Handycode
LinkScan Alternative: Unlimited Free Dynamic QR
LinkScan is one of the very few services that publishes unlimited free dynamic QR codes - we mean that literally. Its pricing page says “Most QR code generators charge $15-50/month. LinkScan gives you unlimited QR codes, free.” (linkscan.org/pricing, accessed 2026-10-25). HandyCode is another: our free plan includes unlimited dynamic codes of every type except forms. So this is not a takedown page - it is an even comparison between two near-unique services, with every LinkScan figure dated from their own pages. One thing up front: HandyCode is an iPhone & iPad app - no Android, no web management dashboard (our free web generator creates codes in the browser). Because LinkScan lives in the browser, that platform difference is the first thing this page helps you decide.
LinkScan vs HandyCode: Two Free Unlimited Dynamic QR Options
A dynamic QR code is a redirect: the printed code points to a short URL the service controls, and that is what makes it editable after printing. Both vendors sell you the same mechanism - so “free unlimited dynamic” always comes with management somewhere. On LinkScan it shows up as creation-rate limits (their free-tier bullet: “Unlimited dynamic QR codes (3 new per day)”) and branding on free scans, whose removal is a paid feature (“No LinkScan branding on scans”). On HandyCode it shows up as platform (codes are created and managed in an iOS app) and a small “Powered by HandyCode” label on hosted pages where Pro had hidden it - never a change to where your printed code points.
So the honest question is not “who is the only free option” - neither is. It is: where does each service’s free tier bite, and which trade matches how you work?
Where LinkScan is genuinely better
An honest comparison, because the alternative matters. All figures below are from linkscan.org/pricing and their docs, accessed 2026-10-25:
- No install - it lives in the browser. Desktop-first work with no App Store detour. HandyCode simply cannot match that; code management happens on iPhone/iPad.
- Account-free static codes, generated client-side. The free tier lists “Unlimited static QR codes”, “Client-side generation (privacy-first)” and “No account required” - you can mint a WiFi or URL code without signing up at all. HandyCode statics live inside the app.
- API access - available on the paid side of their feature table; HandyCode has no API.
- Branded short links on Advanced: “Custom short links (e.g. linkscan.org/s/your-brand)” (10 on Advanced, observed 2026-10-25).
- A genuinely cheap upgrade. Advanced is listed as “$9 $5 /month” with “44% off” and “Early adopter pricing. Cancel anytime.” - half of HandyCode Pro’s $9.99/month, and it adds scan analytics, “Unlimited dynamic QR codes with logos”, “Priority access (no throttling)” and branding removal.
If you live at a desk, script your links, or just need a static code right now without signing up for anything, LinkScan is probably the right tool.
Free tier comparison (observed 2026-10-25)
LinkScan’s headline framing, in full:
“ANALYTICS AND BRANDED LINKS. $5/MONTH.” “Most QR code generators charge $15-50/month. LinkScan gives you unlimited QR codes, free. Upgrade to Advanced for scan analytics, branded short links, and team features.” — linkscan.org/pricing, accessed 2026-10-25
| HandyCode Free | LinkScan Free | LinkScan Advanced ($5/mo promo) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | iPhone & iPad app (+ free web generator) | Web/browser, no install | Web/browser |
| Static codes | Unlimited | “Unlimited static QR codes” - client-side, “No account required” | Same as free |
| Dynamic codes | Unlimited, every type except forms; no documented creation or scan cap (verified in-product 2026-11-01) | “Unlimited dynamic QR codes (3 new per day)“¹ | “Higher creation rate (30 new dynamic QR codes per hour)” |
| Logos on dynamic codes | Custom logo is a Pro feature | “3 dynamic QR codes with logos” | “Unlimited dynamic QR codes with logos” |
| Scan cap | No documented cap | “unlimited scans” (FAQ quote, 2026-10-25) | Unlimited |
| Analytics | 14-day detailed-analytics trial, then Pro | None - “Analytics are available on the Advanced plan.” | “Scan analytics (unique visitors, daily trends, top performers)” |
| Branding on your pages | Small “Powered by HandyCode” label only where Pro hid it | LinkScan branding on scans | “No LinkScan branding on scans” |
| Projects & teams | n/a | “Up to 2 projects”, “Team collaboration (up to 2 members per project)” | “Up to 10 projects”, “Up to 10 team members per project” |
| Short links | Not offered | Custom short links appear on the Advanced side of their table | “Custom short links (e.g. linkscan.org/s/your-brand)” (10) |
| API access | Not offered | No | Yes (paid side of their feature table) |
| Code expiration | Dynamic codes keep redirecting after cancellation (documented) | “No expiration on codes” - while the account exists² | Same |
| Price | Free · Pro $9.99/mo or $89.99/yr (App Store) | Free | “$9 $5 /month” (“44% off” · “Early adopter pricing. Cancel anytime.”) |
¹ LinkScan’s own numbers disagree, and we are quoting both as found. The tier bullet says “Unlimited dynamic QR codes (3 new per day)” and the FAQ says: “The Free tier includes unlimited static QR codes, unlimited dynamic QR codes with URL editing (capped at 3 new codes per day), and unlimited scans.” - but the feature-comparison table on the same page lists “Dynamic QR codes | unlimited (6/day creation)”. Their page shows both figures (both accessed 2026-10-25). No mockery intended - just ask which one applies before planning a free batch of codes.
² Their guide adds the condition: “Once created, they remain active as long as your account exists.” - see the account section below.
Sources, all accessed 2026-10-25: linkscan.org/pricing, linkscan.org/guides/how-to-create-dynamic-qr-code. HandyCode limits verified in-product the same day.
What the free tier costs the person scanning
LinkScan free scans carry LinkScan branding. The tell is in their own Advanced list: “No LinkScan branding on scans” is a paid feature (accessed 2026-10-25) - which means the free plan’s scans land on pages that carry it.
HandyCode free scans land on your hosted content page with a small “Powered by HandyCode” label - and only where Pro had hidden it, if you later downgrade. There is no third-party interstitial or ad page. That is one axis where HandyCode’s free tier is simply kinder to the person holding the phone, while LinkScan’s branding removal costs $5/month.
Analytics sit differently on each ladder. LinkScan puts analytics entirely behind the paywall - their guide states “Analytics are available on the Advanced plan”, and the free tier has none - so tracking costs about $5/month there. HandyCode includes a 14-day detailed-analytics trial on the free plan, with detailed analytics continuing on Pro ($9.99/month). Neither of these two offers permanent free analytics; Hovercode is the one that ships basic scan analytics free forever, for what it’s worth.
Your account is the code’s lifespan - at both vendors
Every dynamic code on earth works because the service keeps serving its redirect. Delete the account and linkscan.org/s/abc123 stops resolving - and yes, HandyCode redirects work exactly the same way. LinkScan is upfront about it:
“Dynamic QR codes require an account so you can edit them later.” “Once created, they remain active as long as your account exists.” — linkscan.org/guides/how-to-create-dynamic-qr-code, accessed 2026-10-25
That is fair, and more honest than vendors who stay silent about it. Where vendors genuinely differ is the plan boundary. Some large services (QR TIGER, Uniqode, Hovercode) deactivate dynamic codes above free-tier limits when a subscription lapses - that deactivation, not account deletion, is what usually kills printed codes. HandyCode documents the opposite for its own plan boundary: dynamic codes keep redirecting after a Pro cancellation or refund, and the same help page quotes each vendor’s policy side by side. LinkScan’s “No expiration on codes” bullet suggests their free codes are durable too, within the account-existence rule both vendors share.
Decision table
| HandyCode | LinkScan | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Offline-first iPhone & iPad app (browser creation via the web generator) | Web/browser - no install, statics need no account |
| Free dynamic codes | Unlimited, every type except forms, no documented creation or scan cap (verified in-product 2026-11-01) | Unlimited, rate-limited: “3 new per day” per their bullets and FAQ - their table also says “unlimited (6/day creation)” (both shown on their page, accessed 2026-10-25) |
| Analytics | 14-day detailed trial, then Pro | Advanced only - “Analytics are available on the Advanced plan.” |
| Branding on free scans | Small “Powered by HandyCode” label, hidden by Pro | LinkScan branding on free scans; removal is an Advanced feature |
| PDF/image hosting behind the code | Yes - upload from the app, no separate hosting step | Not stated in their materials as observed 2026-10-25 |
| Offline | Create and edit codes with no connection | n/a - browser tool |
| Code types | 47 (46 free, forms on Pro) | URL, WiFi, vCard, Email, SMS, Phone on the free tier (accessed 2026-10-25) |
| Upgrade price | Pro $9.99/mo · $89.99/yr (App Store billing) | Advanced “$9 $5 /month” promo (“Early adopter pricing. Cancel anytime.”) |
Pick LinkScan if… / Pick HandyCode if…
Pick LinkScan if you work on desktop or in a browser, don’t want an App Store install, need API access or branded short links, or want static codes with no account at all.
Pick HandyCode if you want menus or PDFs hosted behind the code itself, an offline-capable iPhone/iPad app, many content types (46), and code behavior that survives cancellation - your printed codes keep redirecting whether you pay or not.
If you are still deciding which of your materials even needs to be dynamic, Static vs Dynamic QR Codes is the two-minute version, and How to Change a QR Code’s Destination After Printing covers the editing promise both services sell you.
Related comparisons
- QR Tiger alternative - the template-heavy rival, with a four-way free-tier table
- Hovercode alternative - the closest free-scan rival
- HandyCode vs Uniqode - the enterprise name, compared
- Free QR codes that never expire - what HandyCode’s free tier actually includes
Frequently asked questions
Is LinkScan really free for unlimited dynamic QR codes?
Yes - and so is HandyCode, which is what makes this an even comparison. LinkScan’s free tier lists “Unlimited dynamic QR codes (3 new per day)”, and its FAQ confirms: “The Free tier includes unlimited static QR codes, unlimited dynamic QR codes with URL editing (capped at 3 new codes per day), and unlimited scans.” (linkscan.org/pricing, accessed 2026-10-25). One wrinkle, quoted as found: their feature-comparison table also shows “unlimited (6/day creation)” - their page shows both figures, so ask which applies before planning a free batch run. HandyCode’s free plan includes unlimited dynamic codes of every type except forms with no documented creation or scan cap (verified in-product 2026-11-01).
What happens to a LinkScan QR code if my account goes away?
LinkScan documents the dependency directly: “Dynamic QR codes require an account so you can edit them later” and “Once created, they remain active as long as your account exists” (their how-to guide, accessed 2026-10-25). If the account goes away, the linkscan.org/s/... redirect goes with it. That is true of every dynamic QR code - HandyCode’s redirects work exactly the same way, and we say so plainly because it’s how the technology works. What differs between vendors is the documented policy at the plan boundary: HandyCode does not deactivate dynamic codes after a Pro cancellation or refund, spelled out in What Happens to My QR Codes if I Cancel?, which also quotes other vendors’ policies side by side.
LinkScan or HandyCode - which should I pick?
Decide by platform and content. Pick LinkScan if you live on a desktop or in a browser, don’t want an App Store install, need API access or branded short links, or want static codes with no account at all. Pick HandyCode if you want menus and PDFs hosted behind the code itself, an offline-capable iPhone/iPad app, 47 content types (46 free), and code behavior that survives cancellation. If editing printed codes is the core need, this compares how to change a QR code’s destination after printing.
Try it free
HandyCode is free to start: unlimited dynamic codes, every type except forms, no credit card. Pro is $9.99/month or $89.99/year if you want the custom logo, branding removal, detailed analytics, and forms - and your codes keep working whether you stay on it or not.
Get HandyCode free on the App Store
On a computer? Try the web generator free - create a code in the browser, no install. (Worth saying twice: if browser-only work is all you need, that is exactly where LinkScan is strong.)
QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED. LinkScan, QR TIGER, Hovercode, and Uniqode are trademarks of their respective owners; comparisons are informational. Prices and tiers observed on the dates shown - verify current terms with each vendor.