We tested 15 free QR code generators
The same job on every site: make a QR code for a web address and download it. We read each code back, followed its link, and noted who received what we typed and which trackers came along.
Tested on 15 October 2026 from Germany · 15 sites · the same steps on each
What we found
- 3 of 15 gave us a code that holds the address itself and let us download it without an account: TEC-IT QR Code Generator, goQR.me and QRCode Monkey.
- 2 made a dynamic code that holds a short link to their own server (ME-QR and QRStuff). Such a code works only as long as they keep forwarding it. QRStuff says: “This dynamic QR code will expire 7 days after it is created.”
- 10 of 15 asked for an account, an email address or a plan before the download, or before you could start.
- 12 of 15 loaded ad or analytics services before we could choose about cookies.
- 10 of 15 sent the address we typed to a server; The QR Code Generator (TQRCG) also sent it to Google Analytics.
Results
Sorted by the two checks that matter most for the job (a code that holds your address, no account), then by all checks, then by how many people visit the site. ✓ yes, ✕ no, ? not tested (the reason is given).
1.TEC-IT QR Code Generator
3 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 35,021
Code holds your address
yes: Works on its own, without their server
No account
yes: Download worked without an account
What you type stays in your browser
no: Sent to their own server
No ad or analytics trackers
yes: None seen
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- A cookie banner with a way to decline on its first screen; we declined. It set no cookies before any choice.
- The code on screen held our test address itself.
- The address we typed went to their own server.
2.goQR.me
3 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 108,897
Code holds your address
yes: Works on its own, without their server
No account
yes: Download worked without an account
What you type stays in your browser
no: Sent to their own server
No ad or analytics trackers
yes: None seen
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- No cookie banner. It set no cookies before any choice.
- The code on screen held our test address itself.
- Next to the code, the page showed something labelled as an ad.
- The address we typed went to their own server.
3.QRCode Monkey
2 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 55,551
Code holds your address
yes: Works on its own, without their server
No account
yes: Download worked without an account
What you type stays in your browser
no: Sent to their own server
No ad or analytics trackers
no: Before any cookie choice: Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager and Google advertising
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- A cookie banner without a decline button on its first screen; we declined in its settings. It set 2 cookies before any choice.
- The code on screen held our test address itself.
- An ad appeared while the download was being prepared.
- The address we typed went to their own server.
4.QRFY
3 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 55,998
Code holds your address
yes: Works on its own, without their server
No account
no: Asked for an account: “Download with Google”
What you type stays in your browser
yes: Stayed in the browser
No ad or analytics trackers
yes: None seen
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- No cookie banner. It set no cookies before any choice.
- The code on screen held our test address itself.
- After Download: “Download with Google”, “Download with Email”.
5.QRCodeChimp
2 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 85,117
Code holds your address
yes: Works on its own, without their server
No account
no: Asked for an account
What you type stays in your browser
yes: Stayed in the browser
No ad or analytics trackers
no: Before any cookie choice: Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager and Google advertising; after we declined cookies: Google Analytics
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- A cookie banner with a way to decline on its first screen; we declined. It set 6 cookies before any choice.
- The code on screen held our test address itself.
6.Uniqode
2 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 109,380
Code holds your address
yes: Works on its own, without their server
No account
no: Asked for an account: “Sign up to save”
What you type stays in your browser
yes: Stayed in the browser
No ad or analytics trackers
no: Before any cookie choice: Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google advertising and Quantcast; after we declined cookies: Google Analytics
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- A cookie banner with a way to decline on its first screen; we declined. It set 10 cookies before any choice.
- The code on screen held our test address itself.
- After Download: “Sign up to save”.
7.QR Code Generator (QRCG, by Bitly)
1 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 29,956
Code holds your address
yes: Works on its own, without their server
No account
no: Asked for an account: “Sign up to download your QR Code”
What you type stays in your browser
no: Sent to their own server
No ad or analytics trackers
no: Before any cookie choice: Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google advertising, Microsoft Advertising, Microsoft Clarity and Optimizely; after we declined cookies: Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity and Optimizely
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- A cookie banner without a decline button on its first screen; we declined in its settings. It set 5 cookies before any choice.
- The code on screen held our test address itself.
- The address we typed went to their own server.
- After Download: “Sign up to download your QR Code”, “Free Sign Up”, “Sign Up With Google”.
8.The QR Code Generator (TQRCG)
1 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 49,144
Code holds your address
yes: Works on its own, without their server
No account
no: Asked for an account: “Sign in or sign up”
What you type stays in your browser
no: Sent to their own server, otel-rum.mobstac.com and Google Analytics
No ad or analytics trackers
no: Before any cookie choice: Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google advertising, Meta pixel and Microsoft Clarity; later on: Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google advertising, Meta pixel and Microsoft Clarity
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- No cookie banner. It set 10 cookies before any choice.
- The code on screen held our test address itself.
- The address we typed went to their own server, otel-rum.mobstac.com and Google Analytics.
- After Download: “Sign in or sign up”, “Continue with Google”, “Continue with email”.
- On the page: “Get started with 2 free trackable QR Codes that never expire. No credit card required.”
9.QR.io
1 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 64,412
Code holds your address
yes: Works on its own, without their server
No account
no: Asked for an account: “To download your QR code you need to create a free account.”
What you type stays in your browser
no: Sent to their own server
No ad or analytics trackers
no: Before any cookie choice: Meta pixel
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- No cookie banner. It set 1 cookie before any choice.
- The code on screen held our test address itself.
- The address we typed went to their own server.
- After Download: “To download your QR code you need to create a free account.”, “Enter your email address here”, “Sign Up with Google”.
10.QR TIGER
1 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 137,239
Code holds your address
yes: Works on its own, without their server
No account
no: Download led to a plans and pricing page
What you type stays in your browser
no: Sent to qrtiger.com
No ad or analytics trackers
no: Before any cookie choice: Cloudflare Web Analytics; after we declined cookies: Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google advertising, LinkedIn Insight, Meta pixel, Microsoft Advertising and Microsoft Clarity
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- A cookie banner with a way to decline on its first screen; we declined. It set 1 cookie before any choice.
- The code on screen held our test address itself.
- The address we typed went to qrtiger.com.
- After Download: “Plans & Pricing”, “Buy now”.
- On the page: “500 scans per dynamic QR code”
- On the page: “For solo creators, small teams, and startups. Modest number of dynamic QR codes with unlimited scans and core analytics.”
- On the page: “Unlimited scans and downloadshelp_outline”
11.QRStuff
1 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 141,153
Code holds your address
no: Holds a link on qrs.ly that forwards to your address
No account
yes: Download worked without an account
What you type stays in your browser
no: Sent to their own server
No ad or analytics trackers
no: Before any cookie choice: Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google advertising, Hotjar, LinkedIn Insight and Meta pixel; later on: Google Analytics, Google advertising and LinkedIn Insight
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- A cookie banner we found no way to decline; we left it unanswered. It set 15 cookies before any choice.
- The code held a short link on qrs.ly; following it led to our test address after 1 redirect.
- The address we typed went to their own server.
- On the page: “This dynamic QR code will expire 7 days after it is created.”
12.Flowcode
1 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 49,128
Code holds your address
no: No code shown without an account
No account
no: Asked for an account: “Sign up for free”
What you type stays in your browser
yes: Stayed in the browser
No ad or analytics trackers
no: Before any cookie choice: Cloudflare Web Analytics and Google Tag Manager
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- A cookie banner with a way to decline on its first screen; we declined. It set 15 cookies before any choice.
- After Download: “Sign up for free”, “Sign up with Google”.
13.ME-QR
0 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 6,875
Code holds your address
no: Holds a link on q.me-qr.de that forwards to your address
No account
not tested: Not tested: pressing Download accepts the site's terms
What you type stays in your browser
no: Sent to their own server
No ad or analytics trackers
no: Before any cookie choice: Cloudflare Web Analytics, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google advertising, Hotjar, LinkedIn Insight, Meta pixel, Microsoft Advertising and Reddit pixel
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- A cookie banner with a way to decline on its first screen; we declined. It set 27 cookies before any choice.
- The code held a short link on q.me-qr.de; following it led to our test address after 2 redirects.
- The address we typed went to their own server.
- The page says: “By clicking "Download QR CODE" you agree to our Terms & Conditions.” We did not press it.
14.MyQRCode
0 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 139,954
Code holds your address
no: No code shown without an account
No account
no: Asked for an account: “Continue with Google”
What you type stays in your browser
no: Sent to their own server
No ad or analytics trackers
no: Before any cookie choice: Cloudflare Web Analytics, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google advertising and Microsoft Advertising; after we declined cookies: Google Analytics, Google advertising, Meta pixel and Microsoft Advertising
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- A cookie banner without a decline button on its first screen; we declined in its settings. It set 3 cookies before any choice.
- The address we typed went to their own server.
- After Download: “Continue with Google”, “Continue with Apple”.
15.Online QR Generator
0 of 4 checks · Tranco rank 144,908
Code holds your address
no: No code shown without an account
No account
no: Asks for an account before you can start
What you type stays in your browser
not tested: Not tested: an account comes first
No ad or analytics trackers
no: Before any cookie choice: Cloudflare Web Analytics, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google advertising, Microsoft Advertising and Microsoft Clarity; later on: Cloudflare Web Analytics, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google advertising, Microsoft Advertising and Microsoft Clarity
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- No cookie banner. It set 13 cookies before any choice.
- After Download: “Sign Up to Online QR Generator”, “Create a free account”, “Sign Up with Google”.
Our own tool, through the same test
We make fairtools QR codes. It ran through the same script on the same day; it is shown here for comparison, not ranked.
fairtools QR codes
4 of 4 checks
Code holds your address
yes: Works on its own, without their server
No account
yes: Download worked without an account
What you type stays in your browser
yes: Stayed in the browser
No ad or analytics trackers
yes: None seen
What we saw (2026-10-15)
- No cookie banner. It set no cookies before any choice.
- The code on screen held our test address itself.
How we tested
- We chose the most visited sites whose main job is QR codes, by their rank in the Tranco list of popular websites (tranco-list.eu, 14 October 2026). Big platforms that also make QR codes, such as Canva, Adobe and Bitly, are not in this round.
- Each site got a fresh automated browser (Chromium, no extensions, no account), run from Germany. Before touching anything we noted which other sites the page contacted and which cookies it set.
- Then we turned cookies down: with the banner's own decline option, or in its settings when the banner had none. We never accepted.
- We typed a test address (a page on example.com with a one-off code) into the web address field, read the QR code shown on screen and followed its link. A code that holds the address itself keeps working without the generator. A code that holds a short link on the generator's server works only as long as they forward it.
- We pressed Download once and noted what happened; files were discarded unread. Where the page said that pressing Download accepts its terms, we did not press it.
- We noted every server that received the address we typed.
What this test can and cannot say
- One run per site, on one day, from one country. Sites change, and may behave differently for you or elsewhere.
- Ad and analytics services are the ones we recognise by name; pages may contact others too. An automated browser may be shown fewer ads than you are, so these are minimums.
- No account was created and nothing was paid, so we cannot say what happens after a sign-up.
Something changed, or did we get something wrong? Write to hello@fairtools.org and we run the test again.
Looking for a tool without these catches? fairtools QR codes is free, needs no account and works in your browser.