RFID Tags vs QR Codes: Features, Differences, and Use Cases

Choosing between RFID Tags vs QR Codes is a major decision for any business managing inventory or customer interaction. While both tools store and share data, they function on different technical levels. Picking the right one depends on your budget, environment, and how you want people to interact with your items.
What are RFID tags and how do they work?
RFID tags are part of a wireless technology that uses electromagnetic fields to identify and track objects. Unlike a standard label, an RFID tag does not need a direct line of sight to be read.
A system consists of a tag, a reader, and a backend database. The tag contains a tiny antenna and a microchip. When the reader emits radio waves, the tag captures that energy to power itself and send data back.
There are three primary types of tags:
Passive Tags: These have no battery and rely entirely on the reader power. They are common in retail apparel.
Active Tags: These carry an internal battery and can broadcast signals over 100 meters.
Semi-Passive Tags: These use a battery to run the chip but rely on the reader for communication.
What are QR Codes and how are they used?
QR Codes are two-dimensional barcodes that store data in a square grid of pixels. They act as a bridge between physical objects and digital information.
Because they store data both vertically and horizontally, they hold much more information than a standard barcode. Digital sensors, like those in a qr code scanner, locate markers in the corners to decode the pattern.
QR Codes use cases include:
Marketing: Linking flyers to website URLs or videos.
Hospitality: Providing digital menus at restaurant tables.
Payments: Enabling quick transfers through apps like UPI.
Connectivity: Sharing WiFi passwords without manual typing.
What are the major differences between RFID tags and QR Codes?
The main RFID vs QR Code differences lie in the scanning mechanism. QR Codes are optical and must be seen by a camera. RFID tags use radio waves that pass through material