Free
Free QR codes with no watermark
By OpenQR · updated 24 June 2026
5 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
A genuinely free QR code — no watermark, no sign-up, no expiry. Make one now.
The two traps hiding in “free” QR generators
The watermark is the visible trap; the expiring dynamic code is the invisible one:
- The visible watermark: a logo or badge stamped on your code, removable only by paying. Beyond looking unprofessional, a badge crammed too close can even hurt scanning.
- The invisible trap (worse): the tool gives you a dynamic code — one that points at their server, which then redirects to your link. It looks free, but it relies on their subscription. Stop paying and the redirect dies, so every code you printed stops working. This is the real catch most people never see coming.
Static vs dynamic — and why it decides everything
| Static (truly free) | Dynamic (subscription) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the link lives | Encoded in the code itself | On the provider’s server |
| Expiry | Never — works forever | Dies if the subscription lapses |
| Watermark | None | Often, on free tiers |
| Cost | Free, permanently | Ongoing fee |
| Editable later | No (regenerate to change) | Yes |
| Counts your scans | No | Yes |
| On OpenQR | Free, no account | 1 free, then Pro £9/mo |
For the vast majority of uses — a link, Wi-Fi, a menu, a business card — a static code is everything you need: free, permanent, private. You only need dynamic if you specifically want editable destinations or scan analytics, and that’s worth paying for honestly, not being trapped into.
What ‘genuinely free’ should mean
- ✅ No watermark on any format or size
- ✅ No sign-up, no email, no credit card
- ✅ No expiry — static codes that work forever
- ✅ High-resolution and vector (SVG/PDF) downloads included, not paywalled
- ✅ Free for commercial use
- ✅ Private — your data isn’t stored or sold
OpenQR ticks all six
Every feature is free with no watermark and no account. Codes are static, so they never expire — and it’s open source, so you can verify exactly what it does rather than taking our word for it.
Why it can be free: it runs in your browser
OpenQR generates your code entirely on your device. The content you type never leaves your browser — there’s no server cost per code and nothing for us to store, sell, or charge you for. You can check it yourself: open your browser’s network tab, type a distinctive test string, and search the requests for it. It won’t be there. The offline and private generation guide walks through that check step by step, and covers what to use when you have no connection at all.
Can I use a free QR code commercially?
Yes. A static QR code is just your data (a URL, text, Wi-Fi details) rendered as a pattern — it isn’t something anyone can copyright or licence. Use it on products, packaging, ads and signage freely, forever, at no cost.
Transparent and high-resolution downloads
Need a code on a coloured background? Export a transparent PNG. Printing big? Export a vector SVG or PDF that scales to any size. Both are free here — many “free” tools charge for exactly these. See the formats guide.