Last checked November 1, 2026
QR Planet alternatives: what one free code and quarterly billing mean
QR Planet (qrplanet.com, also reached via qrd.by [1]) is a dynamic QR platform with a free plan, paid tiers and a white-label option [2]. The searches around it are mostly about cost: "qr planet pricing", "qr planet free", "qr planet reviews", and, from German speakers, "qr1 at kostenlos" (qr1.at is the domain its free codes show when scanned) [2]. This page lays out what the free plan covers, how billing works, what happens at the end of a trial or subscription, 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 second code
Say a real-estate agent puts a QR code on a yard sign for a listing, linking to the photo gallery. QR Planet's free plan suits this: 1 dynamic QR code, unlimited scans, no expiry date, and a destination you can edit in real time [2]. When the house sells, the agent repoints the sign to the next listing.
Then a second listing comes in at the same time. The free plan has one code, so a second sign means Starter: 5 codes at $5 a month billed annually ($60 a year), or $6.25 a month billed quarterly [2]. There is no monthly billing; the minimum term is 3 months [2]. For an agent with a steady flow of listings that's reasonable. For someone who needs a second code for a single weekend open house, it means paying for at least a quarter.
Nothing here is hidden. The pricing page says it clearly. The point is to count your codes for the year before you print, because the jump from one free code to a paid term comes sooner than with tools that give several free codes.
The end of a trial and the end of a subscription are worth reading closely. Paid tiers start with a 15-day trial with no card [2]. If you don't add payment details during the trial, the account is set inactive when it ends [2]. The FAQ doesn't spell out what scans of trial codes show after that, so make your test codes in the trial and your print codes on a plan you'll keep.
For paid plans, the page has a footnote: on request, your dynamic and static codes are retained after your subscription ends, if all invoices are paid and you've been a customer for at least a year [2]. The page doesn't promise retention outside those conditions. So if you might leave within the first year, don't assume printed paid codes will keep working afterwards; ask support first.
Cancelling is done from the Account tab with Terminate Account. There's a 14-day withdrawal right after purchase, and no refund for terminating within a billing cycle; billing stops after the cycle on your last invoice [2]. QR Planet also offers a fifth off for annual billing, plus extra discounts for young startups, non-profits and academic institutions on annual plans [2].
Three things to check before you choose
1. How many codes you'll need in a year
Free allowances range widely. QR Planet's free plan has 1 dynamic code [2], Hovercode's has 3 in total [3], QR TIGER's has 3 with a scan cap [4], and QRCodeChimp's has 10 with a shared monthly scan allowance [5]. Count every sign, flyer and card you expect to print, then add a few for surprises.
2. The billing term
Some tools bill monthly, some quarterly, some yearly only. QR Planet's shortest term is 3 months [2]; QRCodeChimp offers month to month [5]. If your need is seasonal, the shortest term matters as much as the headline price.
3. What happens when the trial or plan ends
Look for a sentence that says what a scan shows after the end. QRCodeChimp pauses dynamic codes beyond the last 10 when a plan lapses [5]; Hovercode expires codes beyond the first 3 [3]; QR Planet keeps codes on request under conditions [2]. Read it before printing.
Comparison table
| QR Planet | QRay | Hovercode | QRCodeChimp | QR TIGER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edit destination after printing | Yes, on every plan including Free [2] | Yes | Yes [3] | Yes [5] | Yes [4] |
| Free option | Free plan: 1 dynamic QR code with unlimited scans and no expiry date [2] | Free to try, no card | Free plan: 3 dynamic codes in total [3] | 10 dynamic codes, unlimited static, 1,000 scans a month combined [5] | Free plan: 3 dynamic codes [4] |
| When a trial or plan ends | Trial accounts go inactive if no payment details are added; codes kept after a paid plan ends only on request and under conditions [2] | Codes made with a free account have no trial end date | Free-plan codes don't expire; extra paid codes expire if you cancel [3] | On lapse, dynamic codes beyond the last 10 are paused [5] | Free dynamic codes have a 500-scan cap each and a logo popup [4] |
| Paid plans from | $5/mo billed annually, or $6.25/mo billed quarterly (Starter) [2] | Free to start | $12/mo [3] | $6.99/mo billed yearly, or $9.99 monthly [5] | US$7/mo [4] |
| Scan counts | Yes, real-time scan analytics on every plan [2] | Yes, per code | Basic analytics, 3 months of history on free [3] | Yes [5] | Basic analytics on free [4] |
| Use from AI tools | Not stated | Claude and Cursor (MCP), command line; ChatGPT planned next | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
Pros and cons of each
QR Planet
Pros
- Editable dynamic codes and scan analytics even on the free plan [2]
- No pop-up ads when a code is scanned, on any plan [2]
- Vector downloads (PDF in CMYK, SVG, EPS) on every plan [2]
- Bulk creation from a CSV file starts at Starter [2]
- White Label and Enterprise plans for agencies that want their own domain and branding [2]
- Discounts for young startups, non-profits and academic institutions on annual plans [2]
Cons
- The free plan includes one QR code, and Starter includes 5 [2]
- No monthly billing: the minimum term is 3 months [2]
- Free-plan codes show the qr1.at domain when scanned; paid plans use a custom subdomain or your own domain [2]
- Code retention after a paid plan ends is on request and needs at least a year as a customer [2]
- No refund for terminating within a billing cycle, after the 14-day withdrawal window [2]
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 [3]
- Custom domains, GPS tracking and team features on paid plans [3]
- GS1 Digital Link codes [3]
- The free plan's rules are written plainly on the pricing page, which makes planning easy [3]
Cons
- The 3 free dynamic codes are a total, not per month [3]
- Codes beyond the first 3 expire if you cancel a paid plan [3]
- Custom domains and GPS tracking are paid features [3]
QRCodeChimp
Pros
- Free plan with 10 dynamic codes and no trial clock [5]
- Low paid entry: Starter $6.99/month yearly or $9.99 monthly [5]
- A 15-day refund on the first purchase [5]
- Pro is $13.99/month yearly or $19.99 monthly, and Ultima $34.99/month yearly or $49.99 monthly [5]
Cons
- On free, scans pause for the rest of the month once the account reaches 1,000 [5]
- If a paid plan lapses, dynamic codes beyond the last 10 are paused [5]
- Cancellation is by email to support before renewal [5]
- A busy month on free can pause every code on the account at once [5]
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
Which one fits your situation
One permanent code, such as a shop window or a single yard sign. QR Planet's free plan or Hovercode's free plan both give dynamic codes with no expiry [2] [3].
Several codes that change often, like rotating listings or menus. QRCodeChimp's free plan covers more codes if scan volume is modest [5]. QRay also suits this if you'd rather not commit to a billing term.
Someone who wants to pay month to month. QRCodeChimp offers monthly billing at $9.99 for Starter [5]; QR Planet's shortest term is a quarter [2].
An agency reselling QR codes under its own brand. QR Planet's White Label plan is built for this [2]. QRay doesn't offer team accounts or custom domains.
Someone who works in Claude or Cursor. QRay lets you create a code or change its destination from the chat or the editor through MCP, or from the command line.
FAQ
How much does QR Planet cost?
Starter is $5 a month billed annually or $6.25 a month billed quarterly, with 5 codes. Premium and White Label cost more, and Enterprise starts at 250 USD a month [2].
Is QR Planet free?
Yes, there's a free plan with 1 dynamic QR code, unlimited scans and no expiry date [2].
Does QR Planet have monthly billing?
No. The minimum term is 3 months [2].
What is qr1.at?
It's the domain a free-plan QR Planet code shows when scanned. Paid plans use a custom subdomain, and White Label uses your own domain [2].
What happens after the QR Planet trial?
If you haven't added payment details, the account is set inactive when the trial ends [2].
How do I cancel QR Planet?
Use Terminate Account in the Account tab. Billing stops after the current cycle; there's no refund within a cycle after the 14-day withdrawal window [2].
Is qrd.by the same as QR Planet?
Yes, qrd.by forwards to qrplanet.com [1].