Best QR Code Generators in 2023: A Complete Comparison Review

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QR Codes are becoming more ubiquitous by the day. 

Case in point? The hottest crypto brand in town—Coinbase—just used up all their Superbowl ad time on a bouncing QR Code!

It could be that you wish to utilize this rising physical-to-digital medium—either with a specific use-case in mind or to simply explore all the ways in which QR Codes can be leveraged for your brand.

How do you then identify the best QR Code generators out there? And what is the best QR Code generator for business?

We think Beaconstac is hands down the most comprehensive, secure, and scalable dynamic QR Code solution today. We’re not saying this—users are!

But at the same time, we’re definitely biased towards our product.

To this end, we’ve tried our best to be as mindful and objective as we can, and give our competitors credit where it is truly deserved.

This blog will dive into some of the best QR Code solutions available in the market today. But we’ve also given it our own spin—we look at how each solution stacks up in comparison to Beaconstac.

Table of contents

1. 5 Top QR Code generators in the market today: Our list 
2. How do I choose the best QR Code generator?
3. Paid QR Code subscriptions vs free online QR Code generators
4. Finding the best QR Code solution: Beaconstac vs other QR Code generators
   QR Code Monkey vs Beaconstac
   Scanova vs Beaconstac
   QR Code Generator Pro vs Beaconstac
   Flowcode vs Beaconstac
   QR Tiger vs Beaconstac
5. 8 Must-have features for the best QR Code generator
6. At-a-glance feature comparison of the best QR Code generators

5 Top QR Code generators in the market today: Our list

#1 Beaconstac

Source

As much as this seems like a shameless plug—we really believe that our QR Code generator is the best in the market! 

Be it pinpoint attribution with analytics, the best-in-industry QR Code security, scalable QR processes, extensive customizations, ease-of-use, automation, or integrations, Beaconstac has pretty much got it all. 

Again, we’re not tooting our own horns here. Our users have been saying this!

Check out our reviews on G2—one of the most reliable third-party software comparison platforms today.

#2 QR Code Monkey

QR Code Monkey is a free QR Code generator that does not require a paid subscription and allows you to only create static QR Codes. 

For specific use-case contexts, such as one-off QR campaigns or QR Codes to encode information or content that is unlikely to change, it might make sense to simply get static QR Codes and not go for a paid dynamic QR Code solution. 

But if you need dynamic QR Codes and the ease of updating content on the backend after printing, enhanced security, and full creative control over the customization of your QR Codes—we recommend that you invest in a paid solution like Beaconstac. 

#3 Scanova

Scanova is a paid QR Code solution that does well in the analytics department than any other QR Code feature. It also fares reasonably well when it comes to QR Code security with GDPR compliance and SSO login.

Talking about the use-case templates and scope of customization of the QR Code content and design—the features are quite limited. You also do not have the option to retarget users who scan your QR Codes with Facebook Pixel or GoogleAds. This is an important feature to miss out on since this is a high-intent audience!

#4 QR Code Generator Pro

QR Code Generator Pro provides basic features when it comes to creating and managing dynamic QR Codes. You can create, customize, deploy, and edit on the backend after printing—pretty much all the features that come with standard dynamic codes. The platform does not go beyond these essential functionalities.

The security and analytics are basic, the use-case templates are lacking, and from what we could gather through reviews on G2 and comments on their Facebook profile, the customer support is extremely poor. There have been instances of overcharging and QR Codes not working after being printed. 

#5 Flowcode

If you’re looking for a QR Code platform that allows you to quickly create circular QR Codes that are sleek and peppy, Flowcode might be on your QR Code generators list. 

While Flowcodes are surely eye-catching and modern, the customization capabilities that the platform provides can be found in nearly all QR Code solutions in the market today. 

Also, their security features and analytics engine are quite basic, collaboration tools do not allow for seamless creation and management of QR Codes across teams, and the QR Code content customization is also quite limited. 

How do I choose the best QR Code generator? 

If you were to do a Google search for the best QR Code generator, you’re going to be swamped with different results. Finding the best QR Code generator that suits all your needs is much like looking for a needle in a haystack. 

To make it easier for you, here are 5 steps you should follow:

1. Look for reviews on platforms like G2, Capterra, and Trust Pilot.
2. Check if the QR Code generator is easy and intuitive to use. 
3. Gauge the quality of customer care based on responsiveness and extent of support. 
4. Schedule a demo or sign up for a free trial to see/use the platform up close. 
5. Compare prices and features with the help of impartial feature comparison guides. 

STEP 1: Look for reviews of the QR Code Generator

There’s no better way than to look for unbiased, independent user reviews of the QR Code generator that you are considering. Type ‘Name of the QR Code generator’ + ‘Reviews’ to find them. 

P.S. – You can check out reviews and ratings for Beaconstac’s QR Code solution on G2, the best independent software comparison platform out there.

STEP 2: Check if the top-rated QR Code generator is easy to use

No one wants to use a website that looks outdated or created in the last decade. You need the best QR Code service that allows you to create QR Codes fast and easy and has a smooth user experience. This also means you will be using regularly updated services and won’t lead to any expired QR Codes. 

STEP 3: Talk to customer support

Customer support is an essential factor when it comes to choosing the best QR Code generator. If you decide to go with a free QR Code generator that later offers no support when you need help setting up your campaigns or using your solution, you might end up wasting your time, money, and effort. 

Reach out to the company via email or chat to see the level of support they offer. This will give you a fair sense of how responsive customer support is and what you can expect should you run into any hiccups during your QR Code campaign. 

If you need to reach Beaconstac’s support team, you can drop a line at [email protected]

STEP 4: Schedule a demo to see the QR Code solution in action

The best way to judge if the QR Code generator is a good fit for your use case is to set up a demo. You can get a live walk-through of all the features and talk to the expert about how you can build your use case. 

Considering you will purchase a subscription, it’s always best to have a run-down of all the features and get comfortable with the solution before you start setting up the QR Code campaign.

STEP 5: Do a price and feature comparison

Most QR Code generators list out all their features which makes it easy for you to compare and decide if the QR Code generator serves your purpose. 

You can take a look at Beaconstac’s QR Code plan pricing and full feature comparison and choose the right plan for your needs.

Paid QR Code subscriptions vs free online QR Code generators

There are dozens of free QR Code generators or generators that offer some features for free. These are perfectly fine for one-time use or for personal use.

But to ensure your QR Code campaigns are protected with enterprise-level security, are trackable, and editable after printing, you will need to take a look at premium QR code generators that come with a QR Code Generator subscription.

There have been instances of QR Code fiascos due to unauthorized use or hacks, spelling disaster for the brand in question and its customer base.

From 2012 to 2014, Heinz’s ran a label design contest with QR codes placed on ketchup bottles. The domain that they were hosting it on expired and was snatched by an opportunistic adult entertainment website. They issued an apology to consumers but thousands of ketchup bottles with the QR Code still remained in households.

Continental Airlines also had a goof-up with its QR Code campaign in 2011. Their QR code was placed on in-flight magazines which weren’t accessible during the duration of the flight since they required Internet access and when passengers could access the QR codes, they were led to a website that wasn’t optimized for the mobile and had a popup covering the entire screen.

There have been several other instances where brands have used QR Codes only to find out that the free QR Code doesn’t scan anymore or the website is down or has severe security issues.

Here is a brief overview of what you can expect with a paid QR Code solution like Beaconstac as opposed to using free ones online: 

Finding the best QR Code solution: Beaconstac vs other QR Code generators

#1 QR Code Monkey vs Beaconstac 

For one-time use, you can get away with creating static QR Codes with any free QR Code generator available online. You can try Beaconstac’s free version—and create as many static QR Codes as you like!

Much like Beaconstac’s free version, QR Code Monkey is another online QR Code generator that allows you to create only static QR Codes for free.

For knowing how Beaconstac’s free QR Code generator compares with QR Code Monkey and why Beaconstac’s paid subscription might be a better option for you, check out this comprehensive QR Code Monkey vs Beaconstac feature comparison guide. 

#2 Scanova vs Beaconstac

While we applaud Scanova’s customer support and analytics, Beaconstac’s QR Code platform stacks up better in these areas and others when you do some simple feature comparison analysis. 

Here’s the detailed comparison guide that has led us to this conclusion: Beaconstac vs Scanova: Which QR Code Generator Should You Pick?

#3 QR Code Generator Pro vs Beaconstac

QR Code Generator Pro pretty much ticks all the boxes when it comes to basic QR Code needs.

But when you’re running a professional marketing campaign where being able to iterate on the fly is key, you will need excellent customer support, extensive integrations, and the ability to scale QR Code processes with ease. Based on what we could gather, QR Code Generator Pro performs poorly in these areas. Again we’re not saying this—users are!

Dive into how QR Code Generator Pro compares with Beaconstac’s QR Code platform with this comprehensive head-to-head comparison piece: QR Code Generator Pro vs Beaconstac: Unbiased Head-2-Head Comparison. 

#4 Flowcode vs Beaconstac 

Flowcode positions its codes as ‘alternatives to QR Codes’ when it comes to the customization of QR Code design. Again, credit where credit’s due—they’ve done a good job!

But we’re also here to tell you that Beaconstac fares just as well, if not better, in this department. We provide all the customization features that can make your QR Codes look as sleek and modern as you would like—circular shaped QR Codes, custom QR Code backgrounds, gradient patterns, custom eyes, and more.

Apart from the above, we pack a whole host of other features that makes Beaconstac a one-stop platform for all your QR Code needs. Security, integrations, automation of workflows to scale QR Code processes, and much more. 

If we’re talking about QR Code features that really move the marketing needle—Flowcode falls short severely. 

Flowcode’s security features are lacking especially given that QR Code safety and security are essential to combat data breaches and cyber-attacks. Their analytics is also relatively basic—they do not provide any information regarding the location of scans or the number of users who actually ended up visiting your QR Code-linked content. This means that Flowcode cannot tell you about users who scanned your QR Code but did not accept the follow-up prompt to view the content encoded into your QR Code. This is a high-intent cohort of users that you’re missing out on!

For a more in-depth look at how Flowcode performs against Beaconstac, check this Flowcode vs Beaconstac comparison guide that we’ve researched and prepared. We simply put forth side-by-side feature comparisons for you to ultimately decide.

#5 QR Tiger vs Beaconstac 

Both QR Tiger and Beaconstac let you create static and dynamic QR Codes on their platforms.

However, while QR Tiger requires you to sign up to download the QR Code, Beaconstac lets you create and download them for free without signing up.

Beaconstac’s 14-day free trial enables you to create as many dynamic QR Codes as you need, whereas QR Tiger’s free trial limits the number to 3.

When we look at the scope of campaign types, QR Tiger does offer a decent amount of QR Code types you can use, except for 2 crucial use cases – dynamic forms and a template for restaurant menus.

This is where Beaconstac fills in the gap. You can create dynamic forms for lead generation, screening processes, and capturing data. The platform also provides a restaurant menu template with functionalities, such as multi-lingual support and displaying the relevant menu as per the day’s mealtime.

While both QR Code solutions offer error correction, Beaconstac takes it a step further with a real-time scannability score that updates with every change you make to the QR Code’s design – a feature that QR Tiger currently does not support.

Both platforms are almost at par with each other for tracking and analysis capabilities. 

However, Beaconstac provides the advantage of letting you pinpoint the exact GPS location of QR Code scanning.

Most importantly, when assessing the digital security features for both solutions, Beaconstac fares far better in the market. It is the only QR Code platform that is both SOC 2® Type 1 and Type 2 certified. For a more detailed view of how QR Tiger compares with Beaconstac, check out our QR Tiger vs Beaconstac comparison guide.

You might also want to check out our guide on the best QR Code generator for business based on company size. Learn everything there is to know about which QR Code solution would best fit small, medium, and large enterprises.

8 features the best QR Code generator in 2023 must have

Some solutions are more advanced than others but these must-have features help you determine if you can create a scalable campaign that is secure and engaging.

Here are the 8 features to look out for:

1. Editable QR Code creation
2. Bulk QR Code creation and management
3. Basic and Advanced customization
4. QR Code generator with tracking
5. API for automation
6. Data privacy and security
7. Advanced QR Code types
8. Integrations with other tools

#1. Editable QR Code creation

Dynamic QR Codes or editable QR Codes can be edited even after you’ve printed them. This makes it easy to re-use, fine-tune in real-time and conduct split A/B testing. 

Having a dynamic QR Code also means that you don’t have to create a new QR Code every time you update your website, change your domain or want to switch up your offering. 

Here’s everything you need to know about a dynamic QR Code Generator and how to use it to create trackable QR Codes.

Dynamic QR Codes are perfect for: 

1. Print marketing: You can change the ad copy, discount code or switch between your top landing pages. 
2. Updating your information: If you created a vCard QR Code in the past and have since switched companies or changed your email address or number, you don’t have to create a new QR Code. You can update the vCard in the dashboard while the QR Code stays the same. 
3. Automated marketing: You can schedule different landing pages to appear based on the time the QR Code is being scanned with a  dynamic QR Code. 
4. Reducing the time of scanning: Since dynamic QR Codes have a placeholder URL and the code never changes, you can have as much information in it as you want without increasing the scan time. 

Here is your guide to selecting the best dynamic QR Code generator in 2023. 

#2. Bulk QR Code creation and management

If you need a couple of QR Codes, you can possibly just about any QR Code Generator available. But, what if you need to generate 1000s of QR Codes for a conference, seminar, or event?

Thankfully, you don’t have to do it manually. The best QR Code software online has a bulk QR Code creation feature. 

With Beaconstac’s bulk QR Code generator, it is incredibly easy to create 100 QR Codes at once. 

1. Upload a CSV in the right format
2. Customize the QR Code – Add colors, logo
3. Download it in your preferred format

You can use this bulk QR Code Generator for free in the 14-day trial and use them forever.

#3. Basic and Advanced Customizations

Why would you want a boring black and white QR Code when you can create one like this?

The best QR Code Generator will have these basic customization features:

1. Color: Changing the color of the entire QR Code is the most basic feature that you should be able to do on the free QR Code Generator. 
2. Logo: Adding a logo of your choosing, brand’s logo or one from the commonly used logos is also an essential feature of a good QR Code Generator software. 
3. Circular QR Codes: QR Codes needn’t be all that boring and square. When you decide which QR Code generator to go with, check if there is an option to create more modern and sleek-looking QR Codes that are circular in shape.

Advanced customizations in the best QR Code Generator: What to look for

In a nutshell, you should look at these 10 features

1. Available templates
2. Eyes of the QR Code
3. Pattern of data
4. Background Image
5. Background Color
6. Color of the QR Code
7. Using a Color gradient for the QR Code
8. Adding a frame to the QR Code for a CTA
9. Add circular shape to QR Codes
10. Add custom background to the QR Code design itself

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to use Beaconstac’s QR Code Generator to create custom QR Codes quickly and easily.

#4. QR Code generator with tracking

Most QR Code Generators give you basic analytics: location, time, and date of the scan. The most reliable QR Code generator offers robust analytics and deeper insights into your audience.

Beaconstac offers a powerful analytics dashboard, regular QR Code reports, and displays the following data:

Overview

1. Number of Scans
2. Unique Visitors

Campaign Performance

1. Top 5 best performing QR Code campaigns
2. Top 5 under-performing QR Code campaigns

Reports

1. Overview of scans by location
2. Aggregate Scan Details
3. Individual Scan Details

Reports can be exported as a .xls file

Campaign Distribution

1. Types of QR Code campaigns currently active to measure which one is the most effective

Along with basic tracking, you can also integrate with Google Analytics to get a much deeper understanding of your target audience.

The best QR Code generator with tracking features helps businesses and brands elevate their offering, improve brand recall, personalize offers, and more to reap the best benefits out of the technology.

#5. API for automation

Creating QR Codes within an app or a system requires an API that can handle generating all types of QR Codes – static and dynamic. Some of the best QR Code Generators also offer an API to handle such cases.

You can use Beaconstac’s QR Code Generator API free for 14 days and integrate it into your system or app by following three simple steps:

1. Sign up for a free 14-day trial
2. Get your developer token
3. Create and download QR Code

#6. Data privacy and security

Data privacy and security should be at the core of a safest QR Code generator. Unreliable QR Code generators can risk the user’s privacy and damage the brand’s reputation.

Some features to look out for –

1. Does the URL use HTTPS format? HTTPS allows for a secure connection with the server. If you see a website with HTTP, know that any data you transmit is not being encrypted. 
2. Is there an SSO login? SSO ensures only authorized employees have access to the platform. 
3. Do they support logging in with Google? Most people use the same password for everything, which is risky. Logging in Google eliminates that risk. 
4. Can you create a password-protected QR Code? For sensitive or internal data, password protection acts as an added layer of security.
5. Do the platform and your campaigns have an SSL certificate? SSL creates an encrypted connection.

Beaconstac offers SSO, log in with Google, is compliant with GDPR, and is also the only QR Code solution that is SOC 2 Type 1 certified. This certification means the platform has been vetted by external data security experts.

#7. Advanced QR Code types

If you are looking for a solution that allows you to scale, you need a platform that offers more beyond the basic QR Code types. Check to see if they have some features for your industry or your use case.

For instance, Beaconstac has a dedicated QR Code menu template just for the restaurant and hotel industry that helps them serve digital menus in a contactless fashion.

Beaconstac also allows you to create QR Code based digital business cards for sharing all your business information seamlessly. Bid goodbye to carrying around a fat stack of paper business cards all the time!

We provide QR Code types for differing use-cases and contexts like QR Codes for inventory management, dynamic forms for screening processes and feedback collection, QR codes for all social media profiles, and much more. 

A basic QR Code generator allows its users to create only about 4-5 types of QR Codes, limiting the content usage, as opposed to an advanced QR Code generator that allows its users to create more types of QR Codes. 

#8. Integrations with other tools

Check how well the platform integrates with your CRM and other tools that you use. At Beaconstac, we offer a Zapier integration that allows you to create multiple workflows and connect two or more apps. You can also use some of our other integrations with Integromat and Workato.

At-a-glance feature comparison of the best QR Code generators

Still unsure about which QR Code generator you should invest in?

Drop us a line at [email protected] with your requirements and we’ll help you get started with the right plan and set you up for success. Also, check out 15 of the best free and paid QR Code generators compared and find out why Beaconstac is the best QR Code generator for you.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best QR Code generator for CPG brands?

CPG brands need a solution that is secure, easy to use and allows them to manage the creation of dynamic QR Codes. Since most packaging designs are created way before the actual campaign, having an editable QR Code makes it easy to switch without having to reprint. Dynamic QR Codes also provide scan insights that are beneficial to CPG brands with cookies being phased out soon.

Which QR Code solution is good for restaurants?

Restaurants need a solution that allows them to quickly convert physical menus into QR Codes quickly to provide a contactless dining experience. Apart from this, it also helps to have other features like asking for feedback through QR Codes, providing detailed safety information, recording visitor data for contact tracing.

How do I choose a QR Code platform for my CBD products?

Choose a platform like Beaconstac that has worked with CBD companies to guide you through setting up QR Codes to display the CoA report, manage multiple QR Codes effectively, and create a 1:1 marketing channel.

Read more on how CBD cosmetics brand Maesa leverages Beaconstac to ensure compliance with QR Codes. 

Which QR Code service is right for my real estate business?

For real estate, digital vCard creation is likely the #1 use case. Apart from that, smart signs powered by QR Codes are also really popular. These help buyers schedule visits, take a virtual tour, view a virtual look book, and request more information. Look for a platform that offers these features and has experience working with realtors, agents, and agencies.

What is the best QR Code generator for teachers?

Amongst several free QR Code generators available in the market, the best QR Code generator depends on which QR Code generator offers the best features for educational institutions, ease of use, and simplicity. Teachers can simply embed QR Codes to link to any purpose and can be used by both students and teachers.

What is the best QR Code generator for iPhones?

Some of the best QR Code generators for iPhones are EPQRCode, QR Code Maker, and My QR Code Generator. However, leveraging a mobile-optimized version of a QR Code generator like Beaconstac outperforms mobile apps since QR Code generator apps available for iPhones are not as savvy, dynamic, and safe.

In addition, website QR Code generators are updated regularly without the user prompting for manual updates, making them more favorable amongst businesses of all sizes.

Best QR Code generator for Mac

You don’t need an app for your Mac to create QR Codes. Using an online generator has a lot more benefits. That being said, there are several apps like QR Crafter, iBarcoder, iQR Codes, and Acana that you can try.

Best QR Code generator for Android

Most apps on the Play Store have terrible UI and it’s not really intended for you to create dynamic QR Codes and most of these aren’t safe. So if you’re just looking to play around with static codes, you can try Barcode Scanner and Generator, QR Code maker, or QR Code Generator.

Can I trust a QR Code generator?

With the right security features, such as custom domain and custom SSL, along with SOC 2® compliance, you can trust a QR Code generator to protect your data.

Are there any free dynamic QR Code generators?

There are no free dynamic QR Code generators. To edit and track QR Codes, you’ll need to pick a suitable pricing plan. Dynamic QR Codes let you modify QR Code campaigns without the hassle of reprinting. You can also track campaign performance to measure its success.

Editor’s Note 1: This blog was originally written by Chaitra Joshi and we have retained her most valuable insights.

Editor’s Note 2: All the generators for Mac, iPhone, and Android mentioned in our FAQ section have not been tested by our team and we do not vouch for any of these. Please do your due diligence before you use a mobile app or an offline generator.

• Author Details

Author Details

Sneh Ratna Choudhary

Sneh is a Content Marketing Manager at Beaconstac and has a penchant for all things tech and startups that improve human lives. She adores dogs, Radiohead, and Michael Gary Scott.

[email protected]