The short answer
A static QR code stores its content directly inside the black-and-white pattern. A dynamic QR code stores a short link, and that link sends people to wherever you choose.
| Static | Dynamic | |
|---|---|---|
| Change the content after printing | No — you'd need a new code | Yes, anytime |
| Scan statistics | No | Yes: scans, places, devices, times |
| Works without an account | Yes, forever | As long as the account exists |
| Pattern size | Grows with the content | Always small (short link) |
| Best for | WiFi, plain text, fixed contact details | Marketing, menus, packaging, anything printed in quantity |
How a static QR code works
When you create a static code, the generator turns your content — a link, a WiFi password, a vCard — into the pattern itself. A phone camera reads the pattern and gets the content directly, with no server in between.
That makes static codes simple and permanent: nobody can switch them off, and they don't depend on any service. The flip side is that they can never change. A typo in the link, a new phone number or a moved web page means a new code and a reprint.
Static codes also get denser as the content gets longer. A long link or a full contact card produces a crowded pattern that's harder to scan when printed small.
How a dynamic QR code works
A dynamic code contains only a short link, for example qr.linkom.app/AB3DE9K. When someone scans it, that link redirects them to your real destination. Because the destination is stored on the server, you can change it whenever you like — the printed code stays exactly the same.
The redirect is also where scan statistics come from. Each scan can be counted with its time, approximate location and device type, so you can see which poster, table or package actually works.
Because the pattern only holds a short link, dynamic codes stay small and clean even when the destination is a long URL. That means they scan faster and more reliably in print.
When to use a static QR code
- WiFi access for your shop or office (the network name and password rarely change).
- Plain text, such as a serial number or a short instruction.
- Personal contact details you're sure won't change.
- Anything that must keep working even if you stop using any QR service.
When to use a dynamic QR code
- Restaurant menus, price lists and catalogs that you update often.
- Flyers, posters, packaging and business cards printed in quantity.
- Campaigns where you want to know which channel brings scans.
- Links that may move: landing pages, app store links, forms.
- Anything where a mistake after printing would be expensive.
As a rule of thumb: if the code is going on something you'll print more than a handful of, make it dynamic.
Do dynamic QR codes expire?
This is the most important question, because some generators lock dynamic codes behind short trials. The code works for 14 days, then stops until you pay — after it has already been printed.
Before you print, check what happens to your codes if you stop paying. On QRaft, dynamic codes keep working as long as your account exists. If a paid plan ends, every code keeps working for 3 more months; after that, codes beyond the free allowance are paused, never deleted, and come back as soon as you subscribe again. Static codes never expire at all.
Making either type look good
Static or dynamic, a branded code gets more scans than a plain one. Add your logo in the middle, use your brand colors, and put a short call to action in a frame, such as "Scan for the menu".
Keep strong contrast between the code and its background, don't let the logo cover too much, and test the code on a few phones before printing. QRaft's editor shows a scannability score while you design, so you'll know before anything goes to print.
Questions
Can I turn a static QR code into a dynamic one?+
No. A static code's content is part of its pattern, so it can't be redirected. Create a new dynamic code and use it on your next print run.
Are dynamic QR codes slower to scan?+
The redirect adds a fraction of a second, which people don't notice. Because the pattern is simpler, dynamic codes are often easier to scan.
Can I see how many people scanned a static code?+
No. Static codes don't pass through a server, so there's nothing to count. Use a dynamic code if you need statistics.