Digital-link Connexum vs QR Tiger/GS1: Next-Gen Barcode Tools
The retail and supply chains are experiencing the biggest barcode transformation since the launch of the UPC in 1974. GS1’s Digital Link standard is at the center of this change, transforming product identifiers like GTINs into web-enabled gateways. They connect products to trusted digital information.
By 2027, industries worldwide will rely on 2D barcodes at checkout. This means every product will carry a single code that works for both retail scanning and consumer engagement. The challenge for businesses is not only to comply with GS1 standards but also to manage QR code generation, customization, and analytics at scale.
That’s where platforms like Digital-link Connexum and QR Tiger/GS1 come in. Both of them enable businesses to implement GS1 Digital Link, but they differ in approach, flexibility, and ecosystem integration.
This blog will compare Digital-link Connexum vs QR Tiger/GS1 to help you determine which solution best aligns with your compliance needs and customer experience goals.
Table of Contents
Digital-link Connexum Overview
Digital-Link Connexum is a GS1-compliant platform designed to help businesses generate, manage, and optimize product QR codes. It specializes in creating QR codes powered by GS1 that connect product identifiers with web links, helping brands meet labeling standards and make packaging interactive.
Apart from simple code generation, the platform offers advanced features such as a built-in resolver, product page builder, and analytics tools.
Here are its key features:
Dynamic QR Code Generation
Its dynamic QR code generator lets businesses update linked content without reprinting, making it cost-effective and future-proof.
Unlimited Child QR Codes
All plans, including the free plan, include this feature.
One GTIN can create unlimited child or related QR codes. These QR codes use the same GTIN but include extra details like batch numbers or serial numbers.
These codes do not count toward your total QR code limit.
There is one limit. The system supports up to eight data types. Most GS1 Data attributes are not supported.
Landing/Product Page Builder
Its intuitive landing page builder requires no programming. Brands can create product pages that bring together EU Product Digital Passports, purchase information, sustainability data, and promotional content in one place.
These pages can be updated anytime to make packaging interactive and adaptable to evolving consumer needs.
Digital Link Analytics
The analytics features show how GS1 digital links are used. Scan your generated QR code to check scans, locations, and OS (operating system) and short‑URL clicks with unique/return visits. These insights help businesses enhance their marketing strategies, optimize supply chains, and boost customer engagement.
Note that it needs an upgrade plan to access, but you can still see the dashboard for free.
EAN Barcode Download
You can choose to download only QR code or both QR and EAN barcode. However, the generated EAN barcode may not pass the ISO/IEC verification checks.
QR code customization
You can personalize the page style, color, background, and other visual elements of your generated QR code. This makes sure the codes not only meet regulatory and functional requirements but also enhance brand identity and consumer engagement.
AI-powered assistant
The platform includes Cleo, an AI chatbot similar to those commonly found on modern websites. Shoppers can ask questions (from usage tips to ingredient details) and receive instant, templated answers.
How to create GS1 DL QR codes with Digital-link Connexum?
Step 1: Set Up Your Account
Create an account on this platform by entering your work email, full name, and setting your password.
Step 2: Create Your GS1 QR Code
1. Select ‘Create digital link’ and enter your product ID. Choose QR or Download both: QR and Barcode, based on your needs.
Optional: Tick the ‘Show GTIN below QR’ check box if you want to display the HRI (GTIN in number format) below your QR code.
Optional: Choose a suitable frame. (Note. Without a frame, the HRI is cut off. This is a current issue and has not been fixed yet.)
2. At this point, you can download the generated QR code. Available formats are PNG, PDF, or SVG. You can then save and exit. Download the generated QR code (available choices: PNG, PDF, or SVG). Note that the HRI cuts off in the downloaded version.
3. Or, continue by setting where the QR code links to.
Choose the type of content users will see when they scan the QR code. Available options are no link, redirect to one website, custom landing page, Digital Product Passport, and SmartFacts.
QR Tiger/GS1 Overview
QR Tiger has established itself as a leading platform for dynamic QR code creation. It is trusted by over 850,000 brands worldwide. With strong expertise in QR technology and enterprise solutions, it has become a reliable choice for businesses that require scalable and secure QR code generation and management.
To meet the growing demand for GS1-compliant solutions, QR Tiger introduced QR Tiger/GS1, a specialized platform built specifically for GS1 Digital Link QR code generation. This ensures that companies can easily create codes that align with GS1 requirements while maintaining accuracy and consistency.
Developed in collaboration with GS1 US and GS1 UK, QR Tiger/GS1 fully adheres to GS1 Digital URI standards. Every QR code generated follows the correct data format, structure, and resolver rules. This guarantees smooth functionality across the global GS1 system and prepares businesses for the upcoming GS1 Sunrise 2027 transition.
Here are its key features:
Simplified Code Creation
With QR Tiger, generating GS1 Digital Link QR codes is straightforward and structured. You start by entering your product’s GTIN (Global Trade Item Number). Next, add optional details like batch number, serial number, expiry date, packaging date, country of origin, or links to sustainability certifications.
Once the information is filled in, you choose how the QR code should function. After that, it’s ready to download. The clear step-by-step flow makes it easy to meet your needs, whether you are creating a single code or managing large batches across multiple products.
Versatile Output Choices
The platform gives businesses full control over how their QR codes deliver information. Here are ways to use your QR codes.
- Single URL: Sends users to one chosen link.
- File: Opens a downloadable document or file instantly.
- Link Page: Provides a landing page that neatly organizes several links together.
- Product Page: Displays a full product hub with images, videos, text, FAQs, reviews, and multiple links.
- Smart URL: Automatically adjusts its destination depending on location, language, or scan activity.
- App Store QR: Guides users to the correct app store for their device (iOS, Android, or Harmony).
You can choose an option that best connects with your target users. These options work for single campaigns or large product portfolios. All outputs can be updated whenever needed.
Efficient QR Code Management
QR Tiger makes it easy to keep your QR codes organized. You can group them into folders for quick access and smooth management. The bulk generation feature is useful for businesses handling large product ranges or multiple campaigns in creating many codes at once. This saves time and effort while keeping everything neatly structured.
Track and Analyze Scans
The platform enables you to easily monitor how your QR codes are being used. Each scan is logged to provide you following insights:
- Scan volume: Tracks the total number of times your QR code has been scanned.
- Unique scans: Shows how many different individuals interacted with the code.
- Device type: Identifies whether scans came from a smartphone, tablet, or another device.
- Time Stamp: Records the date and time each scan occurred.
- Location data: Determines where scans happened, using IP or GPS (Global Positioning System) (GPS needs user consent).
These metrics show how people engage with your QR codes and help refine product management and marketing strategies.
Security
The GS1 QR code generator is built with strong safeguards to keep information secure. It uses password protection, encryption, SSL-secured communication, and holds ISO 27001 certification to ensure compliance with global standards.
To ensure data privacy and security, data is anonymized before storage, and the system fully complies with EU and CA privacy standards.
To further strengthen security, the platform includes two-factor authentication (2FA), routine internal audits, and continuous 24/7 monitoring by both human experts and AI systems. These measures guarantee that customer data remains safe and protected across the globe.
Domain (URL) White/Brand Labeling
The feature allows businesses to replace default QR code links with their own branded domains. This ensures scans lead to a trusted, brand-controlled web address, strengthening identity and compliance while allowing product information to be updated dynamically without reprinting codes.
QR code customization
You can change the appearance of QR code by adjusting colors or patterns as per the needs. The design changes are tested to pass the ISO/IEC verification checks.
How to create GS1 DL QR codes with QR Tiger?
Step 1: Provide Your Product Information
To start creating GS1 DL QR codes, you first enter the product details. You can do this in two ways:
- Simplified mode: Simply input the GTIN.
- Extended mode: Add the GTIN along with any extra product details you want to add.
There’s also the option to show the GTIN as human‑readable text (HRI) under the QR code. Once this step is complete, the platform generates the corresponding URL syntax automatically. The format is applied correctly by default but check carefully to ensure no errors.
Step 2: Determine an Output Method and Generate
The second step is to decide how you want your QR code to function. The platform provides multiple output choices to suit different needs:
- Single URL, File, or App Store: Simple and quick to configure
- Link Page or Smart URL: Easy to set up after testing. It offers more flexibility by organizing multiple links or adapting automatically based on language, location, or scan count.
- Product Page: It lets you create a multimedia-rich experience with text, images, videos, reviews, FAQs, and multiple links. All these additions are editable in real time with live previews.
Once you choose your output method, click “Generate”.
Step 3: Customize and Download
You can customize the look of your QR code by changing patterns or colors. This allows you to align the code with your brand identity or choose contrasting shades that make it more visible on packaging.
All design changes are tested to ensure the QR codes remain ISO/IEC compliant, so they continue to meet global scanning and interoperability standards.
Optional: Download EAN Barcodes
You get the flexibility of downloading the corresponding EAN barcode if your products require dual marking. This keeps your products scannable in retail stores that still rely on traditional 1D barcodes.
Digital-link Connexum vs QR Tiger/GS1: Comparison
Criteria | Digital-link Connexum | QR Tiger | Winner |
Ease of Use | Quick GTIN‑based setup; advance options for customization and linking | Quick setup for beginners; flexible options for advanced users | Tie |
Additional Data Embedded | Embeds GS1 identifiers (GTIN, plus up to 8 product and regulatory detail | Fully GS1‑compliant; supports broader GS1 attributes (GTIN, batch/lot, expiry, custom AI, consumer product variant, etc.) | QR Tiger |
Link Output & Customization | Multiple link output formats with customization | Similar link outputs but with better product page design and more flexible customization | QR Tiger |
Analytics | Tracks QR scans, location, OS (operating system) and short‑URL clicks with unique/return visits. (The data accessible in upgraded plan) | Tracks scans, unique scans, devices, timestamps, and locations | Tie |
Data Security | ISO 27001 certified, GDPR compliant, state-of-the-art cybersecurity measures with 99.9% uptime | ISO 27001 certified, GDPR compliant, 2FA, audits, encryption, 24/7 monitoring | Tie |
QR Code Customization | Only allows adding frames | Adjusts colors and patterns with ISO/IEC compliance for reliable scanning. | QR Tiger |
Domain (URL) White/Brand Labeling | Creates custom‑branded URLs to boost brand trust | Replaces default links with branded domains, ensuring trusted scans and dynamic product updates | Tie |
EAN Barcode Download | May not always meet ISO/IEC standards | Full ISO/IEC compliance to ensure reliable global use | Tie |
Ease of Use
Digital‑link Connexum: Quick GTIN‑based setup makes it simple to start, while advanced options allow linking multiple attributes, compliance data, and product information. This flexibility ensures both beginners and advanced users can work efficiently.
QR Tiger: Beginner‑friendly setup allows fast QR code creation. Features like dynamic codes, analytics, and customization provide flexibility for advanced users. It caters well to small businesses and enterprise needs.
Winner: Tie
Both platforms are easy to use and suitable for both beginner and advanced users. QR Tiger provides more customization options.
Additional Data Embedded
Digital‑link Connexum: Supports embedding GS1 identifiers (GTIN, SKU, or product name) along with product attributes and regulatory information to ensure codes link to rich digital content.
QR Tiger: Fully GS1‑compliant; supports a wider range of GS1 attributes (GTIN, batch/lot, expiry, custom AI, consumer product variant, etc.) and ISO/IEC verification to make codes globally interoperable and audit‑ready.
Winner: QR Tiger
Both platforms embed GS1 data, but QR Tiger/GS1 excels by supporting more attributes at scale with compliance built in.
Link Output & Customization
Digital‑link Connexum: Offers landing page builder and standard output formats with basic customization options. Note that the HRI appears truncated in the downloaded version.
QR Tiger: Provides similar output formats but with better‑designed product pages and more flexible customization while remaining GS1‑compliant.
Winner: QR Tiger
Both support comparable outputs, but QR Tiger/GS1 delivers superior product page design and customization.
Analytics
Digital‑link Connexum: Tracks scans of QR codes and clicks on short URLs/linksets, showing unique vs. repeat visits, operating systems, countries, and cities.
QR Tiger: Provides detailed scan metrics including volume, unique scans, device type, timestamps, and location data. The metrics help refine campaigns and product strategies.
Winner: QR Tiger
Both platforms offer robust analytics. Digital-link Connexum focuses on product and regulatory tracking, while QR Tiger is better suited for marketing insights and campaign optimization.
Data Security
Digital‑link Connexum: It ensures strong data security with ISO 27001 certification, GDPR compliance, advanced cybersecurity measures, and 99.9% uptime.
QR Tiger: Holds ISO 27001 certification and is GDPR compliant, with additional protections such as two‑factor authentication (2FA), encryption, regular audits, and 24/7 monitoring. These measures highlight its focus on enterprise‑grade security and regulatory compliance.
Winner: QR Tiger
Both platforms ensure robust data security. Choose Digital Connexum for reliable uptime or QR Tiger for enhanced safeguards.
QR Code Customization
Digital‑link Connexum: It only allows adding frames; 18 frame options are available.
QR Tiger: You can customize QR codes by adjusting colors and patterns to match brand needs. All design changes are verified against ISO/IEC standards to ensure compliance and reliable scanning.
Winner: Tie
QR Tiger focuses on color and pattern changes with ISO/IEC checks for reliable scanning.
Domain(URL) White/Brand Labeling
Both platforms support branded domains, allowing businesses to replace default links with custom URLs that reinforce trust and brand identity while meeting GS1 compliance standards.Winner: Tie
This feature enhances brand recognition, ensures that scans are directed to trusted web addresses, and provides flexibility to update product details without reprinting codes. It balances branding, compliance, and long-term usability.
EAN Barcode Download
Digital‑link Connexum: Lets you choose to download either the QR code alone or both QR and EAN barcodes. However, the generated EAN barcode may not meet ISO/IEC verification standards.QR Tiger: It lets businesses adjust GS1 QR code colors and patterns while keeping them ISO/IEC compliant. This gives brands design flexibility without losing global reliability.
Winner: Tie
Both platforms allow downloading QR codes alone or with EAN barcodes. Choose QR Tiger to benefit from design flexibility with ISO/IEC compliance.
Conclusion: Which Platform Stands Out?
When comparing Digital‑Link Connexum vs QR Tiger/GS1, both platforms support GS1‑compliant QR codes, but QR Tiger/GS1 consistently delivers more flexibility and enterprise‑ready features. Digital Connexum’s unlimited child QR codes are useful for batch or serial tracking, yet they are limited to eight data types and exclude many GS1 attributes, which restricts scalability.
QR Tiger/GS1 goes further by offering customizable QR codes and better‑designed product pages. It provides enterprise‑grade technical safeguards that Digital‑Link Connexum does not, ensuring stronger protection and compliance for organizations that need reliability at scale.
Ultimately, QR Tiger/GS1 is the clear winner. For organizations looking for a platform that combines GS1 compliance with advanced customization, certified security, and superior product page design, QR Tiger/GS1 is the better choice.
That said, don’t just take our word for it. Test both platforms yourself using the offered free plans and compare the results firsthand.
FAQs
1. Can GS1 QR codes replace 1D barcodes?
GS1 QR codes are designed to work alongside traditional 1D barcodes, not completely replace them. As part of the GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative, industries are being encouraged to adopt 2D barcodes because they can hold much more information than 1D barcodes.
A Digital Link QR code can include product details, expiry dates, safety instructions, usage guidelines, etc., all in one scan. Leading companies are already rolling them out across several countries, aiming for global use by 2027. This makes these QR codes a more versatile option while keeping 1D barcodes in place for compatibility.
2. How do QR codes help with product transparency?
QR codes enable products to be more transparent by giving shoppers and regulators instant access to important details. When scanned, they can show details such as ingredients, allergy information, certifications, or sustainability data.
This helps people feel confident about what they’re buying and supports businesses in being transparent and trustworthy with their customers.
3. Are QR codes powered by GS1 secure for business use?
GS1 Digital Link QR codes follow a standard for structuring and identifying data. They do not provide security on their own.
Security depends on the platform that generates, manages, and resolves the QR codes, including how it handles data protection and regulatory compliance.
Even with proper systems in place, these codes cannot prevent bad actors from copying or tampering with product packaging. Additional controls are required to detect or reduce misuse.
DISCLAIMER: We acknowledge that GS1, as well as the materials, proprietary items, and all related patents, copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property (collectively, “intellectual property”) relating to its use, are the property of GS1 Global, and that our use of the same shall be in accordance with the conditions provided by GS1 Global.
