Pricing and privacy at QR Kontor
Static QR codes are free, with no sign-up, no limit and no watermark. Dynamic QR codes, where you can change the destination after printing, cost €4.99 one-time per code. No subscription, no recurring fees. If you have seen other providers charge $49 to $197 for a "lifetime" code: a dynamic code is only a short redirect, no media storage, on EU hosting that costs little to run. That is why €4.99 covers it for good.
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When do you need a QR code for a WhatsApp group?
- Event groups: wedding helpers, class reunions, workshops
- Club and team groups: new members, teams, parents' chat
- Business communities: newsletter alternative, customer loyalty
- Local initiatives: neighborhood help, sustainability groups
- School and daycare groups: parent coordination, schedule updates
Instead of sending everyone the invite link individually: a QR code on a flyer, poster or bulletin board. Whoever wants in, scans.
Step 1: Generate the invite link in WhatsApp
You have to be an admin of the group.
iPhone:
- Open the group
- Tap the group name at the top (opens group info)
- Scroll down → "Invite via link"
- Tap "Send link", or copy the link
Android:
- Open the group
- Three dots top right → "Group info"
- "Invite via link"
- "Copy link"
The link looks like this: https://chat.whatsapp.com/AbCdEf123XyZ
Step 2: Enter the link in the generator
In the generator above → "URL" mode → paste the invite link → the QR code updates live.
Step 3: Optional: branding
If the code ends up on a club flyer or an event poster, your own logo in the middle plus brand colors is worth it. In the generator: "Colors & shape" → upload logo.
Important: the official WhatsApp logo (green speech bubble with handset) is trademarked. Do not build it into the code, use your own logo instead.
Step 4: Download
PNG for print, SVG for vector workflows.
What you should know
Invite links are public
Anyone who has the link can join the group. With a QR code on a public poster that means: any passer-by can join. Usually fine for club events. For private family groups, better send the link individually.
You can reset the link at any time
If your QR code falls into the wrong hands: in the WhatsApp group info → "Reset link" → the old link becomes invalid, a new one is generated. But: every printed QR code is then dead. Solution: a dynamic QR code, swap the destination in the dashboard, the printed code stays.
WhatsApp limit per group: 1,024 members
A WhatsApp group can have at most 1,024 members (since 2023). For more, a WhatsApp Community or a broadcast channel makes more sense.
Controlling admin permissions
Whoever joins via QR is just a member at first, not an admin. As admin you control whether members can send messages or only read ("Only admins can send").
FAQ
Does the QR code work without the WhatsApp app? The link opens WhatsApp Web or the app if installed. Without the app installed: error message, no way to join. WhatsApp is near-universal in the UK and much of Europe. In the US, adoption is lower, so check whether your audience actually uses it.
Can I control who joins? By default no, whoever scans is in immediately. If you want join approval: enable "Approve new members" in the group settings (available since 2023).
Does this work for WhatsApp Channels too? Yes, same mechanism. Copy the channel link, turn it into a QR code.
What if I am not an admin? Then you cannot generate an invite link. Ask the admin to send you one or to make you an admin.
Does it work internationally? Yes. WhatsApp invite links are valid worldwide, and so is the QR code.
Can I track who joined via QR? WhatsApp itself only shows a member list. Where someone came from (QR vs. direct link vs. manual add) you cannot see. If you want to know, put the QR code on a tracking redirect that forwards to the WhatsApp link.
How big does the QR code need to be on a poster?
- A3 or tabloid poster (distance 50 to 80 cm, 20 to 32 in): at least 4 × 4 cm (1.6 × 1.6 in)
- A1 or 24 × 36 in poster (distance 1.5 m, 5 ft): at least 10 × 10 cm (4 × 4 in)
Pro tip: vCard with a direct WhatsApp link
Instead of just a WhatsApp group link, a digital business card (vCard) can also contain a wa.me link to your personal WhatsApp. Example: https://wa.me/12125550123?text=Hello → opens a chat with you, message prefilled. Perfect for sales or service staff.
Need a dynamic QR code?
Change the target any time, even after printing. €4.99 one-time, no subscription.
Start for free