RFID = NFC? Sure, and My Cat’s a Lion Too

A common misconception about contactless technology is that RFID and NFC are the same thing. They are not. They are, of course, related, but RFID is the daddy or parent technology, as my engineering friends refer to it.
Just like The Rock at the WrestleMania XL Kickoff press event, I’m about to pull the family tree, ‘cause someone needs to settle this RFID vs NFC confusion once and for all.

NFC (Near Field Communication) is actually a specialized subset of RFID technology. RFID is the umbrella term covering a whole family of contactless communication technologies, while NFC is just one specific member of that family.

Where They Differ

1. Range - Depending on the type, RFID can work from centimeters to several meters. NFC is stuck at about four centimeters max. This isn’t exactly a flaw; it’s just how it’s designed for security.

2. Frequency - RFID operates across multiple frequency bands:

   • Low Frequency (125-134 kHz) for animal tracking

   • High Frequency (13.56 MHz) for access cards

   • Ultra High Frequency (860-960 MHz) for inventory.

   NFC operates exclusively at 13.56 MHz.

3. Communication - This is the good stuff. RFID is typically one-way. Information flows from the tag to the reader. NFC devices can both read and write. Plus, they communicate with each other peer-to-peer.

4. Real-World Applications - RFID puts up a tough fight in sectors like inventory management, access control, pet microchips, and toll collections. RFID-based contactless temperature screening systems got a bit of buzz during the COVID-19 pandemic. NFC’s area falls within mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), device pairing, smart business cards, and transit cards in major cities.

5. Security Implications - NFC’s short range is a security feature. An attacker needs to get uncomfortably close to intercept communication. RFID’s longer range can be both a strength and a vulnerability depending on how it’s implemented.

The Bottom Line

While NFC borrows from RFID tech, they serve different purposes. RFID is the workhorse for inventory and access control across various ranges and frequencies. One case is demonstrated in this RFID-Based Attendance System Using Arduino project. NFC is the refined, secure cousin designed for close-proximity interactions and mobile integration. Next time someone claims they're identical, you'll know better. I’m sure even Dom would agree that they're family, but they are most definitely not twins.