The main difference between a chip card and an RFID card is in how they communicate. While a chip card uses a direct connection to the reader, an RFID card communicates wirelessly. Most RFID cards have a chip inside.
For business customers, it’s important to know that compatibility takes priority over everything else. It’s better to avoid using the wrong frequencies, protocols, chips, or security solutions and incurring costs for replacing readers or integrating new cards.
What Is a Chip Card?
A chip card is one which has an integrated circuit, or an IC, for storing or processing information. Other names for it include IC card and smart card.
Contact chip cards have metal contacts and connect directly to the reading device, while contactless chip cards communicate using radio frequency. There are dual-interface cards with single chips for contact and non-contact interfaces. Chip cards are used in finance, ID schemes, public transport, educational institutions, and security projects.
What Is an RFID Card?
An RFID card is made up of a microchip and an antenna, which communicate with an RFID reader. RFID cards used for hotels, access control, memberships, and identification are mostly passive, meaning that they don’t contain any batteries.
The RFID reader creates a radio-frequency field, and when the RFID card is placed inside the field, the antenna gathers energy, activates the chip, and transmits the necessary information.
RFID cards can also operate at different frequencies: low frequency (LF), at either 125 or 134.2 kHz; high frequency (HF), at 13.56 MHz; and ultra-high frequency (UHF), ranging from 860 to 960 MHz.
Are RFID Cards Also Chip Cards?
Yes, since most RFID cards are also chip cards: they have an integrated circuit inside.
The definitions refer to different aspects. “Chip card” relates to the technology embedded in the card. “RFID card” relates to the communication technology utilized. Thus, the comparison between an IC card and an RFID card or between a smart card and an RFID card isn’t entirely accurate. When you buy something, the only useful comparison is between a contact card and a contactless card.
How Do Chip Cards and RFID Cards Work?
A chip card that requires physical contact works by establishing an electrical connection. Inserting the card into the reader causes power to be supplied to the chip through its metal contacts.
In an RFID card, there’s no physical contact because radio waves transmit power and data. The antenna in the RFID card captures energy from the reader and powers the chip.
The mode of communication determines the range and transaction process, among other things.
Chip Card vs RFID Card-Detailed Comparison
Compatibility and Reader Requirements
A contact chip card must be compatible with its reader and chip commands. RFID cards must meet the frequency, protocol, and chip requirements.
A 125 kHz card won’t work with a 13.56 MHz reader. Even cards operating at the same frequency can use different standards.
Communication Method
In a contact chip card, communication takes place through physical contact. In RFID cards, wireless communication is employed, enabling faster use in hotels, offices, and gate access control.
Power Supply
Contact chip cards get power from the reader’s contacts. In passive RFID cards, power comes from the reader’s electromagnetic field, so there is no need for batteries.
Read Range, Speed and User Experience
For contact chip cards, physical contact with the reader must take place. LF and HF are suitable for short-range applications, while UHF is suitable for longer-range reading of assets, inventory, and vehicles.
Data Storage and Processing
Both technologies range from simple identification cards to more secure smart cards. Secured data requires sufficient memory capacity, encryption, authorization, and mutual authentication.
Mutual authentication is a process in which the card and the reader authenticate each other before any transaction takes place.
Multi-Card Reading
A contact reader can only read one card at a time. UHF RFID cards can use batch-reading features when many tagged objects need to be read.
Durability and Maintenance
Repeated insertion wears out contact chip cards and reader slots. RFID doesn’t involve wear and tear from physical contacts, but excessive bending can damage the antenna.
Application Comparison
Contact chip cards fit insertion-based systems, while RFID fits contactless applications. Use LF for 125 kHz access, HF for 13.56 MHz systems, and UHF for longer-range or batch reading.
Use dual-interface cards for contact and contactless operation. Use hybrid cards when one credential needs separate technologies.
Which Is More Secure: Chip Card or RFID Card?
The presence of contact or contactless communication doesn’t secure any system on its own.
An access system that uses access based on a particular card number will have lower security than systems that use an encrypted authentication process. Contactless secure microcontroller cards can be provided with functionalities like encrypted communication, mutual authentication, and key protection.
For high-security systems, the combination of the chip used, authentication process, key management, controller-to-reader communication, and backend access control needs to be considered.
Compatibility and Reader Requirements
Before switching cards, know all the requirements for the reader and the entire system. Frequency is the first thing to look at.
Make sure you know your reader model, card standard, chip type, security keys, data format, read/write configuration, controller, and software. If you’re working on a mobile solution, make sure that your card protocol is supported by your target mobile devices.
For instance, ISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 15693 operate at 13.56 MHz, but a reader designed for one won’t necessarily support the other.
Being able to read a UID doesn’t guarantee RFID card compatibility either. The reader might be able to read the number but fail to authenticate or process data because the command set, security keys, or data files differ.
For an existing project, test your cards on the actual reader and controller software before large-scale production.
Chip Card vs RFID Card Cost
Neither RFID card cost nor chip card cost has a fixed outcome in a comparison study.
The price per unit varies depending on the chip, memory capacity, security level, antenna, material, printing and encoding costs, quantity ordered, and additional features. Additional interfaces or chips make dual-interface cards and hybrid cards more expensive.
When purchasing, one should consider the overall cost of the solution, not the cost of the card. The cheaper card won’t be cheaper if the project needs to purchase readers, modify software, or acquire additional replacement costs.
Which Card Should You Choose?
Select the right technology based on the system and application.
| Requirement | Type of Card | Suitable for |
| 125 kHz access | LF RFID | Older systems |
| Tap access | HF RFID | Hotel/office applications |
| Phone use | NFC card | Communication through a phone |
| Long-range reading | UHF RFID | Inventory/asset tracking |
| Contact + contactless | Dual-interface | Contact and contactless |
| LF + HF | Hybrid card | Two different technologies |
When selecting between an RFID card and an NFC card, frequency alone isn’t sufficient, as NFC is part of the 13.56 MHz family of contactless cards. However, phone compatibility also depends on the protocol.
How JLTRFID Helps You Select the Right Card
It’s possible for two cards to be exactly the same in appearance but use different chips or operate at different frequencies.
JLTRFID will help you figure out which frequency or type of chip you need depending on your application, security, and range requirements.
We can provide you with compatible samples to test on your reader and software before you commit to ordering a batch of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are RFID cards the same as chip cards?
No. RFID cards work using radio frequency, and “chip card” is a term used to show a card having an IC chip. Most RFID cards have a chip, which makes these categories a little similar.
Do RFID cards contain a chip?
Yes. Most RFID cards contain an antenna and a chip. The chip processes/stores data, and the antenna communicates with a reader. In passive RFID cards, the energy is supplied by the reader’s field.
Are all chip cards RFID-enabled?
No. Some chip cards use metal contacts for communication with a reader, while RFID cards communicate without physical contact. Dual-interface cards can use both contact and contactless modes of communication.
Is an RFID card more secure than a chip card?
No. The security level depends on the chip, the authentication method, the encryption, and key management. A properly secured RFID card can be more secure than a simple contact chip card. Don’t use the UID of an RFID card as an access credential in a high-security system.
Can one card support contact and RFID interfaces?
Yes. That kind of card is called a dual-interface card and uses one and the same chip for both types of communication. A hybrid card consists of two separate technologies in one card. It can be useful when a credential needs to work with some systems.
Can an RFID card replace an existing chip card?
Yes, but only if the new card is compatible with the current system. Pay attention to the following: frequency, interface type, protocol, chip functionality, security options, and data formats.
Conclusion
The choice between a chip card and an RFID card starts with system compatibility. It will determine the proper choice you should make, depending on your reader, security requirements, read range, and application.
If you want to replace an old card or design a system from scratch, you need to send us at JLTRFID a sample of your card, the model of your reader, or your project requirements. We will help you determine the proper frequency and chip and offer you a suitable card for your application.
