You sign up for a “free” QR code generator. You make your link. You print your flyers, your business cards, your signs. You hand them out, confident that your QR code will simply work.
Then — without warning — the service flips your link behind a paywall.
Your QR code still exists, but the destination is locked. Your visitors hit a dead end. Your printed materials suddenly become useless. And the only way to fix it is to upgrade.
That’s not a business model. That’s a hostage situation.
Why this happens
Many QR platforms advertise “free” accounts, but the fine print hides the catch:
- Trial-based free tiers that expire after 7 days
- Auto-upgrade traps that convert your link unless you pay
- Link deactivation if you don’t subscribe
- Analytics paywalls that block access to basic usage data
The result is the same: once your QR code is printed and distributed, you’re locked in. You either pay or your link dies.
The real-world cost of a dead QR code
A QR code isn’t just a link — it’s a commitment. Once it’s printed:
- You can’t recall business cards
- You can’t reprint hundreds of flyers
- You can’t fix signage already out in the world
- You can’t undo the damage to your brand
A QR code should be reliable. It should be permanent. It should never be held hostage.
Why RelinkQR exists
RelinkQR was built because this problem hit close to home.
A coach printed business cards with a QR code from a “free” service. Seven days later, the link was locked behind a paid plan. The cards were already handed out. The only option was to pay.
That frustration became the foundation of RelinkQR.
A free QR code will never stop working. Ever.
No surprise upgrades. No link shutdowns. No hostage situations.
What our free tier actually means
- 1 dynamic QR code you can update anytime
- 100 scans per month included
- 30 days of analytics so you can see what’s happening
- A small watermark to keep it truly free
- After 100 scans, your link still works — visitors simply see a one-tap “continue” page
Your QR code stays alive. Your printed materials stay valid. Your link stays yours.
Frequently asked questions
Do free QR codes from RelinkQR expire?
No. There is no trial clock and no expiry date. A QR code you create on the free plan keeps resolving to your destination for as long as your account exists.
What happens after I use up my 100 scans in a month?
Your link keeps working. Scans past the monthly limit land on a simple page showing where they’re headed, with a single tap to continue. Nobody hits a dead end, and the counter resets at the start of the next calendar month.
Can I change where my QR code points after it’s printed?
Yes — that’s the whole point of a dynamic QR code. The printed code stays the same while you change the destination behind it as often as you like.
Do I need an account to try it?
No. You can design a QR code and see exactly how it will look before creating anything. An account is only needed to save it and make the destination editable later.
Will you start charging for codes that are free today?
No. Paid plans exist for people who outgrow the free limits — more codes, more scans, full analytics, no watermark — not to switch off links that already work.
Make one that stays yours
Design it now, see it instantly, and decide later whether you want to save it.
Create your QR code No account needed to try it.Last updated September 16, 2026.