QR codes that never expire
No subscription. No account. No dead codes.
Most “dynamic” QR code services let you change where a code goes, but only while you keep paying. Stop, and your printed codes can stop working. PermaPath codes keep working, free, for as long as the internet does.
PermaPath vs. subscription QR code generators
| PermaPath | Typical subscription service | |
|---|---|---|
| What it costs | Free. No subscription. | Usually a monthly or yearly subscription. |
| If you stop paying | Nothing to stop: codes keep working. | Often deactivated, or sent to the provider’s own page. |
| If the company shuts down | Codes keep working: they point to a permanent page on Arweave, not to us. | Codes usually stop working. |
| Account | None. Your key, saved in your password manager. | Email and password, sometimes a card. |
| Change where a code goes | Yes, any time. | Yes. |
| How fast changes go live | Usually seconds, occasionally up to 20 minutes. | Usually instant. |
| Password protection | Yes, built in and free. | Sometimes, often on paid plans. |
| Simple pages, no website needed | Yes: text and a photo. | Varies. |
| QR code design | Labels, frames, colors, rounded style, built-in icons or your own logo. Free. | Yes, often on paid plans only. |
| Scan analytics | A simple scan count per link. | Yes, usually detailed: locations, devices, campaigns. |
Questions
Do PermaPath QR codes expire?
No. Each code points to a permanent page on Arweave, a network designed to store data indefinitely. There’s no subscription to lapse and no account to close.
Is PermaPath really free?
Yes. Links are small records stored on Arweave, and uploads that small are free, so there’s nothing to charge for.
What happens if PermaPath shuts down?
Printed codes keep working, because they point to Arweave, not to permapath.link. The app itself is stored on Arweave too, so you can still change your links.
Can I change where a QR code goes after printing it?
Yes. Sign in with your key and point the link somewhere new. The printed code stays exactly the same.
Can I password protect a link?
Yes. Turn on Password protect and people need the password to see where the link goes or what the page says.
Do I need an account?
No. You create a key, a long password, and save it in your password manager, then print its recovery phrase as a backup. Nobody can recover it for you.
Is PermaPath open source?
Yes, under the MIT license. The code is on GitHub, so anyone can check how links, keys and password protection work, or run their own copy.
When is a subscription service the better choice?
If you need detailed scan analytics, or changes that are guaranteed to be instant, a subscription service does those well. PermaPath is for codes that must keep working for years.