QRCode Monkey vs The QR Code Generator (2026): which should you pick?
As of Oct 24, 2026, we pick QRCode Monkey: it is second in our ranking of QR code generators, and it grades higher too, 3.0 against 2.2.
Checked Oct 23, 2026 · graded Oct 23, 2026 by ToolGPA
QRCode Monkey grades higher on value for money, the free plan and ease of use. They get the same grade on features and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
QRCode Monkey
Free static QR code maker with logos, colors and vector downloads
The QR Code Generator
Simple QR code maker from Uniqode, with a free and a low-cost plan
Which one is for you
Pick QRCode Monkey if
- Fits if you need a code for print that never expires and has no subscription behind it
- Works for designers who want a styled code as an SVG, PDF or EPS file
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you might need to change where a code points after it's printed, as every code is static
- Not for you if you want scan counts, because there's no tracking at all
- Watch out: the API is sold through RapidAPI, and its price isn't shown on QRCode Monkey's own pages
- Watch out: the site shows ads for QR Code Generator PRO and Bitly, and PDF and EPS files drop color gradients
Pick The QR Code Generator if
- Fits if you run a small shop or restaurant and need a handful of editable codes
- Makes sense if you may later move up to Uniqode's business plans and want to start small
Look elsewhere if
- Tight if you're staying free: 2 dynamic codes that show ads, a watermark on free codes and 14 days of scan history
- Watch out: Flex is billed yearly, and extra codes ($0.125 each a month), extra users ($5 a month) and GPS location ($5) add up
- Pricey if you need integrations, the API, Linkpages or your own domain, which mean Uniqode's Core at $49 a month or Plus at $99
- Watch out: cancelling only stops the next renewal, and the current period isn't refunded
- Not for you if you want a phone app, as it's a website and a Chrome extension only
How we grade them
| 3.0GPAQRCode MonkeyVery good | 2.2GPAThe QR Code GeneratorFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AEvery code type, logo, color setting and vector download is free with no sign-up, commercial use included, where paid plans in this category start at $6.08 to $12 a month. No price buys editing or tracking here, though. | BFlex is $5 a month billed yearly for 5 ad-free dynamic codes, inside this category's cheaper quarter of $6.08. Each code past that is $0.125 a month, up to 45, and integrations or the API mean Uniqode's Core at $49. |
| Free plan and trial | AFree outright: no account, no scan limit, and the codes never expire. The catch is that every code is static, so what you print is what you're stuck with. | CUnlimited static codes and 2 dynamic codes free, but the dynamic ones show ads to whoever scans them, free codes carry a watermark and scan history lasts 14 days. A 14-day trial comes first. |
| Features | CIt does the static job fully: links, contacts, Wi-Fi, events and more, with logos, gradients, shapes and PNG, SVG, PDF or EPS files. It's a smaller job, though, and the listing names the gap: no editing after printing and no scan statistics. | CStatic and dynamic codes in many types, logos and colors, PNG and SVG files, scan tracking and bulk creation on Flex. The gaps: no integrations, API, custom domain or Linkpages until you move to Uniqode's Core or Plus. |
| Ease of use | BNo rating on record, but there's nothing to set up: no account, just paste a link, pick colors and download the file. | CNo rating on record. Static codes are quick, but dynamic codes mean an account, and Flex's code count and add-ons are yours to manage. |
| Platforms and integrations | CA website and a Chrome extension, so the browser only, with no apps or integrations. The API is sold separately through RapidAPI. | CA website and a Chrome extension, so the browser only, with no integrations or API on its own plans. |
| Best for | free static codes with a logo | a handful of dynamic codes for a small shop |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: QRCode Monkey and The QR Code Generator. How we grade
Price against what you get
QRCode Monkey has no paid plan and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. The QR Code Generator starts at $5 a month and scores 2.0.
QRCode Monkey scores higher and starts $5 a month lower. Of the other QR code generators on the chart, none scores higher than QRCode Monkey for less, and 1 scores higher than The QR Code Generator for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
At a glance
| QRCode Monkey | The QR Code Generator | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free plan |
| Starts at | Free | $5 per month, billed yearly (Flex) |
| Free plan | Every code is free with no sign-up, including for commercial use. Codes are static, never expire and have no scan limit, but cannot be edited or tracked. | Unlimited static codes and 2 dynamic codes that show ads when scanned, 1 user and 14 days of scan analytics. Free codes carry a watermark. |
| Free trial | None listed | 14-day free trial; afterwards two dynamic codes stay active, with ads |
| Web | ||
| Browser extension | ||
| Made by | QRCode Monkey GmbH | Uniqode Phygital, Inc. |
| Price read from | qrcode-monkey.com | the-qrcode-generator.com |
| Checked | Oct 23, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 |
Worth knowing
QRCode Monkey
- Codes are static only: no editing after printing and no scan statistics. The site sends those needs to QR Code Generator PRO.
- The API is sold through RapidAPI; its prices are not shown on QRCode Monkey's own pages.
- The site shows ads for QR Code Generator PRO and Bitly.
The QR Code Generator
- Free dynamic codes show ads to people who scan them, and free codes carry a watermark.
- Flex is billed yearly. Extra codes cost $0.125 each a month, extra users $5 a month and GPS scan location $5 a month.
- Custom domains, Linkpages, integrations and the API need Uniqode's Core or Plus plan, which moves you to Uniqode's platform.
- Cancelling stops the next renewal; the current billing period is not refunded.
Key features
QRCode Monkey
- Many code types
- Codes for URLs, text, email, phone, SMS, vCard and MeCard contacts, locations, Wi-Fi, events, social profiles and crypto payment addresses.
- Logos and custom design
- Upload a logo up to 2 MB or pick one from a gallery, set colors and gradients, and change the body, eye frame and eye ball shapes. Templates are a starting point.
- Print-quality downloads
- Set the pixel size for print-quality PNG files, or download SVG, PDF and EPS vectors. PDF and EPS do not support color gradients.
- No expiry or scan limit
- Codes are static, so they keep working with no scan cap. The site says it does not save the data you enter and caches images for 24 hours.
- QR code API
- An official API creates custom-designed codes as PNG, SVG, PDF or EPS, for making thousands of codes inside your own system. It is sold through RapidAPI.
The QR Code Generator
- Many code types
- Codes for URLs, multiple links, PDFs, images, video, audio, vCards, SMS, email, phone, WhatsApp and other messengers, social profiles, app downloads, coupons, reviews and forms.
- Static and dynamic codes
- Static codes are free and unlimited. Dynamic codes can be edited after printing and are tracked; the free plan includes two.
- Design and downloads
- Change colors, style the code and add a logo, test it live, and download as PNG or SVG.
- Scan tracking
- See scans, unique users, locations and devices for dynamic codes. History runs 14 days on Free and 60 days on Flex.
- Chrome extension
- Make a code for the page you are on from a browser extension, without leaving the tab.
Plans
QRCode Monkey
Free$0
All code types, logos, colors and designs, with PNG, SVG, PDF and EPS downloads.
The QR Code Generator
Free$0
Unlimited static codes, 2 dynamic codes with ads, 1 user and 14 days of scan analytics.
Flex$5
per month for 5 dynamic codes, billed yearly
Ad-free dynamic codes, scalable from 5 to 45, 60 days of analytics, bulk creation, no watermark and CSV export of scan data.
Core$49
per month, billed yearly
Uniqode's Core plan, bought here and used on Uniqode's platform: more dynamic codes, advanced analytics, integrations and the API.
Plus$99
per month, billed yearly
Uniqode's Plus plan, used on Uniqode's platform: more codes, team users, Linkpages and a custom domain as an add-on.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, QRCode Monkey or The QR Code Generator?
As of Oct 23, 2026, QRCode Monkey is cheaper to start with: it is free, against $5 a month for The QR Code Generator. QRCode Monkey is free, and The QR Code Generator starts at $5 per month, billed yearly (Flex).
Which has a free plan, QRCode Monkey or The QR Code Generator?
As of Oct 23, 2026, both QRCode Monkey and The QR Code Generator have a free plan.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.