NFC plate or QR code, what is the difference?
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NFC triggers by holding the phone near the plate, with nothing to open: it is the fastest gesture, but it needs a compatible device. A QR code has to be framed with the camera, which takes a few seconds longer, but it works on every phone. A plate carrying both covers the entire customer base without the business owner having to choose.
NFC plate or QR code, what is the difference?
The question comes up with every order, and the short answer is that there is no choice to make: the two technologies answer the same need by two different routes, and they complement each other.
NFC, in practice
NFC stands for near-field communication. The plate holds a battery-free chip that activates when a phone comes within a few centimetres. The phone reads the stored address and offers to open it.
From the customer's point of view it comes down to one gesture: holding their phone close. They open no app, frame nothing, press nothing. It is the shortest path that exists, and that is its strength.
Its limitation is compatibility: the device must support NFC and the feature must be switched on.
The QR code, in practice
A QR code is an image encoding the same address. The customer opens their camera, frames the code, and the phone offers the link.
That is one gesture more, and it needs a minimum of light and a steady hand. In exchange, it works on absolutely every phone, no conditions attached.
Comparison
| NFC | QR code | |
|---|---|---|
| Customer's gesture | Hold the phone close | Open the camera and frame |
| Speed | Immediate | A few seconds |
| Compatibility | Devices with NFC, feature enabled | Every phone |
| Affected by metal | Yes, strongly | No |
| Affected by light | No | Slightly |
| Wear | None, sealed chip | Readable even when partly damaged |
| Battery | None, passive chip | Not applicable |
Why our plates carry both
Because the arithmetic is simple: NFC maximises the rate among those who can use it, while the QR code guarantees nobody is excluded. Fitting only one means either losing customers with older devices, or slowing everybody down.
The business owner, meanwhile, has no decision to make and no explanation to give: each customer instinctively uses whatever their phone can do.
The one real trap: metal
This is the most common reason a plate appears not to work. A stainless steel counter, a metal till plate or a zinc top will block the NFC signal.
The fix is mechanical: an insulating material thick enough between the plate and the surface, or a free-standing holder rather than direct mounting. And in every case, the QR code keeps working.
What the plate does not contain
The chip does not store your Google listing, only a short address. That address redirects to the configured destination. A useful consequence: changing platform, fixing a link or moving premises requires no new plate, it is all handled in the mobile app.
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
Does NFC use battery or need a cell?
The chip in a plate is passive: it contains no battery and no cell. The electromagnetic field emitted by the phone powers it for the duration of the read. The plate therefore needs no maintenance, has no part to replace, and stays functional indefinitely.
Do all phones read NFC?
The vast majority of phones sold in recent years handle NFC, not least because it powers contactless payment. Very old or entry-level models do not always support it, and on some devices the feature can be switched off in settings. That is exactly why the QR code remains essential.
Does the customer need to install an app?
No, in neither case. NFC is handled by the phone's operating system, which offers to open the link. The QR code is read by the camera, which does the same. The customer installs nothing and creates no account.
Can an NFC plate be stuck onto metal?
Not directly. Metal disturbs the electromagnetic field and can prevent detection entirely. If your surface is metallic, add an insulating material thick enough between the plate and the surface, use a free-standing holder, or rely on the QR code, which is unaffected by the surface.
Can a QR code wear out?
A QR code stays readable even when partly degraded, thanks to the redundancy built into its encoding. A badly scratched, dirty or faded code will eventually fail, though. In an exposed spot, occasional cleaning is enough to keep it readable.
Is the destination hard-coded into the chip?
No. The plate points to a short address which then redirects to the destination you configured. You can therefore change review platform, or premises, as often as you like from the mobile app, without buying a new plate.
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