QRCode Monkey Alternative: QRmkr vs QRCode Monkey
QRCode Monkey makes great free static codes. QRmkr makes codes you can edit and measure.
QRCode Monkey is one of the most popular free QR generators on the web, and for good reason: unlimited static codes with logos and colors, at no cost. The catch is the word static - the destination is baked in forever, there's no way to fix or repoint a printed code, and you'll never know if anyone scanned it. QRmkr gives you the same free branded static codes, plus the thing Monkey doesn't offer at all: dynamic codes you can edit after printing, with real-time scan analytics. If you've outgrown fire-and-forget codes, this is the upgrade path.
QRmkr vs QRCode Monkey at a glance
| Feature | QRmkr | QRCode Monkey |
|---|---|---|
| Free static QR codes | Free forever, never expire | Free, unlimited |
| Account required | Only for dynamic codes | No account at all |
| Logo in the centre | Logo & branded codes included on Pro | Yes, free |
| Colour & gradient control | Colours, gradients, 8 dot styles, eye styles | Colours, gradients, dot and eye styles |
| Download formats | PNG and SVG on every code | PNG, SVG, PDF, EPS |
| Scannability preview | Live preview as you style | Not offered |
| Editable (dynamic) codes | Yes - edit destination after printing | Not offered |
| Fix a printed code's link | Yes - repoint anytime | No - reprint required |
| Scan analytics | Real-time scans: time, device, location | None |
| CSV export of scans | CSV export of scan data | Nothing to export |
| Bulk generation | Free bulk generator, CSV in, ZIP out | Not offered |
| Content types | 30 types incl. WiFi, vCard, PDF, payment | URL, text, WiFi, vCard and more |
| AI art QR codes | Yes, on Pro | Not offered |
| Watermark | Never, on any tier | None |
| Price for the free tier | Free forever | Free forever |
| Price to unlock editing + analytics | Flat $12/mo or $96/yr - self-serve | Not available at any price |
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 QRCode Monkey is the better pick
Anyone who needs a quick, one-off static code and will never need to change the link or measure scans. Monkey is genuinely good at that, it is free, it asks for no account at all, and it exports EPS and PDF as well as PNG and SVG, which matters if your printer wants vector artwork in a specific format. If that describes the job, use it - there is nothing here worth signing up for.
When QRmkr is the better pick
Businesses that print: once a code goes on a menu, sign, or package, you want the ability to fix or repoint it later and to see whether it's being scanned.
Why teams pick QRmkr
Edit after you print
A Monkey code is permanent the moment you download it. A QRmkr dynamic code can be repointed anytime - the printed code never changes.
Know if it's working
Monkey gives you zero scan data. QRmkr logs every scan by time, device, and location.
Same free tier, plus an upgrade path
Free branded static codes here too - and when a campaign needs editing or measuring, you don't have to switch tools.
Looking for a QRCode Monkey alternative?
QRmkr is a focused QRCode Monkey 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. Keep QRCode Monkey in your bookmarks for throwaway static codes. Choose QRmkr the moment a code matters enough that you'd want to fix it after printing or know whether it's scanned.
FAQ
Is QRCode Monkey really free?
Yes - its static codes are free and unwatermarked. QRmkr's static codes are too. The difference appears when you need to edit a printed code or track scans, which Monkey doesn't do.
Can I make my QRCode Monkey code dynamic?
No. A static code can't be converted - the link is encoded in the pattern itself. You'd create a dynamic code in QRmkr and print that instead; from then on the destination stays editable.
Does QRmkr have Monkey's design options?
The design studio covers logos, brand colors, gradient fills, and custom eye/dot styles, with a live scannability preview - comparable coverage for the designs businesses actually print.
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, and they never expire. Editable destinations and scan analytics need a dynamic code, which is part of Pro at $12/month.
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