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A GS1 QR code is a two-dimensional (2D) barcode that uses a Digital Link, a new standard that can improve the packaging and movement of consumer goods to the consumer. To make one, you will need two things: the Digital Link and a QR code platform.
While these are easy to get, not all QR code software has incorporated a Digital Link solution into its list of offerings. This can make it difficult to find one that suits your needs.
To help you with that, this article lists five of the best QR code generators you can use to stay ahead of the game.
GS1, or Global Standards 1, is an international organization that develops and maintains barcode standards across the globe. They are the ones who supply companies with important product identifiers, one of them being the Digital Link.
The Digital Link is a way to encode product data into a universally understood format that is stored online. This allows companies to use the internet as a globally accessible database.
This is why several companies are joining GS1 in an initiative known as Sunrise 2027. This initiative aims to integrate QR code technology into points of sale around the world and address consumer needs and the increasing demands of the global supply chain.
The importance of the upcoming GS1 initiative is the prime reason why you will need a QR code software that supports the Digital Link.
Each of the following platforms comes with features that make them more than just a GS1 code generator.
Trusted by over 850,000 brands, QR TIGER is one of the most advanced QR code platforms in the world. It is one of the pioneers in the field that provides GS1 QR code solutions to its users.
It aims to allow businesses to create secure and GS1-compliant QR codes that can be read by both POS systems and smartphone cameras.
QR TIGER’s GS1 Digital solution requires you to encode important product information such as Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). The platform automatically creates the Digital Link that connects to the correct online information you want to direct users to.
The platform offers a suite of customization tools that let you show your brand identity on the codes. You may also include a linear barcode below the QR code to make it still accessible to any barcode scanner type.
QR TIGER provides dynamic QR codes, so they come with scan tracking, retargeting, analytics, and several more dynamic features.
While the software’s freemium plan requires no credit card to subscribe, you can get more from this platform by subscribing to its high-tier plans:
Regular ($7 per month or $65 per year)
Advanced ($16 per month billed annually)
Premium ($37 per month billed annually)
Professional ($89 per month billed annually)
Enterprise - customizable solutions
Orca Scan is a GS1 UK-approved GTIN QR code software that creates every kind of barcode under the sun. It enables users to create a barcode system without requiring coding or any technical skills.
Orca Scan’s Digital Link solution not only generates QR codes, but it also creates a unique homepage and individual QR codes for all your products. It only needs a link to the product page, and it takes care of everything for you.
This platform’s pricing plans consist of three tiers (not including its free plan). The prices of these plans increase depending on the number of members in your organization.
Starter ($20 a month plus $10 per additional user )
Business ($40 a month plus $20 per additional user)
Enterprise (Customized to your needs)
Similar to Orca Scan, the Free Online Barcode Generator by TEC-IT is another platform for all things barcodes. In addition to this level of versatility, it also features an easy-to-use interface, making it the best choice for the not-so-tech-savvy.
Free Online Barcode Generator has a GS1 barcode solution that consists of four more solutions: GS1 QR and Digital Link code and GS1 DataMatrix and Digital Link Data Matrix.
To differentiate GS1 QR from the Digital Link QR solution, the former lets users create QR code/s from a Digital Link or several ones that the user provides.
The latter allows the user to create a Digital Link by filling out the necessary information. A QR code will then be generated out from the data.
When they say they’re free, they mean it. Despite not charging its users, Free Online Barcode Generator provides a straightforward means of generating QR codes.
However, barcodes generated with this platform can’t be customized in any way since they are static QR codes.
QR Planet is another generator you can use to create your GS1 codes. Despite being free, it allows you to customize your QR codes.
QR Planet’s GS1 solution grants users scan tracking, analysis, and retargeting opportunities, lead collection, and many more useful features.
QR Planet’s services come at no cost, making it an excellent choice for startups and individuals.
Barcodes Pro is a simple yet effective platform dedicated to both QR code and barcode generation.
It doesn’t provide various QR code-based solutions expected from most platforms, but it offers users a straightforward method for creating UPC, EAN, and DataMatrix barcodes.
The platform’s QR code and DataMatrix solution is easy to use, only providing a field for a Digital Link. It also offers various coloring options and a width slider for those looking to customize their barcodes.
Barcodes Pro offers a Smart pricing plan where the individual cost of each barcode decreases the more of them are bought. In addition to this unique pricing plan, they provide five other barcode packages:
Starter (10 unique barcodes for US$9.99 each)
Pro (100 unique barcodes for US$3.99 each)
Shop (250 unique barcodes for US$2.99 each)
Store (500 unique barcodes for US$2.49 each)
Factory (1000 unique barcodes for US$1.99 each)
With all the build-up to Sunrise 2027, it’s important to recognize what makes QR codes the superior option when it comes to product packaging and logistics.
One of the reasons why the QR code was invented was to address the limited storage of the typical barcode.
Linear (1D) barcodes can only store up to 30 characters each, which means that multiple barcodes had to be used to store essential product information. QR codes, on the other hand, can store up to 7,089 numeric characters or 4,269 alphanumeric characters.
This massive improvement allowed a single square to hold all the information one would need on a product. This resulted in a faster manufacturing process, which spread to other industries integral to the global supply chain.
GS1 codes store information in a globally recognized format. This feature has three main benefits:
It removes the need for manual data entry, reducing the time spent on inventory management.
It helps prevent human errors in data collection and transfer.
It ensures that everyone understands the information stored in the QR code, no matter their language or country of origin.
All of these result in an optimized tracking and management of inventory at any point in the supply chain.
The processing and timely delivery of orders are important, especially when it comes to perishable goods.
This is where a QR code comes in handy. A quick scan of a QR code gives warehouse staff everything they need to locate and pick up any item.
With GS1 standards, the information comes in a format that everyone can easily understand, leading to error-free processing and reduced shipping times.
With GS1 standards, information on your product is easier to access, understand, and authenticate. This means that products with GS1 codes can hold proof that they are legitimate products, something that will protect consumers from counterfeit goods.
What’s more, product information can also include expiration dates or recall information. This added layer of safety also benefits consumers, preventing them from being harmed by bad goods.
Lastly, switching to GS1 standards for your products makes your business more dynamic. While barcodes will remain usable, integrating GS1-compliant QR codes into products brings a long-term advantage.
QR codes will become the standard in packaging and the supply chain. With them as the norm, retailers and consumers won’t have to deal with accommodating different barcode types on store items.
Adapting to this shift also ensures your products, and thus your business, stay competitive in a rapidly changing world.
Each of the generators mentioned in this article offers quality QR code solutions that complies with the standards.
However, when it comes to the best, you need a platform that can fill any role, whether it is GS1-related or not. A reliable generator should offer more QR code solutions, comprehensive customization suite, and host dynamic features that can take your brand to the next level.
Taking all of that into consideration, QR TIGER fits all of the given criteria, making it the best generator to use when creating a GS1 QR code.
