Dead Simple QR vs Scanova
Scanova has been around for years and has solid SEO content. But the design is stuck in 2019, the pricing has five tiers, and your codes stop working when your trial ends.
Feature comparison
How the features stack up
| Feature | Dead Simple QR | Scanova |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic QR codes | Up to 250 | Varies across 5 tiers |
| Scan analytics | ||
| Custom design & themes | Basic | |
| Logo embedding | Pro+ | Paid plans only |
| Honest monthly pricing | From $0 | From $5/mo |
| Codes survive cancellation | ||
| Permanent free tier | Trial only | |
| No credit card required | ||
| Analytics retention | Up to 1 year | Varies by tier |
| Short redirect URLs | dsqr.io | scanova.io links |
Pricing
What you actually pay
Dead Simple QR
From $0/mo
Free forever, no credit card. Pro at $9/mo, Business at $24/mo. Monthly means monthly — you see the price, you pay that price, and you can cancel anytime.
Start freeScanova
Basic $5/mo, Lite $9/mo, Standard $35/mo, Pro $75/mo, Enterprise custom
Five pricing tiers that overlap in confusing ways. The jump from Lite ($9) to Standard ($35) is nearly 4x, with unclear justification for what you get.
Five tiers means five sets of feature limits to compare. Most people just want to know: which plan is right for me? Scanova makes that harder than it needs to be.
Watch out for these patterns
· QR codes deactivated when trial expires, holding printed codes hostage until you pay
· Five confusing pricing tiers with opaque feature differences between adjacent plans
Common frustrations
Real issues with Scanova
Your QR codes stop working when the trial ends. If you printed codes during the trial period, they become dead links the moment it expires.
Five pricing tiers with overlapping feature sets create decision paralysis. Basic, Lite, Standard, Pro, Enterprise. Which one do you actually need? Good luck figuring that out quickly.
The design hasn't been meaningfully updated in years. It looks and feels like a 2019 Bootstrap template. The QR codes it generates are equally generic.
There's no permanent free tier. Once the trial is over, you either pay or your codes die. No middle ground for people who just need a couple of codes.
Switching from Scanova?
Existing QR codes can't be transferred between platforms — they're tied to the provider's redirect infrastructure. You'll create new codes with Dead Simple QR. The difference is that these new codes will never stop working, even if you cancel.
Frequently asked
Common questions
Does Scanova deactivate codes when you cancel?
Yes. If you cancel your subscription or let your trial expire, Scanova deactivates your dynamic QR codes. Any printed materials using those codes will stop working. With Dead Simple QR, your codes keep working forever — even after cancellation.
How much does Scanova actually cost?
Five pricing tiers that overlap in confusing ways. The jump from Lite ($9) to Standard ($35) is nearly 4x, with unclear justification for what you get. Dead Simple QR starts at $0 forever, and Pro is $9/mo billed monthly.
Can I transfer my existing QR codes to Dead Simple QR?
Dynamic QR codes are tied to the platform that created them and can't be transferred. You'll create new codes with Dead Simple QR — and unlike your old ones, they'll keep working no matter what.
What's the difference between Dead Simple QR and Scanova?
Both offer dynamic QR codes with scan analytics. The core differences are pricing transparency, code permanence after cancellation, and a permanent free tier with no credit card required.
Is Dead Simple QR really free?
The free tier is permanent — no trial period, no credit card required. You get up to 5 dynamic QR codes with scan analytics. Pro ($9/mo) and Business ($24/mo) unlock more codes, custom branding, and longer analytics retention.
More comparisons
See how we compare to others
Scanova has been in the QR code space for years and has built strong organic search presence through comparison blog posts and industry-specific landing pages. That SEO strategy is genuinely smart. But their product design and pricing structure haven't kept pace with the rest of the market.
Ready to try something simpler?
Create your first QR code in under a minute. No credit card required.