The best QR code generator for restaurants is one that keeps printed codes useful after they go on tables, receipts, menus, and signs. A static code is often enough when it points to a permanent web address the restaurant keeps updating. A dynamic code earns its place when the destination may change, scan counts matter, or campaigns need separate links.
Nommy includes unlimited dynamic QR codes and scans in its free product. Canva and Flowcode also offer free dynamic codes, and QRCodeChimp and QR TIGER offer smaller free allowances. QRStuff’s free account has dynamic codes that expire after 30 days, while Adobe Express, Uniqode, and QR Code Generator by Bitly offer free static codes. This comparison looks past the price of making a code to scan limits, print formats, and what happens to existing codes when a trial or subscription ends.
This comparison covers general QR code generators: tools that turn a link into a code for tables, receipts, and packaging. If you are choosing the menu software behind the code, see the 10 best QR code menu platforms instead. For the wider setup, read the complete guide to digital and QR code menus.
Disclosure: Nommy is our product. It is included alongside other generators so restaurants can compare free and paid options. Entries are matched to a use case, not ranked by overall performance.
In this comparison
- Static vs dynamic QR codes
- Best QR code generators at a glance
- How these generators were evaluated
- Generator recommendations
- Choosing a generator
- Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between static and dynamic QR codes?
A static QR code stores the destination inside the code itself, so it has no provider to expire but can never point somewhere else. A dynamic QR code stores a short redirect link, so the destination can be changed after printing, as long as the provider keeps the redirect running.
| Static QR code | Dynamic QR code | |
|---|---|---|
| Update the menu at the same web address | Yes | Yes |
| Change the destination address after printing | No, reprint instead | Yes |
| Keeps working without a QR subscription | Yes, while the destination stays online | Only if the provider keeps the redirect active |
| Scan counts from the QR provider | No | Usually |
| Best restaurant uses | Wi-Fi signs, a permanent menu or review link | Menus that may move, campaigns, codes you want to count |
A restaurant doesn’t need a dynamic code just because its menu changes. If the code points to a permanent menu address, the restaurant can edit that page, or replace a PDF at the same address, and the printed code keeps working. A dynamic code is useful when the address itself may change, when separate campaigns or locations need different destinations, or when scan tracking matters. Either way, a static code stops being useful if its domain lapses or the page is deleted.
Wi-Fi codes are always static, because the network name and password are stored in the code. Changing the Wi-Fi password means printing a new code.
Which are the best QR code generators for restaurants in 2026?
Quick answer: Point a static code at a permanent menu address when you can. Use a dynamic code when the destination may change or scan counts matter, from a provider whose free plan keeps it running, or on a plan you will keep paying for.
- Unlimited free dynamic codes and scans: Nommy.
- Free dynamic codes with limits: QRCodeChimp, QR TIGER, Canva, Flowcode, and QRStuff (for 30 days).
- Simple free static codes: Adobe Express, QRStuff, Uniqode, and QR Code Generator by Bitly.
- Paid analytics and campaign tools: Uniqode, Flowcode, and QR Code Generator by Bitly.
| Generator | Best for | Free dynamic codes | Entry paid price | After a trial or cancellation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nommy | Restaurant menus, reviews, and WhatsApp | Unlimited, no scan cap | None needed for QR codes | Free plan keeps codes active and editable |
| QRCodeChimp | A large free dynamic allowance | 10, sharing 1,000 scans/month | Starter $6.99/month billed annually ($9.99 monthly) | Back on Free, 10 dynamic codes stay active and the rest pause |
| QR TIGER | Restaurant-specific code types | 3, with 500 scans each | Regular $7/month | Dynamic codes stop when the plan expires |
| Canva | Codes designed into menus and posters | Yes, with the Canva logo | Business $250/year per person for scan insights | No automatic expiry; downgrade terms not stated |
| Flowcode | Campaign tracking | 2, scans unlimited (analytics up to 500) | Pro Plus $25/month, billed annually | Codes keep scanning; only the 2 newest stay editable |
| QRStuff | No-sign-up static codes | 10, expiring after 30 days (50 scans/month) | Lite Suite $10/month or $100/year | Not stated |
| Adobe Express | One quick static code | None (static URL codes only) | No paid QR tier | Static codes never expire |
| Uniqode | Brands that want analytics | None (free static codes; 14-day trial) | From $9/month, billed annually | Codes stop when a trial ends or a paid plan lapses |
| QR Code Generator by Bitly | Free static codes | None (14-day trial) | Starter €8/month, billed annually | Trial codes stop at the trial’s end; paid codes redirect for 30 days after the plan ends |
Prices are in each provider’s own currency and exclude tax. They were checked against vendor pricing pages and help centers between 4 and 12 November 2026. Plans change often, so confirm current terms before printing anything.
How were these QR code generators evaluated?
These generators were compared on what matters once a code is printed and on a table, not on how many code types they list. The comparison draws on public pricing pages, product documentation, help-center articles, and subscription terms. Plans were not bought and tested hands-on. Where a provider’s documentation doesn’t explain what happens to codes after cancellation, the table says “not stated” rather than assuming the codes keep working.
- Permanence: what happens to printed dynamic codes when a trial ends, a plan lapses, or a scan limit is reached.
- Free access: how many free static and dynamic codes are allowed, and whether a scan limit stops the code or only its analytics.
- Print and export options: logo upload and vector (SVG or PDF) downloads. Physical scan tests were not run.
- Restaurant code types: menu, PDF, Google review, and Wi-Fi codes.
- Cost to keep: the plan that keeps a restaurant’s codes active and editable.
The problem: A café prints 40 table cards with dynamic codes made during a free trial. Two weeks later the trial ends, and every scan lands on the provider’s upgrade page instead of the menu.
The real-world fix: Before printing, read the provider’s help article on expired trials and cancelled plans. If the codes stop or pause, either keep the paid plan running or choose a provider whose free plan keeps dynamic codes active.
Which QR code generator fits each restaurant need?
The nine generators below fall into three groups: free dynamic generators (Nommy, QRCodeChimp, QR TIGER, Canva, Flowcode), free static tools (QRStuff, Adobe Express), and paid analytics platforms with free static codes (Uniqode, QR Code Generator by Bitly). Order within each group is not a ranking.
Nommy: Best for restaurant menus, reviews, and WhatsApp
- Best for: Independent restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and food trucks that want menu, review, Wi-Fi, and WhatsApp codes in one place.
- Pricing: Free, with no QR subscription, trial, or scan cap. Unlimited dynamic QR codes and scans, with scan analytics.
- Print files: High-resolution PNG and SVG, with a logo, colors, and dot patterns.
Nommy’s QR codes sit in the same dashboard as its free website and digital menu for food businesses. A menu code opens the live menu itself rather than a separate PDF or landing page. Dynamic codes can point to the menu, a location, a Google review link, WhatsApp, a phone number, or any other link, and the destination can be changed without reprinting. Wi-Fi codes store the network details in the code, so they are static. Nommy is built for food businesses, not general marketing teams, so there is no bulk CSV upload or custom short domain.
For a single code without an account, Nommy also has free generators for a QR code menu, a Google review QR code, and a guest Wi-Fi QR code. All three create static codes.
QRCodeChimp: Best for a large free dynamic allowance
- Best for: Restaurants that want a general generator with more free dynamic codes than most.
- Pricing: Free forever with unlimited static codes, 10 dynamic codes, and 1,000 scans a month shared across them. Starter is $6.99/month billed annually or $9.99 monthly, with 50 dynamic codes and 10,000 scans a month (pricing).
- Restaurant types: Google review, Wi-Fi, PDF, and menu codes, with bulk upload from Excel.
QRCodeChimp states its rules clearly. When a paid plan expires, the account returns to Free: 10 dynamic codes stay active and the rest are paused until renewal. Dynamic codes also pause when the monthly scan allowance runs out, so a busy restaurant should check its scan count before relying on the free plan.
QR TIGER: Best for restaurant-specific code types
- Best for: Restaurants that want dedicated menu, Google review, and Wi-Fi code types in a general generator.
- Pricing: Free with unlimited static codes and 3 dynamic codes capped at 500 scans each. Regular is $7/month with 12 dynamic codes and unlimited scans; Advanced is $16/month (pricing).
- Extras: Custom short domains on paid plans and bulk generation on Advanced.
The free plan shows a QR TIGER logo pop-up, so it suits testing better than guest-facing menus. QR TIGER’s help center says dynamic codes stop working when a paid subscription expires. It separately mentions keeping account data for up to a year, but kept data is not the same as a working redirect. Plan to renew before expiry rather than rely on that period.
Canva: Best for codes designed into menus and posters
- Best for: Restaurants that already design menus, table tents, and flyers in Canva.
- Pricing: The QR generator is free on every plan, including dynamic codes with editable destinations. Scan insights, a custom logo, removing the Canva logo, and expiry settings need Canva Business, at $250/year per person.
- Print files: SVG, PNG, JPG, and PDF.
Canva puts the code straight into the design, which saves a step at print time. Dynamic codes on the Free and Pro plans carry the Canva logo, and the generator only encodes URLs, with no Wi-Fi or review types. Canva’s dynamic codes don’t expire unless the owner sets an expiry date, but Canva doesn’t say what happens to them after a downgrade. For a wider look at Canva for menus, see the Canva alternative comparison.
Flowcode: Best for campaign tracking
- Best for: Restaurants running campaigns where scan tracking matters more than menu codes.
- Pricing: Free with 2 dynamic codes. Pro Plus is $25/month billed annually, with 50 codes and analytics for up to 6,000 scans (pricing).
- Restaurant types: No dedicated menu, review, or Wi-Fi types.
Flowcode’s 500-scan free limit caps the analytics, not the code: guests can keep scanning after the reporting stops. After a downgrade to the free plan, Flowcode says codes keep scanning but only the two most recent stay editable. That protects printed codes but can lock an old menu link in place. The pricing is high for a small restaurant that only needs a few table codes.
QRStuff: Best for no-sign-up static codes
- Best for: A quick static code for a review link or Wi-Fi network, without creating an account.
- Pricing: Static codes from the homepage generator are free with no sign-up and don’t expire. A Free Suite account adds 5 static and 10 dynamic codes, but the dynamic codes expire after 30 days and the account gets 50 scans a month. Lite Suite is $10/month or $100/year, with 50 dynamic codes and 200 scans a month (pricing).
- Restaurant types: Google review and Wi-Fi on every tier, plus a menu maker.
Logo upload, SVG and PDF downloads, bulk creation, and custom domains start at Full Suite ($25/month). The low scan allowance on Lite makes it a poor match for a busy dining room.
Adobe Express: Best for one quick static code
- Best for: A single code for a fixed web address, such as a printed flyer.
- Pricing: The QR code generator is free and makes static URL codes. There is no paid dynamic QR tier.
- Print files: PNG, JPEG, or PDF, with a logo.
Adobe Express only creates static URL codes, and Adobe says they never expire. That makes it safe for a permanent link, but a poor fit if the menu might move to a new address.
Uniqode: Best for brands that want analytics
- Best for: Restaurant groups and marketing teams that want scan analytics and will pay for them every year.
- Pricing: Static codes are free and unlimited. Dynamic codes need a paid plan, from $9/month billed annually, with scan limits reset each year (pricing). The entry plans are single-user; team features sit on higher tiers.
- Restaurant types: Restaurant menu and PDF codes; Wi-Fi codes are static.
Uniqode, formerly Beaconstac, ties dynamic codes to an active subscription. Codes made during the 14-day trial stop when it ends unless the account upgrades. After a cancellation, the account runs until the end of the paid period; once the plan lapses, dynamic codes go inactive until it is renewed. Codes also go inactive if they exceed the plan’s scan limit.
QR Code Generator by Bitly: Best for free static codes
- Best for: A free static code from a well-known generator.
- Pricing: Static codes are free and never expire. Dynamic codes need a paid plan or the 14-day trial. Starter is €8/month billed annually, with 2 dynamic codes and 10,000 tracked scans (pricing).
- Restaurant types: PDF (pitched for menus), Wi-Fi, and rating and feedback codes.
QR Code Generator, now branded QRCG by Bitly, treats trials and paid plans differently. Dynamic codes made during the 14-day trial are deactivated when it ends, and scans land on a service page until the account upgrades. After a paid plan ends, its help center says dynamic codes keep redirecting for 30 days, though editing stops when the plan ends. Check which download formats and logo options the free generator allows before relying on it for print.
How should a restaurant choose a QR code generator?
Choose a QR code generator for restaurants by what the code has to do once it is printed:
- Choose a static code when the destination address is permanent and you control what is on that page. Don’t pay for dynamic codes just because the menu changes.
- Choose Nommy when the codes are for a food business’s menu, reviews, or WhatsApp and should stay free and editable alongside the menu itself.
- Choose QRCodeChimp, QR TIGER, Canva, or Flowcode when a general generator is preferred and a few free dynamic codes are enough.
- Choose Adobe Express or QRStuff for a single static code with no account.
- Choose Uniqode, Flowcode, or QR Code Generator by Bitly when a marketing team will pay for analytics every year.
Before printing, ask each provider five questions:
- Is the code static or dynamic?
- What happens to dynamic codes when the trial ends or the plan is cancelled?
- Is there a monthly scan limit, and does it stop the code or only the analytics?
- Can the code be downloaded as SVG or PDF for print? Vector files stay sharp at any size, while a small PNG or JPG stretched onto a table tent or poster can blur and scan slowly.
- Does a guest see a watermark, logo pop-up, or ad before the destination?
Then run one test: print a sample, scan it from a seated guest’s distance under the dining room’s lighting, and, for a dynamic code, change the destination to confirm the printed code follows. The QR menu placement guide covers size, contrast, and glare, and how to create a QR menu covers what the code should open.
Create free QR codes for your menu, reviews, Wi-Fi, and more, and update dynamic destinations without reprinting, with no scan limits or trial expiry. Start free with Nommy and manage every code from one dashboard with Nommy QR codes.
Frequently asked questions about QR code generators for restaurants
Is there a free QR code generator for restaurants?
Yes. Adobe Express, QRStuff, Uniqode, and QR Code Generator by Bitly create free static codes. Nommy, QRCodeChimp, QR TIGER, Canva, and Flowcode also include free dynamic codes. Nommy’s have no scan cap; QRCodeChimp and QR TIGER limit free codes and scans, Canva adds its logo, and Flowcode allows two codes.
Do free QR codes expire?
Static codes have no provider expiry, but the page they point to must stay online. Dynamic codes depend on the provider’s redirect service and plan rules: some stop when a trial ends, some pause at a scan limit, and some stay active on a free plan. Check the provider’s help article before printing.
Can a QR code menu be changed without reprinting?
Yes. If the code points to a permanent address whose content you control, such as a web menu or a PDF replaced at the same link, a static code keeps working as the menu changes. A dynamic code is needed only when you want to change the destination address itself without replacing the printed code.
Which file format is best for printing a QR code?
SVG or PDF, because vector files stay sharp at any size. A high-resolution PNG works for small table cards and stickers. Avoid small JPGs for large signs.
Can one QR code be used for every table?
Yes, one code can open the same menu at every table. Use separate codes when tables, locations, or channels need different destinations or separate scan counts. For a Google review code, see how to create a Google review QR code.
A good restaurant QR code is one nobody thinks about: it scans first time, opens the right page, and still works a year after it was printed.