Static vs dynamic QR codes
Both look the same once printed. The difference is where your content lives, and what happens when a subscription ends.
Static QR codes
The content is written straight into the pattern: your link, Wi-Fi password or contact card. Nothing sits in between, so the code works as long as the print is readable, with no account and no expiry date.
A static code can't count scans and can't be changed after printing. QRink makes static codes.
Dynamic QR codes
The code holds a short link to the provider's server, which forwards people to your content. You can change the destination later and see how often the code was scanned.
The catch: it only works while the provider keeps that short link alive. Many free plans switch it off after a trial, and every printed code then leads to an error or an ad.
Side by side
| Static | Dynamic | |
|---|---|---|
| Expires | Never | When the plan or service ends |
| Cost | Free | Usually a monthly fee |
| Change the destination | Not directly (see below) | Yes |
| Scan statistics | No | Yes |
| Works if the provider shuts down | Yes | No |
| Privacy | No middleman sees your scans | Every scan passes through the provider |
An editable code without a subscription
Point a static code at a page you own, like yoursite.com/menu. The code never changes, but you can update that page whenever you like. You get the flexibility of a dynamic code without depending on anyone.
When a dynamic code makes sense
- You run a paid campaign and need scan statistics.
- The destination changes often and you don't have a website of your own.
- You're fine paying for as long as the codes are in circulation.