Direct vs hosted vs tracked QR codes

Direct / native codes encode the value itself — a URL, WiFi credentials, a vCard, a WhatsApp link. They work offline and never expire, but there's nothing to edit or track after you print them.

Hosted codes (PDF, list of links, business page, gallery, coupon and more) point at a page we host at theqrgate.com/q/… . You can edit the destination anytime without reprinting, and you get scan analytics.

Tracked codes wrap a direct URL in a short redirect at theqrgate.com/r/… so scans are counted before forwarding on. Turn tracking on for any URL-type code in Step 2.

Scan analytics are privacy-safe: coarse device/location only, no raw IP, and your own visits are excluded.