Compare QR Code Maker and QR Code Generator (qr-code-generator.com). Feature comparison, pricing breakdown, and why 9,000+ reviewers rate them 1.7 stars on Trustpilot.
QR Code Maker and QR Code Generator (qr-code-generator.com) both create dynamic QR codes with scan tracking. The critical difference is in business practices: QR Code Generator has a 1.7/5 rating on Trustpilot from 9,000+ reviews, largely due to predatory trial practices and aggressive pricing. QR Code Maker offers transparent pricing, true monthly billing, and codes that never break.
2026 update — qr-code-generator.com is now QRCG by Bitly
Re-verified June 2026. On April 20, 2026, Bitly completed its acquisition of Egoditor GmbH (the parent company behind qr-code-generator.com) and rebranded the product to "QRCG by Bitly". The qr-code-generator.com domain still resolves and existing accounts carry over, but billing now flows through Bitly's Customer Connections Platform. The trial-codes-stopping-working complaint pattern that drove the 1.7/5 Trustpilot reputation is unchanged by the rebrand — old trial codes are still broken, the underlying expiry rules carry over. New free tier is 2 dynamic codes/month; Codes plan is $35/user/month billed annually. We have a dedicated QRCG by Bitly alternative comparison if you're specifically searching post-rebrand.
This comparison covers features, pricing, and what happens when your trial ends—a detail that matters more than most people realize.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | QR Code Maker | QR Code Generator |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot rating | New (building reputation) | 1.7/5 (9,246 reviews) |
| Free static codes | Unlimited | Limited |
| Free dynamic codes | 1 on free tier | 14-day trial only |
| What happens after trial | Codes paused (show upgrade page) | Codes stop working |
| Monthly billing | Yes, true month-to-month | Annual only |
| Starting paid price | $9/month | ~$35/month (billed annually) |
| Price transparency | Monthly price = actual monthly cost | Shows "$9.99/mo" but charges $120/yr |
| Human support | Yes | AI chatbot only |
The Trial Problem (Why This Matters)
Most QR code comparison articles skip the most important detail: what happens when your trial ends.
Here's the scenario that plays out thousands of times:
- You create a QR code during a "free trial"
- You print it on business cards, flyers, or product packaging
- 14 days later, the QR code stops working
- Your printed materials now have a broken QR code
- Pay the annual fee or reprint everything
This is documented in thousands of reviews:
"Printed QR code on wedding invitations. No mention of trial. Now being held hostage—pay or resend all invitations."
"Created QR for trade show booth. Day of the show, it stopped working. Had to pay $120 on the spot."
"Got QR printed on company trailer vinyl. Day before install, code stopped working."
How QR Code Maker Handles This Differently
When your trial ends with QR Code Maker:
- Your codes don't break. They redirect to an informational page explaining the situation
- You choose which code stays active on the free tier (1 dynamic code included)
- Static codes work forever—no subscription required
- Clear trial countdown with email reminders before expiration
We believe breaking QR codes people have already printed is wrong. Your materials shouldn't become useless because a trial ended.
Feature Comparison
QR Code Types
Both platforms support similar QR code types:
| Type | QR Code Maker | QR Code Generator |
|---|---|---|
| Website/URL | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| vCard | Yes | Yes (vCard Plus) |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Phone | Yes | Yes |
| Text | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes |
Both platforms support the essential QR code types that cover 95%+ of business needs.
Customization
| Feature | QR Code Maker | QR Code Generator |
|---|---|---|
| Custom colors | Yes | Yes |
| Logo placement | Yes | Yes |
| Dot styles | Multiple (square, rounded, dots) | Multiple |
| Frames | Yes | Yes |
| SVG download | Yes | Yes (higher tiers) |
| PNG download | Yes | Yes |
Both platforms offer adequate customization. For most use cases, customization differences won't be the deciding factor.
Analytics
| Metric | QR Code Maker | QR Code Generator |
|---|---|---|
| Scan counts | Yes | Yes |
| Scan timing | Yes | Yes |
| Device type | Yes | Yes |
| Location data | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics retention | 7 days (free), unlimited (paid) | Varies by plan |
Analytics capabilities are comparable. Both track the metrics that matter for measuring QR code performance.
Pricing: The Real Numbers
QR Code Generator's Actual Pricing
Their website shows prices like "$9.99/month" but here's what you actually pay:
| Plan | Advertised | Actual Cost | Billing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | "$9.99/mo" | $119.88/year | Annual only |
| Advanced | "$19.99/mo" | $239.88/year | Annual only |
| Professional | "$40.83/mo" | €489.94/year (~$530) | Annual only |
No monthly billing option. You must commit to a full year upfront.
And prices increase significantly year-over-year. Documented increases from actual invoices:
- 2022 to 2023: €162 to €162 (flat)
- 2023 to 2024: €162 to €328.74 (100% increase)
- 2024 to 2025: €328.74 to €489.94 (49% increase)
QR Code Maker's Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (save 27%) |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 |
| Starter | $9/month | $79/year |
| Pro | $29/month | $249/year |
| Team | $79/month | $699/year |
True monthly billing. Pay month-to-month, cancel anytime. The monthly price shown is what you actually pay per month.
Price Comparison for Common Use Cases
| Need | QR Code Maker | QR Code Generator |
|---|---|---|
| 1 dynamic QR code | Free | ~$120/year |
| 25 dynamic QR codes | $9/month | ~$240/year |
| 100 dynamic QR codes | $29/month | ~$490/year |
| Unlimited static codes | Free | Limited on lower tiers |
The Support Difference
QR Code Generator Support
From reviews:
- AI chatbot only
- No phone number published
- Limited email response
- Company doesn't respond to Trustpilot reviews
QR Code Maker Support
- Real human support via email
- Response to all inquiries
- Public presence and accountability
Why QR Code Maker is the Better Choice
- Month-to-month billing without annual commitment
- Free static codes for permanent use
- Transparent pricing—the price shown is what you pay
- Codes that don't break when your trial ends
- Better value—$9/mo vs ~$35/mo effective rate
- Bulk generation—create hundreds of codes from a CSV
- Human support when you need help
QR Code Generator's 1.7/5 rating from over 9,000 reviewers tells the story. The most common complaints:
- Trial codes that stop working (the "hostage" model)
- No monthly billing option
- Deceptive pricing display
- Aggressive annual price increases
- No human support
QR Code Maker is built specifically to address these pain points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is QR Code Generator a scam?
No, QR Code Generator (qr-code-generator.com) is a legitimate company that's been operating for 10+ years. However, their 1.7/5 Trustpilot rating reflects widespread customer frustration with their trial practices, annual-only billing, and price increases. Many users feel misled by their trial—creating QR codes they assume are permanent, only to have them stop working after 14 days.
Why does QR Code Generator have such bad reviews?
The most common complaints in their 9,000+ Trustpilot reviews are: (1) QR codes created during trial stop working after 14 days with no clear warning, (2) no monthly billing option—annual commitment only, (3) advertised monthly prices that actually require annual payment, (4) significant year-over-year price increases, and (5) AI-only customer support with no human response.
Can I migrate QR codes from QR Code Generator to QR Code Maker?
You cannot transfer a QR code between platforms because each code encodes a specific redirect URL unique to that platform. However, for dynamic codes, you can create a new QR code with QR Code Maker pointing to the same destination. For materials already printed, you'd need to either keep your current subscription or reprint with the new code.
What happens to my QR codes if I cancel QR Code Generator?
Based on user reports, dynamic QR codes stop working when you cancel or don't renew. The codes redirect to an error or their promotional page rather than your destination. This is the primary source of negative reviews—users who printed QR codes during a trial find them broken after 14 days.
Does QR Code Generator offer monthly billing?
No. Despite showing prices like "$9.99/month," QR Code Generator requires annual billing. You pay the full year upfront ($120+ minimum). There is no true month-to-month option. QR Code Maker offers genuine monthly billing—pay each month, cancel anytime.
Do both platforms support the same QR code types?
Both platforms support the essential QR code types: URL, WiFi, vCard, email, phone, text, and PDF. These cover 95%+ of business use cases.
Summary
Both platforms create functional QR codes with tracking. The difference is in how they treat customers:
| QR Code Maker | QR Code Generator | |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Transparent, fair pricing | Trial-to-annual conversion |
| When trial ends | Codes paused, not broken | Codes stop working |
| Billing | True monthly or annual | Annual only |
| Price shown | What you pay | Requires annual math |
| Support | Human | AI chatbot |
| Trustpilot | Building reputation | 1.7/5 (9,246 reviews) |
If you're researching QR code generators because you're frustrated with QR Code Generator's practices, you're not alone—that's why we built QR Code Maker.
Ready to try a different approach? Start with our free tier—unlimited static codes, 1 dynamic code, no credit card required. Or test all Pro features with our 14-day trial (with clear countdown and no surprise charges).
Ready to create your QR code?
Free forever for static codes. Pro features with 14-day trial, no credit card required.
Irina Aguiar
·Content LeadIrina Aguiar leads content strategy at QR Code Maker, where she has written extensively on QR code technology, marketing, and business operations. Her work ranges from technical explainers on how QR codes are generated and how error correction works to practical guides on QR marketing, automation, and scan analytics — plus hands-on tutorials covering Python, Google Sheets, and Zapier integrations. She also publishes honest competitor comparisons and industry-specific playbooks for retail, real estate, hospitality, healthcare, and events.
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