Static vs dynamic QR codes: pick the right one

One thing to remember about QR codes:

Static codes encode the data. Dynamic codes encode a redirect.

Static codes

The destination URL (or whatever you encoded) is baked into the pattern. Once printed, it does not change. That is a feature, not a bug. It never goes stale. It does not depend on a server. It works offline, forever.

When to use static

• Business cards and packaging that will not get reprinted.
• Wi-Fi credentials, vCards, plain text.
• Anywhere you do not need analytics.

Dynamic codes

The pattern encodes a short link that you own. Change where it points any time. The printed code keeps working. And every scan is counted.

When to use dynamic

• Marketing campaigns where the landing page might change.
• Events, menus, brochures. Anything you will iterate on.
• When you need to know which channel actually drives the scans.

Rule of thumb: if you might ever want to fix a typo without reprinting, you want dynamic.

Free plans here include three dynamic codes. Plenty to play with.