Static vs Dynamic QR Codes: Which One Do You Need?
Not all QR codes are equal. The difference between static and dynamic decides whether you can ever change or measure them — and it matters more than people expect.
Static QR codes
A static code encodes the destination directly in the pattern. It's free and works forever, but it has two hard limits: the destination can never change, and you can't see how many times it was scanned. Fine for a Wi-Fi password sticker; risky for a printed campaign.
Dynamic QR codes
A dynamic code points to a short link in the middle, and that link can be repointed anytime. That gives you two superpowers:
- Edit after printing — fix a typo'd URL or swap the landing page without reprinting a single code.
- Track scans — see how many people actually scanned, and when.
How to choose
Ask one question: might this ever change, or do I want to measure it? If yes — and for any marketing, packaging or menu it usually is — go dynamic. ShareCut's QR generator creates dynamic codes by default, so you're covered.
Printed 5,000 flyers with a static code and the URL changed? You reprint. With dynamic, you just edit the link.