Last checked November 1, 2026
Bitly QR code alternatives when QR is your main job
Bitly is first a link shortener, and its QR codes come as part of that account. The searches around it show where people get stuck: "bitly qr code free plan", "bitly dynamic qr code free" and "bitly qr code not working". This page explains what Bitly's plans include for QR codes, three things to check in any QR tool, and how five alternatives compare. One of them is QRay, which we make.
Facts checked on November 1, 2026. Prices and terms change, so follow the numbered sources before you buy.
The problem: QR codes counted like links
Say a small marketing team already uses Bitly for short links in emails. They add QR codes to a trade-show banner and to product inserts, because it's the tool they already have.
On the free plan they can make 2 QR codes a month, with ads [1]. Changing where a code points isn't part of the free plan, and on the paid Core plan destination changes are counted, at 5 a month [1]. For links in an email that's rarely a problem: you send a new email. For codes printed on 2,000 inserts, being able to change the destination when a product page moves is the whole point.
Bitly's model makes sense for a link platform with short links, landing pages and dashboards in one place [1]. If most of your work is printed QR codes, it's worth checking whether a QR-first tool fits better, and what each one does when you stop paying.
There's also a cost question that's easy to miss. On a link platform, the price you pay often reflects features beyond QR: link-in-bio pages, deep links into apps, custom dashboards [1]. Those are useful for a marketing team that runs many digital campaigns. For a shop that wants a menu code and a few flyer codes, the same plan can cost more than a QR-first tool, and the monthly edit count can still get in the way when something changes at short notice.
Three things to check before you choose
1. How often you can change the destination
Look for whether editing is included at all on the plan you'll use, and whether it's counted per month. For menus and packaging, unlimited edits are the norm in QR-first tools. Also check who on the team can make edits, and whether edits are logged.
2. What happens to the code when you downgrade
Bitly's paid plans let you schedule a code to expire on a date [1], which is useful for campaigns. For long-lived print, read what each service does when a plan ends or a trial runs out. Bitly's dated expiry is handy for a sale that ends; for a menu you want the opposite, a code that keeps going.
3. What you're paying for
If you need short links, deep links and dashboards, an all-in-one link platform is worth it. If you only need QR codes that can be edited and counted, a smaller tool may cost less. Write down which features you'd miss if you moved. If the list is just QR codes, a smaller tool is worth a look.
Comparison table
| Bitly | QRay | Hovercode | QR TIGER | QR Code Generator PRO | Uniqode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edit destination after printing | Paid plans only: 5 edits/mo on Core, more on higher tiers [1] | Yes | Yes [2] | Yes [3] | Yes, dynamic codes [4] | Yes, on paid plans from $9/mo [5] |
| Free option | Free with ads: 2 QR codes/mo [1] | Free to try, no card | Free plan: 3 dynamic codes in total [2] | Free plan: 3 dynamic codes [3] | Free trial [4] | Free plan for basic codes; free trial for premium [5] |
| When a trial or plan ends | Paid plans can schedule a code to expire on a date [1] | Codes made with a free account have no trial end date | Free-plan codes don't expire; extra paid codes expire if you cancel [2] | Free dynamic codes have a 500-scan cap each and a logo popup [3] | Trial dynamic codes are deactivated until you upgrade [6] | After the free trial, dynamic codes become inactive unless you upgrade (per its sister site's FAQ) [7] |
| Paid plans from | $10/mo billed yearly (Core) [1] | Free to start | $12/mo [2] | US$7/mo [3] | $9.99/mo billed yearly, or $19.99 month to month [4] | $9/mo [5] |
| Scan counts | Yes [1] | Yes, per code | Basic analytics, 3 months of history on free [2] | Basic analytics on free [3] | Yes [4] | Yes [5] |
| Use from AI tools | Not stated | Claude and Cursor (MCP), command line; ChatGPT planned next | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
Pros and cons of each
Bitly
Pros
- Short links, QR codes and landing pages in one account [1]
- Bulk creation from CSV or Excel on higher plans [1]
- Mobile deep links and custom dashboards on higher plans [1]
- Paid plans can schedule a code to expire on a date, handy for time-limited campaigns [1]
Cons
- The free plan has ads and doesn't include changing a code's destination [1]
- Destination changes are counted per month on paid plans [1]
- Core is $10/month with an annual charge of $120 [1]
- Growth is $29/month billed yearly, a step up if you need more edits [1]
QRay
We make QRay, so read this section with that in mind.
Pros
- You can change where a printed code goes, and the pattern stays the same
- Free to try without a card, and codes made with a free account have no trial end date
- Scan counts per code
- You can create and edit codes from Claude or Cursor through MCP, or from the command line
Cons
- A young product with fewer features than the large tools: fewer code types, no landing-page builder and no bulk CSV upload
- Fewer design options than design-first tools
- Team accounts and custom domains aren't available
- ChatGPT support is planned next, not available yet
Hovercode
Pros
- A free plan that isn't a trial: the first 3 dynamic codes don't expire [2]
- Custom domains, GPS tracking and team features on paid plans [2]
- GS1 Digital Link codes [2]
- The free plan's rules are written plainly on the pricing page, which makes planning easy [2]
Cons
- The 3 free dynamic codes are a total, not per month [2]
- Codes beyond the first 3 expire if you cancel a paid plan [2]
- Custom domains and GPS tracking are paid features [2]
QR TIGER
Pros
- Free plan with dynamic codes and basic analytics, plus unlimited static codes [3]
- Paid plans from US$7/month, with bulk generation and geofencing on higher tiers [3]
- A wide range of code types, from links to files and social pages [3]
- Free static codes are unlimited, which covers permanent links at no cost [3]
Cons
- Free dynamic codes are capped at 500 scans each [3]
- Free codes show a QR TIGER logo popup [3]
- Packaging or a busy flyer can reach the free scan cap, so plan to upgrade if a code gets popular
QR Code Generator PRO
Pros
- A large set of code types and landing-page templates [4]
- Bulk creation from a CSV file on paid plans [4]
- Upgrading reactivates codes made in the trial, so a lapsed trial doesn't force a reprint [6]
Cons
- Dynamic codes made in the trial stop redirecting when it ends [6]
- Advanced and Professional plans are billed yearly only [4]
- The Starter plan is small for its price, so count the codes you'll need before choosing a tier [4]
Uniqode
Pros
- Security and compliance listed on the pricing page, including SOC 2, SSO and 2FA [5]
- Digital business cards in the same product [5]
- Room to grow, with a Core plan at $49/month [5]
- Integrations and team tools suit companies with IT and security reviews [5]
Cons
- Dynamic codes need a paid plan, from $9/month [5]
- Trial dynamic codes stop redirecting when the trial ends unless you upgrade [7]
- Feature-rich plans can be more than a small shop needs
Which one fits your situation
A team that lives in short links. Stay with Bitly. Short links, QR codes and landing pages in one account [1] is a real advantage, and higher plans add bulk creation.
A café menu or product insert. You'll change the destination more than a few times a year. Pick a tool where edits aren't counted: Hovercode, QR TIGER, or QRay.
A one-off event banner. If the link won't change, any generator works. If you want the code to stop on a date, Bitly's paid expiry setting covers that [1].
A larger company with security reviews. Uniqode lists SOC 2, SSO and 2FA on its pricing page [5], which helps with procurement.
A product insert that may change often. Count how many destination changes you expect per month and compare that with Bitly Core's 5 [1]. If you'll go over, a QR-first tool is simpler.
Someone who works in Claude or Cursor. QRay lets you create and edit codes from the chat or editor through MCP, or from the command line.
FAQ
Is the Bitly QR code free?
Bitly's free plan includes 2 QR codes a month, with ads [1].
Can I make a dynamic QR code on Bitly's free plan?
You can create codes, but changing a code's destination isn't part of the free plan [1].
Do Bitly QR codes expire?
Bitly's paid plans let you set a code to expire on a date you choose [1]. Check your account for how free codes are handled.
Why is my Bitly QR code not working?
Check that the short link behind it is still active in your account and that the destination page loads. A code with an expiry date set will stop on that date [1].
How much is Bitly for QR codes?
Core is $10/month billed yearly ($120), and Growth is $29/month billed yearly [1].
Bitly or a QR code generator?
Bitly fits if short links are your main need. A QR-first tool fits if printed codes are, especially when you'll edit destinations often.
Can I move a Bitly QR code to another service?
No. The short link inside the code belongs to Bitly. Make a new code elsewhere and use it on your next print run.
Do Bitly QR codes work if I downgrade?
Check your account settings for each code. Destination changes are a paid feature [1], so plan edits before you downgrade.
Does Bitly charge for QR code edits?
Changing a destination isn't on the free plan, and on Core it's limited to 5 a month [1].
Can I bulk create QR codes in Bitly?
Yes, from CSV or Excel on higher plans [1].