The Definitive Comparison: QR Code Generator vs. The QR Code Generator

Searching for a QR Code generator can be overwhelming. A quick search turns up dozens of tools with similar features and the same promises, but no clear way to tell them apart. Choosing the wrong one can leave you stuck with limited options, hidden costs, or codes that don’t support your goals.

To make matters trickier, two popular platforms have nearly identical names: QR Code Generator and The QR Code Generator. 

This article compares the platforms side by side to help you find the best fit. Whether you’re printing QR Codes for packaging, adding them to business cards, or running a branded campaign with advanced tracking, here’s what you need to know.

Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.

Platform overviews

Before we dive into features and pricing, let’s address the name overlap. To keep things clear: Our platform is called QR Code Generator (QR Code Generator PRO for the premium version). The other platform is The QR Code Generator—a completely separate tool with its own setup and experience.

QR Code Generator

QR Code Generator is a tool for creating QR Codes you can use across print and digital channels. With the free version, you can link codes to URLs, contact cards (vCards), plain text, email, SMS, Wi-Fi (click to connect), Bitcoin (request crypto payments), social media, PDFs, app stores, images, and more. 

You can also customize each QR Code by adding a frame, dropping in a logo, or adjusting its shape and color to match your brand.

Creating a code is simple. Choose a QR Code type (like URL or vCard), fill in the details, select “Generate,” then style and download it. Free users can create unlimited Static QR Codes, while PRO plans unlock Dynamic QR Codes that are editable and packed with advanced features like detailed tracking.

As part of the Bitly family, QR Code Generator also integrates seamlessly with the Bitly Connections Platform, combining link management, QR Codes, and landing pages in one unified solution.

Whether you’re testing the free QR Code generator or ready to unlock advanced features with a PRO plan, there’s a pricing tier that fits your needs. Explore pricing.

The QR Code Generator

The QR Code Generator lets users create Static or Dynamic QR Codes, customize them with colors and logos, and download or share them as PNGs or SVGs.

Codes can point to URLs, PDFs, contact cards, apps, email, SMS, phone numbers, or even multiple URLs at once. The free version includes unlimited Static QR Codes plus two Dynamic QR Codes, giving users added functionality and flexibility. Scan tracking is available, but only for paid users.

This platform’s website is: www.the-qrcode-generator.com (note the “the” in the URL). 

Key differences between QR Code Generator and The QR Code Generator

Both platforms generate QR Codes that can be scanned easily with any smartphone camera. That versatility makes them effective in a range of use cases: You can print them on product packaging, store signage, business cards, restaurant menus, coupons, and more. You can also use them digitally in email campaigns, tutorials, webpages, digital business cards, and even to connect mobile users to customer support.

While the end function is the same, each platform offers different options and experiences. Here’s a head-to-head comparison of key features:

Which QR Code solution offers better branding options?

Many businesses want customized QR Codes that reflect their brand identity. A QR Code that looks and feels consistent with how you already present yourself improves recognition and reinforces confidence with your audience.

Both platforms offer customization options for free and paid users:

• QR Code Generator: Free users have access to nine frame options, five shapes, and full color selection. Upgrading to a paid PRO plan unlocks additional frames and shapes, plus the ability to add logos, customize corners, and refine colors further.
  
  
• The QR Code Generator: Free users pick from a set of pre-made styles or create their own by choosing from five styles, any color, and adjustable margins. Paid plans expand these options to include logos and frame customization.

Both platforms provide robust customization options. QR Code Generator PRO allows users to fine-tune every element for a highly personalized look, while The QR Code Generator offers ready-made templates alongside customization features, making it straightforward for users who want a quick setup.

Comparing analytics and tracking for QR Code campaigns

Analytics are essential for businesses that want to understand how customers interact with their QR Codes. As part of broader digital marketing analytics, scan data can show which demographics respond to a mailer, an email campaign, or other touchpoints. This can help marketers refine targeting, cut underperforming campaigns, and double down on ones that work.

Both QR Code platforms let you track scans, but the depth of metrics and reporting differs: 

• QR Code Generator: Total and unique scans, scans by day and time, location (city and country), device types, and operating system (e.g., iOS or Android)
  
  
• The QR Code Generator: Unique users, scans by day and time, location (city/country with GPS data for an added $5/month), device type

The real difference comes down to how much detail you need. Basic counts may be enough for one-off marketing campaigns, but businesses that rely on analytics to guide decisions benefit from deeper reporting. More granular metrics show how many people scanned a code, along with when, where, and on what device. These insights make it easier to optimize campaigns and demonstrate return on investment (ROI).

Pricing and scalability

Both QR Code Generator and The QR Code Generator offer free-to-use options that don’t require a login, allowing you to create unlimited Static QR Codes at no cost. For Dynamic QR Codes, detailed analytics, and advanced customization features you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan. Both platforms offer 14-day free trials that allow you to experiment with paid features.

QR Code Generator PRO offers four premium tiers:

• Starter ($9.99/month, billed annually): Two Dynamic QR Codes and 10,000 scans with tracking data.
  
  
• Advanced ($15.99/month, billed annually): Adds a second user, 50 Dynamic Codes, unlimited scans, 100 bulk QR Codes (via .csv upload), and 3,000 API requests.
  
  
• Professional ($46.99/month, billed annually): Up to five users, 250 unique Dynamic Codes, 500 bulk QR Codes, 10,000 API requests, and premium support.
  
  
• Enterprise (custom pricing): For organizations with larger needs, including white labeling, higher volume of QR Codes, and add-ons.

Find the right QR Code Generator PRO plan for your business: Explore pricing.

What about The QR Code Generator? 

• Free plan: Includes two Dynamic QR Codes, basic scan data, and PNG downloads. Limited to one user, includes ads, and adds a visible watermark to every QR Code.
• Flex ($5/user/month, billed annually): Increases the limit to five Dynamic Codes. Removes ads and watermarks, adds scan analytics including city, country, and device. GPS scan data is available for an additional $5/month. Paid users unlock more customization options.

If you need more than five Dynamic QR Codes, the Flex plan allows you to add them in blocks of five, so you can scale based on demand.

QR Code Generator vs. The QR Code Generator: Which should you choose?

Finding the best QR Code generator tool can feel like a challenge in a market with many options. Both platforms reviewed here can get the job done, but the right choice depends on whether you need a simple tool for quick scans or a solution built for branded campaigns with advanced tracking.

For businesses that want more than the basics, QR Code Generator PRO offers broader functionality and more advanced analytics, which may appeal to businesses with greater scalability needs. It combines flexible customization with advanced analytics, plus enterprise-ready features like bulk QR Code creation and API access. Whether you’re running your first campaign or scaling across multiple channels, the PRO plan is designed to grow with you.

Explore a better way to make and track QR Codes with QR Code Generator PRO: Get started for free today.