QRTool vs. TEC-IT

Swiss SaaS for dynamic QR code campaigns versus the Austrian software vendor for barcode and QR code tools

Summary: QRTool and TEC-IT serve different application categories. QRTool is a SaaS platform from Gossau (Switzerland) for dynamic QR codes with tracking, aimed at marketing campaigns. TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH from Steyr (Austria) has been an established software vendor since 1996, with a licensing model (Barcode Studio, TBarCode SDK) and online tools for generating static barcodes and QR codes — primarily for industry, warehousing, labeling, and developer integration. If you need dynamic QR codes for advertising and marketing, QRTool is the right fit; if you need static barcodes for product labels or bulk generation in software development, TEC-IT is the better choice.

At a glance

FeatureQRToolTEC-IT
Provider / HeadquartersKernbrand AG, Gossau SG (Switzerland)TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH, Steyr (Austria)
Founded20231996
Product modelSaaS (monthly subscription)Software license (desktop, SDK, server)
Primary use caseMarketing, advertising, SME communicationIndustry, labeling, developer integration
Dynamic QR codesCore productNot the focus — primarily static
Tracking / AnalyticsIncluded in all tiersNot offered
Online generatorFull web dashboardFree online tools (static)
Bulk generationManual via web UIStrength — scriptable via software/SDK
SDK / Developer APIOn requestTBarCode SDK for many platforms
Hosting / Data locationSwitzerland (SaaS)Software runs on customer's premises
Data protectionnDSGGDPR; no cloud transfer for local use
Free entryFree Forever — 3 dynamic QR codesFree static online generators
Entry tierCHF 12.90 / month (50 dynamic QR codes)One-time license (Barcode Studio: one-time purchase)
Supported code typesQR code (dynamic + static)100+ barcode symbologies (Code 128, EAN, PDF417, DataMatrix, QR …)
UI languagesGerman, EnglishGerman, English
As of: May 2026. Current TEC-IT pricing at tec-it.com. QRTool pricing in the pricing section.

Which tool fits when?

QRTool is the better choice if …

  • you run QR code marketing (flyers, posters, packaging with target URL)
  • the target URL needs to remain editable after printing
  • scan tracking for performance measurement matters
  • you prefer a monthly cancellable cloud solution
  • data must be hosted in Switzerland (nDSG)
  • you don't want to install software and do everything in the browser

TEC-IT is the better choice if …

  • you generate static barcodes or QR codes in large quantities (product labels, shipping labels)
  • you need bulk generation via script or database integration
  • you want to embed an SDK in your own software
  • you need industrial barcode symbologies (EAN, DataMatrix, PDF417, Code 128, GS1) — not just QR codes
  • you prefer a one-time license over a subscription model
  • you want to work on-premise without cloud connection

Business model and product philosophy

QRTool is a pure SaaS platform: users log into a browser dashboard, create QR codes, and scans are analyzed in real time. Billing is monthly, no software download required. The platform is optimized for one core problem: dynamic QR codes with tracking for marketing applications.

TEC-IT is a classical software vendor with over 25 years of history and a broad product portfolio around barcodes. The flagship Barcode Studio is a desktop application for generating barcodes in 100+ symbologies. There's also the TBarCode SDK for integration into custom applications and free online generators as a marketing tool.

Static vs. dynamic

TEC-IT primarily generates static QR codes: the target is encoded into the code and cannot be changed after generation. A typical TEC-IT use case: thousands of product labels, each with a unique serial number, generated via software script from a database.

QRTool, by contrast, focuses on dynamic QR codes: each code has a short redirect URL that can be retargeted in the backend at any time. This is the prerequisite for QR code marketing — but offers no advantage in an industrial labeling environment.

Code types and symbologies

QRTool focuses on QR codes as its single symbology — that's by design. Those who need classical 1D barcodes (EAN, UPC, Code 128) or 2D codes of other standards (DataMatrix, PDF417, Aztec, GS1) will find a much broader selection at TEC-IT.

Licensing model and pricing

QRTool: Monthly SaaS subscription, cancellable, Free Forever plan for 3 dynamic QR codes.

TEC-IT: One-time software license with optional maintenance contract. Barcode Studio comes in several editions (Enterprise, Premium etc.) with tiered license prices. Online tools are free but not suited for commercial bulk use.

Verdict

QRTool and TEC-IT only marginally compete with each other — they serve different problems. QRTool is the solution for dynamic QR code marketing with Swiss data protection and simple usability. TEC-IT is the choice for industrial barcode generation, labeling processes, and developer integration.

Those who need both can use both: TEC-IT for static product labels, QRTool for marketing QR codes on packaging, flyers, and posters.

Dynamic QR codes with tracking

Start for free — 3 QR codes on the Free Forever plan, no credit card.

Start for free