You are organizing an event and someone says: "Just put a QR code on the invitation." Sounds simple, right? But then you start searching and suddenly you see all kinds of paid services, subscriptions, and options that you can't make head or tail of. Do you really have to buy a QR code, or can it be done for free?
Don't worry, you are certainly not the only one who can't see the wood for the trees here. In this tutorial, we explain step by step what a QR code actually is, when it is smart to pay, and when a free version is more than enough for your event. We also look at the practical differences so that you can make a choice that suits your situation and budget.
After reading this, you will know exactly what you need, where to find it, and how to avoid spending money unnecessarily. Ready to figure it out? Let's get started.
What exactly is a QR code ticket?
A QR code ticket is actually very simple: it is a digital or physical admission ticket with a unique black-and-white checkered code on it. You scan that code at the entrance to an event, and the system immediately knows whether or not you are allowed in. You are probably already familiar with them from supermarket packaging or restaurant menus, but with ticketing, it works just a little differently.
The clever part lies in its uniqueness. Every QR code is unique per visitor and per ticket. This means that two people can never have the same code. Are you forwarding your ticket to a friend? Then the code works only once: the first person to scan gets in, while the second person sees a red screen. This way, the system automatically blocks fraud and double entry, without you having to do anything yourself.
When scanning at the door, the system checks three things in a fraction of a second: does this ticket exist, is it valid for this event, and has it been scanned before? This happens lightning fast, without paper lists or manual signing. You can read more about how this validation process works at Flextickets in their explanation on scanning QR codes .
As soon as someone purchases a ticket via a ticket platform, the QR code is automatically generated and sent by email. As an organizer, you do not need to do anything for this. The visitor receives the e-ticket within a few minutes and can show it on their phone or simply print it out. The system accepts both variants, which is convenient for visitors who prefer not to use their phone. Read more about QR code tickets for events at aanmelder.nl for a good overview of how this works in practice.
Standalone QR generator or ticket platform: what is the difference?
When you first start thinking about ticket sales for your event, you quickly come across two options: a free QR code generator or a full ticketing platform. At first glance, they seem the same, but there is a big difference between the two.
A standalone QR code generator creates a static code. This means: one code for everyone, without any link to a payment, name, or access control. That code can be copied, forwarded, or reused without limitation. Imagine you create a code for your workshop and one participant simply forwards it to five friends. You have no way to detect or block that. As QR-Code Tickets Explained: How They Work and Why They Beat PDFs puts it: there is nothing stopping someone from forwarding the same ticket to ten friends.
An integrated ticket platform works fundamentally differently. For each ticket sold, a unique, encrypted code is automatically generated that is linked to that visitor's specific purchase. If the code is scanned at the entrance, the system immediately marks the ticket as "used". A second scan of the same code is immediately rejected. This is fraud protection that a separate generator simply does not offer. You can read more about this in this overview of QR code ticketing systems .
Moreover, with a standalone generator, you have to combine all the separate components yourself: arrange a separate payment link, manually keep track of who has paid, and check who enters at the door. That takes a lot of time and significantly increases the risk of errors, especially as your event grows.
A ticketing platform like Kaartjie combines the entire flow into a single whole: visitors purchase directly via iDEAL | Wero on your sales page, automatically receive their e-ticket with a unique QR code, and you scan those codes at the entrance using the built-in scanning function. No separate tools, no manual work, no risk of double entry.
A free QR generator seems tempting for a small event, but in practice, it is much more cumbersome and risky than it appears.
Here's how to set up QR tickets as a small organizer
Fortunately, you don't have to be a tech expert at all to pull this off. With Kaartjie , you go through the entire process in five clear steps, and before you know it, your event is online with professional QR tickets.
Step 1: Create a free account
Go to Kaartjie and create a free account. No subscription is required, there are no startup costs, and you really don't need any technical knowledge. The registration process takes just a few minutes. Think of a church congregation selling tickets for a Christmas concert for the first time: they too can get started in no time without the help of an IT specialist.
Step 2: Set up your event page
After creating your account, you create an event page. You enter the name of your event, the date, the location, and a short description. This page immediately becomes your public sales page. Share it via WhatsApp, Instagram, email, or any other channel. Visitors see all the information directly and can buy a ticket without any delays.
Step 3: Set ticket types and prices
Now you decide what you want to sell. Are you organizing a free workshop? Then, as the organizer, you pay €0.35 per ticket sold. Are you charging admission for a paid event? Then the rate is €0.80 per ticket, and that already includes the iDEAL transaction fees. So, there are no surprises afterwards. You can set up multiple ticket types, such as an early bird discount or a separate category for children.
Step 4: Automatic QR tickets via email
As soon as someone pays via iDEAL | Wero, the system automatically sends an e-ticket with a unique QR code to the buyer. You don't have to do anything at all. No manual emails, no keeping track of lists. Every QR code is unique and can only be scanned once, which immediately prevents fraud. This is exactly how modern ticketing works: fast, reliable, and fully automated.
Step 5: Scan at the entrance with your phone
On the day itself, you scan the QR codes at the entrance using the scan function of Kaartjie on your smartphone. The app displays a green screen for a valid ticket and a red screen if the ticket has already been used or is incorrect. You do not need any extra equipment, a scanner, or a laptop. Just your phone, that is all. A scan takes less than one second, allowing lines to move quickly. This way, you maintain an overview and your visitors can immediately enjoy the event.
Access control without expensive scanning equipment
Many small organizers shy away from the thought of access control, because they think that expensive scanning equipment needs to be rented for it. That is a persistent misconception. In most cases, a standard smartphone with a working internet connection is more than enough to scan tickets professionally at the entrance.
For large festivals and professional events, specialized solutions do indeed exist, such as mobile hardware scanners and NFC payment terminals. Take a look at Adivo's access control solutions, for example, to see what that looks like. But if you are organizing a church service for a hundred people, a workshop for fifty participants, or a neighborhood party, all that extra hardware is simply superfluous and unnecessarily expensive.
With Kaartjie 's scan function, you check tickets directly via your phone, in real time. Each e-ticket has a unique QR code that can only be scanned once. The system registers every scan immediately in the central database. If someone attempts to enter with a copied or shared ticket, the scanner detects that the ticket has already been used and that person is automatically refused entry. This makes fraud practically impossible.
Another major advantage: multiple team members can scan simultaneously, each via their own phone. This is handy if you have two entrances or simply need some extra hands during a busier moment. Professional platforms record peak speeds of 164 scans per hour at demo events, and a standard smartphone handles this without any problems.
Preferably, always use the official scanning app of your ticket platform. The British National Cyber Security Centre also advises against using random QR scanner apps due to security risks. With Kaartjie you have that sorted out right from the start.
How unique QR codes prevent ticket fraud
Imagine this: you sell ten tickets for a private workshop, but fifteen people show up. How is that possible? Someone simply forwarded the ticket or shared a screenshot. With a unique QR code, that is a thing of the past.
How the security works technically
A professional QR code ticket contains no readable information such as a name or date, but an encrypted reference string linked to exactly one purchase in the database. As soon as the scanner reads that code, the system checks three things within a fraction of a second: does this ticket exist, is it valid for this event, and has it been scanned before? If the first scan is successful, the ticket is immediately marked as "used". If someone tries to scan the same code again, the door attendant immediately sees a red warning. That simple, that foolproof.
Static codes offer no protection whatsoever
Free QR code generators create so-called static codes. These codes contain no link to a database, so there is no way to keep track of whether the code has already been scanned. This makes them fundamentally unsafe for ticketing : anyone who takes a screenshot or forwards the image essentially has a valid "ticket". For a volunteer at the door, there is simply no way to check whether that same code has already been shown ten times.
The one-time scan principle also stops fake tickets at second-hand markets.
This principle also has a direct effect on fraud via Marktplaats or other platforms. Suppose someone resells a ticket that they have already scanned at the entrance; the buyer arrives with a copy, but the system immediately rejects the scan. No discussion, no confusion, just a clear no. This makes buying tickets from unknown parties significantly riskier for the fraudster themselves.
Also the best choice for small events
Do you think this is only relevant for large concerts? Then you are mistaken. Access control is sometimes crucial, especially for small church services, private workshops, or neighborhood gatherings. With an integrated ticketing system like Kaartjie , you don't need to purchase expensive equipment or have technical knowledge; a standard smartphone suffices. You know exactly who is entering, and unwanted visitors with a copied code are simply denied access.
Practical examples: church, workshop, and neighborhood party
To make it all a bit more concrete, we look at three recognizable situations where Kaartjie offers exactly the right solution.
The church that organizes a Christmas concert
Imagine: the treasurer of a church community wants to organize a Christmas concert with limited seating. In the past, that meant maintaining a spreadsheet, collecting cash after the service, and hoping no one forgets to pay. With Kaartjie that is a thing of the past. In about ten minutes, he has created his own sales page, including the name of the event, the date, and the number of available spots. He simply shares the link via the church app and the congregation's WhatsApp groups. Visitors purchase their tickets via iDEAL | Wero, without creating an account, and automatically receive a QR ticket by email. On the evening itself, the treasurer scans the codes at the door with his phone. No printer, no list, no hassle.
The yoga teacher with a paid workshop
A yoga teacher offers a workshop for a maximum of 15 participants and wants to keep it simple. She has no desire for separate payment links, manual confirmations, or an Excel file that she constantly has to update. Kaartjie handles this automatically: as soon as someone pays via iDEAL | Wero, the participant immediately receives a confirmation with a QR ticket. The teacher sees in her dashboard how many spots are still available and doesn't have to do anything else. This allows her to focus on her workshop instead of administration.
The neighborhood association with a neighborhood party
A neighborhood association is organizing a free evening and still wants to know how many people are attending. With a fixed rate of €0.35 per ticket, costs remain low, even if you sell a hundred tickets. Volunteers scan at the entrance using their own phones, without any prior training. The system automatically blocks duplicate tickets, ensuring that one screenshot does not let two people in.
What these three situations have in common
Whether it concerns a church, an independent teacher, or a neighborhood association: in all these cases, the organizer has no technical background, does not want to pay monthly fixed costs, and needs something that works immediately. Large platforms often use an on-demand pricing model or charge a percentage per ticket sold, which quickly adds up for small events. Kaartjie uses a fixed, transparent rate without a subscription, making it ideal for organizations that occasionally host an event and simply want to know where they stand.
Why QR tickets are the new standard
We are living in 2026, and frankly, the question is no longer whether you should use QR tickets, but when to start. The rise of 5G and the fact that virtually everyone carries a smartphone these days make QR codes the obvious choice for event entry. Maintaining paper lists and manually signing names feels increasingly like working with a fax in a world full of email. It is not only cumbersome, it is simply no longer necessary.
Moreover, adoption is much broader than you might think. More than 101,000 events in the Netherlands and Belgium have already been supported by QR ticketing, and this is no longer just about large pop concerts or festivals. Neighborhood parties, workshops, church services, and small-scale theater performances are making the switch to digital tickets en masse.
What many people also don't know is that a QR code on a ticket can do much more than just open the door. After scanning, you can direct visitors to your event's program information, your social media page, or even a discount code for the next event. It is therefore also a handy marketing tool.
At the same time, you see that all-in-one ticket platforms are displacing standalone tools. Instead of a separate QR generator, a separate payment system, and a separate attendee list, you now have platforms where everything comes together in one overview. For small organizers like you, the barrier to entry in 2026 will be lower than ever. With Kaartjie , you don't need technical knowledge, a subscription, or expensive hardware. You simply pay per ticket sold, and that's it.
Conclusion: what you really need if you want to buy a QR code
If you have read this article up to this point, you now know the most important thing: a standalone QR code generator is simply not enough for most organizers. You get a code, but no fraud protection, no payment processing, and no way to detect duplicates at the door. Those are exactly the three things you need if you want to organize an event professionally, even if it is just a small workshop or Christmas concert.
The smart choice is an integrated ticketing platform that links unique, one-time scannable QR codes to a complete system. One platform for sales, payment, and access control, without separate components you have to assemble yourself.
With Kaartjie , you set up that complete system without a subscription or startup costs. You create an event page, set up your tickets, and sell directly via iDEAL | Wero. Visitors automatically receive their e-ticket with a unique QR code. And the scanner? It's already in your pocket. Your smartphone does all the work at the entrance.
Start today at kaartjie.nl and have your QR tickets ready within ten minutes. No technical knowledge required.
Conclusion
A QR code for your event really doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. The key lessons from this article:
A free QR code is more than sufficient for most events.
Paid options are only worthwhile if you need statistics, customizability, or dynamic links.
The choice depends entirely on your budget, target audience, and the type of event.
With the right tool, you will have a working QR code ready within a few minutes.
Now you know exactly what to look out for and can make an informed choice without spending unnecessary money. Get started today: choose a free generator, test your QR code on multiple devices, and put it on your invitation. Your event deserves a flawless start, and that begins with the right preparation.