A static QR code is a direct encoding of the target URL, vCard, or Wi-Fi string. Scanning decodes exactly what was printed. The upside: works offline, never depends on a third-party service, costs nothing, lasts forever. The downside: the destination is fixed at print time. Reprint or nothing.
A dynamic QR encodes a short link on our domain (e.g. qrforge.meta-mind-lab.com/q/abc123). When someone scans, our redirector looks up the current target URL and sends them there. You can change that target anytime from the dashboard — the printed code stays the same but the behavior changes. You also get per-scan analytics: device, browser, country, timestamp.
Use static for personal one-off codes, Wi-Fi cards, vCards, and anything archival. Use dynamic for anything printed at scale, any campaign that might shift, and anything you want to measure. Our full decision framework is in the 'Static vs dynamic QR codes' guide.