But there still needs to be a directory where the data is stored. That's what was charging me
Discussion
What data? The URL is encoded into the QR code.
Like a barcode, the numbers don't need storing externally. The bars *are* the numbers. The QR code image *is* the URL. When you scan the code, your phone decodes the image into the link and then takes you directly there, no third party needed.
What that service might have been doing is linking the QR code to their server, which then looked up your link and forwarded them to it (after collecting the visitor's statistics and cookies). The only real advantage that would provide is allowing you to update the target link after the fact.
OK, so that just applies to dymanic QR codes? How can these companies charge for static QR codes if people could just do it themselves?
I think this thread answers that question 🙂. I reckon it just sounds scary to make your own QR code, especially if you don't particularly understand the process, so folks just search for someone to do it for them. This is how all those QR codes you see at restaurants and on signs work, it only needs to be generated once and then the image can be put anywhere on the internet or in meatspace (though they probably often use some kind of dynamic link for stats, too).
Hope this helps!