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.

Example of a Static QR-code

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

So, Dynamic QR-codes work like this:
- After scanning you are first directed to a customized page of the website you created the QR-code at;
- 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.

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.