QRmkr vs Mailchimp QR Codes
Mailchimp's codes exist to grow a Mailchimp list. That is a narrower job than it sounds.
Mailchimp can generate a QR code for a signup form or landing page you host there, which is a sensible feature: put it on a table tent, collect subscribers. If that is the entire job, use it and skip this page. The moment the code needs to point at something outside Mailchimp - a menu, a booking page, a PDF - or needs to be repointed after printing, the code has to live somewhere that is not tied to one marketing platform.
QRmkr vs Mailchimp at a glance
| Feature | QRmkr | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Free static QR codes | Free forever, never expire | Codes for hosted forms and pages |
| Point at any destination | Any URL | Mailchimp-hosted assets |
| Repoint after printing | Yes - edit destination after printing | Tied to the hosted asset |
| Scan analytics | Real-time scans: time, device, location | Signup and campaign reporting |
| Email marketing | Not offered | Core product |
| Code design and logo | Logo & branded codes included on Pro | Limited |
| SVG export for print | Every plan | Limited |
QRmkr details match our pricing page. Comparison reflects general product positioning and may change; check each provider's site for current details.
Make a QR code right here, free
No sign-up, no email, no watermark. Pick a type, paste your link, and download it as a PNG or SVG - the code never expires.
Design & brandingcolors · logo · frames
Center logos use 30% error correction so the code still scans.
Want to edit or track this?
This makes a static code (permanent). Create a free account for dynamic codes you can edit after printing, with scan analytics.
Make it dynamic →Free forever · No watermark · Never expires
Or make it art. Same code, still scans.
Animated
When Mailchimp is the better pick
Businesses whose only QR need is a signup code for a Mailchimp form, already inside the tool where the list lives.
When QRmkr is the better pick
Businesses printing several codes for different purposes, who want one place to manage them, vector files for the printer, and scan data per placement.
Why teams pick QRmkr
Not tied to one platform
The code points at a redirect you own, so switching email tools does not strand a print run.
One place for every code
Signup form, menu, booking page, PDF - all in one dashboard with scan history per code.
Print-ready output
SVG on every plan and a scannability preview while styling, so the code survives the print proof.
Looking for a Mailchimp alternative?
QRmkr is a focused Mailchimp alternative for businesses that print: create a free code, upgrade to a dynamic one you can edit after printing, and watch every scan roll in. Use Mailchimp's code if a signup form is the only code you will ever print. Use QRmkr once there is more than one code, or the destination might move.
FAQ
Can I use a QRmkr code for a Mailchimp signup form?
Yes. Paste the form's URL as the destination. Because the code is dynamic you can later repoint it at a different form, or a different email platform, without reprinting.
Does QRmkr do email marketing?
No. It makes and tracks QR codes. Keep Mailchimp for the list and the campaigns.
Can I change where the QR code points after printing?
Yes - with a dynamic QR code. It encodes a short redirect link, so you can update the destination anytime from your dashboard and every printed copy instantly points to the new URL. Static codes encode the destination directly and can't be changed.
Do these QR codes expire?
No. Static QR codes are free forever and never expire - they encode your destination directly and don't depend on our servers. Dynamic codes keep working as long as your account is active, and you can pause or re-point them whenever you like.
Can I track how many people scan it?
Yes. Dynamic QR codes come with real-time scan analytics: total scans plus device, location, and time-of-day breakdowns, so you can see exactly which placement is working. Scan tracking is part of the Pro plan.
Is there a watermark on the QR code?
No. Every QR code you create - free or paid - is watermark-free and downloadable as a crisp PNG or scalable SVG, ready for print at any size.
Do I need an app to scan the code?
No. Every modern iPhone and Android camera scans QR codes natively - just point the camera at the code and tap the link that appears. No special app required.
What's the difference between a static and a dynamic QR code?
A static code encodes your destination directly into the pattern, so it works forever without any server but can never be changed. A dynamic code encodes a short redirect we host, so the printed pattern stays the same while you edit where it goes - and every scan gets logged.
How small can I print a QR code?
As a rule of thumb a code scans from about ten times its own width, so a 2 x 2 cm code reads comfortably at arm's length. Keep dark modules on a light background, leave a clear white margin around the code, and test-scan the final print before you order a run.
Can I put my logo in the middle of the code?
Yes, on Pro. QR codes carry enough error correction to survive a logo in the centre, and the design studio previews scannability as you go so you can see when a logo is getting too large.
What happens to my codes if I stop paying?
Your static codes are unaffected - they never depended on our servers in the first place. Dynamic codes rely on the redirect layer, so plan printed campaigns with that in mind.
Is it really free to start?
Yes. Unlimited static QR codes cost nothing, need no card, and carry no watermark. One dynamic code is included free so you can try editing a destination before deciding whether Pro is worth it.
Before you print it
If the code you are about to print may ever need to point somewhere else, create it as a dynamic QR code you can edit after printing. The printed pattern never changes; only the destination behind it does. It also means you can track every scan by day, device, and location and see which placement actually worked.
Try QRmkr free - no card required
Create a code in seconds. Make it dynamic to edit anytime and track every scan.
Get started free