QR codes are everywhere—on menus, flyers, packaging, receipts, bus stops, and even gravestones. They’re fast, contactless, and oddly satisfying to scan. However, while scanning a QR code takes just seconds, creating one that works well for your brand takes a bit more thought.
That’s where a good QR code generator comes in. The right tool can help you create scannable codes that look great, load fast, and give you real value—whether you're running a business, hosting an event, or just want to share a playlist with friends. But with so many tools floating around online, how do you pick one that won’t waste your time or mess things up?
Let’s break down the top features worth looking for—because not all QR code generators are built the same.
1. Customisation That Goes Beyond the Basics
A black-and-white QR code will get the job done. But if you want it to look like your brand, you’ll need more than the basics.
A good generator should let you customise the colour, shape, and corner styles and even let you add your logo in the middle. These visual tweaks can boost recognition, make your code more inviting, and help it blend with your packaging or campaign design. People are more likely to scan something that looks legit and on-brand.
And don’t worry—custom doesn’t mean complicated. The best tools offer an easy-to-use interface with live previews so you can see exactly what you’re building.
2. High-Resolution Downloads for Any Use Case
You don’t want your QR code to look like it was printed on a toaster.
Whether it’s going on a billboard, flyer, brochure, or social media post, your code should look sharp everywhere. That’s why your QR code generator should offer high-resolution export options like PNG, SVG, and PDF.
Vector formats like SVG are especially useful if you’re printing your code on large surfaces. You can scale it up without losing any quality. No one wants a blurry QR code. Especially not your customers.
3. The Power of Dynamic QR Codes
If you’re using static codes, you’re locked in. Once the code is printed, that link can’t be changed. Mistyped a URL? Too bad. Run a campaign and want to update the destination page? Nope.
Dynamic QR codes fix this. You can update the destination any time—without having to regenerate or reprint the code. That’s perfect for campaigns, product packaging, event schedules, and any situation where flexibility matters.
Plus, dynamic codes let you track scans and performance, which brings us to the next must-have feature.
4. Built-In Tracking and Analytics
Wouldn’t it be helpful to know how many people actually scanned your code? And when? And where?
Some QR code generators offer built-in analytics that track this data for you. You can see which codes are getting traction, what devices people are using, and even the location (roughly) of the scans. This kind of insight helps you improve future campaigns without guessing.
Even basic tracking—like number of scans per day—can make a huge difference in understanding what’s working and what’s being ignored.
5. Mobile-Friendly Design and Easy Workflow
Some QR code generators feel like they were built a decade ago—clunky, confusing, and oddly complicated.
The right tool should be easy to use, even if you're not tech-savvy. Drag, drop, paste, preview, and download. That’s the vibe you want. Bonus points if it works smoothly on both desktop and mobile, so you can create codes on the go.
You don’t need an instruction manual. You need something intuitive that works when you need it to.
6. Bulk Generation for Bigger Jobs
Need one QR code? Easy. Need 200? That’s a different story.
A decent code generator should provide a bulk creation option, preferably where you would be able to upload a CSV file and generate a number of codes at once. Using a QR code is as easy as it gets, and it saves massive time for teams that work on product packaging, asset tracking, vouchers, and event registration.
Automate it instead of repeating the same thing again and again.
7. Security and Privacy Considerations
When your QR codes point to personalised data, payment portals, or login pages, security is an imperative, not an option.
Lastly, ensure that it links to HTTPS not store sensitive information without authorization. Some of the tools also provide access controls such as an expiry date, password protection or IP restrictions.
You are showing a bridge that connects the physical world with the virtual one. Make sure it’s a secure one.
8. Integration with Other Platforms
Imagine if you could plug your QR code generator into Google Sheets or your CRM. Sounds convenient, right?
The more advanced tools offer integrations or APIs to make this possible. Integrations can help save time and reduce the possibility of human error, especially when you are building codes in bulk or linking to user-specific content.
This is especially useful for marketers, eCommerce teams, or anyone managing codes at scale.
Final Thought
While QR codes are easy to use, generating a QR code that actually converts for your brand requires the right tool. A good QR code generator should be more than a creator of black-and-white boxes. Some of it should keep you agile, keep tabs on what is working, and code the code most folks will feel good about scanning.
So, before opting for the first generator appearing on the results opened, take a couple of minutes to check out the features in question. A great QR code has a little extra flair to it does the job with intention, and delivers results you can track.
