Creating a free QR Code takes seconds. You find a QR generator, paste your link, and download the image. The problems start after you print the code on thousands of flyers or product labels. You may suddenly realize you have no idea if anyone scanned your codes. You might spot a typo in the linked URL and discover you cannot change it without reprinting everything.
Marketing teams and small businesses face this scenario all the time. You need more than just a QR Code maker. You need a tool that offers visibility. This guide explores the best free QR Code generator options available in 2026. We focus specifically on tools that support tracking, editable destinations, and measurable performance. We will compare them side by side, explain the critical difference between Static vs Dynamic QR Codes, and walk you through how to create free Dynamic QR Codes that actually drive results.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
Key takeaways
- You can compare free QR Code generators based on whether they support tracking and editable destinations rather than just how fast they generate QR Codes.
- Choose Dynamic QR Codes for marketing campaigns so you can update the destination later without reprinting materials.
- It is best practice to treat “free” as a starting point and confirm free-tier limits like scan limit, Dynamic QR Code caps, and analytics depth before you commit.
- Do not forget to add UTM parameters to your webpage URL so you can tie QR Code traffic to campaigns in tools like Google Analytics.
- Always test QR Codes in real conditions, including print size, lighting, and mobile phone types, because design tweaks can reduce scannability.
How free QR Code generators work today
Let’s look at some QR Code basics. A QR Code (Quick Response code) functions as a two-dimensional barcode that stores information. Most generators follow a simple workflow. You enter a destination, which is usually a website URL. You customize the appearance if the tool allows it, and you download the QR Code image.
The meaningful differences between tools show up after this generation phase. Basic tools create Static QR Codes. These codes encode your data directly into the black and white pattern. You cannot change this data once you generate QR Code images. More advanced platforms create Dynamic QR Codes. These codes store a short redirect URL in the pattern. This structure allows the system to count scans and lets you change the destination link at any time.
You must understand this distinction before you choose a free QR Code generator. A tool might look great because it offers unlimited scans, but if it only creates Static QR Codes, you lose all ability to perform QR Code tracking or fix errors.
Why tracking and editing matter before you print
You create risk when you use a Static QR Code solution for a live campaign. If you print a code on 5,000 brochures and then change your landing page, those brochures become useless. You must reprint them. This costs money and wastes time.
Dynamic QR Codes solve this problem; you can instantly update any code’s redirect in your dashboard. The physical code on the paper remains exactly the same, saving your print budget and your sanity.
Tracking matters just as much. You need to know if your campaign works. When users scan QR Codes, the right analytics setup can tell you how many people engaged, when they scanned, and where. This data helps prove ROI and lets you understand how your social media promotions perform relative to your business cards. You fly blind without these insights. Even a free plan should offer basic visibility into these metrics.
Free QR Code generator tools with built-in scan analytics
We evaluated these tools based on their free-tier tracking capabilities, support for Dynamic QR Codes, and how well they fit common marketing workflows.
Bitly
Bitly serves as a comprehensive link management platform that also generates trackable QR Codes. You gain a significant workflow advantage here because you can manage your short links and QR Codes in one place.
Best for: Marketers who want a unified view of digital and physical engagement.
Features and considerations:
Bitly allows you to create two Dynamic QR Codes every month on the free plan, with unlimited scans. Upgrading gets you access to scan data that sits right alongside your link click data. This unified view helps you see the full picture of your campaign. You can also customize the code with colors and logos to match your brand, or update the destination URL instantly. The free plan has specific limits, so you should review these to ensure they fit your campaign volume.
QRCode Monkey
QRCode Monkey stands out for its high level of design customization. It allows you to create visually distinct codes with custom eye shapes, gradients, and logo overlays.
Best for: Design-first projects where aesthetics matter more than deep measurement.
Features and considerations:
This tool excels at creating high-quality Static QR Codes in vector formats like SVG. You can make your code look unique without paying a dime. However, the free version primarily focuses on static codes. It offers limited tracking capabilities compared to a dedicated management platform. You might find that “statistics” features require an upgrade or integration with the company’s paid sister tool. Use this when you need a beautiful code for a one-off flyer and do not need to track scans over time.
QR Tiger
QR Tiger offers a freemium model that includes 3 Dynamic QR Codes limited to 500 scans each on the free tier. This setup makes it a popular choice for users who want to test dynamic functionality without an immediate credit card commitment.
Best for: Small campaigns and testing dynamic features on a budget.
Features and considerations:
You can create a limited number of Dynamic QR Codes for free, and the platform provides basic analytics. However, the free tier comes with a strict scan limit. Once you hit that cap, your codes will stop working and require an upgrade to keep the destination active. This setup makes QR Tiger excellent for short-term pilots but risky for long-term materials like business cards or permanent signage unless you plan to upgrade eventually.
QR Planet
QR Planet positions itself as a white-label QR generator with a focus on analytics. It provides detailed data points that many other free tools hide behind paywalls.
Best for: Users who need real-time visibility and cleaner outputs.
Features and considerations:
The platform offers robust tracking that includes real-time scan data, device type, and GPS location. You can manage Dynamic QR Codes and change destinations freely. The trade-off often involves interface complexity and strict plan limits. While powerful, the free version limits you to Static QR Codes unless you sign up for a 15-day trial, meaning you can’t update destinations or track how people use the free codes you create unless you’re planning to subscribe.
Adobe Express
Adobe Express offers a quick Static QR Code maker as part of its design suite. It focuses on convenience for users who are already creating visual assets within the Adobe ecosystem.
Best for: Adobe users needing quick assets and one-off codes with no tracking.
Features and considerations:
You can generate a code in seconds without leaving Adobe’s platform, and style it to match your design. It supports standard file types and offers decent resolution for print. However, this tool is not a tracking-first solution. It generates Static QR Codes, so you cannot track scans or edit the link later. It works perfectly for a quick vCard or a permanent link to your social media profile, but it lacks the analytical depth required for serious marketing campaigns.
Canva
Canva integrates QR Code creation directly into its design interface. You can drag and drop a code onto your poster or flyer without leaving the tab.
Best for: Fast creative assets and low measurement needs.
Features and considerations:
Speed is the main benefit. You stay in your design flow. You can change the color to match your palette. Like Adobe, Canva generates Static QR Codes within the design tool. You cannot see how many people scanned the code. You cannot change the URL after you download the design. We recommend generating a trackable QR Code in a dedicated tool like Bitly and then uploading that image into Canva if you need to track engagement. Use the native Canva generator only for simple, permanent links where tracking data does not matter.
TEC-IT
TEC-IT provides a utilitarian, no-frills generator. It requires no account and allows you to create codes for a wide variety of data types, including wifi credentials and text messages.
Best for: Personal use and internal inventory needs.
Features and considerations:
This tool is fast and anonymous. You enter data and get a code. It supports barcodes and 2D codes suitable for inventory management. However, it offers zero tracking and zero editability. These are purely Static QR Codes. It serves technical use cases well but offers no value for marketers who need to understand audience behavior. Use it to label a box in your warehouse, not to launch a nationwide product.
At-a-glance tracking comparison table
Use this table to quickly identify which tool fits your specific project needs.
| Tool | Dynamic Support (Free) | Scan Limits | Tracking Depth | Best Use Case | Common Mistake |
| Bitly | Yes | No | Clicks + Scans | Unified marketing | Ignoring monthly tier limits |
| QRCode Monkey | Mostly static | No | None | Custom design | Expecting analytics |
| QR Tiger | Yes | Yes | Scans | Testing and pilots | Hitting scan caps |
| QR Planet | Yes | Varies | Scans | Data collection | Ignoring 15-day limit on free trial |
| Adobe Express | No | None | None | Adobe users | Using for campaigns |
| Canva | No | None | None | Canva users | Using for campaigns |
| TEC-IT | No | None | None | Technical or ops | Using for campaigns |
For best results, test codes from your top two or three tools before printing.
Step by step: Create and track a QR Code for free
Ready to learn how to create a QR Code? Creating a trackable QR Code requires a few specific steps. You want to ensure the code works, looks good, and provides ongoing access to scan data. Follow this process to get it right the first time.
1. Choose a generator
Start by deciding what you need. Ask yourself if you need to track scans or update the link later. If the answer is yes, choose a generator like Bitly that supports Dynamic QR Codes. If you just need a permanent link for a wedding invite or a wifi login, a static tool like Canva or Adobe Express works fine. For marketing, always prioritize tracking capabilities.
2. Enter your URL and UTM tag
You need to tell analytics tools where your traffic comes from. UTM tracking parameters are tags you add to the end of your URL. They allow tools like Google Analytics to identify the source of the visitor.
Instead of pasting yoursite.com into a QR Code for a flyer, paste yoursite.com?utm_source=flyer&utm_medium=qrcode&utm_campaign=summer_sale.
When you paste links with UTM data into your QR Code generator, the codes will provide clean tracking data for your analytics dashboard and any other downstream tracking. You will be able to see exactly how many people came from the “flyer” versus the “poster.”
3. Customize colors and logo
You can now adjust the design. Keep high quality and contrast in mind. The code must be readable by a QR Code scanner.
- Keep high contrast: A dark foreground on a light background works best. Black and white is the safest option.
- Don’t oversize the logo: If you add a logo to the center, ensure it does not cover the “eyes” (the three large squares) or the data pattern.
- Leave a quiet zone alone: Ensure there is a visible border around the code so the scanner can detect the edges.
4. Generate and test scans
Download your code in a high-quality format. SVG or EPS works best for print, while PNG or JPEG works for digital.
Test immediately. Do not just look at it. Open your camera app on an iOS device and an Android mobile phone. Scan the code. Does it load the correct landing page? Does it load quickly?
Zoom in and out to simulate different distances. If you plan to print the code on a billboard, test it from across the room. If you’re printing it on a business card, test it up close.
5. Monitor analytics and edit if needed
Launch your campaign and watch the data. Look for trends.
- Scan counts: Are people engaging?
- Timing: Do scans happen on weekends or weekdays?
- Location: Are you reaching the right cities?
If the data shows low engagement, you can act. You might change the landing page to a more converting offer. You can do this instantly because you used a Dynamic QR Code. Optimize the destination based on real-world feedback without touching the printed materials.
More ways to measure both clicks and scans in one dashboard
Most modern campaigns live in a hybrid world. You share links in emails and print QR Codes on flyers. Measuring these in separate tools can create blind spots when you struggle to compare the performance of your digital and physical channels.
Using a unified platform like Bitly solves this conundrum. You can create short links for your social media and QR Codes for your product packaging in the same dashboard. You see total engagement in one view, letting you understand the full customer journey. Stop guessing which channel drives the most value and start allocating your budget based on hard data.
Ready to begin tracking your success? Get started with Bitly today to create the ideal Dynamic QR Codes for your next campaign.
FAQs
What is the best free QR Code generator?
The best free QR Code generator is the one that matches your specific goal. If you just need a one-time, untracked code for a personal project, a simple static generator like Canva or Adobe Express is fine. If you need campaign insight and the ability to edit links, prioritize a tool that supports Dynamic QR Codes and scan analytics like Bitly, even if the free tier has limits.
Can you track QR Code scans for free?
Sometimes, yes, but it depends on the tool and the free plan. Many free generators only create Static QR Codes with no analytics. Others offer limited tracking on Dynamic QR Codes, often capped by a specific number of codes or a monthly scan limit. If tracking matters to your business, confirm you get scan counts and basic reporting before you print anything.
What is the difference between Static and Dynamic QR Codes?
A Static QR Code has the destination baked directly into the pattern, so you cannot change where it goes after you create it. You also cannot track it. A Dynamic QR Code routes through a redirect URL. This structure means you can update the destination later and view scan analytics. For marketing and business use, dynamic is usually the safer and smarter choice because campaigns and URLs often change.
Do free QR Codes expire?
Static QR Codes typically do not expire because they point directly to the destination you entered. They will work as long as your website works. Dynamic QR Codes can effectively “expire” if the provider disables the redirect or analytics when a free plan ends, a trial expires, or you reach scan limits. If you are printing at scale, you must double-check the provider’s policy and limits first to avoid broken codes in the wild.
Can I change the link after I have printed a QR Code?
Only if the QR Code is dynamic. With a Dynamic QR Code, you can update the destination URL in the tool’s dashboard without changing the printed code image. With a Static QR Code, changing the destination is impossible. You would need to create a new QR Code and reprint all your materials.
How do I track QR Code performance in Google Analytics?
You track performance by using UTM parameters on your destination URL. When a user scans the code, these tags tell Google Analytics where the visitor came from. For example, you set utm_source=flyer and utm_medium=qr. You will then be able to compare QR Code traffic alongside your email and social traffic, even when facing limited native analytics in your QR tool.
Are QR Codes safe to use for marketing?
They can be, as long as you use basic safeguards. Use HTTPS destinations to ensure security. Test the QR Code before publishing to ensure it works. Avoid sending people to suspicious-looking links that reduce trust. If you use a link platform like Bitly, keep your naming consistent and make sure the destination is a page you control and maintain over time.
