Saturday, February 2, 2026
Static vs Dynamic QR Code: What's the Difference and Which Should You Use?
Static vs Dynamic QR Code: What's the Difference?
A static QR code encodes data directly into the QR pattern. Once created, the destination URL cannot be changed. It works forever with no subscription required, but offers no scan tracking or editing capability.
A dynamic QR code encodes a short redirect URL that points to your actual destination. You can change where the code points anytime, track scan analytics (location, device, time), and customize the experience — but it requires an active account with a QR code provider.
In short: static = permanent and free but inflexible. Dynamic = editable and trackable but provider-dependent.
The distinction matters more than most people realize. Choosing the wrong type can mean printing 10,000 flyers with a QR code you can't update, or paying for a dynamic code subscription when a free static code would have done the job perfectly. This guide breaks down every difference so you can make the right choice for your specific use case.
Static vs Dynamic QR Code: Side-by-Side Comparison
Here's a comprehensive comparison of every major difference between static and dynamic QR codes:
Feature: Editable after creation? | Static QR Code: No — URL is permanently encoded | Dynamic QR Code: Yes — change destination anytime
Feature: Scan tracking & analytics? | Static QR Code: No | Dynamic QR Code: Yes — location, device, time, total scans
Feature: Expires? | Static QR Code: Never (code itself is permanent) | Dynamic QR Code: Can expire if subscription lapses or scan limits hit
Feature: Cost | Static QR Code: Always free | Dynamic QR Code: Free tiers available; paid plans $5–$50/month
Feature: Scan limits | Static QR Code: Unlimited | Dynamic QR Code: Varies by provider (some cap free tiers)
Feature: QR pattern complexity | Static QR Code: More complex (encodes full URL) | Dynamic QR Code: Simpler (encodes short redirect URL)
Feature: URL length impact | Static QR Code: Long URLs = denser, harder-to-scan pattern | Dynamic QR Code: No impact — redirect URL is always short
Feature: Custom design | Static QR Code: Limited (pattern is fixed by content) | Dynamic QR Code: Full customization (colors, logo, frames)
Feature: Security | Static QR Code: No intermediary — direct to destination | Dynamic QR Code: Redirect server involved (provider sees scan data)
Feature: Best for | Static QR Code: Permanent links: WiFi, email, vCard, text | Dynamic QR Code: Marketing: campaigns, menus, variable content
For most business use cases, dynamic QR codes are the better choice because they offer flexibility and analytics. For permanent, simple links — WiFi passwords, email addresses, business card vCards — static QR codes are ideal because they never expire and require no ongoing subscription.
What Is a Static QR Code?
A static QR code encodes the destination data directly into the black-and-white pattern. The data becomes part of the image itself — no server, no redirect, no intermediary. When you scan a static code, your phone reads the pattern and goes directly to the URL, text, or information encoded in it.
Pros of Static QR Codes
- Always free — no subscription, no account needed, no hidden charges
- Never expire — the code works as long as the destination URL exists
- No scan limits — unlimited scans forever
- No provider dependency — works independently of any third-party service
- Direct connection — no redirect delay, no intermediary server
Cons of Static QR Codes
- Cannot edit the destination after creation — if the URL changes, you need a new code
- No scan tracking or analytics — you'll never know how many people scanned it
- Long URLs create complex patterns — a 100-character URL produces a denser, more intricate QR pattern that can be harder for cameras to read
- If the destination breaks, the code is useless — a deleted page or expired domain means the QR code leads nowhere
When to Use Static QR Codes
Static codes are the right choice for permanent, unchanging content: WiFi network credentials, email addresses, vCard contact information, plain text, and URLs that will never change. If you're engraving a QR code on a sign, printing it on a tattoo, or embedding it in something permanent, static is the way to go.
What Is a Dynamic QR Code?
A dynamic QR code encodes a short redirect URL — managed by the QR code provider — instead of the final destination. When scanned, your phone first goes to the redirect URL (something like `qrk.it/a1b2c3`), which then forwards to the actual destination. Because the redirect is controlled by the provider, you can change where the code points without creating a new QR code.
Pros of Dynamic QR Codes
- Edit destination URL anytime without reprinting the QR code
- Full scan analytics — track location, device type, time of scan, and total scans
- Shorter redirect URL = simpler, cleaner QR pattern that's easier for cameras to read
- Custom design options — add colors, logos, and frames to match your brand
- A/B testing capability — route different users to different destinations
- Campaign performance measurement — tie QR scans directly to marketing ROI
Cons of Dynamic QR Codes
- Requires an active account with a QR code provider
- May expire if your subscription lapses or the provider shuts down
- Redirect adds a server hop — typically milliseconds, but it's an extra step
- Free tiers may have limits — scan caps, feature restrictions, or code limits
When to Use Dynamic QR Codes
Dynamic codes are ideal for anything that might change: marketing campaigns, restaurant menus, event materials, product packaging with variable content, and business materials you may need to update. If you're running a campaign and want to measure how many people scanned your code — or if there's any chance the destination URL will change — dynamic is the smart choice.
How Static and Dynamic QR Codes Work
The technical difference comes down to what's encoded in the pattern itself.
Static QR code flow: User scans QR code → Phone reads the encoded URL directly from the pattern → Browser opens the destination URL
Dynamic QR code flow: User scans QR code → Phone reads a short redirect URL → Provider's server logs the scan data and redirects → Browser opens the destination URL
Why Dynamic Codes Have Simpler Patterns
Here's something most people don't realize: a static QR code encoding a long URL like `https://useqrkit.com/restaurant-menu?location=downtown&season=winter2026` creates a dense, complex pattern with many tiny modules. A dynamic QR code for the same destination uses a short redirect like `https://qrk.it/a1b2c3` — resulting in a much cleaner, easier-to-scan pattern.
This has a practical impact: dynamic codes with their simpler patterns have more room for error correction, meaning they can tolerate more damage (logo overlays, slight wear and tear, printing imperfections) while still scanning reliably. Static codes with complex patterns are more fragile in this regard.
Do Static or Dynamic QR Codes Expire?
Static QR codes never expire. The data is permanently encoded and requires no subscription or account. However, a static code can become "broken" if the destination URL is deleted or the domain expires — the QR code still works, but it leads to a dead page.
Dynamic QR codes can expire if your subscription lapses, your account is deactivated for inactivity, or your provider's scan limits are reached. The QR code image still exists, but the redirect stops working.
This is one of the most important differences to understand when choosing between the two types. For a detailed breakdown of every expiration scenario and how to prevent them, see our complete guide: Do QR Codes Expire? Everything You Need to Know.
Static or Dynamic QR Code — Which Should You Choose?
Choose Static If:
- Your destination URL will never change
- You don't need scan tracking or analytics
- You want a free, zero-maintenance solution
- You're encoding WiFi, email, vCard, or plain text
- You're printing on permanent materials (engraved signs, plaques, or even tattoos)
Choose Dynamic If:
- Your content may change (menus, promotions, seasonal events)
- You need to track how many people scan and when
- You're running marketing campaigns with measurable ROI
- You're printing on materials you can't easily reprint (packaging, large-format signage)
- You want to A/B test different destinations
The Bottom Line
For most business use cases, dynamic QR codes are the better investment. The ability to update content and measure performance without reprinting justifies the cost. However, for simple, permanent links, static codes are the smart, free, and reliable choice.
Ready to create your QR code? UseQRKit's free QR code generator lets you create both types — static QR codes are always free, and you get 5 free dynamic QR codes that never expire.
Frequently Asked Questions: Static vs Dynamic QR Codes
What is the difference between static and dynamic QR codes?
Static codes encode data directly into the QR pattern and can't be edited after creation. Dynamic codes use a short redirect URL that can be changed anytime, and they include scan tracking analytics like location, device type, and total scans. Static codes are free and permanent; dynamic codes are flexible but require a provider account.
Are static QR codes free?
Yes. Static QR codes are always free to create and use. There are no limits on scans, no expiration dates, and no subscription required. Any free QR code generator can create static codes at no cost.
Do dynamic QR codes cost money?
Dynamic QR codes often have free tiers — typically 1 to 5 free codes — and paid plans ranging from $5 to $50 per month for additional codes, advanced analytics, and custom branding features. UseQRKit offers 5 free dynamic codes with no expiration, so you can get started without paying anything.
Can you edit a static QR code?
No. Once a static QR code is created, the encoded data cannot be changed. If the destination URL changes, you must create a new QR code and reprint any materials. This is the primary reason businesses choose dynamic codes for anything that might need updating.
Do static QR codes expire?
No. Static QR codes never expire — the data is permanently encoded in the pattern. However, they can effectively stop working if the destination URL is deleted, the domain expires, or the page is moved to a different address.
Do dynamic QR codes expire?
They can. Dynamic QR codes may stop working if your subscription lapses, your account is deactivated for inactivity, or your provider's scan limits are reached. The safest approach is to choose a provider with a reliable free tier or commit to a long-term plan for important codes.
Which is better for business cards — static or dynamic?
It depends on what you're encoding. For vCard contact information (name, phone, email), static is perfectly fine since that data rarely changes. For a link to your portfolio, LinkedIn, or website that you might update, a dynamic code gives you the flexibility to change the destination without reprinting your cards.
Can I convert a static QR code to dynamic?
No. A static QR code cannot be converted to dynamic because the data encoding is fundamentally different. You would need to create a new dynamic QR code. However, if you originally created a dynamic code, you can change its destination as many times as you want without creating a new one.
Does the type of QR code affect scan speed?
Both types scan virtually instantly. Dynamic codes add a server redirect that typically takes milliseconds — completely imperceptible to users. Interestingly, dynamic codes may actually scan slightly more reliably in some situations because their simpler QR pattern (encoding a short URL) is easier for phone cameras to read than a dense static pattern.
How do I know if my QR code is static or dynamic?
If you can log into a dashboard and change where the code points, it's dynamic. If there's no dashboard or account associated with it, it's static. You can also scan the code and check the URL — if it goes through a short redirect (like `qrk.it/abc` or `bit.ly/xyz`), it's dynamic. If it goes directly to the full destination URL, it's static.
