NFC vs QR code attendance
My NFC Attendance supports both, so this isn’t really an either-or decision — it’s about picking the right one for a given student or session. Here’s how they actually compare.
| NFC tag | QR code | |
|---|---|---|
| Check-in speed | Tap, done | Line up code with camera |
| Requires a phone from the student | ||
| Works with a printed backup | ||
| Can be saved to Apple/Google Wallet | ||
| Needs a physical tag or card | ||
| Good for bulk-scanning a class fast | ||
| Works if the student has no device |
When NFC makes more sense
Younger students, or anyone who doesn’t reliably carry a phone, benefit most from a physical NFC card or tag — nothing to open, nothing to charge, just a tap.
When QR codes make more sense
Anyone with a phone can save their code to a digital wallet, print a backup, or fall back to it instantly if they’ve lost an NFC card — QR is the more flexible option when a device is already in hand.