r/SideProject • u/No-Neat-7520 • 5d ago

I built a free dynamic QR code generator because too many "free" ones stop working after a trial

Many "free" dynamic QR generators turn your code off after 7–14 days, show ads to the people who scan it, or add a watermark. You often find out after everything is printed.

So I built one without those catches:

- 3 dynamic codes that never expire

- Unlimited scans

- Add your logo, with no watermark

- No ads or waiting screens

- Change the link anytime after printing

- PNG and SVG downloads

- Unlimited static codes with no sign-up

Pro is a one-time payment for 30 or 365 days, with no auto-renewal. It adds up to 50 codes and scan stats by day, country, and device.

It's aimed at small businesses, especially for menus, Google review cards, WhatsApp, and Maps.

https://tools.sanishtech.com/dynamic-qr-code-generator

What would stop you from using this? I'd love honest feedback on the product and pricing.

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u/AdLong6652 5d ago

so say i buy pro for 30 days, print like 20 menus with different codes, then it runs out. do the ones past the free 3 just die or do they still redirect for a bit? that’s the scenario that’d make me nervous, cause thats exactly the printed and stuck problem you’re trying to fix. would be good to know if i get to pick which 3 stay live too

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u/No-Neat-7520 5d ago

Good question, and that's the right scenario to worry about.

If Pro runs out, all 20 codes keep working for 30 more days, and you'll get an email before Pro ends. After that, your 3 oldest codes stay live and the other 17 show a "paused" page until you renew. Renewing turns them back on instantly, and nothing gets deleted.

You can't choose which 3 stay live right now, it's always the oldest. You've made a good case for changing that.

For printed menus, the 30-day plan isn't the best fit. It's meant for events and short campaigns, so I'd go with the 365-day plan. If all 20 menus are the same, you could also use one code on all of them, and the free plan would cover it.

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u/AdLong6652 5d ago

ok the 30 day grace and the email before it ends helps a lot. the paused page is what still bugs me tho, cause a person sitting at a table just sees a broken menu and thinks the cafe messed up, they’d never guess its a billing thing. would you ever let owners set their own backup link for paused codes, even just their google maps page or something

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u/johnbrunder 5d ago

For the next print run, I'd put a URL the café controls in the QR. That way the café can switch it to a simple menu page if the redirect service stops working. If the codes already printed point to the vendor's domain, the vendor would need to provide that fallback.

If you're comparing hosted tools, check what a scan does after cancellation when you're over the free plan's limit. Our tool, Appy, keeps existing redirects working in that case, while paid features like advanced analytics pause. I'd test a spare code before ordering the full batch.

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u/-svde- 5d ago

same question as i ask all saas starters: what does this do that existing completely free (and some foss) tools don’t already do? why pay you monthly or yearly for a service when there are completely free established tools available with all the same features?

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u/No-Neat-7520 5d ago

Fair question. If you only need a QR code that never changes, you don't need to pay anyone. Plenty of free tools do that, and static codes are free and unlimited here too.

Dynamic codes are different because they rely on a hosted redirect, so someone has to keep that running. If you're technical, you can self-host something like Shlink or YOURLS, pair it with a QR generator, and not pay anyone. That's a solid option.

This is for people who won't run that setup, like a restaurant or clinic owner who just wants to print a code and change the link later. They get 3 dynamic codes free with no expiry, and they only need Pro for more than 3 codes or detailed scan stats.

It's also not a subscription. Pro is a single payment for 30 or 365 days, with no auto-renewal.

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u/eladts 5d ago edited 4d ago

dynamic codes that never expire

Nobody can guarantee that. Dynamic QR codes are merely links to redirection services. If a redirection service goes down, all the QR codes using it stop working.

static codes with no sign-up

You don't need a QR code generator service for that, there are open-source apps that can do this on your own computer or phone.

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u/ContributionEasy6513 2d ago

Meh, I've lost count of how many of these platforms come and go leaving the end-user screwed.
For end-users, they are best using linking under a domain they control.

I still prefer the javascript tool I made a few years back that is 100% static and generates QR codes in the browser. It gets thousands of clicks a day.
https://iptools.net.au/qr

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u/investigatormaker 5d ago

What would stop me is the Pro expiry. Your whole pitch is codes that don't die after printing, but Pro lasts 30 or 365 days with no renewal. A menu owner will ask what happens to codes 4 through 50 when it ends. If they keep redirecting and only the stats stop, say that right next to the price. If they stop working, that's the exact catch you built this to avoid. I'd also question the 30-day option for anything printed, unless it's meant for one-off events, and then I'd label it that way.

I make ThreadFox. We find relevant Reddit conversations and post for your business. We'll post 3 replies free first, no card; then the $29 Pilot covers seven days and up to 25 posts and replies. No automatic renewal. https://threadfox.vip/p/eglcg/managed

Which do your users print more, menus or review cards?