A QR code menu replaces the printed menu with a page guests open on their own phone: scan the code on the table, read the menu, done. There is no single answer to "how much does it cost?". The price depends on how much of the work you do yourself and what the menu needs to do.
Three ways to get a QR menu
1. A free QR code generator
You upload or link your menu as a PDF and a generator turns it into a QR code. This often costs nothing, but it has drawbacks:
- A PDF is awkward to read on a phone: guests have to zoom in and scroll sideways.
- Every price change means creating and uploading a new PDF.
- No multiple languages, no photo per dish, no statistics.
- Some free services create "dynamic" codes that stop working after a trial period. Check this before you stick codes on your tables.
2. A do-it-yourself builder
Online builders give you templates where you enter dishes and prices yourself. You usually pay a monthly or yearly subscription and spend your own time on setup and upkeep.
3. A done-for-you service
A provider sets up the menu for you: you send your existing menu and receive a finished, mobile-friendly menu with its QR code. This is how we work at Smart Menu Solutions. No technical knowledge is needed.
What drives the price
- Number of dishes: a small café menu is quicker to set up than a large restaurant's.
- Languages: a menu in several languages helps international guests, but it is extra work. More in Multilingual menus.
- Updates: how often do dishes, prices or daily specials change?
- Photos: a photo for each dish helps guests decide.
- Extra features: for example ordering from the table, recommendations for guests or visitor statistics.
What a QR menu costs with us
At Smart Menu Solutions you pay a fixed yearly price, VAT included. There is no setup fee.
| Plan | Price per year | Per month, roughly | Dishes | Updates | Extra languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Start | €119 | about €9.92 | up to 50 | 1 per month | – |
| Smart Pro | €129 | about €10.75 | up to 150 | 3 per month | 1 |
| Smart Premium | €169 | about €14.08 | up to 450 | 6 per month | 5 |
Optional add-ons:
- Smart DishPhoto™, a photo for every dish: from €10, depending on the plan (€0.20 per photo, photos provided by you).
- Smart FoodMatch™, personal recommendations for guests: €5 per year.
- Smart WeeklyReport™, a weekly email with visitor statistics: €5 per year.
- Smart ServiceHub™, ordering from the table with screens for service, kitchen, bar and cashier: €89 per year. See how it works in QR ordering at the table.
You will find every detail on our pricing page.
Checklist: what to look out for
- Is the menu built for phones, or is it just a PDF?
- Does the QR code stay valid when the menu changes?
- Are updates included in the price, and how many?
- Is the menu available in your guests' languages?
- Are there hidden costs, such as a setup fee?
Conclusion
A free generator is enough if all you want is to link a PDF. If the menu should look good on a phone, work in several languages and stay up to date without effort on your side, a done-for-you service is usually the better choice. With us, that starts at €119 per year.