Best QR Code Generator 2021: How to compare and find the best one (+ 11 must-have features to look for)

What is the best QR Code Generator?

Beaconstac’s QR Code Generator offers you complete customization and control over your QR Code along with retargeting, tracking, and real-time editing capabilities.

We’ll dive deep into all of these features and more but first, let’s define the features that make a QR Code generator the best.

Skip to the best: Try the highest-rated QR Code Generator on G2.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. How to find
2. Features 
3. Free vs Premium
4. Which to choose

How do I choose a QR Code generator? 

If you were to do a Google search for the best QR Code Generator, there are about 3,54,00,000 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
2. Ease of use
3. Availabilty of customer support
4. Schedule a demo
5. Compare prices and features

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 software comparison software 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No one wants to use a website that looks outdated or created in the last decade.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 the course of 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. 

While pricing is usually comparable, none of the QR Code Generators offer scalable solutions while adding new features to the product. 

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

Best QR Code Generator Comparison

11 must-have features in a QR Code generator in 2021

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 11 features to look out for:

1. Free QR Codes with logo creation
2. Unlimited scans of the QR Code
3. Editable QR Code creation
4. Bulk QR Code creation and management
5. Basic and Advanced customization
6. QR Code generator with tracking
7. API for automation
8. Data privacy and security
9. Platform reliability
10. Advanced QR Code types
11. Integrations with other tools

#1. Free QR Codes with logo creation

Let’s say you just want to test the UI of the website or need a one-time Static QR Code. (If you don’t know what a Static or a Dynamic QR Code is, read this: Static vs Dynamic: Which one should you choose)

The best QR Code generator should allow you to create free QR Codes with a logo. But, most QR Code Generators limit the number of QR Codes you can create and don’t offer a ton of customization upfront. 

Beaconstac’s QR Code Generator allows you to create unlimited Static QR Codes. You can also see how the QR Code looks with a logo by choosing a commonly used one from the gallery or upload your brand’s logo.

#2. Unlimited scans of the QR Code

Picture this: You’ve created a QR Code but after 5 scans, you get redirected to a 404 page. If you’ve already printed this QR Code on print material, a wedding invite or a billboard, having a broken link is a huge waste of money and effort. 

Beaconstac offers unlimited scans of Static QR Codes that you create either using the QR Code Generator or during your 14-day free trial.

#3. 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. 

#4. 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.

#5. Basic and Advanced Customizations

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

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. 

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

In a nutshell, you should look at these 8 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

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

#6. 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 the 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. Type of QR Code Campaigns currently active to measure which type is the most effective

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

When you connect Google Analytics, you will be able to see: 

User Behaviour

1. Interest of the user who scanned the QR Code
2. New User vs Returning User
3. Engagement – Duration of visit, sessions, page views

Demographics

1. Native Language of the person who scanned the QR Code
2. Country where QR Code was scanned
3. City where QR Code was scanned
4. Age of consumers scanning the QR Code
5. Gender of consumers scanning the QR Code

System

1. Browser used to scan the QR Code
2. Operating System used to scan the QR Code
3. Service Provider

Mobile

1. Operating System used to scan the QR Code
2. Service Provider
3. Screen Resolution of the phone used to scan the QR Code

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.

#7. 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 in 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

#8. Data privacy and security

Data privacy and security should be at the core of a trustworthy 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.

#9. Platform reliability

You also don’t want to deal with a situation where customers scanning the QR Code are not able to view its contents or see a broken link or that your website is down.

For reliability, make sure to ask about SLA uptime to ensure you have responsive QR Codes at all times and check if they will assure SLA uptime rates.

#10. Advanced QR Code types

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

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

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. 

#11. Integrations with other tools

Check how well does the platform integrate 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.

Free QR Code generators vs. Premium QR Code generators

There are dozens of best free QR code generators or generators that offer some features for free. Now, 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 brought on by unauthorized use or hacking that can spell disaster for the brand and their 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.

Still unsure about which is the best QR code generator for you?

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.

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 design happens way before the actual campaigns, having an editable QR Code goes makes it easy to switch without having to reprint. Dynamic QR Codes also provide scan insights that are usual to CPG 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, managing multiple QR Codes effectively and to create a 1:1 marketing channel.

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

For real estate, digital vCard creation is 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 iPhone?

Some of the best QR Code generators for iPhone 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, especially 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.

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.

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Author Details

Sneh Ratna Choudhary

Content Marketing Manager – Beaconstac

Sneh is a Content Marketing Manager at Beaconstac. When she’s not obsessing over customized QR Codes, she can be found fawning over dogs or bingeing on Netflix. To discuss content marketing or anything else under the sun, reach out to her on Twitter or LinkedIn.

[email protected]

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