We’ve been experimenting with different QR code plugins in WordPress, and we discovered that they can do a lot more than just store information.
For example, you can use them to sell products in your online store, collect payments, and more.
That’s why we have researched and tested the best WordPress QR code plugins for all kinds of use cases.
In this article, we will share some of the best WordPress plugins that allow you to add unique QR codes to your site.
Why Use a QR Code Plugin?
A QR code (or Quick Response code) is a unique abstract square design, most often black and white, that directs the user to a URL or other data.
You can use WordPress QR code plugins to generate a QR code, which your users can then scan to access information.
QR codes are used in digital marketing and customer service to link directly to online resources, promotions, or product details.
They simplify the user experience by creating a bridge between physical and digital spaces, enhancing user engagement.
Plus, QR codes can potentially boost marketing strategies and improve customer engagement.
How We Tested And Reviewed QR Code Plugins for WordPress
We tested several QR code plugins specifically made for WordPress sites that can help with integration between the online and offline worlds.
When testing the most popular QR code plugins, we thoroughly examined the following criteria:
- Ease of Use: The QR code plugins should be simple to install and configure for WordPress website owners, especially people not well-versed in coding. The user interface should be intuitive, making it easy to generate QR codes even for beginners.
- Features: We consider the range of functionalities offered, such as static vs. dynamic QR code generation, customization options, and data tracking capabilities.
- Reliability: We have only included the plugins that we have tested and reviewed ourselves.
- Free vs. Premium: We explored both free and premium options, considering each’s value proposition and highlighting any limitations of the free versions.
Why Trust WPBeginner?
WPBeginner is a team of experts with many years of experience in WordPress plugins, SEO, hosting, online marketing, and more.
We extensively reviewed each QR code plugin for WordPress that has been mentioned on this list to give you the best recommendations. For details, see our editorial process.
Best QR Code Plugins for WordPress
If you are in a hurry, then take a quick look at our expert picks to make a decision.
Below, you’ll find our expert pick of the best QR code plugins for WordPress. There are both paid and free WordPress QR code plugins, so you can choose a plugin that matches your requirements.
1. Shortcodes Ultimate
Shortcodes Ultimate is a powerful WordPress plugin that lets you add custom shortcodes to your pages. One of these handy shortcodes lets you display a custom QR code on your website.
It allows you to customize the shortcode and add any prompt that you want your users to open by scanning the QR code. You can also customize the size, color, background, and error correction for the QR code.
Pros of Shortcodes Ultimate
- Ready-made shortcodes, including a shortcode template for the QR code.
- Live preview option to see the final result before publishing your content.
- Custom widget to create shortcodes.
- Fully customizable and works with popular WordPress themes.
Cons of Shortcodes Ultimate
- Need a basic knowledge of coding to add custom attributes to your shortcode.
- The premium version is a bit expensive but gives you access to customer support. However, the free version of the plugin lets you create a shortcode to display a QR code.
Why We Recommend Shortcodes Ultimate: Shortcodes Ultimate is a reliable plugin that lets you add a custom QR code to your WordPress site. It offers excellent customization options to change color, size, background, and more for your QR code. Plus, you can easily add data attributes to display a fully customized QR code in WordPress.
Pricing: Starts at $39 per year for a single site license.
2. Automator QR Code Generator
Automator QR Code Generator is an integration for the Uncanny Automator WordPress plugin. It allows you to create automated workflows that involve generating QR codes based on your WordPress website data.
For example, you might use a QR code to store product data from your online store, contain ticket information for your events, or link to student records in your e-learning platform.
While customization options depend on the specific workflow you create, Automator offers control over data used in the QR code (text, URLs, etc.). Additionally, some customization of the QR code itself is possible, such as size and error correction.
Pros of Automator QR Code Generator
- Generate QR codes automatically based on user actions or other events on your WordPress site.
- Integrates with other plugins within the Uncanny Automator ecosystem for powerful automation possibilities.
- It offers some level of customization for the QR code data and its appearance.
- Hundreds of powerful integrations with third-party WordPress plugins and apps, including WooCommerce, LearnDash, and more.
Cons of Automator QR Code Generator
- Setting up automated workflows might require some technical knowledge.
- Customization options are a little limited.
Why We Recommend Automator QR Code Generator: Uncanny Automator is the best WordPress website automation software. Its QR Code Generator automates QR code generation based on your specific needs, saving you time and effort.
Pricing: You will need to buy the Uncanny Automator plan, which starts at $149 per year.
3. Kaya QR Code
Kaya QR Code is a free WordPress QR code plugin. It lets you create and add QR codes to your landing pages, posts, sidebars, and other content areas.
It has a built-in widget that lets you add a QR code in the widget-ready areas of your website. You can also use the shortcode generator to display the QR code anywhere on your site.
Pros of Kaya QR Code
- The customization options include shadowing the image so your QR code stands out.
- It allows you to add an alternate text to the QR code that shows on the mouseover.
- You can make clickable QR codes so the user can click and visit the landing page.
- It’s fully compatible with WordPress multisite network and WooCommerce.
Cons of Kaya QR Code
- The QR code visibility customization options are limited.
- The plugin may not be compatible with all WordPress themes and plugins.
Why We Recommend Kaya QR Code: Kaya QR Code is a free WordPress QR code generator plugin. It gives you the basic options, including generating and adding a QR code anywhere on your WordPress site. What makes it different from QR code plugins is the ability to make your QR code clickable.
Pricing: Free
4. Qyrr
Qyrr is a free WordPress QR code plugin that lets you create, manage, and track QR codes easily. It also allows you to create dynamic QR codes that can be edited without changing the design.
The best part about using Qyrr is that it lets you add your logo or text within the QR code to personalize it.
Pros of Qyrr
- You can fully track how many times the QR code is scanned.
- It allows you to generate QR codes in bulk.
- It lets you export the QR code in an SVG file for HD quality.
- Qyrr is compatible with the WordPress block editor, and you can use a custom block to display your QR code.
Cons of Qyrr
- The free version has limited features, and you’ll need the premium version to access options like dynamic QR code, tracking, and bulk QR code generator.
- The plugin has a bit of a learning curve and may not be as beginner-friendly as some of the other QR code plugins on this list.
Why We Recommend Qyrr: Qyrr has a free plan with basic features, and its premium plan comes with dynamic QR codes, tracking and management, and a bulk QR code generator. There is also a lifetime plan, which means you can buy the plugin once and use it forever.
Pricing: Free. The premium plans start at $39 per year for a single-site license. For the same license, you can pay $119.99 to get lifetime access.
5. QR code MeCard/vCard
QR code MeCard/vCard is a free WordPress QR code plugin built to share your contact information with users. You can add the QR code to your WordPress site using a shortcode or custom widget.
The plugin lets you generate a QR code containing your personal information, such as your contact number, email address, and other details, in the MeCard or vCard format. Your website visitors can then scan the QR code and save the contact information to their address book.
Pros of QR code MeCard/vCard
- Supports the latest versions of MeCard and vCard to share contact information with users.
- QR codes are fully customizable, allowing you to add your logo, change color, and modify the size.
- It lets you create a QR code with your existing user profile in WordPress.
- Easy to add the QR code on your website pages or posts using a shortcode or widget.
Cons of QR code MeCard/vCard
- Limited to sharing contact information and doesn’t offer advanced features.
- There’s no analytics or data on how many people are saving your contact details using the QR code.
Why We Recommend QR code MeCard/vCard: QR code MeCard/vCard is a simple and free WordPress plugin for sharing contact information with users. It lets you add QR codes to your pages, posts, sidebar, footer, and any widget-ready areas. Your users can then scan and save your contact information to their address book instantly.
Pricing: Free
6. AffiliateWP
AffiliateWP is the best WordPress affiliate management plugin on the market. It lets you create referral links, affiliate banners, and affiliate QR codes to reach a wide audience and increase your sales.
The plugin comes with powerful affiliate growth tools, including email marketing integration to grow your affiliate program. It also supports dozens of languages so that you can set up and manage the affiliate program in your language.
For more details, see our guide on how to easily add an affiliate program in WooCommerce.
Pros of AffiliateWP
- Create custom QR codes for your affiliate links.
- Share the QR codes on your business cards to get offline clicks.
- 1-click payouts to your affiliate partners with Stripe or PayPal.
- Complete and detailed affiliate reports to improve your affiliate program.
Cons of AffiliateWP
- QR codes can take up more space on your website than simple affiliate links.
Why We Recommend AffiliateWP: AffiliateWP is the best affiliate management plugin for WordPress sites. It comes with powerful features to set up and run your affiliate program. For example, it allows you to create affiliate links, affiliate landing pages, and QR codes to grow your business.
Pricing: The personal plan costs $149.60 per year. However, you’ll need their Plus plan to create affiliate QR codes and access growth tools, which costs $199.60 per year.
7. UPI QR Code
UPI QR Code is a free WordPress QR code plugin for WooCommerce stores. It lets you accept instant payments from customers by showing a unique QR code on the checkout page.
The plugin is built for digital payments in India and works with all UPI (Unified Payments Interface) apps working in the country, including Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay, and more.
Your customers can scan the QR code, enter their PIN code, and the payment will be deposited in your bank account right away.
Pros of UPI QR Code
- Instant payments and no transaction fees on any payment.
- Works with all UPI apps, allowing users to choose their favorite payment app to pay in your online store.
- Out-of-the-box integration with WooCommerce and beginner-friendly.
- Built for small businesses with no hidden charges and completely free.
Cons of UPI QR Code
- It is limited to UPI payments and doesn’t allow other payment methods like credit cards.
- It accepts payment in Indian Rupees, which means no international currency is accepted. It is also limited to Indian eCommerce stores.
Why We Recommend UPI QR Code: UPI QR Code is a powerful plugin that easily integrates with WooCommerce. If you’re running an online store in India, then this plugin can help you accept payments without any transaction fees or hidden charges.
Pricing: Free
8. Pretty Links
Pretty Links is the best WordPress affiliate link management and URL shortener plugin. It lets you create custom checkout links for your WooCommerce store and convert your links into QR codes using a third-party QR code plugin.
The plugin allows you to shorten your long affiliate links. You can also add branding to your links so they look professional when you share affiliate links on your social profiles and other platforms.
Pros of Pretty Links
- Easy integration with QR code plugins like Kaya QR Code and Qyrr.
- Allows you to create trackable QR codes for your affiliate links.
- You can create custom redirect links to send users to your landing pages and get additional information before making a sale.
- Tracks your affiliate links to see which campaign is performing best.
Cons of Pretty Links
- You will need a third-party WordPress QR code plugin to create and share QR codes with Pretty Links.
Why We Recommend Pretty Links: Pretty Links is the best WordPress URL shortener plugin. It can convert your long, unappealing affiliate links into customized, beautiful URLs. You can connect it with a QR code plugin like Kaya QR or Qyrr to create trackable QR codes for your affiliate links.
Pricing: The beginner plan costs $99.60 per year for a single site license.
9. OptinMonster
OptinMonster is the best lead generation and conversion optimization software on the market. It lets you create beautiful popup campaigns that display a custom QR code that redirects users to register for an event, download an ebook, or get a discounted offer on your products.
It comes with hundreds of ready-made templates for popup campaigns. To boost your traffic and revenue, you can quickly create a lightbox popup campaign, add a QR code, and choose your target audience.
Bonus Read: How We Increased Our Email Subscribers by 600% with OptinMonster
Pros of OptinMonster
- Powerful conversion optimization that helps generate leads and increase your sales.
- Exit-Intent technology that triggers a popup when your user is about to leave your website.
- Page-specific targeting allows you to display popup campaigns where you need them, giving you complete control over your marketing campaign.
- It comes with MonsterLinks clickable links that open personalized optin popups when clicked. You can show a QR code when the user clicks a link to increase engagement.
Cons of OptinMonster
- It’s not a typical QR code plugin. You’ll need a third-party WordPress QR code plugin to generate a QR code and use it with your popup campaign.
Why We Recommend OptinMonster: OptinMonster is the best lead generation software. It comes with beautiful and responsive popup campaigns that look good on any screen size or device. You can add pre-generated QR codes to your marketing campaigns, which are easy to scan from mobile devices. QR codes are also trackable, so you’ll know exactly how many people are interacting with them.
Pricing: The basic plan costs $9 per month (billed annually) for a single site license and lets you build lightbox popup campaigns.
Bonus: WPForms
WPForms is the best contact form plugin for WordPress. It comes with thousands of ready-made form templates, including payment forms for Stripe and PayPal.
You can use a third-party plugin to make a QR code for your payment form and add it anywhere on your WordPress site. It will allow you to accept online payments quickly.
Moreover, you can create a simple order form and add the payment QR code to your WordPress form. After filling out the order form, the user can scan the QR code and pay using their preferred payment method.
Pros of WPForms
- Powerful integrations with Stripe, PayPal, and other payment methods.
- Ready-made payment forms for different online businesses.
- Drag and drop form builder to customize any form without coding.
- Form widgets and shortcodes to add forms anywhere on your WordPress site.
Cons of WPForms
- WPForms doesn’t come with a built-in QR code generator. However, you can use a third-party plugin to add QR codes to your WordPress forms.
Why We Recommend WPForms: WPForms is the most popular and best WordPress form plugin on the market. It supports popular payment methods and integrates with dozens of QR code services to accept online payments quickly.
Pricing: Starts at $49.50 per year. For payment methods, you’ll need the WPForms Pro plan, which lets you add the WordPress form plugin on up to 5 sites.
Which Is the Best QR Code Plugin for WordPress?
We recommend Shortcodes Ultimate as the best WordPress QR code plugin. It lets you create custom QR codes and edit their color, size, and background to match your brand.
Alternatively, if you want to automate workflows with hundreds of integrations using QR codes, then Automator QR Code Generator by Uncanny Automator is the best choice. It lets you manage shopping cart payments, membership sites, learning management systems, and more.
Kaya QR Code Generator and Qyrr are also great free WordPress QR code plugins. Both free QR code plugins seamlessly integrate with your favorite affiliate services, email marketing services, and other WordPress plugins.
We hope this article has helped you find the best QR code plugins for WordPress. You may also want to check out our other WordPress guides for growing your business.
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