URL detection: Thanks to the rise of “quishing,” URL-based phishing detection is a must-have for QR Codes. It protects end-users from malicious links attached to QR Codes.
3. ✏️Custom domain & URL: Like company-owned email IDs, users verify the ownership of the QR Code by looking at the domain it redirects to. For instance, you can customize the URLs to branded ones with QR Code generators such as Unqiode.
4. 🔐SOC® 2 Type 2 compliance: SOC® compliance means that security experts have assured the company (QR Code generator) that it is well-equipped to handle cyber attacks and is committed to rigorous security measures. In this list, Uniqode is the only QR Code solution that is SOC® 2 Type 2 compliant in 2024.

When I scanned the reviews on G2, I found Uniqode to stand out as the safest QR Code solution.

Source

Is a free QR Code generator safe?

The short answer to the question would be NO. When you are creating a free QR Code, it is not being hosted on safe server infrastructures and therefore they are not considered safe for a business. A free QR Code can only be used if the deployment is extremely private — such as a WiFi QR Code at home or a QR Code showing pictures at a private birthday party.

The verdict on best QR Code generators

The truth is the “best” generator depends entirely on your specific needs and budget. If you’re just looking for a simple and free option, then The QR Code Generator is a good choice. If you need QR Codes to run a powerful marketing campaign or build a scalable campaign, then you’ll need to consider a paid option like Uniqode or QR Code Generator PRO

And hey, after some experience, come back and share your thoughts in the comments below! Your insights can help others find the perfect QR Code generator for their marketing journey.