Scanta vs QR Code Generator
Both generate QR codes. The difference is what's free: Scanta includes dynamic codes, unlimited updates, and scan analytics on the free plan — no watermarks, no scan caps, no expiry.
Free · Dynamic codes included
- Dynamic codes on free plan
- No watermark, ever
- Redirects never expire
- Scan analytics included free
Free static · Dynamic requires paid
- Watermark on free codes
- Dynamic codes paid only
- Free codes expire
- Analytics gated behind upgrade
Feature by feature
| Feature | Scanta | QR Code Generator |
|---|---|---|
Free dynamic QR codes QR Code Generator requires a paid plan to create dynamic (editable) codes. Scanta includes them on the free tier. | Paid only | |
Update destination without reprinting Changing where a code redirects requires a subscription on QR Code Generator. | Paid only | |
Redirects expire Free codes on QR Code Generator stop redirecting after the trial period. Scanta codes redirect indefinitely. | On free | |
Watermark on free QR code QR Code Generator adds a branded logo to QR codes on their free plan. Scanta codes have no watermark. | ||
Scan analytics on free plan Basic scan counts are included free on Scanta. QR Code Generator gates analytics behind their paid tier. | ||
Scan limits on free plan QR Code Generator limits scans per month on free and lower-paid plans. Scanta does not cap scan counts. | ||
No account required for static code | ||
High-resolution PNG download | ||
SVG / vector download | Paid | |
Custom QR code colors & styles | Basic | Paid |
Deep analytics (device, location) | Pro plan | Paid plan |
Custom short domain | Business plan | |
Bulk QR code creation | Business plan | |
Starting paid price Paid tiers are similarly priced, but Scanta's free tier includes dynamic codes that QR Code Generator gates behind paid plans. | $9/mo | ~$9/mo |
Last updated May 2026. Data sourced from each vendor's public pricing page. If anything is incorrect, email support@scanta.satosushi.co.
The watermark problem for print
QR Code Generator's free tier adds a branded logo to the centre of every QR code. For a code you're testing in a browser or sharing digitally, this is a minor inconvenience. For a code going on a business card, product label, event programme, or restaurant menu, a third-party watermark embedded in the design is a real problem — it signals to anyone who notices that you're on a free plan of someone else's service, and it compromises the visual presentation of professional print materials.
Scanta QR codes have no watermark on any plan. The code you generate is the code you print — no logo from us embedded in it. This is a deliberate choice: a QR code on your printed materials should represent your brand, not ours.
Beyond the watermark, QR Code Generator's free codes are static (locked destination) and expire after the trial period. For print use cases where you need a code that keeps working indefinitely and can be updated when URLs change, this combination of limitations makes the free tier essentially unusable for production deployments. Scanta's free tier includes dynamic redirects (editable destination), no expiry, no scan caps, and no watermark — the full set of features needed for reliable print QR code deployment.
What to look for when choosing a QR code generator
No watermark
For professional print materials, a watermark from a third-party service is not acceptable. Look for a platform where the free tier produces clean, unbranded codes. Scanta never adds a watermark.
Dynamic redirects (editable destination)
Static codes lock in the destination at creation time. If your URL ever changes — and it will — a static code printed on physical materials becomes a dead link. Dynamic codes let you update the destination in your dashboard without reprinting.
No expiry
Some free tiers run codes on a trial clock — after 30 or 90 days, redirects stop working. For print materials that may be in circulation for months or years, this is a critical risk. Scanta's free codes don't expire.
No scan limits
Scan limits mean your code stops working after a set number of scans per month. For a product on a retail shelf or a popular restaurant menu, hitting a scan cap silently breaks the user experience. Scanta has no scan caps.
Basic analytics included free
Even on a free plan, knowing how many times a code has been scanned helps you measure which physical touchpoints are working. Scanta includes basic scan counts at no cost.
When QR Code Generator is the better pick
QR Code Generator has more customization options — custom shapes, gradients, logo embedding — on their paid plans. If you need a heavily branded, styled QR code and you're already paying for a plan, their design toolkit is more mature. Scanta is the better choice when you need a clean, working dynamic code without paying anything.
常見問題
Does QR Code Generator put a watermark on free QR codes?
Yes. QR Code Generator's free plan adds a branded logo/watermark to all QR codes. This watermark cannot be removed without a paid subscription. Scanta QR codes have no watermark on any plan — free or paid.
Do free QR Code Generator codes expire?
Yes. Free QR codes on QR Code Generator stop redirecting after the trial period ends. Scanta's free dynamic codes redirect indefinitely — there is no expiry date or trial clock.
Can I edit a QR Code Generator code after printing for free?
No. Dynamic codes — where you can change the destination after printing — require a paid QR Code Generator subscription. On Scanta, updating a code's destination after printing is free — log in, change the redirect URL, and the same printed code points to the new page.
Does Scanta add a watermark to free QR codes?
No. Scanta QR codes never have a watermark — not on the free plan, not on any paid plan. You can download and use the code immediately without any branding from Scanta.
Which is better for a QR code on a business card?
Scanta. For business cards, you need a code with no watermark, no expiry, and an editable destination so you can update your URL without reprinting. QR Code Generator's free plan has all three of those limitations. Scanta's free plan has none of them.
Try Scanta free
Dynamic codes, no watermarks, no expiry. Free forever for personal and small business use.
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