Static vs dynamic QR codes
Both look the same on paper. The difference is where your link lives, and that decides whether your code can ever stop working.
Updated October 28, 2026
The difference in one sentence
A static QR code contains your actual link. A dynamic QR code contains a short link to someone else's server, which forwards people to your link.
| Static | Dynamic | |
|---|---|---|
| Expires | Never | When the service or subscription ends |
| Price | Free | Usually a monthly subscription |
| Change the link after printing | No (point it to a page you can edit) | Yes |
| Scan statistics | Through your own website analytics | In the generator's dashboard |
| Works offline (Wi-Fi, contacts, text) | Yes | Usually no |
| Privacy | No third party sees the scans | The service sees every scan |
When to use a static QR code
- Anything printed that should last: menus, packaging, business cards, signs, product labels.
- Wi-Fi access, contact cards and plain text, which do not need the internet at all.
- When you do not want a monthly bill or an account to look after.
When a dynamic QR code makes sense
- A short marketing campaign where the destination will change and you want built-in scan counts.
- When you are happy to keep paying for as long as the printed codes are in use.
The best of both
Make a static code that points to a page on your own website, for example yoursite.com/qr. You can change what that page shows whenever you like, track visits with your normal analytics, and the code itself will never expire. Make one here.
Questions
Are static QR codes free?
Yes. Because no server is needed after the code is made, static codes can be free with no limits. You can make them on QRNoExpiry without an account.
Can I track scans with a static QR code?
Not in the code itself, but you can add a tracking parameter to your link (for example ?src=flyer) and see the visits in your own website analytics.
Is a dynamic QR code ever the better choice?
Yes, for short campaigns where you need to change the destination after printing and are happy to pay for the service while the campaign runs.