Differences between QR Codes and NFC Tags

If you’re wondering whether QR codes or NFC tags are best for your business, you’re not alone. These two pieces of technology can carry out similar functions, but it really is important to know the subtle differences between the two in order to choose the right option to fit your business’ needs. Here’s some information that should help to guide you to make the right decision.

QR Codes

QR codes, or “Quick Response” codes were first created in 1994. They are designed to be an improved alternative to a barcode. They can be scanned quickly and from a variety of angles, allowing people to bring up strings of information on their phone. These strings of information are relatively short and most businesses tend to make theirs a URL that links to their website. This website will then contain digital content that the person scanning can benefit from. They are mostly compatible with the iOS and Android camera app, Facebook messenger, Google Chrome, Snapchat and WeChat. The benefits for your company are that they’re well known, low cost and compatible across a range of devices.

NFC Tags

NFC tags came along later than QR codes, being invented in 2002. NFC stands for “Near Field Communication” and is another form of technology that also serves to transmit short strings of information to the phone being used to interact with it. Typically this is usually a URL. It’s important to remember that NFC tags don’t require any internal power and usually take the simple form of a sticker that can be attached to clothes, books, packaged food or any other product. While people are less familiar with NFC tags than QR codes, they do hold unique benefits that make them more than worth consideration. They transmit information wirelessly and have a 1” read range, which is much easier to pick up than a QR code. NFCs are also more secure, making them an easy choice for payments in physical or digital credit cards and in Berify for blockchain verification. 

Hopefully, familiarizing yourself with the two options available to you will help you to make the right decisions when it comes to choosing the right code for your business!