Short answer: NFC is faster and more convenient: customers just hold their phone near it, with no camera and no aiming. A QR code works on almost any phone with a camera and costs next to nothing to print. For most businesses the best choice is both: NFC as the main route and a QR code as a backup.
Comparison
| NFC | QR code | |
|---|---|---|
| How it opens | Hold the phone near it | Open the camera and aim |
| Steps for the customer | 1 | 3–4 |
| In dim light | Works | Cameras can struggle |
| Compatibility | Modern iPhones and NFC Android phones | Almost any phone with a camera |
| Security | A locked chip can't be rewritten | Someone can stick a different code over a printed one |
| Cost | The chip and the stand | Almost free to print |
| Look | A stand or a branded card | A printed code |
Ataris locks every chip after programming so customers always land on your page. That means if your link changes, a new stand needs to be programmed. We're working on a secure way to update links.
When to choose NFC
- When you want reviews or follows to be as easy as possible
- On tables, counters or in rooms where customers are physically close
- When appearance matters and you want a tidy, modern impression
When to choose a QR code
- On posters, shop windows or places seen from a distance
- In printed materials where a chip can't be embedded
- When the budget is minimal
The best option: both together
If you place a QR code next to your NFC stand, it also covers the rare customers whose phone doesn't read NFC, so everyone can leave a review. See how NFC works or browse the products.