Adding a brand logo to the center of a QR code transforms it from a simple black and white square into a marketing element. This increases recognition. The user immediately sees a familiar sign and is more likely to scan the code. The logo inspires trust. Such a code is perceived as official, from a well-known brand, and not as a random image.
Best QR Code Generators That Let You Add a Logo. Comparison Table
Tool | Upload Logo | Format Support | Templates | Design Editor | Error Correction (H) | No Watermark | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ViralQR | Yes (SVG/PNG) | PNG, SVG, PDF | Yes | Advanced (colors, shapes, CTA) | Yes | Yes | From $1.49/mo |
QRcoDeal | Yes (PNG) | PNG, SVG | Basic presets | Simple (logo, color) | Yes | Yes | Free/From $9.99 |
QRCode Monkey | Yes (PNG) | PNG, SVG | Limited | Basic (color + logo only) | Yes | Yes (Free) | Free / $5.95 one-time |
QR Tiger | Yes (SVG/PNG) | PNG, SVG, PDF | Yes | Custom templates, color, CTA | Yes | Yes (Paid) | From $7 |
Canva | Yes (from Canva design) | PNG, PDF | Full Canva templates | Full Canva editor | Limited | Yes (Pro only) | From $12.99 |
We will review the best services that allow you to create branded QR codes and compare their capabilities. We will find out what completely free QR code generators exist. As well as advanced paid platforms with dynamic capabilities. Each review is built according to the same scheme: who is suitable for, features of working with the logo, design options, export formats, availability of watermarks, prices, and pros/cons.
ViralQR
ViralQR is a modern QR code generator with an emphasis on design and business functions. It is positioned as a universal solution for marketing, business, and designers. ViralQR allows you to create both static and dynamic QRs, manage them through an online account, and collect statistics. It differs from competitors in advanced branding capabilities and an affordable price for small businesses.
Features
Logo features:
- The service is focused on branded design.
- Adding a logo is supported for both static and dynamic QRs. You can upload your logo (preferably in PNG or SVG with a transparent background) and insert it in the center of the code.
- ViralQR provides various design options around the logo. You can choose the shape of the frame, adjust the size, and enable automatic alignment.
- The built-in editor ensures that the code remains scannable. If the logo or other design elements potentially interfere, the service will warn you about it.
- By default, a high level of ECC is used, so your QR “withstands” the logo and remains readable.
Design options:
- A wide range of customization.
- Code colors. Multi-color design is supported; the main thing is to maintain contrast.
- The shape of modules (squares, circles, etc.) and “eyes” (corner squares).
- Ready-made design templates.
- Frames with a call-to-action. For example, frames with the inscription “Scan Me” or your own text that frames the QR code to attract attention. Such frames can be stylized under the brand.
- Background for QR. For example, place the code on top of the image. Still, ViralQR recommends not to overdo it so as not to worsen scannability.
Export formats:
- PNG.
- JPEG.
- SVG.
- PDF.
- Custom – you can choose the image size when uploading.
Watermark-free: the generator does not put its own watermarks. There is no ViralQR logo or any inscriptions on the downloaded QR codes, even if you use it for free. This is an important advantage for commercial use; your code will look clean and professional. Recall that the service itself allows you to create static QR codes for free without restrictions, so you can try all the design features for free and get a picture without watermarks. Dynamic codes also do not contain other people’s logos, although a subscription is required to use them.
UX/Editor: ViralQR interface is convenient even for beginners. The editor works in real time; that is, when changing the color or adding a logo, you immediately see a preview of the QR code. There are tips on contrast (warning if the color is too light) and tips on how to place the logo so as not to interfere with the “eyes” of the code.
Pros:
- Rich design options such as frames, templates, colors, and logos.
- No watermarks.
- SVG/PDF support.
- Affordable price compared to some competitors.
- Flexible dynamic features for businesses and designers.
Cons:
Subscription required.
Price:
- Trial $1.49 or $1.99.
- From $19.99 / monthly.
Best for: Ideal for small and medium businesses, marketers, startups, and designers who need high-quality branded QR codes for widespread use. Thanks to support for print formats and the absence of watermarks, this generator is appreciated by design agencies and printing houses (you can safely use the codes in flyer layouts, billboards, etc.). Dynamic QR codes make ViralQR useful for long-term marketing campaigns where you need to track customer engagement. The service is also suitable for those who want to try out different creative QR designs.
QRcoDeal
QRcoDeal is a relatively new player on the market, positioning itself as a budget solution with the necessary minimum. This QR code generator is aimed at small businesses and creators who need dynamic QR codes, but without a significant overpayment for the brand. QRcoDeal offers both standard static QR codes (free) and dynamic ones with the ability to change the URL, collect simple analytics, and even create mini-landings with several links.
Features
Logo features:
- Adding a logo to the QR code.
- Design settings: color, shape, and logo.
- Automatic placement of the logo in the optimal size. You upload a PNG/JPG of your logo, and the system inserts it in the center.
- Templates where the logo is already taken into account in the design (for example, a template with round dots and a place in the center for the logo).
Design options:
- Choice of color (main and background).
- Choice of style: 13 ready-made design templates. Among them are those with different angles, with varying densities of dots, and variants adapted to various industries.
- There is no frame or “Scan me” text here as a separate function (you can add text manually later).
- There is a Dark/Light mode for the interface, allowing the user to easily switch to a dark theme.
Export formats:
- PNG.
- JPEG.
- SVG.
- PDF.
Watermark-free: QRcoDeal does not watermark QR codes. In the free version, the static code is downloaded without the service logo or inscriptions. The download page may sometimes mention that QRcoDeal generated the code, but this is not on the image itself.
UX/Editor: The QRcoDeal interface is quite minimalistic.
Pros:
- Very affordable price for a dynamic QR service; all key features (logo, colors, templates) in place.
- Creation of a QR with multiple links (useful for social networks).
- Clean QR codes without watermarks.
- Simple control panel without complications.
- Has all the main “buns” of dynamic codes: statistics, pixels, passwords, and custom domains.
Cons:
- Fewer design templates and fine-tuning options than the leaders.
- Free only static codes.
Price:
- Free.
- $9.99/monthly.
Best for: QRcoDeal is excellent for small businesses and content creators on a budget who want to get the most features for the least money.
QRCode Monkey
QRCode Monkey is one of the most famous free online QR code generators. It is suitable for one-time tasks when you need a QR code with a logo for print or web, but do not need dynamic features. The tool is easy to use and has enough customization options.
Features
Logo features:
- Add your logo. You can upload your logo in PNG, JPG, GIF, or SVG format (up to 2 MB).
- Availability of a gallery of standard icons (for example, social media logos) that can be inserted into the QR if you do not have your own image.
- There is an option “Remove Background Behind Logo”. It removes the background around the logo so that it smoothly fits into the QR without a white square behind it. This is convenient if your logo is round or has a transparent background.
- Automatic high-level correction, so the logo code remains readable.
Design options:
- One color for all modules or gradient (linear or radial).
- There are separate options for the color of the “eyes” (corner squares).
- The background also changes – you can make it transparent to overlay on a color layout.
- The shape of the modules (QR bodies): several “body” options are available (square pixels, round dots, horizontal or vertical pixels, stars, hearts, etc.).
- You can also choose the style of the “eyes” – the shape of a frame and the centers of three large squares in the corners.
- Transparent background, i.e., the code is easy to overlay on any design.
Watermark-free: QRCode Monkey does not add any inscriptions or service logos to your code.
UX/Editor: The interface is very simple and straightforward. Overall, the UX gets an “excellent” rating for its category.
Pros:
- Free and without limits.
- A wide range of design options for a free service.
- Supports logos and custom shapes.
- Provides printable vector output files.
Cons:
- Does not provide separate “frames” with text, like some others. That is, you cannot add the inscription “Scan me” directly on the site.
- Lack of dynamic codes and analytics (only static).
- No mobile application or advanced business integrations – it is purely an image generator.
- Minimal user support. Since the product is free, you should not count on quick help from the developers, although there is an FAQ section on the site.
Price:
- Free. There is no paid version, nor is there a need for registration.
Best for: The perfect choice for anyone who needs a static QR code with a logo without any hassle.
QR Tiger
QR Tiger offers both free static code creation and a multi-functional paid platform for dynamic QRs. It is known for its extensive customization capabilities.
Features
Logo features:
- Logo integration. You can add a logo in two ways: choose one of the standard ones (there is an icon gallery) or upload your own file.
- Supports PNG, JPG and SVG logos.
- The uploaded logo appears in the middle of the QR code.
- Logo scaling and adding contours.
- Ability to add a stroke around the logo for contrast.
Design options:
- Large selection of styles: pattern, eyes, logo, colors, frame, templates.
- Large selection of templates. There are both simple styles (minimal changes in shape) and quite creative ones (for example, a QR code where modules form a figured pattern).
- Adding a frame with text. QR Tiger has a library of frames that surround the QR code and contain a call to action such as “Scan Me”, “Scan QR”, “Scan to WIN”, etc.
- Background: if you wish, you can upload a background image for the QR, but you need to do this carefully so as not to break the code.
Watermark-free: The free version of QR Tiger does not have watermarks on the QR codes themselves. If you create dynamic QRs on the free plan, there is a nuance: after scanning such a code, the user will see a small promotional pop-up from QR Tiger.
UX/Editor: The QR Tiger interface is somewhat richer than that of simple generators. However, its logic is clear.
Pros:
- Design possibilities.
- User support and training materials at a high level.
- Dynamic features: password, geolocation, integration with Google Analytics, Canva.
Cons:
- Paid plans are expensive for large volumes.
- Free dynamic codes have limited scans + a small promotional popup.
- It is more difficult for a beginner to master all the editor functions.
- The UI is overloaded compared to minimalist generators.
Price:
- Free.
- $7/month.
- $16/month.
- $37/month.
Best for: QRCode Monkey is the perfect choice for anyone who needs a static QR code with a logo without any hassle.
Canva QR Tool
Canva is a popular online graphics editor. It also allows you to generate QR codes, although this is not its primary function. Canva has a built-in QR Code Generator app, which will enable you to create a simple QR (just a static URL) and insert it into your design.
Features
Logo features:
- Adding a logo through Canva is possible in two ways:
- Manual insertion: You generate a QR code (static, black and white) with the standard Canva generator, and then add your logo as a graphic on top of the QR in the layout. This is essentially how to make a logo in the center, but manually.
- Through App integration: Canva has an App “Dynamic QR Codes”, as well as integration with QR Tiger. If you install this app, you can create a QR code with a logo and colors directly through Canva.
Design options:
If you use the standard Canva QR generator, then there are almost no design options. It creates a classic black QR. But Canva is an editor, so you can change its colors or add effects after inserting the QR code. Since the QR code is inserted as a vector element, you can fill it with a different color (in Canva, it works: by selecting the QR, change the fill color). You can also apply a shadow, place it in a frame, and add the text “Scan me” next to it in a stylish font. Canva does not “know” about the QR structure, so you need to be careful: do not distort, do not crop. But changing the color (to a contrasting one!) is completely safe.
Formats:
- PNG.
- PDF.
- SVG (SVG is available in Canva Pro).
Watermark-free: QR codes created in Canva do not have any watermarks.
Pros:
- Canva allows you to combine design and QR generation. You immediately see how the code fits, saving time.
- You can easily add text, arrows, and explanations next to the QR (so that the user understands exactly what to do).
- A basic QR code is generated in seconds.
Cons:
- The QR itself is a bit limited.
- Canva won’t give you statistics or code management.
- There is no support for specific QR types (for example, you won’t be able to make a QR for WiFi or vCard through Canva – only URL).
- The responsibility for the correctness of the code lies partly with you. You need to test it, especially if you manually apply a logo.
Price:
- Free.
- $12.99/month – Canva Pro. You may need this if you want to export the design as an SVG file.
Best for: Canva as a QR tool is ideal for designers, marketers, and SMM-ers who create a lot of visual materials and want to add QR codes to them quickly.
FAQ: QR Codes with Logos
Does a logo affect the scannability of a QR code?
A small logo, properly integrated into the center of the QR, has almost no effect on scannability, provided that the rules are followed. QR codes have built-in error correction – at level H, you can “cover” up to 30% of the code and it will still be read. Therefore, most generators automatically use high ECC and place the logo so as not to affect key areas (corner “eyes”). It is important that the logo is not too large – it is recommended to cover no more than a quarter to a third of the code area. Also, the logo should not have a too fancy shape that goes beyond the square in the center.
Which logo format is better to use – PNG or SVG?
It is best to use SVG (vector format) if the generator supports it. The SVG logo will be scaled without loss of quality, so when exporting the QR code in high resolution, it will remain clear. Vector also allows you to edit colors if necessary easily. If SVG is not available, then take PNG with a transparent background and maximum resolution. PNG will convey all the colors of the logo and preserve the transparency of the background, which is important for a beautiful insert. JPEG is not desirable because it does not support a transparent background and may have compression artifacts at the edges of the logo. Some services accept GIF, but it offers no advantages over PNG.
So, for quality: 1) SVG, 2) PNG (high quality, transparency), and if not, then JPG with a uniform background (white). Regarding the export of the QR code itself: save it in SVG, if there is a vector logo, or in PDF – this way the logo will remain vector inside the PDF and will look sharp when printed.
Is it possible to make a color logo inside the QR code, or is it better to make a monochrome one?
You can also make a color logo, and it often looks more attractive, because the corporate style is preserved. But you should take into account several points. First, the color logo should contrast with the elements of the QR code itself. If you have, say, a blue QR on a white background, and the logo is also blue and merges with the code dots, this isn’t good. Secondly, do not use very light colors for QR modules: for example, a yellow code with a yellow-green logo – scanners may not recognize it. A colored logo looks best on a contrasting, relatively plain QR background. In general, any color of the logo is allowed, as long as the overall contrast of the QR is maintained.
How do I make sure my QR code with my logo works before printing?
You need to do a thorough test. Here’s a checklist:
- Scan the code with different phones. Take at least one modern smartphone and one older one. On a new iPhone/Android, the QR is read by the camera in seconds, while on older ones, you may need a third-party app – check both scenarios.
- Test from different angles and distances. Print a sample QR code of the size it will be used in (for example, on a 3×3 cm label). Now try to scan it, holding your phone at the distance from which a real person will scan if it’s a business card – 20-30 cm, if it’s a poster – 1-2 m, if it’s a billboard – 5-10 m (this already depends on the camera, but you should know the limits).
- Try different scanners. The built-in camera is OK, but there’s also Google Lens and third-party QR scanners. This will help detect any problems, for example, with encoding (sometimes incorrect Cyrillic encoding can cause problems – if you encode text or vCard).
- Pay attention to the lighting. If the QR will be scanned, say, in a room with dim light or vice versa under the bright sun on a poster, make sure that the contrast is sufficient. Shiny surfaces (laminate) can cause glare, so it is better not to make a code that is too light/yellow.
- Ask several people to try. What you, knowing where to point the camera, scanned is good, but let someone who sees it for the first time also protest. If an outsider says “it doesn’t point” or “takes a long time to catch” – this is a signal that it is worth increasing the code size or contrast.
- Check the content after the scan. It seems obvious, but be sure to open the destination of the QR code and make sure that it is the right page, that the links are not broken, and that it is displayed correctly on mobile. Especially if the QR is dynamic, check for any promotional service stubs (some free ones have them). You may want to remove them with a subscription so that the user gets to your content right away.
- If everything is fine, feel free to print. But even after printing the first batch, don’t be lazy to check one copy. It happens that the printing house darkened the colors or changed the size – just in case, scan the final material again.
Final Recommendation
The choice of the optimal tool depends on your specific needs – budget, necessary functions, and usage scenarios. Let’s summarize our review with recommendations for different cases:
- Suppose you need a comprehensive solution for your brand, with high-quality QR codes, extensive customization options, and dynamic capabilities. In that case, ViralQR will be an excellent choice. It combines a powerful design editor (colors, frames, templates) with flexible analytics and code management. We especially recommend it to small and medium-sized businesses that plan to print QR codes on products or packaging.
- QRCodeal (QRcoDeal) is a budget option with a clean brand.
- QRCode Monkey is the best free option for static QR.
- QR TIGER for maximum customization and flexibility. If you like to customize every little thing and want the most design options.