NFC vs QR code review cards: how they work, and which one you need

Updated 2 October 2026 · By the Dazenga team

Short answer

An NFC card opens your review page when a phone is tapped on it, and a QR code opens it when the phone's camera scans it. Neither needs an app. Many businesses use both, because a QR code works on signs and at a distance while a tap is quicker at the counter.

Both NFC cards and QR codes take a customer from your counter to your Google review page in one step, with no app. They work differently, and each has strengths. Here is a plain explanation so you can choose.

How a QR code review card works

A QR code is a printed pattern that holds a web address. The customer opens their phone's camera, points it at the code and taps the link that appears. On both iPhone and Android the built-in camera app reads QR codes, so nothing needs to be installed.

Cheap: it is just ink on paper, so it can go on signs, receipts, menus and window stickers.
Works from a distance: a customer can scan a table sign without picking anything up.
Needs decent light and a clean print. Glare, a smudge or a tiny code can make it fail.

You can make one in a minute with our free Google review QR code generator.

How an NFC review card works

An NFC card has a tiny chip and antenna inside. The chip stores a web address. When a phone is held close, within a few centimetres, it powers the chip wirelessly, reads the address and offers to open it. The card needs no battery.

iPhone: models from the XS onwards read NFC tags automatically. Older models need a different method, which is why a QR code on the same card is useful.
Android: most phones read NFC tags, though NFC must be switched on in settings, which it often is by default.
Feels effortless: one tap, no camera, no aiming. It is a good fit for busy counters.
Metal interferes. A card stuck directly onto a metal surface can fail to read unless the tag is designed for it.

Which should you use?

In practice, most businesses do best with both on the same surface. NFC gives the quick tap for people whose phones support it, and the QR code catches everyone else.

Tight budget, wide coverage: QR codes on printed signs and receipts.
A premium counter or reception desk: a physical NFC and QR card, which also looks more considered.
Multiple tables or rooms: a card at each one, so nobody has to walk to a single point.

Dazenga's cards carry both an NFC chip and a QR code that point to the same page, and you can print free QR signs before your cards arrive. See how it works on the home page.

Placement tips that matter more than the technology

Put it where customers already pause: next to the card machine, on the table, at reception.
Add a short line such as 'Enjoyed your visit? Tap or scan to review us on Google'.
Keep it at hand height and not behind glass, which can block NFC.
Test it with your own phone, and a colleague's with a different brand, before relying on it.

Then pair the card with a friendly ask from staff. Our guide to asking for Google reviews has scripts.

Frequently asked questions

Do NFC cards need batteries or charging?

No. They are passive: the phone powers the chip for the instant it reads it, so a card lasts for years.

Do customers need to download an app?

No, for either option. QR codes are read by the phone's camera, and NFC tags by the phone itself. Customers only need to be signed in to Google to post a review.

Can an NFC card be changed later?

Some chips can be rewritten, but the simplest approach is a card that points to a page you control, so you can change where it leads without replacing the card.

Get more reviews without chasing them

Dazenga puts a tap-or-scan card on your counter. Happy customers go straight to your Google reviews, and anyone with a problem can tell you privately. Every customer sees the same two choices.

Start your free trial Check your review score first