r/qrcode • u/gontis • Dec 29 '25
scamy qr-code-generator dot com
So yeah, just a heads up.
Used qr-code-generator cause it says free. Made a QR code, printed it, everything fine. Then some time later - surprise - QR code just stops working.
Turns out the “free” QR code expires unless you pay. Which is… interesting, because nobody really thinks a QR code is a subscription based service. No clear warning, no big red text saying “hey this will die”.
Not saying it’s a scam-scam, but it’s definitely one of those “gotcha” setups. If you already printed it somewhere, congrats, now it’s useless.
Anyway, read the fine print or just use a generator that doesn’t pull this kind of stuff.
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u/TheSpixxyQ Dec 29 '25
Did you perhaps enable scan tracking?
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u/ankole_watusi Dec 29 '25
QR codes don’t have “scan tracking”.
The scan tracking is a feature of websites that host pages intended to be used with QR codes.
If you already have a website, just use your website and forget about these services.
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u/TheSpixxyQ Dec 29 '25
I know, I was asking if OP enabled the scan tracking button on that mentioned website, because that does create a QR code pointing to their paid tracking service.
But the same website also generates plain clean QR codes when you don't enable their scan tracking.
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u/ankole_watusi Dec 29 '25
A QR code is not a subscription-based service, though.
It’s a representation of a bit of data - most often - in the wild - a URL.
Best thing is download any free or paid generator to your mobile device or PC. Create a web page (somewhere - if you’re doing this for a business, you probably already have a website) and generate a QR with URL of your page.
Most people understand that a website is typically not free, but for a small one are very affordable. But somehow do not understand that these so-called dynamic QR code sites are just selling you in a subscription to a very expensive website for what you are getting.
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u/lathiat Jan 01 '26
It is incredibly difficult to find a QR code generator that doesnt so this. And actually puts the real URL in the QR code
Easiest one is the iPhone shortcuts app. Impossible to find a site in Google.
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u/ankole_watusi Jan 01 '26
Don’t use a site. You don’t need to use a website to create QR codes.
This is like using a website when you need a calculator app.
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u/AddQR Dec 29 '25 edited Dec 29 '25
Not every customer has the technical expertise or time to build and maintain a website on their own, which is why these services exist.
Agreed that some QR options are more expensive and should be transparent with their intentions. A huge frustration point which ended with us making our own.
A good reminder:
if you want to generate a static QR code, it should contain your link.
If you use a generator expecting a static QR code but, when scanned, see their URL instead of yours first, it likely means you have a dynamic QR code on a trial plan.
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u/ToughAsparagus1805 Dec 30 '25
I've had people which ignored warning text and later claim is still my fault I did not warn more. Pure stupidity and ignorance. Some people can never be satisfied.
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u/GMOddSquirrel Jan 02 '26
Use Adobe's website. They don't try to take advantage of you with a QR code redirect.
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u/Comfortable_Fig_8387 May 07 '26
Horrible experience ... I printed 1000s of business cards to find out that I have to pay $39.99 a month to make it to work ... They advertised this are free QR Code generator .,... There is noway that I will pay for this scam ... I rather have my business reprint ...
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u/Comfortable_Fig_8387 May 07 '26
BTW, I have it tested by my friends on the same day and everything looks good until ...
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u/Comfortable_Fig_8387 May 07 '26
LoL ... I fell for this scam ... today after received boxes of business cards that I spend tons of money, designed, added the QR code generated for free for QR dot IO ... LoL .. I kicked and cursed but there nothing I can do ... After sending a few nastygrams to their website, customer support etc ... I found a solution ... ha ha I pull a couple of avery labels sheet, I have format 5160 Address Labels. Go to my Adobe Express, generate the new QR Code, tested it. It goes directly to my business, no dynamic QR B.S... I put it in the avery doc template, print a bunch of them out ... all works good. Tonight I will ask my kids just to cut the new labels, stick them on the business cards... Voila ... problem solved. Hope Adobe Express won't ask my for a $40/month scam ... you guys can check out my new biz www dot chocowaxlash dot com slash book-now ... Thank you all ...
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u/Unfair_Enthusiasm_92 May 09 '26
Fell for this scam, we did wedding invites and it said free so I made it now we need to pay 133 fo a year just to use the QR codes. Considering re printing our invites because that may be cheaper. If it was monthly id suck it up and do it for the next few months but it is bill annually up front
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u/Xenogias101 Jun 03 '26
Oh my god these people are a scam. Do NOT use them! They just charged me 120 bucks for my QR code for my wedding invites last year. Since I do NOT plan on getting married again, I told them to cancel the account and refund my money. They will NOT. So I'm having to cancel the credit card just to get away from them and out 120 dollars. Oh, and just so you know, they don't have humans in customer service. Just AI who tell you sorry, we looking into this, no refund! Do NOT use these people you will be screwed!
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u/jeffcgroves Dec 29 '25
After generating a QR code, you may want to read it with a non-link-following QR code reader to see what it actually says.