The QR code was released in 1994 by Japan’s Denso Wave and is an open, license-free standard (ISO/IEC 18004).
Source: Denso Wave
QR vs NFC
QR code vs NFC for business cards: which is better?
Short answer: NFC is faster (one tap) while QR works on any camera; Anexus gives you both. Below, we break down the real pros and cons of each, and exactly when to reach for one over the other.
By the numbers
The facts behind QR and NFC
The technical realities of both technologies — each linked to its primary source.
Since iOS 11 (2017), iPhones scan QR codes straight from the Camera app — no separate scanner app needed.
Source: Apple Support
NFC works at 13.56 MHz over a range of about 4 cm, on the open standards maintained by the NFC Forum.
Source: NFC Forum
The short answer
It is not really either/or
NFC and QR solve the same problem — getting your profile onto someone else’s phone — in two different ways. NFC does it with a tap and no camera, which feels effortless and premium one-on-one. QR does it with a quick scan that works on virtually any phone, which makes it unbeatable for groups and screens.
That is why picking one and ignoring the other is a mistake. The smart move is to lead with NFC and keep QR as the universal fallback. With Anexus, both point to the same live profile, so you set it up once and share it whichever way fits the moment.
Head to head
NFC vs QR, pros and cons
Here is the honest breakdown of where each one shines and where it falls short.
NFC business cards
Pros
- One tap opens your profile — no camera, no aiming
- Feels premium and modern in person
- Nothing printed can smudge or get too small to scan
- Works in low light where a camera would struggle
Cons
- Needs an NFC-capable phone (iPhone XS+ and most modern Android)
- Requires a physical card or tag to tap
- Some older or budget phones cannot read it
QR code business cards
Pros
- Works on virtually any phone with a camera
- Can be shown on a screen, slide, sign, or printout
- Free to share — no hardware needed
- Great for one-to-many moments like a talk or booth
Cons
- The other person has to open their camera and aim
- Needs decent light and a steady hand
- A tiny or damaged printed code can fail to scan
When to use which
A simple rule of thumb
You rarely have to choose forever — just for the moment in front of you. Here is how to decide on the spot.
1
Reach for NFC when…
You are one-on-one and want the smoothest possible hand-off. A single tap on a modern phone is faster and more impressive than asking someone to open their camera.
2
Reach for QR when…
You are sharing with a group or with an unknown phone. A QR on a slide, screen, badge, or window lets many people save you at once, whatever device they carry.
3
Use both when… (usually)
Most of the time. Lead with an NFC tap and keep a QR as the universal fallback for phones that cannot tap or when the battery is dead. Anexus gives you both from one profile.
Questions
QR vs NFC FAQ
Is NFC or QR better for a business card?
Neither wins outright. NFC is faster and feels more premium for one-on-one sharing, while QR works on any camera phone and is great for groups. The best cards, including Anexus, offer both so you are never stuck.
Do all phones support NFC tap?
Most modern ones do — iPhones from 2018 (iPhone XS and newer) and the majority of Android phones from the last several years. If a phone cannot tap, the QR code is the universal fallback, which is exactly why having both matters.
Can one card have both NFC and a QR code?
Yes. Every Anexus profile comes with an NFC card option and a QR code that both open the same live profile. Tap when you can, scan when you cannot, and update your details once for both.
Is a digital business card the same as an NFC card?
No — they work together. The digital business card is your online profile; an NFC card is one way to open it with a tap. The same profile also opens from a QR code or a plain link, so you can use a digital business card without an NFC card, while an NFC card on its own is just the key to the profile.
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