Last checked November 1, 2026
Pageloot alternatives for codes that outlast a subscription
Pageloot is a tidy dynamic QR tool from Europe, with unlimited destination changes on every paid plan [1]. Its pricing page is also unusually direct about the end of a plan: codes made in the trial expire, and if you cancel, codes become inactive after the plan expires [1]. If you're weighing Pageloot against other tools, that rule is a good place to start. This page compares five alternatives, including QRay, which we make.
Facts checked on November 1, 2026. Prices and terms change, so follow the numbered sources before you buy.
The problem: printed codes on a yearly clock
Say a small winery prints QR codes on the back labels of a vintage, linking to tasting notes. The bottles will sit in shops and cellars for years. The winery picks Pageloot's Starter plan at €7 a month, billed yearly [1].
Two years later the owner trims software costs and cancels. Pageloot's terms say codes become inactive after the plan expires [1]. Bottles still on shelves now carry a code that doesn't open the tasting notes.
This is a common model for dynamic QR tools, and Pageloot states it plainly, which is good. The mismatch is between how long the print lives and how long the plan runs. Labels, signage and books can outlive a subscription by years.
The fix isn't always a different tool. Sometimes it's a different code type: a static code for the part of the label that never changes, and a dynamic one only where you need flexibility. Where you do need dynamic codes on long-lived print, it's worth choosing a tool that states what happens on cancel, and pricing the plan for the life of the print rather than the first year.
Pageloot is a sensible pick when the campaign and the plan have the same lifespan. A trade fair, a product launch or a seasonal promotion all end on a known date, and the codes can end with them. The risk only appears when print outlives the plan. If you're not sure how long your print will stay in circulation, assume it will be longer than you think: labels, menus and business cards are often kept for years.
Three things to check before you choose
1. How long the print will live
A flyer lasts weeks. A wine label or a printed book can last years. Match the code's dependency on a subscription to that lifetime. Ask yourself who will still be paying for the plan when the last copy of the print is gone.
2. What the tool does after cancellation
Look for the exact rule. Inactive after the plan expires, kept with ads, kept within a free allowance: each is a different risk for long-lived print. If the rule is "inactive after the plan expires", treat the plan as part of the print's cost.
3. Whether yearly billing fits your budget
Yearly plans save money if you'll keep them. They're less helpful if you want to test codes on one batch first. Count the total over the print's expected life, not just the first invoice.
Comparison table
| Pageloot | QRay | Hovercode | QRCodeChimp | QR Code Generator PRO | QRStuff | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edit destination after printing | Yes, unlimited redirects on paid plans [1] | Yes | Yes [2] | Yes [3] | Yes, dynamic codes [4] | Yes, dynamic codes [5] |
| Free option | 14-day free trial [1] | Free to try, no card | Free plan: 3 dynamic codes in total [2] | 10 dynamic codes, unlimited static, 1,000 scans a month combined [3] | Free trial [4] | Unlimited static codes; 10 dynamic codes with a 30-day life [5] |
| When a trial or plan ends | Trial codes expire; paid codes become inactive after the plan expires [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] | On lapse, dynamic codes beyond the last 10 are paused [3] | Trial dynamic codes are deactivated until you upgrade [6] | Free-account dynamic codes stop after their 30-day window [5] |
| Paid plans from | €7/mo billed yearly (Starter) [1] | Free to start | $12/mo [2] | $6.99/mo billed yearly, or $9.99 monthly [3] | $9.99/mo billed yearly, or $19.99 month to month [4] | $100/yr (Lite Suite) [5] |
| Scan counts | Yes [1] | Yes, per code | Basic analytics, 3 months of history on free [2] | Yes [3] | Yes [4] | Basic analytics on paid suites [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
Pageloot
Pros
- Unlimited destination changes on every paid plan [1]
- Starter €7, Pro €36 and Agency €99 per month billed yearly [1]
- A refund if you ask within 14 days of the trial ending [1]
- Agency features and invoicing on higher plans [1]
Cons
- Codes made in the trial expire after it [1]
- If you cancel, codes become inactive after the plan expires [1]
- Prices are shown billed yearly, so the up-front amount is a year's worth [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]
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]
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]
QRStuff
Pros
- Static codes are free, don't expire and need no sign-up [5]
- GS1 product codes and a Menu Maker on paid suites [5]
- Yearly suites from $100 (Lite); $270 a year for 250 dynamic codes [5]
- Static codes need no account at all [5]
Cons
- Dynamic codes from a free account only work for a 30-day window [5]
- Cancelling a paid plan is done by emailing support [5]
- Dynamic codes, the editable kind, need a paid suite to keep working [5]
Which one fits your situation
A winery, publisher or anyone with long-lived print. Use static codes where the link won't change, and for dynamic ones choose a free allowance that doesn't expire, like Hovercode's first 3 codes [2], or QRay.
An agency billing clients. Pageloot's Agency plan and invoicing features [1] fit an agency that keeps the plan running.
A business that needs many codes cheaply. QRCodeChimp's Starter plan is $6.99 a month billed yearly, or $9.99 monthly [3].
A menu that changes every season. Any dynamic tool works; pick one with unlimited edits. Pageloot includes them on every paid plan [1].
A short campaign with a clear end date. Pageloot's model fits well: when the campaign and the plan end together, nothing is left dangling [1].
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
What happens to Pageloot codes when I cancel?
They become inactive after the plan expires [1].
Do Pageloot trial codes expire?
Yes, codes made during the trial expire after it [1].
How much does Pageloot cost?
Starter is €7, Pro €36 and Agency €99 per month, billed yearly [1].
Does Pageloot offer refunds?
Pageloot offers a refund if you ask within 14 days after the trial ends [1].
Can I edit a Pageloot code after printing?
Yes, paid plans include unlimited redirects [1].
Which dynamic QR codes keep working without a subscription?
Hovercode's first 3 free codes don't expire [2], and codes made with a free QRay account have no trial end date.
Can I move my Pageloot codes to another service?
No. The redirect inside the code belongs to Pageloot. Make new codes and use them on your next print run.
Is Pageloot good for agencies?
Its Agency plan, at €99 a month billed yearly, includes agency features and invoicing [1]. The short link inside a printed dynamic code belongs to the service that made it, so a code can't be moved between tools.