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Static Vs. Dynamic QR codes - how to choose

Written by Spencer Pines

Published May 27, 2025·Updated December 26, 2025·5 min read

When conducting research on creating QR codes, you may have seen the terms static and dynamic. You may have even seen them on this very site. But you may be asking just what are static and dynamic codes? What’s the difference? Which one should I go with? Whether you should make a static or dynamic QR code depends on the project you’re working on. In some cases, it's better to create a static code, in others dynamic is the best pick. It all depends on what you are creating a code for. In this piece I will go over static and dynamic QR codes, what differences they have, the advantages to both, and in what cases it's best to use them. Hopefully, by the end you’ll know which one is best for your particular project. So let’s get started!

What are Static and Dynamic QR codes?

Static

A static QR code is one that does not change once it’s been made. Whatever information was linked to the code when it was created is the information it will hold forever, whether that be a url link, a short message, or a file.

Tracking and monitoring code usage is not something you can do with static QR codes, and they tend to take longer to scan. However, since static codes cannot be changed once created, they are often safer as you don’t typically have to worry about a hacker or someone else re-linking the code somewhere else.

Dynamic

A dynamic code is one that can be further changed and edited even after the physical codes have been printed and distributed. This means that you can change what website, document, or message that users will be redirected to once they scan the code.

Dynamic codes also allow for creators to track and monitor code usage through whatever service they used to make them. This way you can see how many people are scanning your code, which codes are being scanned, and even what devices are being used to scan them.

When to Use a Static QR Code

While static QR codes are more limited than dynamic ones, there are a few scenarios where it’s better to use them as opposed to the alternative. Some examples include:

Wifi login
Short term campaign information
Resumes
Short messages
Coupons and deals

When to Use a Dynamic QR Code

Dynamic codes allow for much more customization and trackability. Therefore, these types of codes are best when you want to monitor engagement and reach more people. Editability is also a major benefit to using a dynamic code. Some examples of what you can do with dynamic codes include:

And more!

Conclusion

Inevitably, when creating QR codes, you’ll have to make the choice between using a dynamic or a static code. While in most cases dynamic is the better option, with their customizability and monitoring capabilities, there are still a few cases where creating a static code is the right choice.

Whichever kind of code you create you can do so with the free tools available from QR Code Developer! I hope this piece has helped you make that decision and left you more informed that you were before. Happy coding!