8 Best QR Code Generators for Businesses (Cheap or Free)

QR codes (short for quick response codes) are one of the niftiest ways to enhance your digital marketing. They can instantly take your audience to your website or dedicated landing pages (or prompt phone calls, text messages, or emails) when scanned with a smartphone camera. They can also be added to virtually any type of print or digital marketing collateral, giving you the ability to create new customer experiences and gather valuable data.

The best part: they’re simple and often free to set up. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up the best QR code generators for small businesses below, including all the ways you can use them.

Best QR Code Generators at a Glance

Canva: Best Free QR Code Generator

Canva’s QR code generator is completely free to use, and easy enough for even beginners with zero experience. If you’re familiar with Canva’s drag-and-drop design platform, its QR code generator is just a few clicks away. Inside the platform, search for the QR code under the “Apps” tab, then enter the URL you want your code to lead to. Then, customize your generated QR code’s colors and margins (you can even use a transparent background).

You can even add your QR code to your other designs on Canva if you have them (e.g., on marketing collaterals like flyers and business cards, which is substantially helpful for small businesses). There are no limits—you can download and use as many QR codes as you need at zero cost. This makes Canva our overall best QR code generator free of charge.

Key Features

• Free QR code generator with unlimited downloads
• Customization for your code’s colors and borders
• Third-party integrations with other QR code apps
• Integration with Canva’s design platform and printing services

Canva’s QR code generator gets many points for being free and easy to use, but where it falls short is in link tracking. It has no features that allow you to track your QR code’s scans and clicks from within the platform. And, its QR codes also aren’t dynamic, so you can no longer change its destination URL once it’s live, unlike with other generators.

However, another option is to use Canva’s app integration with ME-QR, a third-party QR code generator that allows tracking functions and fully branded QR codes. You can search for it under the same app section on Canva. However, you’ll need to set up your QR codes separately on ME-QR platform first, and it isn’t a free platform. If you need QR codes that are trackable, Hovercode is a better option.

Still, Canva is our top pick for the best QR code generator for businesses because it’s free and easy to set up—you can create custom QR codes in two minutes or less. Plus, if you’re using Canva to create other types of marketing materials, adding your QR Code is a breeze. Get started today and generate unlimited QR codes for free.

Visit Canva

Wix: Best QR Code Generator for Multiple Content Types

QR codes don’t always have to lead to a website landing page—they can also lead toward PDF content (for example, restaurant menus) to prompt phone calls or emails, take customers to your Wi-Fi, or even deliver a custom message, among others. And one of the best QR code generators that can do all these is Wix, which is why it’s our top QR code generator for multiple content types.

You can create QR codes for up to nine content types on Wix: web page URLs, text, images, PDF, SMS messages, emails, phone calls, Wi-Fi connections, and even a vCard (digital business card). It’s also very easy to use: you’ll simply choose a content type for your QR code, fill in the necessary details, then customize your code’s size and colors. Once you’ve created your free Wix account, you can download your QR code as a PNG, JPEG, or SVG image.

Key Features

• 100% free QR generator
• Unlimited downloads
• Support for nine content types (web page, PDF, image, text, phone call, SMS, Wi-Fi, vCard)
• Customization for QR code size and colors

Where Wix’s QR code generator lacks most is the lack of link tracking features—you won’t be able to track how many people scanned and used your QR code. Its QR codes also have limited customization. Beyond changing its main colors, there are no avenues for branding—you can’t add your business logo, for example. Finally, its generated QR codes also aren’t dynamic, so if you want your code to lead to a new destination, you’ll have to generate an entirely new one.

On the whole, Wix is still a great option if you need a quick and easy QR code generator that leads to destinations other than web pages. Best of all, it’s completely free to use. Sign up with Wix today to get started.

Visit Wix

Hovercode: Best for Dynamic & Trackable QR Codes

Tracking your QR codes is necessary to measure their effectiveness, especially if you use them for limited-time promotions, like marketing coupons. For tracking your QR code’s analytics, our best QR code generator for businesses is Hovercode. Like Canva and Wix, Hovercode is an instant code generator, but it also has tools and a dashboard for tracking your QR code’s analytics, making it our overall best QR code generator with tracking features.

Hovercode’s analytics include when your code was scanned and with what device, and even location tracking at an additional price. To use the QR code generator, add your destination URL (or other content types, including email sends and app store downloads), then customize your QR code’s template, colors, and pattern. You can also add your logo to your QR code for better branding.

Plus, Hovercode is also one of the best dynamic QR code generators around. Along with allowing QR code tracking, you can also make your codes dynamic, meaning you can edit their destination later on while keeping the same QR code.

Key Features

• Free QR code generator
• Support for nine content types (web page, PDF, vCard, app store, email, SMS, phone call, Wi-Fi, text)
• QR code analytics for the number of scans (total and unique), scan times, device used, and scan location
• Dynamic QR codes
• QR code colors, pattern, and template customization
• Brand logo upload
• Custom domains
• QR code tagging for organization

Hovercode is one of the best QR code generators for businesses we’ve seen so far thanks to its many useful features and clean, beginner-friendly interface. The only drawback is that the free plan is limited to 10 QR codes and basic tracking analytics. If you need more QR codes, location tracking, and custom domains, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.

Overall, Hovercode is still one of the most full-featured QR code generators we’ve seen, and we like that the free plan allows up to 10 QR codes with all the essential tracking analytics. Get started with Hovercode today with a free plan, then upgrade to unlock even more features.

Visit Hovercode

Unitag: Best for Custom QR Codes

All QR codes generally look the same, so there’s very limited leeway terms of branding and design. However, one of the best QR code generators for businesses that allows more customization than most is Unitag. It lets you add custom colors and patterns to your QR code, and even add gradients and eye colors (aka the individual dots). And, you can also add your brand logo, all completely free—making Unitag the best custom QR code generator by far.

Unitag’s QR codes support up to eight content types. To generate your custom QR code, choose from 12 templates, customize your code’s style, colors, and logo, and then your QR code is instantly ready to download. You can download a low-definition static code for free, or upgrade to a paid plan for high-quality and dynamic QR codes with unlimited scans.

Key Features

• Free QR code generator
• Customization for QR code colors (including gradients and individual colors) and pattern
• Brand logo upload
• Dynamic QR codes
• QR code tracking and analytics
• Regular reports
• Support for eight content types (URLs, phone call, SMS, email, geolocation, event, Wi-Fi, text)

Unitag’s main shortcoming is that its QR codes don’t support documents, so if you need your QR code to lead to a PDF file like a menu or brochure, opt for Wix or Hovercode instead. Also, while there is a free plan, it only supports static QR codes with a limit of up to 100 scans. If you want unlimited scans, you’ll need to upgrade to the highest plan, which comes at a hefty $99 monthly.

However, we still rank Unitag among the best QR code generators because of its extensive customization features—far more than most. If you want to get creative and let your QR code stand out from the rest, this is the QR code generator for you. Start today with a free plan, then upgrade for more.

Visit Unitag

VistaPrint: Best QR Code Generator for Marketing Materials

One of the biggest benefits of QR codes in marketing is in elevating your direct mail marketing materials, such as brochures and or postcards. And for the best QR code generator specifically for marketing assets, our top pick is VistaPrint. VistaPrint has long since built its reputation as a platform for designing and printing marketing materials, so it’s no surprise that its QR code generator is the best in its field.

Another standout point with VistaPrint’s QR code generator is that it allows a good amount of customization: you can upload your brand logo and customize your code’s colors, shape, and pattern, all for free. All its QR codes are also automatically dynamic—even if you print your QR code, you can still edit its destination URL later on without having to create a new one from scratch.

Key Features

• 100% free QR code generator
• Dynamic QR codes
• Support for four content types (URLs, documents, vCards, Wi-Fi)
• Customization for your QR code’s colors, shape, and pattern
• Brand logo upload
• Integration with VistaPrint’s design and printing services

The biggest missing feature from VistaPrint’s QR code generator is tracking and analytics, so it isn’t the best QR code generator for short-term marketing campaigns like limited-time offers. Instead, its best use is as a lifelong QR code; for example, a QR code in your physical store leading to your website or to host online menus for restaurants. It also supports fewer content types than other generators—it doesn’t support SMS or emails, for example.

Still, for QR codes on printed marketing materials, few are better equipped than VistaPrint. Use its QR code generator today for free.

Visit VistaPrint

QR Batch: Best Bulk QR Code Generator

If you need to generate several unique QR codes at once (for instance, for company ID cards), the best bulk QR code generator is QR Batch. With QR Batch, you can easily generate multiple QR codes in one go to use for digital marketing assets, or even ID cards or product labels. First, select the kind of QR code you need, then choose your code’s destination (URL, text, vCard, a specific code, or a random code).

After customizing your code’s design, you’re ready to generate your bulk QR codes. QR Batch also allows two payment options: you can pay as you go or purchase credits in advance—whichever works best for you. You can also input your bulk data manually or upload a CSV file. On the customization side, you can choose your code’s colors, pattern, and border, and upload your brand logo.

Key Features

• Bulk QR code generator
• Customization for QR code’s colors, pattern, and size
• Brand logo upload
• Support for four content types (URL, text, vCard, and codes)
• Templates for standard QR codes, ID cards, and product labels
• Data encryption

The key drawback with QR Batch is that there is no free plan, although the price per QR code is less than one cent for orders above 1,000 codes. Also, its QR codes don’t support documents, emails, phone calls, or SMS messages, so it’s only helpful if you want to link out to websites, plain text, or codes. Finally, its QR codes aren’t dynamic or trackable, so you can neither edit them later on nor track their effectiveness, unlike with other generators.

However, for a bulk QR code generator, QR Batch is the most full-featured, efficient, and easy-to-use by far, and having two pricing schemes to choose from is also a plus. Create an account today to get started.

Visit QR Batch

QR Tiger: Best for Multi-URL QR Codes

If you want a truly dynamic QR code that changes according to circumstances, such as time or location, look no further than QR Tiger. QR Tiger goes beyond the basic functions, and its most standout feature by far is its multi-URL code generator that can vary based on factors like users’ locations, number of scans, time of day, or language. These can be especially helpful if, for instance, your store has multiple locations.

Moreover, QR Tiger’s multi-URL generator only requires a one-time setup. Your destination link will automatically change depending on the variable you choose. You won’t need to set up your QR code’s links multiple times—it’ll automatically adapt. You can also customize your code’s pattern, colors, and template and add your brand logo.

Key Features

• Free QR code generator with three QR codes
• Multi-URL code generator
• Customization for your QR code’s pattern, color, and frame
• Support for 11 content types (URLs, PDF files, vCards, Google forms, app stores, Wi-Fi, MP3 files, email, text, events, locations)
• Brand logo upload
• QR code tracking, plus Google Analytics integration
• Dynamic QR codes
• Integrations with Canva, monday.com, Zapier, and HubSpot
• Customer retargeting via Google Tag Manager and Facebook Pixel
• Bulk QR codes

QR Tiger’s many features make it one of the best QR code generators for businesses of any kind, but its biggest drawback is that it has a very limited free plan. You only get up to three dynamic QR codes (including multi-URL QR codes) and a scan limit of up to 500 scans, compared to Canva or Wix, which have unlimited of each. In addition, none of its plans offer unlimited dynamic QR codes—the highest only goes up to 600.

Overall, QR Tiger still stands out for its multi-URL QR code generator tool and its comprehensive design customization. Start with its free plan today to test its features, then upgrade for more capabilities.

Visit QR Tiger

Zazzle: Best QR Code Generator for Business Cards

QR codes are also a beneficial addition to your business card—they can link out to your online portfolio or business website, and overall up your networking game. And when it comes to the best QR code business card generator, Zazzle is our top pick. A well-established business card platform, Zazzle has thousands of QR code-ready business card templates you can easily customize.

Choose a template, then add your QR code’s destination link and customize your card’s design and info. In under an hour, you can have a professionally designed business card with a QR code to a landing page of your choice ready for printing. Zazzle’s design platform and QR code generator are free to use, though you’ll need to pay to have your cards printed and delivered.

Key Features

• 16,000-plus QR code business card templates
• Design platform with QR code generator
• Customization for your QR code’s colors and size

Zazzle’s biggest drawback is that there are very limited customization options for its QR codes—you can only customize your code’s background color and size. Also, it only supports URL links as a destination, so you won’t have the ability to direct users to file downloads or to prompt phone calls or messages. Finally, its QR codes aren’t dynamic—if you need to edit your destination link, you’ll have to re-generate a new code.

While it has a few limitations, Zazzle is a good platform for creating professional QR code business cards quickly and easily. Create yours today and upgrade your small business networking with prices starting from $7.

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How We Decided Which QR Code Generators Are Best for Businesses

The best QR code generators help you market your business effectively and are efficient and easy enough to use that you can generate a usable QR code in minutes. That’s why when choosing the best QR code generator for small businesses, we took certain factors into consideration. Here they are:

• Functionality: The first factor in determining the best QR code generator for businesses is whether they can make QR codes that work. We personally used each QR code generator to generate a QR code, then tested it afterward to ensure that it was effective and led to the correct landing page.
• Cost: Creating a QR code shouldn’t have to make a dent in your budget. Most of the QR code generators above have free plans with ample features and paid plans that are budget-friendly. Many also have scalable pricing to support your small business’ growth.
• Branding and customization: Since all QR codes are generally uniform, we give extra credit to platforms with customization and branding features, as they’re more effective for building your brand presence. These features include editing your QR code’s colors, pattern, and size, and adding your business logo. Some platforms also allow you to design full marketing collaterals with your generated QR code.
• Advanced features: All QR code generators can create a QR code, but some go beyond and allow more capabilities like dynamic codes, tracking and analytics, and support for multiple content types. These features can enhance your small business marketing, so we included platforms that support them.
• Ease of use: We also evaluated each platform to ensure that they were simple enough to set up and use, even for complete beginners. All the QR code generators above allow you to create a professional, functional, and customized QR code in minutes.

What a QR Generator Is & How It Works

A QR code generator is any platform or software that creates a QR code leading to a landing page of your choice. These landing pages are usually web pages, documents, text, or prompts for phone calls, emails, or SMS messages. QR codes are a helpful marketing asset because they can instantly connect real-world customers with online marketing assets like websites or digital ads, or prompt actions like app downloads or event sign-ups.

A QR code generator works by generating a unique pattern that leads to a specific destination. On a QR code generator, you’ll need to input your preferred QR code destination (whether a URL, a PDF document, and so on), and it’ll automatically generate a unique code that will lead straight to that destination when scanned with a mobile device. Some generators also let you customize your code’s design, add your branding, and make your codes dynamic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the best free QR code generator?

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Is Wix a good QR code generator for business use?

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Do QR codes expire?

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Bottom Line

QR codes offer many benefits to any small business. They’re helpful for many types of campaigns in many stages of the marketing journey, from nurturing leads to encouraging sales. The best QR code generators can help you easily set up functional and custom QR codes your small business can easily use. For a free, beginner-friendly, and effective option, our top pick is Wix—it has all the essential tools for creating unlimited QR codes at no cost.

Visit Wix