QRZY vs QR.io for dynamic QR codes
QR.io codes redirect through QR.io's own short URL. When you stop paying — or when QR.io restricts your account — every printed QR you issued goes silent. Users describe printing codes on packaging and signage, then returning months later to find them deactivated. QRZY reserves short codes permanently; there is no mechanism to turn off a code you have already printed.
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When to choose each
Your QR codes are on physical print — menus, packaging, labels, signage — and must keep working regardless of subscription status. You want smart conditional routing without platform lock-in.
You need a quick QR for a short-term digital-only campaign, are on monthly billing, and have reviewed current QR.io terms before printing on any permanent materials.
Feature comparison
| Feature | QRZY | QR.io |
|---|---|---|
| Code longevity after cancellation | Codes redirect permanently — short codes reserved even after you cancel | Codes route through QR.io infrastructure; deactivated when account is closed or blocked |
| Smart routing | Time/day/date on Free; device + A/B on Starter; location, language, scan count on Pro | Destination update only — no conditional routing engine |
| Free tier | 1 permanent dynamic code — no trial, no credit card, no expiry | No permanent free plan — 7-day free trial only; static codes keep working after the trial ends, dynamic codes need a paid plan |
| Pricing | $100/yr Starter — 3 codes, hourly analytics | Single plan: $39.99/mo, or $479.50/yr (~27% off, ~$40/mo effective) for unlimited QR codes — no tiers |
| Analytics | Geo, device, channel attribution, GDPR-compliant HyperLogLog unique visitors | Analytics included on paid tiers |
| Billing model | Annual-only ($100–$999/yr) | Monthly billing available — easier to cancel |
| Visual customization | Clean, functional QR output | Custom QR design options (frames, colors, logos) |
Pricing
QRZY
QR.io
Where QRZY wins
- Codes are permanently reserved — the short code stays live after cancellation; QRZY cannot deactivate a printed code.
- 9-condition routing engine — time/day/date on free, device + A/B on Starter, location/language/scan count on Pro — no equivalent on QR.io.
- Free plan that never expires — QR.io has no permanent free tier at all, only a 7-day trial.
- QRZY Starter is $100/yr vs QR.io's single $479.50/yr (~$40/mo) plan — a materially lower entry price for smaller needs.
- GDPR-compliant unique-visitor analytics without storing raw IP data.
- Channel attribution to track which print campaign drove each scan.
Where QR.io wins
- More visual QR customization — frames, shapes, color options, logo embedding.
- Monthly billing suits short-term or uncertain campaigns better than QRZY annual-only.
- Unlimited QR codes on a single flat-rate plan — no per-code caps to manage once you're paying.
- Solid third-party reputation — roughly 4.5/5 on both Trustpilot and G2, despite recurring complaints about the trial-to-paywall conversion.
Frequently asked questions
Related resources
Dynamic vs Static QR Codes
How the redirect infrastructure behind dynamic codes determines who controls your QR.
QR Code Tracking Guide
Analytics that keep working — what scan data looks like over months and years.
Getting Started with QRZY
Create your first permanent dynamic QR code free — no subscription required.
QR codes that cannot be turned off
Permanent dynamic QR codes, free to start. No subscription trap, no trial cutoff.
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