Last checked November 1, 2026
QR.io alternatives if you're thinking of cancelling
The searches around QR.io are unusually focused on leaving: "qr.io cancel subscription", "qr io delete account", "qr.io scam" and "qr.io how long does it last". That pattern usually means people started a trial for one code and then met a monthly charge. This page lays out QR.io's stated terms, how to protect codes you've printed, and five alternatives, including QRay, which we make. We don't judge whether any service is a scam; we stick to what each one publishes.
Facts checked on November 1, 2026. Prices and terms change, so follow the numbered sources before you buy.
The problem: one code, a monthly plan
Say a dog walker needs a QR code for a business card that opens her booking page. She signs up for QR.io's 7-day free trial [1] and prints 250 cards.
After the trial, the plan is $39.99 a month, or $350 for 12 months [1]. That plan includes unlimited codes, landing pages, API access, bulk creation and 5 team members [1], which is a lot of value for a company, and a lot of cost for one card.
She decides to cancel. QR.io lets you cancel any time and has a 7-day money-back policy [1]. The open question is the card. QR.io's FAQ says static codes keep working after the trial [1]. It doesn't say the same for dynamic codes [1].
If you're in this spot, two steps help. First, check whether your printed code is static or dynamic in the dashboard before you cancel. Second, if it's dynamic, ask support in writing what will happen to it, and keep the reply. Then plan your next print run with a tool whose end-of-plan rule you've read. The few minutes this takes are cheaper than a box of reprinted cards.
None of this is unusual for paid QR tools. Many start with a short trial and move to a monthly plan. What makes QR.io stand out in searches is the gap between a quick, one-code job and a plan sized for teams [1]. If you need unlimited codes, an API and five seats, the price is easier to justify. If you need one business card, a free allowance from another tool is a better match.
Three things to check before you choose
1. The price after the trial
Look at the plan you'll be moved to, the monthly amount and whether it renews automatically. A short trial makes this check urgent. Set a reminder for the day before the trial ends, so the decision is yours and not the renewal date's.
2. What happens to dynamic codes
Find a written rule for codes when a trial ends or you cancel. "Not stated" is a reason to ask before printing. Keep the support reply with your print files.
3. Whether the plan fits the job
Unlimited codes and team seats suit an agency. One person with one card may be better served by a free allowance. Count your codes and seats; if both are small, a free plan is the safer start.
Comparison table
| QR.io | QRay | Hovercode | QRCodeChimp | QR TIGER | The QR Code Generator | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edit destination after printing | Yes [1] | Yes | Yes [2] | Yes [3] | Yes [4] | Yes [5] |
| Free option | 7-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 plan: 3 dynamic codes [4] | 2 dynamic codes with ads, 1 user [5] |
| When a trial or plan ends | FAQ says static codes keep working after the trial; not stated for dynamic codes [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] | Free dynamic codes have a 500-scan cap each and a logo popup [4] | After the 14-day trial, 2 dynamic codes stay active but display ads [5] |
| Paid plans from | $39.99/mo; 12-month plan $350 [1] | Free to start | $12/mo [2] | $6.99/mo billed yearly, or $9.99 monthly [3] | US$7/mo [4] | Flex, about $5–$10/mo billed yearly depending on the plan view [5] |
| Scan counts | Yes: how many, when and where [1] | Yes, per code | Basic analytics, 3 months of history on free [2] | Yes [3] | Basic analytics on free [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
QR.io
Pros
- Unlimited QR codes on the paid plan [1]
- Landing pages, API access, bulk creation and 5 team members [1]
- A 7-day money-back policy, and you can cancel any time [1]
- Scan analytics show how many, when and where [1]
Cons
- The trial is short, at 7 days [1]
- $39.99/month month to month is high for a handful of codes [1]
- What happens to dynamic codes after the trial isn't stated [1]
- The 12-month plan is $350, a large up-front amount for a small shop [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 TIGER
Pros
- Free plan with dynamic codes and basic analytics, plus unlimited static codes [4]
- Paid plans from US$7/month, with bulk generation and geofencing on higher tiers [4]
- A wide range of code types, from links to files and social pages [4]
- Free static codes are unlimited, which covers permanent links at no cost [4]
Cons
- Free dynamic codes are capped at 500 scans each [4]
- Free codes show a QR TIGER logo popup [4]
- Packaging or a busy flyer can reach the free scan cap, so plan to upgrade if a code gets popular
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
One person with a few codes. Use a free allowance with clear rules: Hovercode's first 3 codes don't expire [2]; QRCodeChimp's free plan has 10 dynamic codes [3]; QRay is free to try.
An agency or team with many codes. QR.io's unlimited codes, API and 5 seats [1] can be good value if you'll use them.
You want a cheap paid plan. QR TIGER starts at US$7/month [4], and The QR Code Generator's Flex plan is about $5–$10/month billed yearly [5].
You already printed with QR.io. Ask support about dynamic codes before cancelling, then switch on your next print run.
A café with one table-card code. Use a free dynamic allowance with a written rule, and keep your QR.io trial for testing only. Hovercode's first 3 codes don't expire [2].
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
How do I cancel my QR.io subscription?
QR.io says you can cancel any time [1]. Do it from your account, and keep the confirmation.
Does QR.io offer refunds?
It lists a 7-day money-back policy [1].
How long is the QR.io free trial?
7 days [1].
Do QR.io codes stop working after the trial?
Its FAQ says static codes keep working after the trial; it doesn't say the same for dynamic codes [1].
How much does QR.io cost?
$39.99/month, or $350 for 12 months [1].
Is there a free alternative to QR.io?
Hovercode [2], QRCodeChimp [3] and QR TIGER [4] have free plans with dynamic codes; QRay is free to try.
Is QR.io a scam?
We can't judge that. What we can say is what it publishes: a 7-day trial, a $39.99 monthly plan and a 7-day money-back policy [1]. Read those before you start.
How do I delete my QR.io account?
Use your account settings or contact QR.io support. Check what happens to dynamic codes first, because QR.io's FAQ only promises that static codes keep working [1].