How they work
NFC (Near Field Communication) is a radio chip. The recipient holds their phone against the card (within 4 cm) and the link opens automatically. A QR code is a visual pattern read by the camera: the recipient opens the camera app, aims, and taps the link that appears.
The comparison
| NFC | QR code | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | One tap, ~1 second | Open camera, aim, tap |
| Phone support | iPhone XR+, Android 2016+ | Every phone with a camera |
| Distance | Under 4 cm | Works from metres away |
| Wear | None, the chip is inside the card | Can become unreadable if the print is damaged |
| Printable | No, needs a physical chip | Yes, posters, menus, screens |
| "Wow" factor | High, people remember it | Everyday |
When NFC wins
- Face to face: meetings, trade shows, networking. One tap feels professional and modern.
- Repeated use: receptions and store counters, where the same card is used hundreds of times.
- When first impressions matter: a metal or matte PVC NFC card signals something a paper card can't.
When QR wins
- At a distance: posters, signs, TV screens and presentations.
- In print: brochures and ads, where you can't embed a chip.
- Older phones: QR works on absolutely anything with a camera.
💡 The answer: It's not either–or. TactusWay cards carry an NFC chip and a QR code on the back, the recipient chooses. Both point to the same profile, and both are tracked in the same dashboard.
Security: is NFC safe?
Yes. Both the NFC chip and the QR code transfer only a link, they can't install anything or read data from the recipient's phone. The sub-4 cm range makes NFC practically impossible to "eavesdrop" in passing.