QR codes are among the handiest marketing tools to come out of the last few years. They’re an easy way to get people to follow a call to action (CTA), whether visiting a website or leaving a review on a Facebook page.
The best thing about them is they’re super accessible and versatile — they can fit in just about any marketing campaign — and they’re super easy to make. I tried the eight best QR code generators for small business marketing and ranked them below.
- QR Tiger: Overall best QR code generator for business use
- VistaPrint: Best QR code generator for print materials
- Adobe Express: Best free QR code generator
- Wix: Best QR code generator for multiple CTAs
- QR Codes Unlimited: Best QR code generator for linking to app stores
- Canva: Best for creating designs with QR codes
- Unitag: Best for customizable QR codes
- QRBatch: Best bulk QR code generator
Best QR code generators at a glance
Free Plan Available | No signup required | Static & dynamic QR codes | Multiple content types (links, PDFs, phone calls, etc.) | My expert score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | 4.92/5 |
 | ✓ | ✓ | Static only | Links only | 4.65/5 |
 | ✓ | ✓ | Static only | Links only | 4.53/5 |
 | ✓ | ✕ | Static only | ✓ | 4.47/5 |
 | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | 4.34/5 |
 | ✓ | ✕ | Static only | Links only | 4.21/5 |
 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Links only | 4.08/5 |
 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Links only | 3.84/5 |
What are QR codes used for?If you’ve ever used a QR code, you know how handy they can be. They’re one of my favorite marketing tools in recent years because of how easy and versatile they are — I’ve even written about the best ways to use QR codes in small business marketing.
But more than anything, QR codes can easily lead customers to a specific online destination, like your Facebook page or online store, or prompt certain actions, like a phone call or text message. They can even be dynamic and change destinations according to different locations or times.
QR codes have versatile use cases, and they’re a great way to integrate physical marketing with digital experiences to grow your brand presence, in addition to:
- Leading people to your online portfolio by placing QR codes on your business cards
- Encouraging people to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile by placing them around your store (or checkout page if you have an online store)
- Letting people access your menu digitally
- Making it easy for clients and leads to check out your latest online listings
- Prompting people to check out your business website at a trade show or networking event
QR Tiger: Overall best QR code generator for business use
Pros
- Generates dynamic QR codes that can change destination according to location, time, and number of scans
- Generate unlimited static (and three dynamic) QR codes for free
- Can also link to MP3 files, event bookings, websites, and documents
Cons
- Requires sign-up before downloading your QR code
- Multi-URL codes and geolocation tracking are only available on paid plans
My expert opinion
QR Tiger is the best QR code maker overall feature-wise, and it’s designed specifically for business use. It has more features than any other QR code generator I tried, so if QR codes feature heavily in your marketing plan and you specifically want to track them, it’s the best option.
Most importantly, its standout feature is its dynamic QR codes, which can change destinations according to time, location, and other factors. These could be really helpful in marketing events like trade shows that go from location to location or for linking to your review page if your business has multiple locations. It also has customization features for designing QR codes, like the ability to upload a logo.
Best feature: A dynamic QR code generator that changes destination links according to time, location, or number of scans.
QR Tiger is the best QR code generator for business use specifically. It even offers dynamic QR codes that can change destination links. (Source: QRTiger)
Free | Regular | Advanced | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Monthly cost | $0 | $7 | $16 | $37 |
Static QR codes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Dynamic QR codes | 3 | 12 | 200 | 600 |
No ads | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Link tracking | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
monday.com, Canva integrations | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Google Analytics | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Multi-URL QR codes | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
VistaPrint: Best QR code generator for print materials
Pros
- Super quick, easy, and free; no sign-up required
- Easily integrates with VistaPrint designs for printing
- QR codes can link to websites, social media profiles, review pages, files, and digital business cards
Cons
- No tools for tracking your QR code links and uses
- Only generates static QR codes, not dynamic ones
- Very few customization options
My expert opinion
Vistaprint has always been one of my most reliable platforms for designing print materials like flyers and business cards, and its QR code generator makes it even handier. After generating a QR code — which is free and super easy — I could easily transfer it to my design.
Naturally, this makes it the best way to get a free QR code for print materials. VistaPrint has dozens of templates for everything from business cards to product labels, and it can even ship prints directly to your door. I also like that the QR code generator can link to websites, social media profiles, location check-ins, digital business cards, and review pages, which tells me it’s designed specifically for small businesses.
Best feature: Its QR code generator integrates with VistaPrint’s design platform for printed marketing materials.
VistaPrint lets you generate QR codes you can easily add to print designs. (Source: VistaPrint)
VistaPrint’s QR code generator is 100% free. You’ll only need to pay to have your designs printed.
Adobe Express: Best free QR code generator
Pros
- Free unlimited static QR codes; no sign-up required
- QR codes can link to websites and social media — great for portfolios
- Integrates with Adobe Express’s online design tool
Cons
- Doesn’t generate dynamic QR codes
- No QR code tracking capabilities
- QR codes only link to websites and social media profiles
My expert opinion
Adobe Express is the best way to generate a QR code for free quickly and easily. I didn’t even need to sign up for an account to generate a QR code — just my destination link — and my QR code was ready for download. That’s the whole process, so it’s my best recommendation if you just need one static QR code and nothing else — no dynamic links or link-tracking capabilities.
Overall, I find Adobe Express best suited for one-time QR code generations. For example, if you just need one QR code for your business card or resume and not for any wider marketing campaigns, Adobe Express is the best candidate for the job — it’s free, easy, and so simple.
Best feature: It’s a free and beginner-friendly QR code generator.
Adobe Express’s QR code generator is quick, easy, and fuss-free — perfect for one-time QR code needs. (Source: Adobe Express)
Adobe Express is 100% free.
Wix: Best QR code generator for multiple calls to action
Pros
- QR codes can prompt calls, messages, and emails — great for generating leads
- 100% free to generate unlimited static QR codes
- Super quick and easy interface
Cons
- QR codes are basic, with only color customization and no logo upload
- No dynamic QR codes, only static ones
- No QR code tracking measures — it’s just for generating them
My expert opinion
Wix is one of the most unique top QR code generators because of how many calls to action it supports. Its QR codes don’t just link to web pages or social media profiles. They can also prompt phone calls, text messages, and emails — aka lead generation actions. Because of this, I find Wix’s QR code generator a good fit for real estate agents or any other business that relies on leads, like law firms or medical practices.
The tool itself is also super easy to use. Like Adobe Express, I only needed to input my destination link or call to action, and the QR code was ready for download after creating a Wix account. Plus, it’s also free to generate as many static QR codes as you need, making it one of the best free QR generators overall.
Best feature: The ability to prompt phone calls, messages, and emails through its QR codes.
Wix’s QR code generator is super simple and can prompt multiple calls to action. (Source: Wix)
Wix’s QR code generator is 100% free. You’ll only need to sign up for an account.
QR Codes Unlimited: Best QR code generator for linking to app stores
Pros
- Free to generate unlimited static QR codes
- QR codes can lead to app store pages on iOS and Android, depending on the device scanning it
- Also has a built-in digital business card maker for your QR code
Cons
- Dynamic QR codes and QR code tracking are locked behind paid subscriptions
- QR codes can’t prompt phone calls or texts, even on paid plans
- Sign-up is required before QR code download
My expert opinion
Like its name promises, QR Codes Unlimited offers unlimited QR codes. But what really makes it stand out is they can lead to app store pages, both on iOS and Android, which isn’t something I’ve found in most other QR code generators. It can even detect if it’s being scanned by an Apple or Android device and open to the right app store.
Aside from apps, QR Codes Unlimited can link to websites, PDFs, and digital business cards. It also allows basic customization. However, you’ll need a paid subscription for dynamic QR codes and in-depth tracking. I find the free version suitable enough for basic personal use and the paid version better suited for more serious business use.
Best feature: The ability to detect iOS or Android scans and lead users to the right app store page.
QR Codes Unlimited is easy to use and creates QR codes that lead to app store pages. (Source: QR Codes Unlimited)
Free | Startup | Growth | |
|---|---|---|---|
Monthly cost | $0 | $9.95 | $19.95 |
Unlimited static QR codes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Unlimited dynamic QR codes | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
QR code tracking | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Custom domains | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Bulk QR code generator | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Unlimited users | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Canva: Best for creating designs with QR codes
Pros
- Super simple and free
- Built-in app in the Canva platform — easily integrates into design projects
- Destination links can be edited even after generating a QR code
Cons
- QR codes can only link to web pages — not PDFs, images, phone calls, or text messages
- No dynamic QR codes or link-tracking
- No option to add logos to QR codes
My expert opinion
Canva’s always been everybody’s favorite design tool, and its QR code generator is just one of its many helpful apps. It’s super simple and does the job, and it’s great if you just need to generate a QR code to add to your designs, say a poster or an ad.
However, it can only support website URLs, not other destinations like documents or phone calls. It also doesn’t have any dynamic QR codes. It really is just your basic QR code generator for designing marketing materials. Nevertheless, it’s free, and like all other Canva tools, very simple to use and easily integrates with your Canva designs.
Best feature: The ability to update QR code destination links.
Canva’s QR code generator integrates into all its design projects. (Source: Canva)
Canva’s QR code generator is free. You’ll only need to pay for premium designs.
Unitag: Best for customizable QR codes
Pros
- Plenty of customization for your QR code, even on the free plan
- Free to download as many static QR codes as you need
- No sign-up required
- QR codes can also prompt event bookings and location check-ins
Cons
- Free QR code downloads are only in low definition; high-definition QR codes require a paid upgrade
- Free QR codes can only accommodate up to 100 scans
- Linking to documents is only available on paid plans
My expert opinion
All QR codes generally look the same, but if you want one that stands out more than the rest, Unitag is your best bet. By far, it has the most customizable QR codes out of all the platforms I tried, with various colors and styles to make your QR code a little more custom and unique.
It also has all the essential functions, including links to websites, phone calls, text messages — and my personal favorites — geolocations and event bookings. The free plan, however, only gets you a low-resolution download of your QR code that allows up to 100 scans. For high-definition QR codes and unlimited scans, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan at $17.28 a month.
While it’s not a cheap QR code generator, comparatively speaking, it’s a good option if you want your QR codes a little on the fancier side that’ll stick out even on a crowded bulletin board.
Best features: Highly customizable QR codes and ability to prompt event bookings
Unitag has some of the most advanced QR code customization tools for a unique and branded QR code. (Source: Unitag)
Free | HD QR code | Standard | Gold | Platinum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost | $0 | $13 | $17.28/month | $49/month | $99/month |
Static QR codes | Unlimited | 1 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
High-definition QR codes | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Dynamic QR codes | ✕ | ✕ | 100 | 500 | Unlimited |
QR code scans | 100 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Document hosting | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
QRBatch: Best bulk QR code generator
Pros
- Generates up to 50 unique QR codes with different destination links simultaneously
- No sign-up required for static QR codes
- Unlimited static QR codes for free (although only up to 200 a day)
Cons
- Can only link to web pages, not documents, phone calls, etc.
- Not as beginner-friendly as other platforms
- Limits how many QR codes you can generate daily (e.g., five dynamic QR codes per day on the free plan).
My expert opinion
If you need more than one or two QR codes but rather 40 or 50, QR Batch is the best bulk QR code generator I tried. You can generate up to 200 QR codes in one go, each leading to a different link, which is super helpful if you’re using them for things like vouchers or product labels. The only drawback is that they can only lead to web pages, not PDFs or phone calls.
It also wasn’t the easiest platform to use compared to others I’ve tried, but it still holds a ton of value if you’re looking for multiple QR codes, especially over a long time period. The free plan allows up to 210 static (and five dynamic) QR codes daily, so it’s overall one of the best QR code generators.
Best feature: The ability to generate hundreds of unique QR codes simultaneously.
Paste up to 200 links and generate QR codes for each in one go. (Source: QR Batch)
Free | Standard | Advanced | |
|---|---|---|---|
Monthly cost | $0 | $12 | $22 |
Static QR codes | 210 | 20,000 | 50,000 |
Dynamic QR codes | 5 | 300 | 500 |
QR code generations per batch | 200 | 5,000 | 6,000 |
How I evaluated the best QR code generators
There are dozens of platforms around, but to find the best QR code generator for businesses, I tested all the platforms above myself and evaluated them against the criteria below for their scores. All the platforms above can generate a usable QR code but differ in features, ease of use, pricing, and other factors.
30% of Overall Score
All the platforms above can generate QR codes for free, but I also emphasized platforms that allowed more free QR codes, had lower starting costs for paid plans, and didn’t require an account to download a QR code.
20% of Overall Score
General features involve all the essential functions for generating static and dynamic QR codes. This also covers how many destinations their QR codes support (web pages, documents, phone calls, etc.) and if they offer unlimited QR code scans.
20% of Overall Score
This involves other beyond-the-basic features like QR code customization, bulk QR codes, linking to digital business cards and app stores, and other design tools in the platform like templates for business cards and posters.
10% of Overall Score
I also gave extra credit to platforms with really niche features. These include the ability to download QR codes in multiple formats and to edit their destination links even after downloading them.
20% of Overall Score
I also scored each platform based on my experience, specifically their features, ease of use, value for money, and whether or not their generated QR codes worked (they did).
How to choose a QR code generator: 6 things to consider
As mentioned, every QR code generator has its own unique features. For instance, Canva’s is super easy and built into its design platform, while QR Tiger is designed specifically for business use. Choosing the right QR code generator for your business will ultimately come down to your unique needs. Below are six factors to consider when making your decision.
- Number of QR codes: Do you only need a single static QR code to place on a poster or several unique QR codes for coupons? Each of these requires a different type of QR code platform.
- Type of QR code: Likewise, the type of QR code you need, whether static or dynamic, matters. Most platforms allow static QR codes for free but will require payment for dynamic QR codes.
- QR code destination: Some QR code generators can only lead to web pages, while some can prompt phone calls, text messages, or event bookings.
- Budget: Most QR code generators can generate at least a few basic QR codes for free. However, if you need more QR codes and more advanced features like link-tracking, you may need a paid subscription, which can range anywhere from $6 to over $30.
- Comfort level: Some QR code generators are beginner-friendly and can generate codes in a click or two, while others have more advanced interfaces that will take time to navigate.
- Tracking measures: Different QR code generators have different tracking tools. Some use their native platforms, some use Google Analytics, and some have no analytics at all. If analytics are important, identify the measurement metrics you’ll need. Common QR code analytics are the number of scans, device types, locations, and bounce rates.
QR code security: How to keep your QR codes safe
QR codes are one of my favorite new marketing tools, but it’s also true that they’ve been riddled with security issues in recent years. Unfortunately, bad actors target QR codes for things like scams and phishing attacks. QR codes themselves aren’t unsafe, but If you use them for marketing, it’s also your responsibility to ensure all your QR codes are 100% risk-free and trustworthy.
- Always test your QR codes, including after they’re live. Make sure they lead to the correct destination or action. It’s the best way to ensure your QR codes aren’t being hacked.
- Make sure your QR code’s landing page uses SSL security. If your QR code leads to a website, make sure it’s SSL protected (hint: if it has the “https://” on the search bar). An SSL certificate is the most basic layer of protection a web page has against phishing or malware attacks.
- Don’t include sensitive information in QR code landing pages. Remember that QR codes are accessible to anyone in the public, so don’t add any info you wouldn’t want random people to know. Similarly, don’t request personal or sensitive information from customers if your code leads to a sign-up form.
- Brand QR codes. This does two things: It communicates that your QR codes are genuinely from your business, and it makes them more difficult for bad actors to replicate. It can be as simple as uploading your logo and using your brand colors.
- Indicate what customers will expect after scanning your QR code. One way to promote your audience’s safety is by letting them know exactly what to expect when they scan your QR code. That way, they can also tell if it leads them to the wrong place.
- Expire QR codes once your campaign is over. This minimizes their risk of being hacked and used for malicious purposes. It also keeps your brand reputation safe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The overall best QR code generator for business use is QR Tiger, as it generates static and dynamic QR codes for free that can lead to websites, app store pages, Google Forms, videos, and many other destinations. It’s also easy to use, trusted by many businesses, and customizable. Other good QR code generators are VistaPrint for print materials, Adobe Express for quick and easy generation, and QRBatch for bulk QR codes.
Creating static QR codes can be completely free with platforms like Adobe Express, QR Codes Unlimited, and Wix. However, dynamic QR codes can cost between $7 and $17 for multiple codes from platforms like QR Tiger, QR Codes Unlimited, and QRBatch.
Yes, platforms like Adobe Express, Wix, VistaPrint, QR Tiger, and QRBatch all let you generate high-quality static QR codes for free. QRBatch even lets you generate QR codes in bulk, and Canva lets you add them to your design projects.
Bottom line
QR codes are one of the niftiest tools to use in your marketing campaigns, as long as you keep them safe and secure. The overall best QR code generator for businesses will come down to your unique needs and priorities, but my top recommendations that’ll work for almost any business are QR Tiger, Adobe Express, and VistaPrint.
