Static vs dynamic QR codes: which one is safe to print?
A static code holds your link. A dynamic code holds a short link to a server that forwards the scan. One can never expire; the other can be edited after printing. Here is how to choose.
Static
- Code
- Phone
- Destination
Dynamic
- Code
- Phone
- Server
- Destination
| Static | Dynamic | |
|---|---|---|
| Can expire | No | Only if the service shuts it off |
| Editable after printing | No | Yes |
| Counts scans | No | Yes |
| Needs an account | No | Yes |
| Works if PrintSafe QR disappears | Yes | Yes, see guarantee |
| Price | Free | $19 once, coming soon |
How to choose
- Choose static when the destination won't change: your website, a Wi-Fi login, a contact card, a menu PDF that stays at the same address. It is free, needs no account and cannot expire. → Make a static code
- Choose dynamic when you need to change where the code goes after printing, or want to count scans: a menu that moves, an event page that changes every year. Pick a service you pay once, with no trial that turns into a plan, that says in writing what happens if it shuts down.
FAQ
- Can a static QR code expire?
- No. It holds the destination itself, so there is nothing to switch off. It stops working only if the destination goes away, for example a website that closes.
- Why do dynamic QR codes stop working?
- A dynamic code points at a short link on the service's server. If a trial ends, a plan lapses or the company closes, the short link stops forwarding and every printed copy stops working.
- Can I change a static QR code after printing?
- No. To send people somewhere new, print a new code. If you expect to change it, use an editable (dynamic) code.
- Is a dynamic QR code safe to print?
- It is as safe as the service behind it. Look for a one-time price, no trial that turns into a plan, and a written promise about what happens if the service shuts down.