Last checked November 1, 2026
Hovercode alternatives for when 3 free codes aren't enough
Hovercode has one of the clearest free plans among dynamic QR tools: the first 3 dynamic codes don't expire [1]. That's why people search "hovercode free plan", "hovercode pricing" and "do hovercode qr codes expire": they like the free tier and want to know what happens next. This page covers the step from free to paid, what to check, and how five alternatives compare. We make QRay, one of them.
Facts checked on November 1, 2026. Prices and terms change, so follow the numbered sources before you buy.
The problem: the fourth code
Say a hairdresser uses Hovercode's free plan for three codes: one on the window for bookings, one on business cards, one on a price list. All three are dynamic and won't expire [1].
Then she wants a fourth, for a gift-card page. The 3 free codes are a total, not a monthly allowance [1]. A fourth code means the Pro plan at $12/month [1]. That's fair for what Pro includes: custom domains, GPS tracking and team features [1].
The detail to note is what happens if she later cancels Pro. Codes beyond the first 3 expire [1]. So the gift-card code works while she pays, and stops when she doesn't. Hovercode states this openly, which is more than many tools do. It just means the fourth code is a subscription, not a one-off.
So the question for anyone at the edge of the free plan is: how many codes will I have in a year, and which of them need to keep working if I stop paying?
A simple way to plan is to split codes into two groups. Group one is codes that must work for years with no bill behind them, like a window sticker or engraved signage. Keep those within a free allowance that doesn't expire. Group two is codes tied to campaigns or seasons. Those can sit on a paid plan, because if you stop paying, the campaign is likely over too. Hovercode's rules make that split easy to follow [1], and the same thinking works for any tool on this page.
Three things to check before you choose
1. How free codes are counted
Some tools count free codes as a total, some per month, and some limit scans instead. A total is easy to plan around; a scan cap is harder, because it depends on how popular the code gets. Write the count on a sticky note: free codes used, free codes left.
2. What happens to extra codes if you cancel
Hovercode says extra codes expire on cancel [1]. Find the same rule for any tool you compare. If it isn't written, treat it as unknown. Codes on a paid plan should be ones you'd retire anyway if you stopped paying.
3. Whether the paid features matter to you
Custom domains, GPS tracking and team seats are real value for an agency. If you only need a few more codes, a cheaper or free option may be enough. A good test: would you pay for custom domains if the extra codes were free elsewhere?
Comparison table
| Hovercode | QRay | QR TIGER | QRCodeChimp | Bitly | The QR Code Generator | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edit destination after printing | Yes [1] | Yes | Yes [2] | Yes [3] | Paid plans only: 5 edits/mo on Core, more on higher tiers [4] | Yes [5] |
| Free option | Free plan: 3 dynamic codes in total [1] | Free to try, no card | Free plan: 3 dynamic codes [2] | 10 dynamic codes, unlimited static, 1,000 scans a month combined [3] | Free with ads: 2 QR codes/mo [4] | 2 dynamic codes with ads, 1 user [5] |
| When a trial or plan ends | Free-plan codes don't expire; extra paid codes expire if you cancel [1] | Codes made with a free account have no trial end date | Free dynamic codes have a 500-scan cap each and a logo popup [2] | On lapse, dynamic codes beyond the last 10 are paused [3] | Paid plans can schedule a code to expire on a date [4] | After the 14-day trial, 2 dynamic codes stay active but display ads [5] |
| Paid plans from | $12/mo [1] | Free to start | US$7/mo [2] | $6.99/mo billed yearly, or $9.99 monthly [3] | $10/mo billed yearly (Core) [4] | Flex, about $5–$10/mo billed yearly depending on the plan view [5] |
| Scan counts | Basic analytics, 3 months of history on free [1] | Yes, per code | Basic analytics on free [2] | Yes [3] | Yes [4] | Yes; 14-day history on free [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
Hovercode
Pros
- A free plan that isn't a trial: the first 3 dynamic codes don't expire [1]
- Custom domains, GPS tracking and team features on paid plans [1]
- GS1 Digital Link codes [1]
- The free plan's rules are written plainly on the pricing page, which makes planning easy [1]
Cons
- The 3 free dynamic codes are a total, not per month [1]
- Codes beyond the first 3 expire if you cancel a paid plan [1]
- Custom domains and GPS tracking are paid features [1]
- Codes use Hovercode's redirect domains unless you add your own [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
QR TIGER
Pros
- Free plan with dynamic codes and basic analytics, plus unlimited static codes [2]
- Paid plans from US$7/month, with bulk generation and geofencing on higher tiers [2]
- A wide range of code types, from links to files and social pages [2]
- Free static codes are unlimited, which covers permanent links at no cost [2]
Cons
- Free dynamic codes are capped at 500 scans each [2]
- Free codes show a QR TIGER logo popup [2]
- Packaging or a busy flyer can reach the free scan cap, so plan to upgrade if a code gets popular
QRCodeChimp
Pros
- Free plan with 10 dynamic codes and no trial clock [3]
- Low paid entry: Starter $6.99/month yearly or $9.99 monthly [3]
- A 15-day refund on the first purchase [3]
- Pro is $13.99/month yearly or $19.99 monthly, and Ultima $34.99/month yearly or $49.99 monthly [3]
Cons
- On free, scans pause for the rest of the month once the account reaches 1,000 [3]
- If a paid plan lapses, dynamic codes beyond the last 10 are paused [3]
- Cancellation is by email to support before renewal [3]
- A busy month on free can pause every code on the account at once [3]
Bitly
Pros
- Short links, QR codes and landing pages in one account [4]
- Bulk creation from CSV or Excel on higher plans [4]
- Mobile deep links and custom dashboards on higher plans [4]
- Paid plans can schedule a code to expire on a date, handy for time-limited campaigns [4]
Cons
- The free plan has ads and doesn't include changing a code's destination [4]
- Destination changes are counted per month on paid plans [4]
- Core is $10/month with an annual charge of $120 [4]
- Growth is $29/month billed yearly, a step up if you need more edits [4]
The QR Code Generator
Pros
- Dynamic codes on the free plan, not just a trial [5]
- Low-cost Flex plan billed yearly [5]
- An easy step up to Uniqode for larger teams [5]
- Scan analytics are included even on free, with a short history [5]
Cons
- Free-plan dynamic codes show ads [5]
- Bulk creation and watermark-free codes are paid features [5]
- Two plan views on the pricing page show different Flex prices, so confirm the amount at checkout [5]
Which one fits your situation
You need 3 codes or fewer. Stay on Hovercode's free plan. It's hard to beat codes that don't expire, with basic analytics [1].
You need about 5 to 10 codes and modest traffic. QRCodeChimp's free plan includes 10 dynamic codes, with a combined 1,000 scans a month [3]. QRay is another free option.
An agency with client brands. Hovercode Pro's custom domains and team features [1] are worth paying for here.
You also need short links. Bitly combines both, from $10/month billed yearly [4].
Window stickers and signage meant to last. Keep them within Hovercode's first 3 free codes, which don't expire [1], or use a static code if the link will never change.
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 Hovercode free?
Yes. The free plan includes 3 dynamic codes, 3 short links and 1 multi-link page in total [1].
Do Hovercode QR codes expire?
The first 3 codes don't expire. Codes beyond those expire if you cancel a paid plan [1].
How much is Hovercode Pro?
From $12/month [1].
Hovercode vs Bitly?
Hovercode is QR-first, with a free plan of 3 dynamic codes [1]. Bitly is a link platform whose free plan has 2 QR codes a month with ads [4].
Can I edit a Hovercode dynamic code?
Yes, dynamic codes can be edited after printing [1].
Can I move a Hovercode QR code to another service?
No. The redirect link inside the code belongs to Hovercode unless you use your own domain [1]. Otherwise, make a new code for your next print run.
What happens to my codes if I downgrade from Hovercode Pro?
Your first 3 codes keep working; codes beyond them expire if the subscription is cancelled [1].
What's in Hovercode Pro?
Custom domains, GPS tracking and team features, among others [1].
Does Hovercode support GS1 codes?
Yes, it lists GS1 Digital Link codes [1].