Free Guide

How to Track Your
QR Code Scans
for Free

Most QR tracking services charge a monthly fee — and some will hold your code hostage if you stop paying. Here are three ways to track scans without giving anyone that power.

5 minute read

The quick version: A static QR code points directly to your URL — which means there is nothing in between to count scans. To track scans, you either need a redirect service in the middle, or you track what happens after the scan using your website analytics. Both approaches are covered below, and both are free.

Why static QR codes can't be tracked

When someone scans a QR code, their phone reads a URL baked into the image and opens it directly. There is no server involved, no middleman, nothing to count the request. The scan just happens.

Dynamic QR companies solve this by putting their own redirect URL inside the code — so every scan passes through their server, which logs it, then forwards the user onward. That is why they can charge a monthly fee: if you stop paying, they turn off the redirect and your code stops working.

The good news is you can get tracking without handing anyone that power. Here are your three options.

Method 1 — UTM Parameters + Google Analytics

Method 01
UTM Tracking
Free Easiest

If your destination website already has Google Analytics (or any analytics tool), this is the simplest approach. You add tracking parameters to your URL before generating the QR code. When someone scans it, those parameters tell your analytics exactly where that visit came from.

Your URL goes from this:

https://yourwebsite.com/offer

To this:

https://yourwebsite.com/offer?utm_source=qr&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=summer-flyer

Generate your QR code using that full URL. Every scan shows up in Google Analytics under Acquisition → Campaigns labelled exactly as you named it.

  1. Go to ga-dev-tools.google.com/campaign-url-builder and build your tagged URL
  2. Copy the full URL (with the utm_ parameters)
  3. Paste it into BuanQR and generate your code
  4. In Google Analytics, check Reports → Acquisition → Traffic acquisition and filter by campaign

Best for: Anyone who already has Google Analytics on their site. The QR code stays truly permanent — the tracking is handled entirely on your own website.

Method 2 — Bitly Free Redirect

Method 02
Bitly Short Link
Free tier available

Bitly is a link shortener that also tracks clicks. The free plan gives you a limited number of tracked links with basic scan data — total clicks, rough location, device type.

The trade-off is similar to dynamic QR services: your code points to a Bitly URL, and Bitly forwards visitors to your real destination. If Bitly ever changes their free tier or shuts down, your code stops working.

  1. Create a free account at bitly.com
  2. Shorten your destination URL to get a link like bit.ly/3xYzAbc
  3. Use that Bitly URL in BuanQR to generate your code
  4. View scan stats in your Bitly dashboard under Links

Best for: Quick setup when you don't have Google Analytics. Just be aware your code now depends on Bitly staying free and operational.

Method 3 — Your Own Redirect Page

Method 03
Self-Hosted Redirect
Free Requires a website

If you have a website you control, you can create your own redirect page. Your QR code points to a URL on your own domain — for example yoursite.com/go — and that page logs the visit using your own analytics before forwarding the user on. You own everything. No third party involved.

  1. Add Google Analytics or Plausible to your website if not already there
  2. Create a simple redirect page at a short URL on your domain (e.g. /go or /offer)
  3. Add a meta refresh or JavaScript redirect to your actual destination
  4. Use your domain URL (yoursite.com/go) in BuanQR to generate the code
  5. Every scan shows as a page view in your own analytics under that URL
<!-- Simple redirect page -->
<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0; url=https://yoursite.com/destination">

Best for: Anyone who wants full control. The code depends on your own website — which you already control and pay for. You can change the destination any time by editing the redirect page, without reprinting the code.

Which method should you use?

If your website has Google Analytics — use Method 1. It takes five minutes, costs nothing, and your QR code remains completely independent of any third party.

If you need something up in the next ten minutes and don't have analytics set up — use Method 2 (Bitly), but be aware of the dependency.

If you want the most flexibility long-term — especially if you're printing on permanent signage or products — use Method 3 and host the redirect yourself.

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