3 Free QR Code Generators For No Expiration QR Codes

Do QR Codes expire? Good news—they don’t! While some QR Codes may redirect the scanner after a free trial or subscription runs out, Quick Response Codes are permanent. 

It’s just one reason why free QR Code generators are valuable tools for everyday users and businesses. From sharing WiFi passwords to seamlessly integrating them into sophisticated marketing campaigns, QR Codes make information sharing effortless with just a quick scan from a smartphone or tablet. 

If you’re incorporating these versatile barcodes into your marketing strategy, a free QR Code generator is a budget-friendly way to start. But, as you search for the best QR Code generator for your needs, knowing what features to look for is essential. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the top free options, the types of QR Codes available, their limitations, and why investing in a more advanced solution could be the smarter choice for businesses with growing demands. 

*Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.

3 free QR Code generation tools

While these tools offer similar basic features, there are key differences worth noting. The best free barcode scanner app or site for you will depend on your campaign goals, brand identity, and target audience. 

1. Canva 

Canva’s free QR Code generator is great for creating unlimited Static QR Codes. All you have to do is download the app, create an account, and select Generate a QR Code to see your design options. Once you’ve linked the appropriate website URL, you can customize the code with your brand’s colors, logo, or sizing requirements. Save the code in high-resolution JPG or PNG format before adding it to your promotional materials. 

One of Canva’s biggest selling points is that it’s simple to use. Plus, it provides free access to design features, such as customizable background templates, that other tools charge for. However, Canva only generates Static QR Codes, which cannot be edited once they’re created. This means that if you need to change the URL at any point, you’ll have to create a new code and update your marketing materials. 

Canva’s QR Codes can easily link to:

• Websites or blogs 
  
  
• WiFi passwords 
  
  
• Digital files (like PDFs, images, and so on)
  
  
• Event information 
  
  
• Social media profiles 

For small, one-time projects, Canva works wonderfully. Businesses looking to scale their marketing efforts or run campaigns that require tracking and flexibility will find this option lacking what they need. Without the ability to create Dynamic QR Codes or access analytics, it might not be the right solution for long-term business needs.

2. Adobe Express 

Adobe Express offers a free QR Code generator that, like Canva, only supports Static QR Codes. To get started, just select Create Now, enter the URL, and download your QR Code in PNG, JPEG, or PDF format—no account or app needed—making it quick and convenient for small projects.

While this tool is intuitive and easy for non-designers, it provides enough creative flexibility for more experienced users to benefit as well. However, the customization options are limited. You can adjust the code’s colors and basic style, but adding logos or other branded elements isn’t possible. 

Adobe’s QR Codes are ideal for sharing:

• Landing pages 
  
  
• Contact information (like address, phone number, and so on) 
  
  
• Corporate documentation 
  
  
• Research data
  
  
• Ecommerce stores

Plus, updating content later can be challenging since it only generates Static URL QR Codes, especially if you’re running time-sensitive or evolving campaigns. This makes Adobe Express more suitable for small, personal projects but less ideal for businesses needing scalability, tracking, or extended functionality. 

3. Bitly 

Bitly’s free QR Code generator is user-friendly and offers simple customization options. You can easily adjust dot patterns, frames, corners, logos, colors/gradients, and even text, allowing you to fine-tune your design down to the pixels.

One key feature that sets Bitly’s free plan apart is the inclusion of two Dynamic QR Codes per month, along with unlimited scans and various customizations. This is especially useful for marketers who want to experiment with Dynamic Codes without committing immediately to a paid plan.

To create Bitly Codes, simply input the URL, choose from the formatting options, and select Get Your QR Code for free. These codes are available in JPG, PNG, and SVG.

Bitly Codes are ideal for:

• Menus
  
  
• Product packaging
  
  
• Order confirmations
  
  
• SMS campaigns
  
  
• Digital posters
  
  
• Social media posts
  
  
• Billboards
  
  
• Business cards
  
  
• Real estate listings

While Bitly’s free plan is a great way to test Dynamic QR Codes, it lacks analytics features for them. If you need more than two Dynamic QR Codes per month or want to track total scans and other metrics, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan. Be sure to review the pricing options and common FAQs before deciding.

The limitations of relying on free solutions

Free QR Code generators are great for testing your unique QR Code strategy, but they’re better suited for one-time needs than ongoing marketing campaigns. Let’s explore why relying solely on free solutions may limit your marketing potential. 

QR Code generation and scan limits 

QR Code generators often limit the number of codes you can create. Since advanced features like analytics can be costly, free tools typically only offer basic functionality. 

Some free Dynamic QR Code generators enforce scan statistic limits, which are often maxed out quickly on popular promotions. Once the campaign reaches the scan statistic limit (which may be as low as 50 per month), the QR Code no longer collects data—which can put a damper on your marketing efforts as it skews the insights you can gather. Moreover, generators that only allow you to create Static codes for free cannot collect any data at all. 

Editing limitations 

Free Static QR Code generators don’t allow you to edit a QR Code’s URL or design after it’s printed, meaning you’re stuck with whatever you initially chose. In real-world scenarios, this can lead to costly errors—imagine printing hundreds of flyers with an outdated or incorrect URL. Not being able to fix the code can result in wasted materials and lost engagement with potential customers.

Free Dynamic QR Code generators give you a little more flexibility. You can change the destination URL without needing to reprint the code, but as with any Dynamic code, if you’re changing the design, you’ll need to update all the collateral where the code appears. 

However, with free Dynamic code generators, your customization options are more limited. You may not have as many options for colors, styles, and frames as you would with a paid generator.

Lack of data and analytics

Dynamic QR Codes can track detailed metrics like scan locations, total scans, time of scans, and the device’s operating system. 

This data helps you understand customer preferences and behavior, including the best places to display your codes, peak scan times, and whether your audience uses Android or iOS.

If you want to know how to track QR Code scans, it’s essential to find a user-friendly tool that not only shows overall results but breaks down scan statistics in detail. 

Investing in a robust solution makes it easy to maximize the benefits of QR Codes 

While free QR Codes may work for one-off projects, like a student linking a poster to a research paper, businesses will get far better results by investing in a robust solution. Even though free tools offer features like unlimited Static QR Codes, most marketers can’t rely on them for serious campaigns. 

With a paid plan, you can bump up nearly every aspect of your marketing strategy with versatile QR Codes. For example, you might link all your social media profiles to a Dynamic QR Code, giving customers the chance to follow one platform over another. Or you might use Dynamic QR Codes to request feedback on different limited-time products. With a free plan, you’d be forced to pick and choose. 

A more comprehensive solution allows you to scale, adapt, and ensure reliability without worrying about limits and broken links. You can quickly assess the total scans, scanning locations, and device operating systems, allowing you to pinpoint where your customers are and how they’re accessing your digital resources. With a free plan, you can easily spend more time allocating precious resources than you do engaging with customers. Plus, when it comes time for the next campaign, you’ll have limited data to make meaningful changes. 

Whether you’re updating a restaurant menu, using digital coupons, or managing product packaging, investing in the right tool means you don’t have to worry about quotas or link malfunctions. 

Create and customize QR Codes with QR Codes Generator PRO

To truly harness the potential of QR Codes, you need a reliable and feature-packed tool. While QR Code Generator’s free plan is a great start, our PRO offerings give you advanced customization, detailed analytics, and unlimited scan stats, making it an indispensable resource for any business looking to streamline its strategy. 

With a free plan, you may quickly find yourself making impossible decisions because you’re limited to a certain number of codes per month and lack analytics insights. With a PRO plan, you unlock the ability to create codes for new products, pages, marketing initiatives, and more—plus, valuable insights into how your customers are engaging. 

Whether it’s tracking performance or creating beautifully branded codes, QR Generator PRO gives you the control and flexibility you need to elevate any marketing project. Generate stunning codes for any occasion: vCard codes for networking events, rating codes for easy feedback gathering, app store codes for easy access to your brand’s app, and so much more. 

Don’t settle for less—unlock the full power of your QR Code strategy today. Sign up for QR Code Generator PRO and watch your campaigns thrive!