Most free plans exist to frustrate you into upgrading. Qero’s doesn’t. Here’s exactly what you get — and what you can actually build with it — before spending a single cent.
First: what is Qero?
Qero.cc is a QR-first URL shortener. That means every short link you create comes with a downloadable QR code automatically — no extra steps, no separate tool. The core idea is simple but powerful: You generate short link and you get qr code right away, no hassle.
That’s a big deal for anyone doing physical marketing. Print a poster, stick a QR on product packaging, put it on a flyer — and if you have any of the paid plans, never worry about reprinting if your destination URL changes. The QR stays the same. The destination doesn’t have to.
What’s included in the Free plan
🔗
Unlimited short links
Create unlimited short links on your account. Each gets its own unique short URL on qero.cc.
⬛
QR code on every link
Every link automatically gets a downloadable QR code. SVG and PNG, ready to drop into any design.
✏️
Custom slugs
Choose your own slug: qero.cc/your-brand instead of a random string.
📝
Link notes
Add a private note to any link so you remember what it’s for six months from now.
All of that — completely free. No credit card. No trial countdown. No “free for 14 days” small print.
What you can actually build with free starter plan
Free might sound modest, but think about what that actually covers:
- A freelancer with links to their portfolio, contact form, Calendly, LinkedIn, and a few project case studies.
- A content creator with short, clean links to their latest video, newsletter signup, merch store, and social profiles.
The point is: 25 links is enough to run a real, functional setup for most small businesses or personal projects.
The one thing that makes Qero different — even on Free
Most URL shorteners let you create links. Qero lets you manage them. And the biggest part of that is something surprisingly rare: the QR code always encodes your Qero short link, not the final destination.
Why does that matter? Because it means you can update where a link goes — without touching the QR code you already printed.
Imagine you print 500 flyers with a QR code pointing to your event registration page. The event is over. With most tools, those QR codes are now dead or stuck. With Qero, you update the destination in your dashboard and the same QR code now points to your next event, your homepage, or anything else you choose.
That feature is available on every plan, including Free.
Free plan highlight
Every Qero link — including free ones — encodes the Qero short URL in its QR code, not your destination. That means you can update where a link goes at any time, and the printed QR code keeps working. No reprints. No waste.
What’s not included on Free
Being honest matters. Here’s what Free doesn’t include, and why you might eventually want it:
| Feature | Free | Paid plans |
|---|---|---|
| Click analytics | Not included | ✓ Scans, clicks, devices, countries |
| Link expiry dates | Not included | ✓ Auto-expire links on a set date |
| Smart routing | Not included | ✓ Route by device, country, time, language |
| Password protection | Not included | ✓ Gate links behind a password |
| Custom domains | Not included | ✓ Use your own domain for links |
| Link limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
If you’re just starting out, the Free plan is a genuinely useful tool — not a hobbled demo. When you grow to the point where you want to see who’s scanning, route different devices to different pages, or run everything through your own domain, that’s when upgrading makes sense.
How to get started
Signing up takes about 30 seconds. No credit card required. Here’s the full process:
- Go to qero.cc/register.php
- Enter your email and a password
- Verify your email (one click)
- Create your first short link
- Download the QR code and use it anywhere
That’s it. Your link and its QR code are live immediately.
Start free — no card needed
Unlimited links, a QR code for every one, and custom slugs. Free forever. Upgrade only when you need more. Create your free account →
No credit card · No trial period · No catch
Frequently asked questions
Does the Free plan expire?
No. It’s free forever. There’s no 14-day trial or hidden countdown.
Can I upgrade later without losing my links?
Yes. All your links carry over when you upgrade. Nothing is deleted or reset.
Can I change where a link points?
On the Free plan, links are fixed after creation — you can’t update the destination URL. That feature unlocks on paid plans. The QR code itself is permanent and always works, though.
Are the QR codes actually free to download?
Yes. Every link gets a QR code in both SVG and PNG format, free to download and use anywhere — print, digital, packaging, whatever you need.
Is there a Qero app?
Qero is web-based and works on any device through your browser. No app download required.
Ready to try it? Create your free Qero account and have your first short link and QR code live in under two minutes. No card, no commitment, no expiry.