The QR code subscription trap
Many QR sites make a dynamic code by default. It looks normal, but it points at their server, which then forwards to your link. When the trial or the plan ends, the server stops forwarding, and every printed menu, flyer and sign stops working. People pay a few dollars for a code and find a bill of $30 to $50 a month later, or a dead code.
A static code stores your link inside the pattern itself. There's no server in between, so it can't expire and nobody can switch it off. QRigin only makes static codes, free, with no account.
Free vs paid: what you actually get
| QRigin | Typical subscription generator | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free; own logo $2 once | Monthly or yearly plan after a trial |
| Code expires | Never | Dynamic codes stop when you stop paying |
| Account | None | Required |
| Change the link later | Not yet ($9 once is planned) | Yes, while subscribed |
| Scan statistics | Use UTM tags in your own analytics | Built in |
Frequently asked questions
Why did my QR code stop working?
Most likely it was a dynamic code: it points at the generator's redirect server, and the company switched it off when a trial or subscription ended. A static code holds your link directly, so it can't be switched off.
Can I get my old code back without paying?
The printed code points at their server, so only they can turn it back on. Make a static code for the same link here, free, and reprint it.
When do I really need a dynamic code?
Only when the link will change after you print, or you need per-code scan statistics. For a menu, business card or flyer that points at one page, a static code is enough. Tip: point it at a page on your own domain and you can change what that page shows any time.
What does QRigin cost?
Codes without a logo or with a ready-made logo are free. Your own uploaded logo is $2 once per design. There's no subscription.