QR code generators love to advertise "free" plans, then hit you with hidden fees for basic features. Scan limits, expiring codes, export charges, watermarks—the real cost often appears only after you've committed. Here's how to see through the marketing and find genuinely fair pricing.
The Hidden Fee Problem
A 2025 survey of 20 popular QR code generators found that 14 of them had at least one undisclosed limitation that most users would consider a hidden fee. The most common tactics:
- Advertising "free" plans but limiting scans to 100 per month
- Codes that stop working after 30–90 days unless you upgrade
- Free generation but charging for high-resolution downloads
- Basic analytics free, but location and device data locked behind paywalls
- Watermarks on free-tier codes that can't be removed without paying
The 6 Most Common Hidden Fees
1. Scan Limits
Some providers cap the number of times your QR code can be scanned per month. Hit the limit and your code shows an error page instead of your content. This is particularly damaging if you've printed the code on physical materials—you can't update it.
What to look for: Check the fine print for "scan limit," "monthly scans," or "scan quota." Quality providers offer unlimited scans on all plans.
2. Expiring Codes
Perhaps the most frustrating hidden fee: your QR codes stop working after a trial period or when you downgrade plans. You printed 10,000 product labels, and now the codes are dead.
What to look for: Search for "code expiration," "active period," or "trial codes." Your QR codes should work forever, regardless of your subscription status.
3. Export and Download Fees
Generate your QR code for free, but want to download it in high resolution? That'll be $9.99. Want SVG format for print? Upgrade to Pro.
What to look for: Check if all export formats (PNG, SVG, PDF) are available on your plan. Some generators only offer low-resolution PNG on free tiers.
4. Analytics Paywalls
The QR code works, but you can't see who's scanning it without paying. Basic scan counts might be free, but location data, device breakdown, and time-based analytics are locked behind premium tiers.
What to look for: Verify what analytics are included. Full analytics should come with any dynamic QR code, not as an expensive add-on.
5. Per-Code Pricing
Instead of flat monthly pricing, some generators charge per QR code created. Creating 50 codes at $0.50 each sounds cheap until you realize that's $25/month on top of the base plan.
What to look for: Understand whether pricing is flat-rate or per-code. Flat-rate plans with generous code limits are almost always better value.
6. Forced Branding and Watermarks
Your QR code works but displays the generator's logo or adds their branding to the landing page. Removing it requires a paid upgrade.
What to look for: Test the actual output before committing. Scan the QR code and check for redirects through branded pages or logos overlaid on your code.
What to Look For in Honest QR Pricing
- A trustworthy QR code generator should offer:
- Transparent pricing page — All limits clearly stated, not buried in terms of service
- Unlimited scans — On every plan, including free
- No expiring codes — Your codes work forever, even if you cancel
- Full analytics with dynamic codes — Not sold as a separate feature
- All export formats — PNG, SVG, and PDF available without hidden charges
- No watermarks — Your codes are yours, clean and professional
Honest Pricing Comparison: What You Actually Pay
| Provider | Advertised | Actual cost for 50 dynamic codes with analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Quality QR | €10–30/mo | €10/mo (Pro) or €30/mo (Business) — all features included |
| Provider A | "Free" | $29/mo (free tier limited to 3 codes, 100 scans) |
| Provider B | $7/mo | $35/mo (base + analytics add-on + extra code packs) |
| Provider C | $15/mo | $15/mo but codes expire after cancellation |
Free vs. Paid: What Do You Actually Need?
Free is fine if you:
- Need a handful of static QR codes
- Don't need to track scans
- Won't need to change the destination URL
- Don't mind potential limitations
Paid is worth it if you:
- Need to track scan analytics
- Want to edit destinations after printing
- Are using QR codes for business or marketing
- Need more than a few codes
- Want reliable, non-expiring codes
For most businesses, a paid plan between $10–30/month provides everything needed. The key is finding a provider where the advertised price is the actual price.
Quality QR's Pricing Approach
We built Quality QR's pricing to be the opposite of hidden-fee pricing:
- Free tier: 1 dynamic QR code + 5 static codes with full analytics, no watermarks, no expiration
- Pro (€10/month): 100 dynamic codes, unlimited static, all features, no per-code fees
- Business (€30/month): 500 dynamic codes, team features, priority support, custom domains
- All plans: Unlimited scans, all export formats, codes never expire
No scan limits. No expiring codes. No feature gating. What you see on the pricing page is what you pay.
Compare plans and start free at qualityqr.com/pricing—no credit card required.
