QR Generate vs QR Code Generator (Bitly): Real Comparison
qr-code-generator.com was acquired by Bitly and now sits inside the Bitly subscription offering. Plans range from $5 to $300+ per month for the full dynamic and analytics features most users expect from a commercial QR service.
QR Generate takes a different position entirely: free forever, no login, no watermark, no tier gating. This page compares the two honestly so you can decide which model fits your workflow.
Our Verdict
Bitly's QR Code Generator is worth paying for only if you already use Bitly for URL shortening and want QR codes consolidated under the same dashboard and billing. For everyone else, QR Generate produces identical scannable codes with no cost and no Bitly lock-in.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | QR Generate | QR Code Generator (by Bitly) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free forever | $5–$300+/month |
| Account required | No | Yes |
| Bitly account linkage | No | Required |
| Free customization | Full | Limited on free tier |
| SVG export | Free | Paid only |
| Dynamic codes | Use own redirect | Built-in |
| Number of QR types | 16 | 15+ |
| Scan routing through third party | No | Yes for dynamic |
| Watermark on free tier Both watermark-free | No | No |
| Language support | 11 | English primary |
Where QR Generate Wins
- Completely free, no paid tiers, no feature gates
- No Bitly ecosystem lock-in — export PNG/SVG and own your codes forever
- Full customization on every code: logo, gradient, 6 dot styles, 3 corner styles
- 11-language interface
- 16 specialized QR types with data-validated forms
- Client-side generation — no scan data ever touches our servers
- Bulk generator + scanner + 55+ blog guides all free
Honest Trade-Offs
- No Bitly-integrated link shortening (use your own URL shortener or Bitly free tier separately)
- No centralized dashboard across teams
- No built-in scan analytics (use UTM + GA for 90% of analytics use cases)
When to Pick Which
Pick QR Generate for zero-cost permanent QR creation. Pick Bitly's QR Code Generator if you are an existing Bitly Enterprise customer and want QR management consolidated in the Bitly dashboard you already pay for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bitly QR Code Generator the same as qr-code-generator.com?
Yes — qr-code-generator.com was acquired by Bitly and the two products are now integrated. Subscription tiers apply across both the link shortening and QR code features.
Can I use QR Generate codes inside Bitly?
Yes. If you want Bitly's link shortening but QR Generate's free design tools, shorten your URL with Bitly first, then paste the short URL into QR Generate and download the styled QR code. You get both benefits without paying for QR features you already get free here.
Which is better for brand consistency?
Both support logo upload and brand colors. QR Generate includes logo upload free on every code with automatic error correction adjustment. Bitly restricts some styling features to paid plans.
Ready to create your QR code?
QR Generate is 100% free, no signup, no watermark. Every feature we compared is available right now in your browser.