QRWorks vs Beaconstac: Best Alternative for QR Codes with Analytics
Looking for a Beaconstac alternative? You're not alone. While Beaconstac (now rebranded to Uniqode) is a solid enterprise solution, its pricing and feature set don't fit every use case.
In this post, we compare QRWorks and Beaconstac head-to-head to help you decide which QR code platform is right for you.
Quick comparison
| Feature | QRWorks | Beaconstac |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $5/month |
| Dynamic QR codes | 5-100 by tier | Varies by plan |
| Scan analytics | All paid plans | All plans |
| API access | Business plan ($99/mo) | Business plan ($349/mo) |
| Best for | Small-medium businesses | Enterprise teams |
Pricing breakdown
QRWorks pricing
QRWorks uses straightforward subscription tiers:
- Free: $0/month - 1 static QR code
- Starter: $15/month - 5 dynamic codes, unlimited scans
- Pro: $49/month - 25 dynamic codes, unlimited scans
- Business: $99/month - 100 dynamic codes, API access
Every paid plan includes full analytics, custom colors, and unlimited static codes.
Beaconstac pricing
Beaconstac (Uniqode) targets enterprise customers:
- Lite: $5/month - 1 dynamic code, basic analytics
- Starter: $15/month - 10 dynamic codes
- Pro: $49/month - 50 dynamic codes
- Business: $99/month - 250 dynamic codes
- Enterprise: Custom pricing - API access, SSO, dedicated support
API access requires the Enterprise plan, which means custom pricing negotiations.
Feature comparison
Analytics depth
Both platforms track the essentials: scan count, device type, location, and time.
| Analytics Feature | QRWorks | Beaconstac |
|---|---|---|
| Total scans | Yes | Yes |
| Device breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Geographic data | City/country | City/country |
| Time-based charts | Yes | Yes |
| Unique vs repeat | Yes | Yes |
| A/B testing | Coming soon | Yes (Pro+) |
Beaconstac has A/B testing on higher plans. QRWorks focuses on core analytics that most teams actually use.
Customization
| Customization | QRWorks | Beaconstac |
|---|---|---|
| Custom colors | Yes | Yes |
| Logo embedding | Coming soon | Yes |
| Custom frames | No | Yes |
| Templates | No | Yes |
Beaconstac offers more design options. QRWorks keeps things simple with color customization and clean codes.
Developer features
| Developer Feature | QRWorks | Beaconstac |
|---|---|---|
| REST API | Yes (Business) | Yes (Enterprise) |
| API rate limit | 1000 req/min | 100 req/min |
| Response time | Under 100ms | ~200ms |
| Documentation | Comprehensive | Good |
| Webhooks | Coming soon | Yes |
QRWorks API access costs $99/month. Beaconstac requires Enterprise pricing (typically $349+/month) for API access.
When to choose QRWorks
Choose QRWorks if you:
- Want predictable monthly pricing without surprises
- Need solid analytics without enterprise complexity
- Want API access without enterprise pricing
- Have a small to medium team
- Prefer simple, focused features over a complex dashboard
When to choose Beaconstac
Choose Beaconstac if you:
- Need advanced features like A/B testing now
- Want extensive design customization with templates
- Have enterprise budget and procurement processes
- Need SOC-2 compliance certification
- Want webhooks for real-time integrations
The honest trade-offs
QRWorks advantages:
- Lower API access cost ($99/mo vs $349+/mo)
- Faster API response times
- Simpler interface, faster onboarding
- No hidden enterprise pricing
Beaconstac advantages:
- More design customization options
- A/B testing built in
- SOC-2 certified
- Larger team collaboration features
Making the decision
If you're a small to medium business that needs QR codes with analytics and possibly API access, QRWorks offers better value. You get what you need without paying for enterprise features you won't use.
If you're an enterprise team with budget for premium tools and need advanced features like A/B testing, SSO, or extensive design templates, Beaconstac is worth the higher price.
Both platforms generate working QR codes with scan tracking. The difference is in complexity, pricing, and which features matter most to your team.
Ready to try a simpler approach to QR codes? Create your free QRWorks account and see analytics on your first scan.