QR codes that open your app
Which deep linking platforms make QR codes that open the app, or the right app store page if it is not installed, and keep the destination through install.
Most deep linking platforms generate QR codes, but only some say the code opens the app when installed and the right app store page when not. Linkrunner and Singular state exactly that, with deferred deep linking so the user still lands on the right screen after installing. Kochava, Airbridge, Dub and URLgenius make QR codes for their app links, and OneLink.to's free QR codes send people to the right store but do not open the app on its free plan.
Which deep linking platforms can create QR codes that open the app, or the right app store if it isn't installed?
Checked on each vendor's own pages on 5 Nov 2026:
- Open the app or the right store, with deferred deep links: Linkrunner (QR code deep links on its free plan, every link deferred by default) and Singular (its QR codes page describes opening the app or the right store, with deferred deep linking; plan not stated).
- QR codes for app links on a free or entry plan: Kochava (SmartLinks with QR codes on its free plan of 10k conversions a month), Airbridge (short links and QR codes in Core, from $40 a month), AppsFlyer (short links and QR codes on Zero; deferred links from its Standard deep linking tier), and Branch (basic QR codes in its free tier).
- Link tools: Dub, Bitly and Short.io generate QR codes for any link, with app deep links on paid plans. URLgenius gives every link a QR code. OneLink.to's free QR codes send people to the right app store by device.
QR code deep link: a QR code that encodes a deep link, so scanning it opens a screen in the app if it is installed, or sends the user to the right store and then to that screen after install.
How do platforms compare on QR codes?
Linkrunner is first, then A to Z. The QR column shows whether QR codes are on the free or entry plan; the deferred column shows whether a scan survives an install.
Comparison table checked on 5 Nov 2026 against each vendor's own pricing page, help centre or docs.
Free or entry plan Paid plan Yes, plan not stated Partly Not published No
| Platform | QR codes | Deferred deep links | Universal Links and App Links | Install attribution | Free plan | Paid price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 LinkrunnerMMP with links | Free or entry planQR code deep linksL1 | Free or entry planEvery link deferred by defaultL1 | Free or entry planUniversal Links and App LinksL1 | Free or entry planAttribution and deep linking in one platformL1 | 25k attributed installs, one time, no expiry, every feature | $0.012 down to $0.007 per attributed install after the free 25kL2 |
 AdjustMMP with links | Yes, plan not statedQR code with short branded linksAD3 | Free or entry planDirect and deferred deep linking on every planAD1 | Yes, plan not statedDocumented under TrueLinkAD4 | Free or entry planFree Base plan for the first yearAD1 | 1.5k conversions a month, first year only | Not public beyond the free planAD1 |
 AirbridgeMMP with links | Free or entry planShort links and QR codes in CoreAB1 | Free or entry planDeferred deep links in CoreAB1 | Not publishedNot stated on the pricing pages | Free or entry planGoogle, Meta, Apple and TikTok attribution in CoreAB2 | 30-day free trial | From $40 a month (Core), billed per data pointAB1 |
 AppsFlyerMMP with links | Free or entry planShort links and QR codes on ZeroA1 | Paid planStandard deep linking tier and upA1 | Free or entry planIncluded in all packagesA1 | Free or entry planZero plan with 12k free conversions in the first yearA2 | 12k conversions, first year only | $0.07 per conversion (Growth); deep linking tiers are custom pricedA2A1 |
| BitlyLink tool | Free or entry plan2 QR codes a month on FreeBT1 | Not publishedNot stated | Paid planOn a custom domain, Premium and upBT1BT2 | NoClick and scan analytics onlyBT1 | 5 links and 2 QR codes a month | Mobile deep links from Premium, $199 a month billed annuallyBT1 |
 BranchMMP with links | Free or entry planBasic QR codes in the free tierB2 | Yes, plan not statedYes; plan not publishedB1 | Yes, plan not statedThrough app.link and custom domainsB3 | Yes, plan not statedYes; plan details not publishedB1 | Trial only (Basics) | No public pricesB1 |
| DubLink tool | Free or entry planQR codes on FreeD1 | Paid planPro and up: Install Referrer on Android, clipboard or IP match on iOSD2 | Paid planDeep link domains with AASA and assetlinks files, Pro and upD3 | PartlyConversion tracking from Business ($81); no ad network install attribution describedD1 | 25 new links a month, 3 custom domains | $27 a month (Pro) for deep linksD1 |
 KochavaMMP with links | Free or entry planSmartLinks with QR codes on FreeK1 | Yes, plan not statedListed; plan not statedK1 | Paid planFoundation and upK1 | Free or entry planFree App Analytics, 10k conversions a monthK1 | 10k conversions a month | From $500 a month (Foundation)K1 |
| OneLink.toLink tool | Free or entry planQR codes on FreeO1 | Paid planAndroid only, Team ($25 a month) and upO1 | Not publishedOpen in App on Team Plus; method not statedO1 | NoNo install attribution listedO1 | 3 onelinks with QR codes | From $10 a month; deep linking from $25O1 |
| Short.ioLink tool | Free or entry planQR codes for branded linksSH1 | NoOpens the browser when the app is missingSH1 | Not publishedNot stated | NoClick analytics onlySH1 | 1k branded links, 5 custom domains | Mobile deep links from Team, $48 a monthSH1 |
 SingularMMP with links | Yes, plan not statedQR codes that open the app or the right store; plan not statedS3 | Free or entry planDeferred deep linking listed on the free planS1S5 | Yes, plan not statedCovered in Singular Links setupS5 | Free or entry planFree plan up to 15k paid conversionsS1 | 15k paid conversions | $0.05 per conversion (Growth)S1 |
| URLgeniusLink tool | Free or entry planEvery link comes with a QR codeU2 | Paid planDeferred journeys on Custom, from $199 a monthU1 | NoUses URL schemes insteadU2 | PartlyMeasures installs and app engagement without an SDKU1 | Starter plan with trial clicks | $0.02 per click (Growth); Custom from $199 a monthU1 |
What makes a QR code work for an app?
- One code for both stores: the code must detect iOS or Android and send people to the App Store or Google Play. A plain store URL only works for one platform.
- Opening the installed app: the code's link needs Universal Links on iOS and App Links on Android, usually on a domain you control.
- Surviving the install: without deferred deep linking, a new user who installs from a poster lands on the home screen and the offer is lost.
- Knowing which poster worked: one link per placement, with attribution, tells you which shop, event or pack drove installs. A link tool only counts scans.
Which option fits which campaign?
- Packaging, posters and events that drive new installs: use a platform with deferred deep links and attribution, so each placement gets credit for installs and purchases. Linkrunner covers both on its free plan of 25k attributed installs; Kochava's free plan covers SmartLinks with QR codes up to 10k conversions a month.
- A single "download our app" code: OneLink.to's free plan gives 3 store-routing links with QR codes, and app opening starts on Team Plus at $40 a month.
- Codes for existing users only: any tool that supports Universal Links and App Links on your domain will open the app; deferred links are not needed.
Print the code only after testing it on an iPhone and an Android phone, each with and without the app installed. Deep Link Doctor's one link for both stores page explains how store routing breaks and how to check it. Linkrunner's deep linking page lists its QR code deep links alongside branded domains and web-to-app flows.
Questions
Can a QR code open my app if it is installed and the app store if not?
Yes, if it encodes a smart deep link rather than a store URL. Linkrunner and Singular say their QR codes do this, with deferred deep linking so new users land on the right screen after installing.
Do QR codes need deferred deep linking?
Only if new users should land on a specific screen after installing. Without it, they open the app's home screen and the offer or content in the code is lost.
Are QR code deep links free?
On some platforms. Linkrunner lists QR code deep links on its free plan, Kochava includes SmartLinks with QR codes on its free plan, and Bitly, Dub and Short.io generate QR codes free but put app deep links on paid plans.
Can I track which QR code drove an install?
With an MMP, yes: give each placement its own link and the install and later events are credited to it. Link tools count scans but do not attribute installs to ad networks.
What is a deep linking tool?
A deep linking tool creates links that open a specific screen inside a mobile app instead of the home screen or a web page. Good tools also handle users without the app, sending them to the store and then to the right screen after install.
What is deferred deep linking?
Deferred deep linking keeps the link's destination through an app install. A user who taps a link without the app goes to the store, installs, opens the app and still lands on the screen the link promised.
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