Last checked November 1, 2026
QR TIGER alternatives: free plans, scan caps and head-to-heads
"Is QR TIGER free?" sits near the top of QR TIGER searches, followed by comparisons: "qr tiger vs uniqode", "qr tiger vs bitly", "qr tiger vs me qr". The short answer to the first is yes, with conditions: 3 dynamic codes, 500 scans each, and a QR TIGER logo popup [1]. This page explains those conditions and lines QR TIGER up against the tools people compare it with, plus QRay, which we make.
Facts checked on November 1, 2026. Prices and terms change, so follow the numbered sources before you buy.
The problem: a popular code hits its cap
Say a craft brewery puts a free QR TIGER code on a can label linking to its events page. The code is dynamic, so the link can change each month. That's exactly what dynamic codes are for.
The cans sell well. On the free plan, each dynamic code is capped at 500 scans [1]. A busy label can pass that, and once it does, the code has reached its limit. Scanners also see a QR TIGER logo popup on free codes [1].
The brewery's options are to upgrade, from US$7 a month [1], or to print new cans with a different code. Upgrading is often the sensible move. The point is to know the cap is there before the label goes to print, not after.
Scan caps are the hardest free-plan rule to plan around, because they depend on success. A code that nobody scans never hits a cap. A code that does well hits it at the worst moment. When you compare free plans, weigh a cap on scans differently from a cap on codes: a code cap is known on day one, a scan cap isn't.
The logo popup is the other point to weigh. For a personal project it may not matter. For a brand's own packaging, an extra screen with another company's logo can feel off. QR TIGER's paid plans are the simplest fix if you like the tool, and its entry price is among the lower ones on this page [1]. If you'd rather not pay at all, compare free plans by what the scanner sees first.
Three things to check before you choose
1. What limits the free plan
Codes, scans, ads, logos or a trial clock. Each limit hits differently. Note which one applies to the job you're printing. Write down the cap next to each print job, and check scan counts after the first week.
2. What the scanner sees
A logo popup or ad page before your link adds a step. For a product label, that matters. Test on a phone so you see the popup the way a customer would.
3. What the paid step costs
If you'll likely upgrade, compare the first paid tier, its billing period and what it adds. US$7 a month [1] may be less than one reprint, which is worth remembering.
Comparison table
| QR TIGER | QRay | Uniqode | Bitly | ME-QR | Hovercode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edit destination after printing | Yes [1] | Yes | Yes, on paid plans from $9/mo [2] | Paid plans only: 5 edits/mo on Core, more on higher tiers [3] | Yes, trackable codes [4] | Yes [5] |
| Free option | Free plan: 3 dynamic codes [1] | Free to try, no card | Free plan for basic codes; free trial for premium [2] | Free with ads: 2 QR codes/mo [3] | Free plan; all codes show ads [4] | Free plan: 3 dynamic codes in total [5] |
| When a trial or plan ends | Free dynamic codes have a 500-scan cap each and a logo popup [1] | Codes made with a free account have no trial end date | After the free trial, dynamic codes become inactive unless you upgrade (per its sister site's FAQ) [6] | Paid plans can schedule a code to expire on a date [3] | Free plan lists unlimited code lifetime [4] | Free-plan codes don't expire; extra paid codes expire if you cancel [5] |
| Paid plans from | US$7/mo [1] | Free to start | $9/mo [2] | $10/mo billed yearly (Core) [3] | Not stated (prices load by script) [4] | $12/mo [5] |
| Scan counts | Basic analytics on free [1] | Yes, per code | Yes [2] | Yes [3] | Yes; 1 year of history on free [4] | Basic analytics, 3 months of 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 TIGER
Pros
- Free plan with dynamic codes and basic analytics, plus unlimited static codes [1]
- Paid plans from US$7/month, with bulk generation and geofencing on higher tiers [1]
- A wide range of code types, from links to files and social pages [1]
- Free static codes are unlimited, which covers permanent links at no cost [1]
- Paid plans: Regular US$7, Advanced US$16 and Premium US$37 a month [1]
- The free plan needs no credit card [1]
Cons
- Free dynamic codes are capped at 500 scans each [1]
- Free codes show a QR TIGER logo popup [1]
- Packaging or a busy flyer can reach the free scan cap, so plan to upgrade if a code gets popular
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
Uniqode
Pros
- Security and compliance listed on the pricing page, including SOC 2, SSO and 2FA [2]
- Digital business cards in the same product [2]
- Room to grow, with a Core plan at $49/month [2]
- Integrations and team tools suit companies with IT and security reviews [2]
Cons
- Dynamic codes need a paid plan, from $9/month [2]
- Trial dynamic codes stop redirecting when the trial ends unless you upgrade [6]
- Feature-rich plans can be more than a small shop needs
Bitly
Pros
- Short links, QR codes and landing pages in one account [3]
- Bulk creation from CSV or Excel on higher plans [3]
- Mobile deep links and custom dashboards on higher plans [3]
- Paid plans can schedule a code to expire on a date, handy for time-limited campaigns [3]
Cons
- The free plan has ads and doesn't include changing a code's destination [3]
- Destination changes are counted per month on paid plans [3]
- Core is $10/month with an annual charge of $120 [3]
- Growth is $29/month billed yearly, a step up if you need more edits [3]
ME-QR
Pros
- A large free plan with unlimited scans [4]
- Folders, multi-user access and scan email alerts on paid plans [4]
- API integration [4]
- Free-plan codes list unlimited lifetime [4]
Cons
- All free-plan codes show ads; Lite includes 1 ad-free code in total; Premium removes ads [4]
- Paid prices are filled in by script, so confirm them on the page before buying [4]
- Ads in front of your page can put off guests or customers who expect your site
Hovercode
Pros
- A free plan that isn't a trial: the first 3 dynamic codes don't expire [5]
- Custom domains, GPS tracking and team features on paid plans [5]
- GS1 Digital Link codes [5]
- The free plan's rules are written plainly on the pricing page, which makes planning easy [5]
Cons
- The 3 free dynamic codes are a total, not per month [5]
- Codes beyond the first 3 expire if you cancel a paid plan [5]
- Custom domains and GPS tracking are paid features [5]
Which one fits your situation
A label or flyer that may get a lot of scans. Avoid a per-code scan cap on free. Hovercode's free codes [5], ME-QR (with ads) [4] and QRay don't use one; or budget for QR TIGER's paid plan.
A larger business with security reviews. Uniqode lists SOC 2, SSO and 2FA [2], which QR TIGER's pricing page doesn't cover.
A team that lives in short links. Bitly puts links and QR codes together [3].
Many code types and geofencing. QR TIGER's paid tiers are a good match [1].
A small shop with a few low-traffic codes. QR TIGER's free plan works well when scans stay modest and the popup is fine [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
Is QR TIGER free?
Yes, with 3 dynamic codes, 500 scans per dynamic code and a QR TIGER logo popup [1].
Does QR TIGER have a free trial?
It has a free plan that needs no credit card [1].
How much does QR TIGER cost?
Regular is US$7/month, Advanced US$16 and Premium US$37 [1].
Do QR TIGER codes expire?
Free dynamic codes are capped at 500 scans each [1]. Static codes are unlimited on free [1].
QR TIGER vs Uniqode?
QR TIGER has a free plan with dynamic codes [1]. Uniqode needs a paid plan for dynamic codes, from $9/month, and lists more security features [2].
QR TIGER vs Bitly?
Bitly is a link platform with 2 free QR codes a month and ads [3]. QR TIGER is QR-first with a larger set of code types [1].
QR TIGER vs ME-QR?
ME-QR's free plan has unlimited scans but shows ads on every code [4]. QR TIGER's free plan caps scans per dynamic code and shows a logo popup [1].
What happens when a QR TIGER code reaches 500 scans?
On the free plan, the dynamic code has reached its limit [1]. Upgrading lifts the cap.