NFC vs QR Review Cards: Which Works Better in India?
Key facts
- Question answered
- NFC tap versus a printed QR code
- NFC
- Tap the phone to the card; no camera needed
- QR
- Works on any phone with a camera
- Our products
- NFC on every product; printed QR optional on cards
- Same destination
- Your Google review page
Indian customers know QR codes from UPI. NFC adds a quicker tap option. Here's how the two compare and why many cards combine both.
Indian customers are used to scanning QR codes for UPI, so QR is familiar. NFC removes the step of opening the camera on compatible phones. For many Indian cafés and salons, a card that offers both gives every customer an easy option.
Every business choosing a Google review card faces the same choice: a printed QR card or an NFC card you tap. QR is cheaper to print; NFC is quicker for customers whose phones support it. Here's an honest breakdown for Indian counters, without the sales pitch.
Side-by-Side in Indian Conditions
| Factor | NFC card | QR card |
|---|---|---|
| How it opens | Hold the phone near the card | Open the camera, scan, tap the link |
| Phone needed | iPhone 7 or later; Android with NFC switched on | Any phone with a camera |
| Low light | Not affected | Scanning can be harder |
| Glare or worn print | Not affected | Can stop the code scanning |
| Familiarity | New to some customers | Familiar from UPI payments |
| Works on paper bills | No | Yes |
On iPhone XS, XR and later the card is read in the background. iPhone 7 to X need the NFC tag reader in Control Centre (iOS 14 or later). Android phones need NFC switched on in settings.
How to Think About Cost
A printed QR card is cheaper to make. An NFC card costs more upfront but is a one-off purchase, and you choose whether to add a printed QR code to it. Whether the extra spend is worth it depends on your footfall, how consistently your staff ask, and how often you'd otherwise reprint worn QR prints. See current prices for our cards.
There is no fixed timeline for how quickly either format changes your review count — it depends on your customer volume, staff prompts, and how consistently the card is placed where customers are already looking.
Why Not Have Both?
You can. Our NFC review cards offer an optional printed QR code on the same surface. Customers with NFC-ready phones tap; everyone else scans. One card covers both, and staff only need one line: ‘Tap or scan to leave us a Google review.’
When Pure QR Still Makes Sense
- Bills and invoices (you can't embed a chip in paper)
- Posters and banners viewed from a distance
- Flyers handed out at street events or exhibitions
- WhatsApp messages and emails, where a link or QR image is all you can share
For a deeper comparison, read NFC vs QR review cards — which gets more reviews?
❓ Frequently asked questions
Are NFC cards more fragile than QR cards?
Not usually. The chip is sealed inside the PVC card with no moving parts, while a printed QR code can scuff or fade with heavy handling.
Will NFC cards keep working on new phones?
NFC is a long-established standard built into current iPhones and many Android phones. A printed QR code on the same card gives you a backup for any phone camera.
Do iPhones need any setup to read NFC review cards?
iPhone XS, XR and later read NFC tags in the background with no setup. iPhone 7 to X need the NFC tag reader in Control Centre (iOS 14 or later) — no extra app.
Do Android phones read NFC cards automatically?
Android phones with NFC need it switched on in settings. Once it's on, holding the back of the phone near the card opens the review page.
Does NFC always convert better than QR?
NFC removes the camera step, but we don't have an independent, controlled study to quote a figure. Fewer steps between intent and the review page tends to mean fewer people give up along the way.
Which phones can read an NFC review card?
iPhone 7 and later can read NFC tags; iPhone XS/XR and later do it in the background, while iPhone 7–X use the NFC tag reader in Control Centre. Android phones need NFC switched on.
Do I need both NFC and QR on the same card?
It's a sensible default. The printed QR code works with any phone camera, so customers whose phones don't read NFC still have a way in.
Do NFC and QR open the same page?
Yes — both are set to your Google review link, so the customer ends up on the same review page either way.
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