Static or Dynamic QR-code?
For many people it is unknown what static and dynamic QR-codes are, and how they differ from each other. Choosing the right QR-code is crucial for a succesful QR-code campaign. In this blog we will explain what static and dynamic QR-codes are, what the advantages and disadvantages are, and which QR-code is best in your situation.

In short

  • There are 2 types of QR-codes: static and dynamic QR-codes.
  • With the static QR-code, the information is directly embedded in the code, and as a scanner, you are immediately directed to the linked content.
  • Dynamic QR-codes work through a redirect, allowing you to track the number of scans and modify the QR-code afterwards.

Static QR-code

Static QR-codes are the default type of QR-code and they can be used in a lot of situations: They can link to a website, reveal contact details,  show menu’s etc. You can create static QR-codes here.

Static QR-codes encode all entered information into the ‘blocks’ of the QR-code.

Your phone can detect and interpret these ‘blocks’ to show you the information they contain.

Pro’s:

  • Static QR-codes cannot expire, since all data is in the QR-code itself;
  • No information is shared with a 3rd party.

Cons:

  • It’s impossible to measure the amount of scans, except for when the landing page is yours; (e.g. with a UTM code)
  • Afterwards no information in the QR-code can be changed, since it is all in the QR-code itself;
  • Special actions that aren’t recognized by your phone (like showing a video directly) are not possible.
Static QR code with target brand colors, target logo, and a frame with the text "buy now".

Example of a Static QR-code

Diagram in which there are blue arrows between screenshots of the QRcode.me generator, a QR code, and a screenshot of the target website.

Dynamic QR-code

A Dynamic QR-code does not have these disadvantages, as it uses a detour to go to the landing page.

Diagram with a custom Target QR code on the left, with an arrow to the right, where a screenshot of the redirection page of QRcode.me is depicted, with an arrow to the right, where a screenshot of the target website is depicted. Texts above the image respectively say: "QR code is scanned", "Scan is processed", and "redirected to target.com".

So, Dynamic QR-codes work like this:

  1. After scanning you are first directed to a customized page of the website you created the QR-code at;
  2. Then you are redirected by that page, to the landing page. In this case that is QRcode.me.

Using this setup, dynamic QR-codes merely have the information to send you to a ‘ redirecting’  page. The ‘redirecting’ page is unique for every QR-code, and it’s only task is to send you to the actual landing page.

The advantage? Because the landing page itself isn’t in the QR-code, it can be changed after you have generated the QR-code. Therefore, where the QR-code leads to, can also be changed after creating it.

Pro’s

  • The amount of scans is easily measured by the unique ‘redirecting’ page;
  • The landing page can always be adapted;
  • The dynamic QR-code can be applied in a lot of situations.

Cons:

  • Most websites let your dynamic QR-code expire, or they put up paywalls. But, we offer dynamic QR-codes that never expire for free!
  • It’s possible that information can get to third parties via the ‘redirecting’ page.
Dynamic QR code with target brand colors, target logo, and a frame with the text "buy now".

Example of a dynamic QR-code

Which one should I choose: static or dynamic?

Are you still doubting which type suits you best? Consider the pro’s and cons using some examples.

Static:

  • When it is not practical to save data at 3rd parties, for example when you use sensitive information for your QR-code;
  • When you quickly and easily want a QR-code without account;
  • When it isn’t useful to know the number of scans of your QR-code.

Example

Dynamic:

  • When you use QR-codes where the URL has to be changed, like when there is a new website the QR-code has to link to;
  • When you want to send different people to different landing pages, for example when your company offers products/services that differ over time;
  • For if you’d like to know the number of scans your QR-code has.

Example

In short:

  • Static QR-codes contain all entered information. Dynamic QR-codes don’t. This is why the landing page of dynamic QR-codes can be changed, and the amount of scans measured.
  • For a static QR-code you don’t need an account, and a static one is a little faster as you are directed to the landing page in one go.
  • In the end, both QR-codes have their up and downsides, and it depends on the situation you are using QR-codes for, what option is best for you.

FAQ