Why we built it
QR codes have become part of everyday life. They appear on product packaging, restaurant menus, business cards, event tickets, and advertising materials. Yet most online QR generators either feel outdated, bury useful features behind confusing interfaces, or produce codes that cannot be changed after printing. If you have ever printed five thousand flyers only to realize the link was wrong, you know why that matters.
About New QR was built with a different approach. You pick the content type, enter your data, adjust the look if you want, and download a ready-to-use code. If you need the code to stay editable after printing, you switch to dynamic mode and update the destination anytime — without changing the code itself.
What About New QR can do
About New QR covers the full workflow from creation to tracking. Whether you need a single code for a business card or a batch of codes for a product catalog, the feature set is built around real use cases, not checkboxes on a comparison page.
- 🔗 Multiple content types - encode a URL, WiFi credentials, contact card, plain text, email, phone number, or SMS
- 🧭 Dynamic QR codes - change where the code points without reprinting it
- 📊 Scan tracking - see how many times a code was scanned, from which devices, and where
- 🎨 Custom design - adjust colors and style to match your brand
- 📦 Batch generation - create multiple codes at once from a list of inputs
- 🤖 API access - generate and manage codes programmatically (Starter+)
Who it is for
- Marketing teams - track campaign performance across print and digital, compare channels, and update destinations on the fly
- Restaurants and retail - digital menus, product information, loyalty programs, and seasonal offers that change without reprinting
- Event organizers - fast check-in, schedule sharing, Wi-Fi access, and attendee engagement tracking
- Agencies and freelancers - deliver branded QR codes to clients with scan analytics included
- Product and logistics teams - link physical items to manuals, support pages, or tracking dashboards
Static vs. dynamic: when to use which
A static QR code stores the destination directly inside the code pattern. Once generated, it cannot be changed. The advantage is that it works completely offline — the code itself contains all the data, so no server lookup is involved. This is ideal for Wi-Fi passwords, contact cards, or any scenario where the content will never change.
A dynamic QR code works differently. Instead of encoding the final destination, it points to a redirect URL that you control. When someone scans the code, the request passes through our server, which redirects to whatever destination you have set at that moment. This means you can change the target URL, swap a menu for an updated version, or redirect a campaign link to a new landing page — all without touching the printed code.
Dynamic codes also make tracking possible. Because every scan passes through the redirect, you can see how many people scanned the code, which devices they used, and where they were. For printed materials with any kind of shelf life, dynamic codes are almost always the better choice.
Content types in detail
Most QR generators only handle URLs. About New QR supports several content types, each with its own encoding format:
- URL - the most common type. The scanned device opens the link in a browser. Works with any URL including deep links to apps.
- Wi-Fi - encodes the network name, password, and encryption type. When scanned, the phone offers to connect automatically — no typing required. Useful for offices, cafes, hotels, and events.
- Contact (vCard) - stores a name, phone, email, company, and address. Scanning adds the contact directly to the phone's address book.
- Email - pre-fills the recipient address, subject, and body. Useful for feedback forms, support requests, or event RSVPs.
- Phone / SMS - triggers a call or opens a pre-filled text message. Common on print materials where you want to make contacting you as easy as possible.
- Plain text - stores any short text. Good for serial numbers, codes, instructions, or anything that does not fit the other types.
Customization and branding
A plain black-and-white QR code works, but it does not do much for brand recognition. About New QR lets you adjust the foreground and background colors to match your visual identity. The tool checks contrast automatically, so you do not end up with a code that looks great but refuses to scan.
Keeping the code scannable is the priority. The customization options are designed so that every combination you can create will actually work in practice. If a color pair does not have enough contrast, you will see a warning before you download.
Scan tracking and analytics
For dynamic codes, every scan is logged. In the dashboard, you can see:
- Total scans - how many times the code was scanned since creation
- Devices - breakdown by mobile operating system and device type
- Location - approximate geographic location based on IP
- Timeline - when scans happened, so you can correlate with campaigns or events
This data helps you understand which materials are actually getting attention. If you distribute flyers in three locations and one consistently outperforms the others, you know where to focus next time. For events, you can see the check-in curve in real time.
Batch generation
When you need more than a handful of codes, creating them one by one is not practical. Batch generation lets you provide a list of inputs — URLs, texts, or contact data — and generate all the corresponding codes in a single step. This is useful for product catalogs, inventory labels, event badges, or any situation where you need dozens or hundreds of unique codes.
API for automation
If QR codes are part of your product or workflow, generating them manually does not scale. The REST API (available from the Starter plan) lets you create, update, and retrieve codes programmatically. Typical integrations include e-commerce platforms generating a code per order, event systems creating per-attendee check-in codes, and CRM tools embedding codes in printed correspondence.
Practical use cases
Restaurant menus - print one set of table cards with a dynamic code. When the menu changes — seasonal specials, price adjustments, new items — update the destination. The printed code stays the same. No reprinting, no wasted material.
Marketing campaigns - place codes on flyers, posters, or packaging. Track which materials generate the most scans. Compare locations, channels, and time periods. Adjust the landing page without changing the physical materials.
Product packaging - link to user manuals, assembly instructions, warranty registration, or support pages. When the documentation is updated, the code still works — it just points to the new version.
Events and conferences - generate a batch of codes for attendee badges. Use them for check-in, session feedback, or networking. Share Wi-Fi credentials with a single scan instead of dictating a 20-character password to a room full of people.
Business cards - a vCard QR code lets the recipient save your contact details with one scan. No manual typing, no misspelled email addresses. For teams, batch-generate a code for every team member.
Plans overview
- Free - static QR codes for personal use. Covers the basics: URL, text, and Wi-Fi codes with standard design options.
- Starter - dynamic codes, scan tracking, custom aliases, batch generation, and API access. Built for regular use and small teams.
- Pro - higher limits, priority generation, advanced analytics, and full API capabilities. For teams and businesses where QR codes are part of the daily workflow.
The difference between plans is not just about volume. Higher tiers unlock features that matter when QR codes become a regular part of your operations — editable destinations, scan analytics, automation, and branded design. If you use codes occasionally, the free plan covers it. If they are part of your business materials or marketing, Starter or Pro will save you time and give you the data you need.
FAQ
Can I change where a QR code points after printing?
Yes, if you use a dynamic code. The printed code stays the same, but you can update the destination URL anytime in your dashboard.
Can I track how many people scanned my code?
Yes. Dynamic codes include scan tracking with device, location, and timeline data. Available from the Starter plan.
What content types are supported?
URL, Wi-Fi, vCard (contact), email, phone, SMS, and plain text. Each type uses the appropriate encoding format so that phones handle them correctly.
Can I customize the design?
Yes. You can adjust foreground and background colors to match your brand. The tool checks contrast to make sure the code remains scannable.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The tool runs entirely in the browser. You create, customize, and download codes without any installation.
Questions or ideas? Open About New QR and let us know what would make your workflow easier.