QR codes have become increasingly popular in recent years as an easy way to encode information that can be quickly scanned by a smartphone camera. Some companies offer trackable QR codes that provide analytics on scans, like location data and number of scans. A common question is whether these trackable QR code services are available for free.
What are trackable QR codes?
Trackable QR codes work just like regular QR codes, encoding information like a website URL, contact details, or any other text. The key difference is they are generated through a specialized QR code service that lets you view analytics on scans.
When someone scans a trackable QR code with their smartphone, the service logs details related to the scan like location, date/time, device type, etc. It generates a report so you can see how many times the code was scanned, where scans originated, and other aggregate data.
This lets you better understand how your QR codes are being used and optimize their design or placement based on real analytics. It provides more visibility into engagement than static QR codes.
Are trackable QR codes free to generate?
Most companies that offer trackable QR codes provide some basic analytics and number of scans for free. However, full access to the reporting dashboard and advanced analytics features comes at a cost.
Here is an overview of pricing for some top trackable QR code services:
| Service | Free Plan | Paid Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Scanova | 500 scans/month | $9 – $99/month |
| QR Tiger | 100 scans/month | $6 – $20/month |
| Scan.me | 100 scans/month | $29 – $99/month |
The free tiers allow generating trackable codes and viewing limited analytics. Paid plans offer more in-depth analytics, more scans, advanced reporting, heatmaps, A/B testing, and other premium features.
There are occasionally promotional deals where companies offer free pro trials for a limited time. So it’s possible to access full analytics features temporarily without paying.
What data can you see with a free account?
While capabilities vary slightly between providers, most trackable QR code services provide the following analytics and data for free:
- Number of scans
- Dates and times of scans
- Total unique devices/users
- QR code performance trends over time
- Basic location data (country and city)
- Device types used for scans
This offers a high-level overview of your QR code’s performance and engagement. It lets you see uptake over time and identify peak scan periods.
Paid plans provide more granular analytics like specific locations, heatmaps, demographic data, dwell time, repeat user rates, and more.
What are the limitations of free QR code services?
While free plans provide basic analytics, there are some limitations to be aware of:
- Limited number of total scans (usually 100-500/month)
- No ability to track individual users or behavior over time
- No advanced filtering or segmentation capabilities
- No heatmaps showing geographic scan density
- Only high-level location data
- No support for A/B split testing multiple QR versions
- Maximum 1-2 QR codes for basic branding
- No custom domains or white labeling
- No ability to export raw scan data
For individuals and small businesses sending out a few hundred QR codes per month, the capabilities may be sufficient. But for larger volume use cases or the need for more sophisticated tracking, a paid plan would provide more functionality.
Should you pay for a plan with more scans and capabilities?
Whether to upgrade to a paid trackable QR code plan depends on your specific use case and needs. Here are some factors to consider:
- Number of QR codes – Free tiers limit you to 1-2 codes. Paid plans allow unlimited.
- Volume of scans – If you need more than 100-500 scans/month, you’ll need a paid plan.
- Importance of location data – Paid plans provide very specific location analytics.
- Need for demographic data – Paid plans can track gender, age range, interests, and more.
- Testing multiple QR versions – Only higher tiers allow A/B testing different QR designs.
- Customization and white labeling – Paid tiers allow using your own brand and domains.
- Integrations needed – Paid plans enable integrating with workflows and databases.
Before paying, clearly identify your use cases and determine if you actually need the capabilities of a paid plan. Free tiers are fine for testing and lightweight uses. But heavy usage at scale or advanced tracking requires upgraded access.
Conclusion
While trackable QR code services offer basic analytics for free, there are limits on the number of scans, analytics capabilities, and overall use. To remove these limits, paid plans provide premium tracking, insights, customization, and integrations. Evaluate your specific needs and usage to decide if a paid upgrade is worthwhile for your QR code campaign.