NFC or QR code: which is better?
Both do the same job: move information from one device to another. The difference is how they start. NFC wants a tap; QR wants a camera and a line of sight. The right answer depends on the room, which is why serious apps offer both.
NFC is faster, QR is more universal
With NFC there's no camera to open, no framing, no fussing with light — the phones touch and it's done. On the other hand, not every phone has NFC, and it can be switched off. QR works on any device with a camera, even screen to screen.
Range and conditions
NFC works at about four centimetres. That sounds like a limitation but it's really a security property: it can't be read from across the room. QR reads from several metres, but struggles in the dark, under glare, or on a smudged screen. In a crowded, noisy hall, a tap is less hassle than lining up a camera.
The right approach is to offer both
In practice the best result comes from letting the other person choose. You tap first; if that fails you show the QR on your screen. That's why Business Card Tap produces both: the tap is the main route, the QR is the fallback that works everywhere.
| NFC | QR code | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Instant tap | Camera + framing |
| Compatibility | NFC-capable devices | Any device with a camera |
| Range | ~4 cm | Several metres |
| In the dark | Unaffected | Struggles |
| In print | Needs a card or tag | Prints on paper |
| Readable at distance | No | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
Is the QR code outdated?
No. It remains the most compatible method and needs no special hardware. NFC is more elegant; QR is safer precisely because it works everywhere.
Is NFC secure?
Because the range is a few centimetres, remote eavesdropping isn't practical. Still, what you're sending is a contact record — sharing sensitive data on it is a bad idea regardless.
Which looks more professional?
The tap itself is memorable and starts a conversation. But if the other person hesitates, switching to the QR leaves a far better impression than insisting.
Turn your phone into your business card. Business Card Tap sends your details to another phone with a tap over NFC, and falls back to an on-screen QR code when NFC isn't available. Fully offline, no account.
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