RFID vs. NFC: 4 Differences Between RFID and NFC

“RFID vs. NFC” is actually a misnomer. Many people think these technologies are competitors. This is not true. In fact, NFC is a form of RFID. What’s more, they can coexist very well. There’s also a large group of people who think there’s no difference between them. I understand the confusion. NFC is an application of RFID, but it has different characteristics that make them distinctly different from one another. Given the many misconceptions surrounding RFID and NFC, I’ve decided to use this article to clear up all the confusion between the two technologies.  

The Confusion Between RFID and NFC

To get a sense of what’s out there regarding RFID and NFC, I decided to browse the internet. I noticed that the terms are often used interchangeably. This explains the confusion surrounding this topic. Because of this, many people have come to believe that the technologies are the same, but nothing could be further from the truth. They are two different methods of communication, each suited for different purposes.

What is RFID?

RFID stands for “Radio-Frequency Identification” and is a technology based on radio waves. Data can be stored in the RFID chip. This data can be read by an RFID reader via radio waves. 

There are 3 types of RFID: 

• Active RFID (with a power source; transmits signals on its own)
• Semi-active RFID (with a power source that activates upon signal reception)
• Passive RFID (no power source; draws power from another device)

What is NFC?

NFC is an application of RFID. RFID involves the storage and transmission of data in one direction. But with NFC, it’s different. NFC involves two-way communication. In addition, an NFC chip can process the received signals. In other words, this chip is much more intelligent than a standard RFID chip. 

The Differences Between RFID and NFC

The main differences lie in the range and the method of information exchange. Below, we explain the 4 most important differences. 

• Range

An RFID tag has a much greater range. The chip can transmit signals up to 8 meters. With an NFC chip, the maximum range is 10 centimeters. This makes both tags unique and suitable for different purposes. NFC is ideal for payments, while RFID is used for gaining access at ski lift gates.  

• Signal Capabilities

An RFID chip can only be read. This is a one-way process. NFC tags, on the other hand, can both send information and be read. This makes the NFC tag more intelligent than the RFID tag. 

• Read

NFC tags can be easily read with a phone. With RFID tags, you need special equipment to do this. This makes NFC much more accessible to consumers.  

• Scan

It is possible to scan multiple RFID tags at the same time. This is not possible with NFC tags. That is why, at Decathlon, we see that products are labeled with RFID tags so that they can all be scanned at once at the checkout. If the products were equipped with NFC tags, each product would have to be scanned one by one.