QR Code Attendance — Zero Setup, Zero Apps
Generate a QR code, share it, and watch attendees check in live. No app downloads, no hardware, no manual data entry. Free forever for small events.
How it works
1. Create a sheet
Name it, set your fields, activate it. Takes 30 seconds.
2. Share the QR code
Print it, project it, or share the link. Attendees scan with any phone camera.
3. Watch check-ins live
Names appear on your dashboard in real time. Export to CSV or PDF when done.
What is QR code attendance?
QR code attendance replaces paper sign-in sheets with a scannable code. Attendees point their phone camera at the code, the camera opens a check-in form in their browser, they fill it in, and their attendance is recorded — all without downloading an app.
It's the modern alternative to clipboards, spreadsheets, and roll-call. You get real-time visibility into who's arrived, automatic timestamps, and a clean export when the event ends. No manual data entry, no lost forms, no transcription errors.
Step-by-step setup
Five steps from setup to export. The whole process takes under a minute once you're familiar.
- Create an attendance sheet. Give it a name, set the fields you need (name, email, custom fields, signature), and pick the date and time.
- Activate the sheet. A unique QR code and check-in URL are generated instantly.
- Share the QR code. Print it on signage, project it on a screen, or share the URL by email or text.
- Attendees check in. They scan with their phone camera and fill in the form. No app, no account required.
- Export your records. Download a CSV or PDF when you're done. All data is timestamped and stays encrypted at rest.
QR vs. kiosk vs. manual check-in
AttendPad supports all three methods on every sheet. You can mix them — for example, QR for early arrivals and kiosk for walk-ups. Here's when each shines:
QR code
Best when attendees have their own phones. Self-service, zero hardware, scales to any crowd size.
Kiosk mode
Best for fixed-entry events. Set a tablet at the door; attendees tap their info in.
Manual entry
Best when you have a known roster. Admin marks attendance directly from the dashboard.
Where QR code attendance fits
Events & conferences
Register attendees at the door without a queue. Run an unlimited number of sessions in parallel — each with its own QR code.
Classrooms & training
Instructors get a roster in real time and a permanent record without the clipboard. Late-arrival tracking flags anyone who checked in after the start time.
Workshops & seminars
Capture name, email, and signature in one scan. Export the list for follow-up or compliance reporting.
Churches & community groups
A free tier covers small recurring events. Add custom fields for visitor info, ministry interest, or small-group sign-ups.
Security & privacy
Attendance data often contains personal information — names, emails, phone numbers, signatures, sometimes photos. AttendPad treats it accordingly.
- AES-256 field-level encryption. Sensitive fields are encrypted before they hit the database, not just in transit.
- Row-level access control. Every database query filters by account ownership — your data is never visible to other organizations.
- Audit logs. Every read, edit, and export is logged with timestamp and user.
Full details are on the security page.
Free forever, with optional upgrades
The free tier covers 3 active sheets with unlimited check-ins, QR codes, CSV export, and the full dashboard. The Pro tier ($9/month or $79/year) adds kiosk mode, photo verification, PDF export, team admins, custom branding, and email notifications.
Frequently asked questions
Do attendees need to download an app to scan the QR code?
No. Every modern smartphone camera reads QR codes natively. Scanning opens a browser-based check-in form — no app install, no account, no friction.
Can I take QR attendance for free?
Yes. The free tier includes 3 active attendance sheets with unlimited check-ins, QR codes, and CSV export. No credit card required.
What information can I collect with QR attendance?
Name (always required), plus any combination of email, phone, organization, custom text fields, multiple-choice questions, and digital signatures. You decide which fields are required.
Does QR attendance work offline?
The QR code itself can be printed and displayed without internet. Attendees need a connection to submit their check-in, since the data is sent to the dashboard in real time.
Can I use one QR code for multiple events?
Each sheet has its own unique QR code tied to that sheet. For a recurring weekly event, use a Room instead — Rooms give you one persistent QR code with daily check-in records.
How do I prevent someone from checking in multiple times?
Each sheet supports duplicate detection by email or phone, plus optional photo verification on the Pro tier. You can also enable kiosk mode for a supervised, single-tap check-in flow.
Can I export my attendance records?
Yes. CSV exports are included on every tier. PDF exports are a Pro feature and include a formatted attendance report with totals, timestamps, and optional branding.
Is QR attendance compliant with privacy regulations?
AttendPad uses AES-256 field-level encryption, row-level access control, and audit logs. We don't sell data and follow GDPR principles for data minimization, retention, and deletion.
Can I customize the check-in form for my event?
Yes. Add custom fields (text, email, phone, dropdown, signature), set which fields are required, and tailor the form to your event. Pro accounts can add branding (logo, colors) to the check-in page.
Does QR attendance work for large events?
Yes. There's no cap on check-ins per sheet on any tier. Multiple attendees can scan and check in simultaneously without queueing — each scan is independent.
What happens if someone arrives late?
Set a late threshold on the sheet (for example, 10 minutes after start time). Anyone checking in after that is flagged 'late' in the dashboard and the export.
Can I take attendance with QR codes and a paper sign-in sheet at the same event?
Yes — use kiosk mode or manual entry on the same sheet to capture attendees who can't or won't scan. All three methods feed into the same record.
Start taking QR code attendance today
Three free active sheets, unlimited check-ins, no credit card. Set up your first sheet in under a minute.