Static vs Dynamic QR Codes: Which Should You Use?

You've decided to use QR codes. Now comes the choice: static or dynamic?

The wrong choice can cost you money, flexibility, or valuable data. This guide explains the differences and helps you pick the right one.

The Quick Answer

What Is a Static QR Code?

A static QR code encodes data directly into its pattern. When someone scans it, their device reads the data straight from the code.

Example: A QR code containing https://example.com/about literally has that URL baked into its pixels.

How Static Codes Work

1. You provide data (URL, text, WiFi password)
2. The data is encoded into a dot pattern
3. Scanners read the pattern and extract the data
4. The user is taken directly to that destination

The Limitation

Once printed, a static QR code cannot change. If you print 10,000 flyers with a static code pointing to example.com/summer-sale and that page moves, every single flyer becomes useless.

What Is a Dynamic QR Code?

A dynamic QR code encodes a short redirect URL instead of your final destination. When scanned, users hit the redirect first, which then sends them to your actual content.

Example: The QR code contains https://qr.st/abc123, which redirects to whatever URL you configure.

How Dynamic Codes Work

1. You provide your destination URL
2. We create a short redirect URL
3. The short URL is encoded into the QR code
4. Scans hit our server first
5. We log the scan and redirect to your destination
6. You can change the destination anytime

The Advantage

Change your destination URL without reprinting. Those 10,000 flyers now redirect wherever you want.

Feature Comparison

Editability

Static: Permanent. What you encode is what you get. Forever.

Dynamic: Fully editable. Change your destination URL through a dashboard or API call. The printed QR code stays the same.

Size and Scannability

QR codes get larger as they encode more data. A long URL like https://example.com/campaigns/summer-2025/landing-page?utm_source=flyer&utm_medium=print creates a dense, harder-to-scan code.

Static: Code size depends on data length. Long URLs = bigger codes.

Dynamic: Always uses a short URL like https://qr.st/abc123. Consistently small and scannable.

Analytics

Static: None. You have no idea who scanned, when, or where.

Dynamic: Full tracking:

• Total scan count
• Scans over time
• Geographic location
• Device types (iPhone, Android, etc.)
• Browser and OS

Cost

Static: Cheaper per code. With QRStar: $0.001 each.

Dynamic: More expensive, but includes tracking. With QRStar: $0.01 per code, plus $0.0001 per scan.

When to Use Static QR Codes

Static codes make sense when:

The destination is permanent

• Your homepage URL
• A contact vCard
• WiFi network credentials
• A physical location (Google Maps link)

Volume is high and budget is low

Printing 100,000 QR codes for product packaging where you just need to link to a manual? Static saves money.

Privacy matters

Static codes don't involve any third-party servers. The data goes directly from code to device. Good for sensitive applications.

Examples of Good Static Use Cases

• WiFi access cards: SSID and password encoded directly
• Business cards: Contact info that won't change
• Product manuals: Link to documentation
• Menu URLs: Restaurant homepage (not seasonal menus)

When to Use Dynamic QR Codes

Dynamic codes are worth the cost when:

You need to track scans

Marketing campaigns need data. Dynamic codes tell you:

• How many people scanned
• Which locations performed best
• What devices your audience uses
• When scans happen (time of day, day of week)

The destination might change

• Seasonal promotions
• A/B testing landing pages
• Campaign URLs
• Content that gets updated

You're printing at scale

One typo in a static code means reprinting everything. Dynamic codes let you fix mistakes without reprinting.

Examples of Good Dynamic Use Cases

• Marketing campaigns: Track ROI on print materials
• Product packaging: Update recall info if needed
• Event materials: Change destination after the event
• Real estate signs: Update listing URL when property sells

The Analytics Advantage

Let's look at what dynamic tracking actually provides.

Scan Volume

Basic but essential: how many people scanned your code?

Total scans: 1,234
Today: 45
This week: 312
This month: 892

Geographic Data

Know where your scanners are:

United States: 823 (66.7%)
United Kingdom: 201 (16.3%)
Canada: 156 (12.6%)
Other: 54 (4.4%)

Device Breakdown

Understand your audience's technology:

iPhone: 512 (41.5%)
Android: 456 (36.9%)
iPad: 134 (10.9%)
Other: 132 (10.7%)

Time-Based Trends

See when people scan:

Monday:    ████████████████ 203
Tuesday:   █████████████ 167
Wednesday: ███████████████████ 245
Thursday:  ██████████████████ 231
Friday:    ██████████████ 189
Saturday:  ██████████ 112
Sunday:    ██████ 87

This data helps you optimize. If most scans happen on Wednesday, schedule promotions accordingly.

Cost Analysis

Let's do the math for a real campaign.

Scenario: 10,000 Flyers

Static codes:

• Generation cost: 10,000 × $0.001 = $10
• Analytics: None
• Flexibility: None

Dynamic codes:

• Generation cost: 10,000 × $0.01 = $100
• Assuming 5% scan rate (500 scans): 500 × $0.0001 = $0.05
• Total: $100.05
• Analytics: Full tracking
• Flexibility: Can change destination

The question is: is $90 worth the ability to:

• Know exactly how many people scanned?
• See which locations performed best?
• Change the destination if something goes wrong?

For marketing campaigns, the answer is usually yes.

When Static Wins on Cost

• Very high volume (millions of codes)
• No need for analytics
• Destination will never change
• One-time use codes

Decision Framework

Use this flowchart:

Will the destination ever change?

• Yes → Dynamic
• No → Continue

Do you need to track scans?

• Yes → Dynamic
• No → Continue

Is this for a marketing campaign?

• Yes → Dynamic
• No → Continue

Is the volume over 100,000 codes?

• Yes → Consider static for cost
• No → Dynamic is affordable

Is there any chance you might make a typo?

• Yes → Dynamic (you can fix it)
• No → Static is fine

Summary

Most modern use cases benefit from dynamic codes. The small additional cost pays for itself in flexibility and data.

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