Comparison
What the free tier actually gives you.
Three kinds of generator: sites that issue trial codes, the classic free static designer, and StoneQR. The differences that matter are whether the code can be switched off, what you have to hand over, and what file you get.
| Feature | StoneQR | Trial-code sites | QRCode Monkey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free codes keep working forever | Yes, they are generated on your device | No, trial codes stop after the trial | Yes for static codes |
| Account or email required | Never | Yes | No for static codes |
| SVG, PDF, and EPS with physical dimensions | Yes, free | Paid tiers | SVG, PDF, EPS |
| Error-correction control | L, M, Q, H, with a live size preview | Limited | No |
| Print-size and scan-distance calculator | Built in | No | No |
| Decode check before every download | Yes | No | No |
| Your content sent to a server | No | Yes | Yes, rendered server-side |
| Ads or upsells to third parties | None | Subscription upsell | Upsell to a dynamic-code vendor |
| Source code | Open, MIT licence | Closed | Closed |
Notes
- "Trial-code sites" describes generators whose free codes are dynamic links on the vendor's domain that stop resolving when the trial ends. Their own pricing pages describe this behaviour.
- QRCode Monkey is a capable static designer. Its codes are rendered on its servers, and its upgrade path leads to a dynamic-code vendor. The comparison is about free static output.
- StoneQR has no paid tier. If you need an editable, tracked code, the hand-off is to SignUpCity, which publishes a no-deactivation policy.
- Found an error in this table? Open an issue and it will be corrected.