Pick a Scanova replacement by asking one question first: will you ever need to change where the code points after it's printed? If yes, you need dynamic codes and an account you'll keep. If no, a simple static code from a free maker will do. After that, compare design options and how much scan reporting you get.
Once a QR code is printed on a leaflet, a menu or a box, it stays printed. That's the part people forget when they pick a generator in a hurry. Scanova offers free codes for links, documents, images and maps without a sign-up, and plenty of the tools below do the same. The differences show up later, when a link changes or someone asks how many people scanned. Here are eight options, in no particular order.
Static or dynamic: the choice you can't undo
The thing to test in any replacement is whether codes can be edited after printing, and what scan reporting you get. A static code holds the destination inside the pattern itself. It's free to make almost anywhere and it'll keep working, but if the web address changes, the code is useless and the print run with it.
A dynamic code points to a short link that the generator controls. You can change the destination whenever you like, and you'll see scan counts, places and times. The trade-off is that the code depends on that account staying active. If you stop paying or the account closes, check what happens to your codes before you print thousands of them. That one question, asked of every vendor, will save you more trouble than any design feature.
Eight QR code makers compared
| Tool | Kind of maker | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Flowcode | Enterprise QR platform | Linking offline scans to CRM and analytics |
| ME-QR | Free QR maker | Making many kinds of codes quickly online |
| QR Code Chimp | QR generator with tracking | Branded codes with a logo |
| QR.io | Custom codes and landing pages | Codes that point to custom landing pages |
| QRCode Monkey | Design-led QR maker | Print-ready vector codes with logos and colour |
| QRStuff | Static and dynamic codes | Quick static codes with no sign-up |
| Uniqode | QR management platform | Teams managing lots of codes in one place |
| Unitag | Packaging and campaign codes | Packaging, business cards and GS1 Digital Link |
Each generator, A to Z
Sorted alphabetically and in no particular order. Each line reflects what the vendor says about its own generator.
Flowcode
Best for: Larger brands linking printed codes to their CRM and analytics, where the vendor describes an enterprise platform for connecting offline audiences.
ME-QR
Best for: Anyone needing different kinds of codes made, tracked and shared online, with the vendor promoting dynamic codes for free.
QR Code Chimp
Best for: Small businesses adding a logo to their codes and tracking dynamic ones for marketing, with a free plan named by the vendor.
QR.io
Best for: Marketers wanting colour, shape and logo control, scan tracking by place and date, and landing pages behind the code, per the vendor.
QRCode Monkey
Best for: Designers wanting custom colours, logos and vector files for sharp print, which the vendor says it offers for free.
QRStuff
Best for: People who just need a static code with no sign-up, expiry or scan limit, moving to dynamic codes for edits and analytics, per the vendor.
Uniqode
Best for: Marketing teams creating, managing and tracking dynamic codes on physical touchpoints, with the vendor stressing ease of use.
Unitag
Best for: Brands running codes on packaging and business cards, including GS1 Digital Link, with the vendor stating GS1 certification and EU hosting.
Quick makers, campaign managers and packaging codes
For a quick code today
QRStuff, ME-QR and QRCode Monkey are where most people start: open the site, paste a link, download a code. They're fine for a one-off poster or an event sign, especially if you add a logo and keep the code high contrast.
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For campaigns you'll track and change
Uniqode, QR Code Chimp and QR.io are built around dynamic codes, scan tracking and, in some cases, landing pages behind the code. Flowcode goes furthest towards the enterprise end, linking scans to CRM and analytics for bigger marketing teams.
For packaging and product labels
Unitag stands apart for packaging work, including the GS1 Digital Link standard that retailers and manufacturers use on product labels. If your codes go on things you sell in shops, ask your retail partners which standard they expect.
Advice for print and packaging
Test every code on real paper before the full print run. Print a sample at the size you'll use, scan it with a couple of different phones in normal light, and check the page it opens on a mobile screen. A code that scans on your monitor can fail on a glossy box or a dark background, and the page behind it matters as much as the code.
Keep a simple list of every code you've printed, where it lives and where it points, because six months from now nobody will remember. If you design your own print, my guide to designing a leaflet for print covers the layout side, and if you already work in Canva, here's how to make a QR code in Canva for simpler jobs.
Before the print run
- Decide whether the destination might ever change. If it might, use a dynamic code.
- Ask the vendor what happens to dynamic codes if your account ends.
- Keep strong contrast between the code and its background, and leave a clear margin around it.
- Scan a printed sample on more than one phone before signing off the proof.
- Record each code's destination and location in one shared file.
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Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a static and a dynamic QR code?
A static code stores the destination inside the pattern, so it can't be changed later. A dynamic code points to a short link you control, so you can change the destination and see scan reports.
Will my QR codes stop working if I leave Scanova?
Static codes keep working because the destination is stored in the pattern. Dynamic codes depend on the service behind them, so check what happens to yours before you close the account.
Can I add my logo to a QR code?
Yes, most generators let you add a logo and change colours. Keep strong contrast and test the printed code, because heavy styling can make some phones struggle to scan it.
What scan data can a QR code generator show?
Dynamic code tools usually show how many scans happened, roughly where and when. The detail varies by vendor, so check the reports before you choose.
How big should a printed QR code be?
It depends on how far away people will scan it from. A code on a business card can be small, while a poster across a room needs to be much larger. Always test a printed sample.
Do QR codes on packaging have to follow any rules?
Some retailers and industries expect specific standards, and labelling rules vary by country and product. Check with your retail partners and the relevant regulator before printing.
