Frequently asked questions

A static code encodes its destination directly into the pattern. Once printed, the destination is permanent. A dynamic code encodes a short redirect URL; the actual destination lives in TurtleQR and can be changed at any time without reprinting the code.

Yes, if it's a dynamic code. Change the destination URL in your dashboard and every scan from that point forward goes to the new address. The printed code never changes; only where it points does.

No. The free generator at /free works without signing up. You get a one-time PNG or SVG you can download immediately. An account is only required for dynamic codes, scan analytics, and anything that needs to be saved.

PNG, SVG, JPG, and PDF. SVG is the best choice for print because it scales without loss. PNG is fine for digital use. The free generator supports PNG and SVG; paid plans add JPG and PDF export.

Yes. The logo composer is available in your dashboard. Upload a PNG or SVG and TurtleQR centers it over the code with the error-correction margin set high enough to preserve scannability.

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard that lets AI assistants operate tools directly. TurtleQR ships a native MCP server, so Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT, and any compatible agent can create, edit, and manage your QR codes without leaving the conversation. See the MCP docs for setup.

Personal is for light personal use: a small number of dynamic codes and basic scan counts. Pro adds significantly higher scan and code limits, PDF export, logo embedding, priority support, and the full analytics dashboard. See pricing for the full comparison.

No. Codes never go dark, on any plan. If you cancel, your codes keep redirecting to whatever URL they pointed to at the moment of cancellation. You lose the ability to edit them or create new dynamic codes, but every printed code you already have keeps working forever.

Yes. Cancel from your billing settings at any time. Monthly subscribers stop being charged at the next renewal. Annual subscribers receive a prorated refund for the unused portion if they cancel within 30 days; after that the subscription runs to the end of the paid year.

Yes. Annual billing saves roughly 20% compared to the monthly rate. The exact discount is shown on the pricing page toggle.

Yes. No card required, no trial timer, no throttling after 30 days. The free tier exists to demonstrate the core promise: codes never go dark, even for users who never pay.

Bulk creation via CSV is available on the Business tier and above. You upload a spreadsheet, each row becomes a dynamic code, and you get a ZIP of QR images back. See pricing for Business plan details.

Yes. The code editor lets you set foreground and background colors. Use enough contrast so scanners can read the code reliably. A dark foreground on a light background is safest; TurtleQR warns you if the contrast ratio drops below a safe threshold.

Yes. The dashboard code editor exposes several corner and module styles, including rounded corners, dots, and the default square pattern. Style options are available on Personal and above.

TurtleQR sells QR stickers in 6-packs through the shop. They're printed on weatherproof vinyl and self-fulfilled, not drop-shipped. Order a set, stick them on menus, packaging, or windows, and the codes behind them are dynamic so you can update the destination any time.

The TurtleQR browser extension lets you generate a QR code for any page you're viewing with a single click. It also shows you scan counts for codes you own. Available for Chrome and Firefox from the extension page.

Yes. The vCard composer in the dashboard includes a background upload slot. Upload a photo or branded image and TurtleQR positions the QR code over it with enough margin for reliable scanning.

Export as SVG whenever possible. SVG is resolution-independent and scales cleanly to any size. If your print shop requires a raster format, export PNG at the largest available size and confirm the final printed code is at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) on the short side.

Each scan records: timestamp, country (from Cloudflare headers), device type (derived from the user agent), and a hashed identifier used for unique-scan deduplication. No personal data is stored about the scanner. IP addresses are hashed and discarded; the raw IP never touches a database.

Unique scans are counted per user-agent and IP hash combination, with a 24-hour deduplication window. If the same device scans the same code twice in 24 hours, it counts as 1 unique scan and 2 total scans. Both numbers are shown in your analytics dashboard.

Scan events pass through a Cloudflare Queue before landing in the analytics store. Under normal conditions, scans appear within 5 to 10 minutes. During high traffic, it can take up to 30 minutes. Real-time data is not available; the dashboard reflects recent history, not a live stream.

No. TurtleQR does not sell, rent, or share scan data or account data with third parties for advertising or commercial purposes. The scan data you see in your dashboard is yours. We use aggregate, anonymized usage patterns internally to improve the product.

A tracking pixel is a 1x1 transparent image embedded in an email or webpage. It fires when the image loads, recording that a recipient opened the email. Pixels require the viewer to open a digital document; QR codes work in the physical world. A QR code on a flyer, menu, or package gives you the same scan-time data (timestamp, location, device) without requiring the viewer to do anything beyond pointing their camera.

CSV export of scan history is available on Pro and above. Select a code and date range in the dashboard and download the raw scan log.

Yes. Each code has a public analytics toggle. When enabled, anyone with the public analytics link can view scan counts and trend data for that code without logging in. This is useful for sharing proof-of-performance with clients or stakeholders.