QR Code Pricing Comparison 2026
You’ve seen QR code services starting at $5/month and going up to $200/year for subscriptions. Maybe you’ve experienced the package trap (3 QR codes for $29/month) or had a printed QR code disappear when your subscription ended. This page compares major QR code services by actual total cost of ownership and billing model, not the headline price.
Quick summary: cost for 3 dynamic QR codes
| Service | 1-year cost | 5-year cost | Pricing model | Auto-renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QRCodeG | ~$36 | ~$160 | Annual or multi-year prepaid (1-10 years) | None |
| QRCodeChimp (Lite) | ~$72 | ~$360 | Monthly subscription | Yes |
| QR.io (Yearly) | ~$84 | ~$420 | Annual subscription | Yes |
| Uniqode/Beaconstac (Lite) | ~$120 | ~$600 | Monthly subscription | Yes |
| qr-code-generator.com (Starter) | ~$180 | ~$900 | Monthly bill, annual contract | Yes, 30-day cancel notice |
The annual cost difference may seem modest, but the billing model matters more. Subscriptions auto-charge your card; cancelling requires advance notice, and your QR codes stop working the moment the subscription ends. With QRCodeG there is no auto-charge: when your term ends, you receive an email reminder. If you renew, your existing QR codes keep working without interruption; if you don’t, the QR codes become inactive — but you make the decision, not the system.
How QRCodeG compares to major QR code platforms
The global QR code market is dominated by a few well-known names: Uniqode (formerly Beaconstac, rebranded in 2023), Flowcode, QR Code Generator, Bitly, and Scanova. Most of these platforms operate on monthly or annual subscription models with auto-renewal, USD-only pricing, and tier-based scan limits.
QRCodeG takes a different approach. Built for businesses that want predictable costs without lock-in, our platform offers prepaid pricing in multiple currencies, unlimited scans on every plan, and a unique feature set including Apple Wallet integration for dynamic QR codes — something most competitors offer only for digital business cards, if at all.
Feature comparison: QRCodeG vs major competitors
| Feature | QRCodeG | Uniqode (Beaconstac) | Flowcode | qr-code-generator.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | ~$10/year (1 QR) | $9/month ($108/year) | $5/month ($60/year) | $81/year |
| Billing model | Prepaid 1-10 years | Annual subscription | Monthly subscription | Monthly with annual contract |
| Auto-renewal | optional | Yes | Yes | Yes (30-day cancel notice) |
| Scan limits | Unlimited | 500K-2M/year per plan | Unlimited (Pro+) | Plan-dependent |
| Multi-currency pricing | Yes | USD/AUD/EUR/GBP/INR | USD only | USD/EUR |
| Apple Wallet (Dynamic QR) | Yes | DBC only | No | No |
| Vector SVG download | Yes (all plans) | Pro plan | Pro plan | Pro plan |
| Free trial | 14 days, no card | 14 days | Limited free tier | 14 days |
| Money-back guarantee | 14 days | 30 days | None stated | None stated |
The headline price differences may seem small in some categories, but the total cost over 5 years tells a different story — see the cost comparison table at the top of this page.
Why businesses choose QRCodeG over Uniqode, Flowcode, and others
Three patterns we see most often when customers switch to QRCodeG from subscription-based competitors:
Cost predictability
A small business buying 5 dynamic QR codes pays roughly $55/year on QRCodeG. The same 5-code requirement on Uniqode pushes you into the Core plan at $49/month — that’s $588/year, more than 10x the cost. With multi-year prepaid, the gap widens further.
No surprise charges
Uniqode, Flowcode, and qr-code-generator.com all use auto-renewal. Miss the cancellation window and you’re charged for another full year. With QRCodeG, your card is never on file for renewal — when your term ends, you receive an email and decide.
No scan limits
Most subscription QR code platforms cap scans by tier. A successful product launch or viral campaign can hit Uniqode’s Essential plan limit (500K scans/year) and stop your QR code from working. QRCodeG has no scan limits on any plan — your QR code keeps working regardless of traffic.
How does QRCodeG pricing compare to Uniqode (Beaconstac)?
Uniqode (formerly Beaconstac, rebranded in 2023) starts at $9/month for the Essential plan, which includes 50 dynamic QR codes and 500K annual scans. That’s $108/year, billed annually with auto-renewal. QRCodeG’s prepaid model starts at ~$13/year for a single dynamic QR code — you pay only for what you actually use, with unlimited scans included on every plan.
Is QRCodeG cheaper than Flowcode?
For most use cases, yes. Flowcode’s Pro plan starts at $5/month ($60/year) but includes only 1 dynamic QR code with limited features. To unlock advanced features like analytics and customization, plans rise to $30+/month. On QRCodeG, a comparable single dynamic QR code with full features (vector SVG, analytics, Apple Wallet) starts at ~$13/year. The savings increase further with multi-year prepaid options (up to 10% discount).
What is the cheapest QR code subscription in 2026?
The market’s cheapest entry-level prices in 2026 hover around $5/month for limited features. However, total cost of ownership matters more than the headline price: monthly subscriptions average $60-$120/year for basic tiers, while QRCodeG’s prepaid model offers full-featured dynamic QR codes from ~$13/year — with no scan limits, no auto-renewal, and multi-year prepaid discounts. For 1-10 QR code use cases, QRCodeG is often the lowest total cost option in the market.
Can I get a refund if I’m not satisfied?
Yes. We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans. If QRCodeG doesn’t meet your needs within the first 30 days, contact us for a full refund — no questions asked. We also offer a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, so you can test all features before purchase.
Trusted by businesses worldwide
QRCodeG has been operating since 2018, serving thousands of businesses across multiple countries with transparent pricing and reliable infrastructure.
7+ years
Continuous service since 2018
99.9% uptime
Reliable QR code redirects 24/7
GDPR compliant
Data security as standard
No lock-in
No auto-renewal, ever
The 3 pricing models in QR code services
1. Monthly subscription with auto-renewal (most common)
Used by Bitly, qr-code-generator.com, Uniqode, Beaconstac, QRCodeChimp, and most major platforms. You pay a fixed amount per month (or annually upfront) in exchange for “X dynamic QR codes”. The practical consequences:
- Need 4 QR codes? The 3-code plan won’t do — you have to upgrade to 5 or 10, whether you use them or not
- Cancel your subscription and your QR codes stop working. The codes you printed on menus, business cards, and brochures become unusable.
- If the company raises prices, you don’t get a choice — auto-renewal charges the new rate
- Cancellation usually requires 30 days’ notice; miss it and you’re billed for another year
2. Prepaid renewable model (QRCodeG)
In this model, each QR code is sold as a separate product. Buy 1, buy 1000 — you only pay for what you need. Choose the duration (1 to 10 years), pay for it, and your QR codes work throughout the contract period. As your term nears expiration, we send you an email; if you renew, the same QR codes continue without interruption, if you don’t, the QR codes become inactive. No automatic charges, ever. Renewal is entirely your choice; you can also reactivate expired QR codes later.
3. “Unlimited free” with ads (common in static QR generators)
Sites like QRCode Monkey and ME-QR offer unlimited free static QR codes. The catch: scanning the QR shows an ad-supported intermediate page before forwarding. Not suitable for professional or corporate use. These same sites typically gate “premium” (no ads, custom design) behind monthly subscriptions.
Dark patterns: real customer complaints
The 5 most common complaints about QR code services on Capterra and Trustpilot:
- The “free” illusion: Site advertises free QR codes, but they stop working after 14 days — forcing paid subscription
- Selected monthly, charged annually: Customer chose monthly plan, system charged for full year, no refund
- 30-day cancellation rule: Can’t cancel within 30 days of renewal date, so you’re locked in for another year
- QR codes can’t be migrated: Switching providers means re-creating every QR — and reprinting everything they’re on
- Scan limits: Successful campaign hits the monthly scan cap, QR code stops working until next month
QRCodeG pricing: concrete examples
Prices as of April 2026. The table below is for Dynamic vCard QR Code; other QR types (Social Media, PDF, URL, Menu, Event Invitation, Product, etc.) have different pricing. Create a free account to use the real-time pricing calculator. The amounts in the table represent usage rights for the chosen term; if you don’t renew at term end the QR becomes inactive, if you renew it continues without interruption. Purchased QR codes are locked at the price paid — future price increases don’t apply retroactively to your active term.
| Quantity | 1-year total | Per-unit/year | 5-year (10% discount) | 5-year per-unit/year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 unit | ~$13 | ~$13 | ~$60 | ~$12 |
| 2 units | ~$25 | ~$12 | ~$111 | ~$11 |
| 3 units | ~$36 | ~$12 | ~$160 | ~$11 |
| 4 units | ~$46 | ~$12 | ~$208 | ~$10 |
| 5 units | ~$55 | ~$11 | ~$246 | ~$10 |
| 6 units | ~$64 | ~$11 | ~$289 | ~$10 |
| 50+ units | Contact us for corporate quote | |||
How are prices determined?
Our QR code pricing is based on 4 variables:
- QR type: Varies from simple URL to complex vCard
- Quantity: Per-unit price drops with bulk purchases (1 unit ~$13 → 5 units ~$11/unit)
- Duration: 2 years 3%, 3 years 5%, 5+ years 10% discount — longer terms give you both a discount and freedom from yearly renewal hassle
- Data hosting: Dynamic QR uses our servers (paid), static QR doesn’t (free)
Unlike subscription-based models, there are no hidden fees and no scan limits. No automatic charges at term end; renewal is entirely your choice.
One of QRCodeG’s standout features is the ability to add digital business cards to Apple Wallet. See our detailed guide for usage instructions.
Who is which model for?
QRCodeG fits you if:
- You need a small number of QR codes (1-10) — no package upselling, you only pay for what you use
- You want printed QR codes to keep working long-term — 5 to 10-year prepaid option available
- You don’t want auto-renewal — renewal is always your choice
- You prefer prepaid clarity over recurring billing surprises
- You want predictable, transparent pricing without lock-in
A subscription model may suit you better if:
- You’re an agency running 50+ campaigns monthly — bulk management features
- You frequently rotate campaigns — creating and deleting QRs constantly
- You need extensive API integration — large platforms have higher API limits
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my QR code when its term expires?
About 30 days before expiration, we send you an email reminder. If you renew, your QR code keeps working without interruption — you don’t need to create a new QR or reprint your materials. If you don’t renew, the QR code becomes inactive (forwarding stops). No automatic charges; you can also reactivate later.
Is renewal cost the same as the initial purchase?
Renewal cost is calculated at the price valid on the renewal date. Duration choices (1 year, 2 years, 5 years, etc.) and discount rates apply to renewals as well. If we’ve raised prices in the meantime, the renewal uses the new price; however, the price you paid for your current term doesn’t change during that term.
Are static QR codes really free?
Yes. No account required, unlimited generation, no ads, watermarks, or time limits. The trade-off: static QR codes embed the content directly in the code, so it can’t be changed later (e.g., URL change requires reprinting). Dynamic QR codes let you change the destination after creation — that’s why they’re paid.
Are there scan limits?
No. All our QR codes — including dynamic ones — have unlimited scans. Many competitors impose monthly scan caps (e.g., 1,000 or 10,000 scans); when you hit the cap, the QR code stops working until the next billing cycle.
I want to switch from another QR code service. Is that possible?
The physical QR code itself (the printed square) cannot be transferred — each service uses its own forwarding URL. However, for users who don’t want to reprint materials, we offer migration assistance. Get in touch via the contact page.
Are there volume discounts?
Yes — both quantity and duration discounts stack. For 50+ units, contact us for a custom corporate quote: [email protected]
Get a detailed price calculation
For pricing tailored to your specific needs, create a free account. Choose QR type (vCard, Social Media, PDF, URL, Menu, Event Invitation, Product, etc.), quantity, and duration to see exact total cost in real time. No credit card required.