Static and dynamic QR comparison
Choose a QR code generator that does not expire
For a code that does not depend on a QR provider’s subscription, encode your text or final URL directly as a static QR. The pattern has no service expiry, but a destination website can still close. Choose dynamic QR tools when changing destinations or measuring scans matters more.
Official pages checked . Features and plans can change.
The Short Answer
- QRCode Monkey suits people who want logo and color options for a free static code.
- Bitly suits teams that want QR codes alongside managed links and reporting.
- QR Code Generator suits dynamic campaigns with destination editing and scan reporting.
- Canva suits people making a complete invitation or flyer around a QR.
- PrivQR suits local static encoding and practical Matter or 3D printing workflows, without an account.
What actually expires?
A static QR stores its content in the pattern. Scanning a direct website URL opens that address without needing the generator to keep a redirect running. If you paste a third-party short link into a static QR, however, you keep that short link’s dependency.
A dynamic QR usually stores a provider-managed URL that redirects to the chosen destination. This makes later destination changes possible, but the service and its terms remain part of the route. Some providers may disable or limit redirects after a trial or subscription ends. Do not infer a particular expiry date from a reporting window.
Before printing, decode the downloaded image and inspect the actual address. PrivQR’s existing QR image workflow explains redirects and the static-code limits; it cannot verify every redirect or provider subscription.
Options and current public pricing
QRCode Monkey
Free static QR codes.
Static codes keep their content and cannot be edited after creation. The official site says they do not expire or impose scan limits.
Best for: Custom colors, logos and vector artwork for a static label.
Official source · checked
Bitly
Free: $0/month, with ads. Core: $10/month billed annually ($120/year).
An account-based link and QR platform; the pricing page lists destination redirects on paid plans. Core’s “30 days” describes click and scan data, not a code expiry date.
Best for: Managing links and QR campaigns with reporting and plan-based redirects.
Official source · checked
QR Code Generator
Not verified: the public pricing response showed amount placeholders.
Pro offers editable dynamic QR codes and scan reporting. The page advertises a free trial; check the current terms for what remains active afterward.
Best for: Teams that need to update destinations and manage dynamic campaigns.
Official source · checked
Canva
The QR tool is described as free. Paid plan prices: Not verified.
Its current tool page offers static and dynamic QR options inside a design. Choose the intended type and check any expiry settings before printing.
Best for: Putting a QR directly into an invitation, flyer or other designed document.
Official source · checked
PrivQR
Free core tools; no account or login.
Static URL or text is encoded locally in the browser. PrivQR adds no redirect and no service expiry; the encoded address cannot be edited in an existing code.
Best for: Local QR creation, Matter setup data and QR models for 3D printing.
Official source · checked
Compare the QR service dependency
| Provider | How the destination works | What to check before printing |
|---|---|---|
| QRCode Monkey | Static content, fixed after generation | Decode the final URL and keep its website online. |
| Bitly | Managed links; redirect editing depends on plan | Verify link terms; data retention is not code lifetime. |
| QR Code Generator | Pro dynamic redirects with editable destinations | Verify post-trial redirect access; price not verified. |
| Canva | Static and dynamic options in the design tool | Confirm type and any expiry settings; plan prices not verified. |
| PrivQR | Static content, no PrivQR redirect | Check for a pasted short link and maintain the destination. |
When PrivQR is not a fit
Choose another service when you need to change the encoded address after distribution, receive scan notifications, or compare campaign scan reports. PrivQR does not offer dynamic codes. For designed invitations and flyers, a layout tool may also be a better starting point; PrivQR supplies the QR file, not the whole design.
QR expiry FAQ
Which QR code generator does not expire?
Choose a static code whose decoded content is the text or final URL you intended. PrivQR adds no service expiry; QRCode Monkey also explicitly offers non-expiring static codes. A linked page must still remain available, and a damaged print may stop scanning.
Does a dynamic QR always expire after a free trial?
No universal rule applies. A dynamic code relies on the provider’s redirect service, which may restrict access after a trial or plan change. Check that provider’s current terms rather than assuming all dynamic codes expire at the same time.
Does Bitly’s 30-day data window mean the QR stops working?
No. The Core pricing description says 30 days of click and scan data. That reporting window is not evidence that the QR code expires after 30 days; this comparison makes no such expiry claim.
Can PrivQR make an editable or trackable QR code?
No. PrivQR makes static codes without its own redirect. It does not provide destination changes, scan statistics or scan notifications. You can update content at a web address you control while keeping that address unchanged.