| Decision | QRCodeChimp | Tidy QR |
|---|---|---|
| Free access | Unlimited static codes, 10 dynamic codes and 1,000 total scans per month on the free plan. | Static creation with no account, subscription or scan counter. |
| Code lifetime | Free dynamic use has a shared monthly scan allowance. Read plan terms for behavior at the limit. | The payload stays in the image. A linked website still needs to stay available. |
| Recorded price | US$6.99 per month, Starter, paid yearly | $0 for the implemented static tools. |
| Output workflow | Review the vendor's current export and account options. | Local SVG, PNG and vector-module PDF, with image decoding before export. |
Where QRCodeChimp is a better fit
QRCodeChimp is useful when you need a larger free dynamic-code count and a hosted digital-card workflow. The pricing table also distinguishes monthly and yearly billing. Its Starter price is US$9.99 when paid monthly, compared with the annual-billing equivalent shown here.
Where the workflows differ
The free scan allowance is shared across the account, not repeated for each code. A campaign with many printed codes can therefore consume the same pool. Tidy QR does not count scans because its static payloads do not pass through a Tidy QR redirect. It also does not provide hosted digital business cards.
A concrete choice
For a team printing networking cards, separate the contact-data format from the hosted card page. A vCard file can work offline in compatible apps; a hosted page can be updated but introduces an account and service dependency. Test the exact reader behavior before deciding which experience suits your audience.
Check the actual image before committing
Download a sample from the exact option you intend to use. Read the image with a separate scanner and compare the full payload with your intended destination. A direct address and a provider's redirect address can look identical on paper while creating different account dependencies.
Keep a copy of that decoded content with the final artwork. If the project depends on destination editing or reporting, review the vendor's terms for that selected plan, including what happens when an allowance is reached or billing stops. If the project only needs a stable destination, a static code can link to a page whose content you update yourself.
Test the final physical output, not just the preview. Phone recognition, lighting, material and the destination page all affect the visitor's experience. The comparison above describes documented product terms, not a measured ranking of scan speed or reliability.
Prices and features checked on October 29, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Email contact@tidyqr.com.
Sources
Last checked: . Examples are illustrative inputs, not measured results.
- Plans and pricing, QRCodeChimp. Checked 2026-10-29.
- Implementation specifications, checked against source code, Tidy QR. Checked 2026-10-29.