RFID is capable of batch scanning and automation. Barcodes make the scanning process economical and easy. QR codes provide mobile phone access to digital data.
Try RFID when stocktaking takes hours, the labels aren’t visible, or multiple scans cause increased labor costs. With low volumes and visibility, barcodes or QR codes are more economical to use.
Now, we will compare these technologies in terms of their scanning process, range, data storage capacity, cost, accuracy, and applications.
What Are RFID, Barcodes and QR Codes?
Barcodes, QR codes, and RFID link tangible assets with digital records. The core difference between them is in the way that they convey and read the ID.
What Is a Traditional Barcode?
Traditional barcodes represent IDs in lines and spaces. Common types include UPC (for retail products), EAN-13 (for retail identification), Code 128 (for logistics and inventory), GS1-128 (for shipment data), and ITF-14 (for cartons/cases).
The scanner forwards the ID to your POS, WMS, ERP, or asset management system, where the corresponding record is opened. GS1-128 contains a lot number, expiration date, and serial number.
What Is a QR Code?
QR codes employ the same optical scanning technology but use square 2D images to store data. Most smartphones and 2D scanners support QR codes.
A QR code may contain an ID, URL, serial number, batch information, or web service. Error correction prevents minor dirt and scratches from making the code unreadable. Contrast problems, very small print, and any other damage covering critical patterns will affect the ability to scan.
What Is RFID?
RFID is an abbreviation for Radio Frequency Identification. As opposed to other technologies that read an ID printed on the surface, RFID employs radio waves.
There are several types of RFID. To understand how it works in the context of inventory, warehouse, manufacturing, and retail applications, the following comparison is focused on passive UHF RFID. This type is used for long read distances and batch scanning. A passive UHF tag doesn’t contain a battery.
Key Differences Between RFID, Barcodes and QR Codes
Do RFID, Barcodes and QR Codes Require Line of Sight?
For barcodes and QR codes, line of sight is necessary since dirt on the label, folding of the label, and even another carton can interfere with the scanning process. UHF RFID technology does away with line-of-sight requirements. This means that a tag placed in another carton or in an object that covers it can be read when enough energy is received by the tag.
Which Technology Is Faster to Scan?
The method of reading is what makes one technology faster than another. Users of barcodes and QR codes must have access to the codes. With large volumes of products, this requires manual effort. RFID technology can capture multiple tag IDs at once. In situations involving cycle counting and bulk receiving, an employee can read tagged goods without stopping at each label.
Which Has the Longest Read Range?
RFID technology can read ID tags from several meters away. The actual RFID read range for this technology depends on the power of the reader, the position of the antenna, tag characteristics, the nature of the item being scanned, and the orientation of the tag.
More range isn’t always better because a long-range dock reader may reach into adjacent lanes and register goods from other shipments.
Barcodes and QR codes require the use of a scanner and camera, respectively. Distance is determined by code size and printing.
Which Can Store More Data?
QR codes store more direct data than 1D barcodes, such as IDs, URLs, and short texts. GS1-128 barcodes can contain lot, expiry, and serial data.
RFID works differently, most inventory tags have an EPC or another short ID, and the database stores the complete information about the product.
Can the Data Be Updated?
Printed barcodes and static QR codes require printing a new label once the encoded value is updated. A QR code that redirects to a website may retain its appearance despite changes in the destination URL.
Some RFID tags contain rewritable memory, meaning that the stored value can be changed without changing the tag itself. Most inventory systems work with one tag ID and update information in the backend.
Which Is More Accurate?
Each technology has a set of potential failure causes. Barcodes and QR codes suffer from damaged print, bad placement of the code, and missed manual scans.
RFID failures occur because of weak antenna placement, improper tag orientation, material interference, and reads outside the target area. A barcode provides direct verification of a single product, whereas RFID reduces missing items during big scans by eliminating the necessity of finding all labels.
Which Works Better Around Metal and Liquids?
For optical codes, material-related issues are rare if the printed image is intact.
UHF RFID interacts with metal and liquid surroundings, steel requires on-metal tags, and liquid products may require additional spacing or a new tag position because of the absorption of UHF energy.
Test your actual products before launching a batch of production.
Which Is More Durable?
The durability of the label or tag depends on its construction. Paper barcode and QR labels are meant for indoor use, while engraving is used for tough environments.
RFID hard tags are for more robust applications in water, chemicals, washing, or impacts. The right choice of material and housing should match real-life conditions.
Which Is More Secure?
Barcodes and QR codes can be duplicated or altered. A fraudulent QR code will lead users to a malicious website.
RFID technology is subject to other security threats: unauthorized reads, cloning, alteration, and duplication. Access control, authentication, and other sensitive applications employ passwords, memory locking, encryption, and backend processing.
Which Is Easier to Integrate?
Barcodes and QR codes can be less complex to set up in cases where the current software is able to work with scanner inputs.
RFID readers produce more raw data, which requires removal of duplicate reads, verification of the correct zone, and association of each unique identifier with an event before the report is sent to an ERP or WMS system. The back-end system remains untouched.
RFID vs Barcode vs QR Code Cost Comparison
| Cost Category | Barcode | QR Code | RFID |
| Label/tag | Very low | Very low | High |
| Reader | Low | Very low to low | Medium to high |
| Installation | Easy | Easy
| RF planning and testing |
| Large-Quantity Labor Cost | High | High
| Low with batch reading |
| Best Suited For | Low scanning volume | Smartphone scanning | High scanning volume |
RFID is more expensive to install but is cost-effective in the long run with batch scanning.
Which Technology Is Best for Each Application?
Inventory and Warehouse Management
High cycle counts, bulk receiving, pallet scanning, and automated docks make UHF RFID a good fit. One read can cover many scanned objects during one work cycle.
Barcodes still come in handy during picking, since workers have to identify one precise SKU to prepare the shipment.
Asset Tracking
QR codes make sense for fewer assets and periodic audits. Employees can scan all assets using their phones without purchasing RFID readers.
The more assets you have, the more work is involved. Manual scanning will be more time-consuming. With RFID, you get an automated tagging process. Passive RFID allows tracking of the place and the reader that registered the asset. For live indoor location, you need active RFID, Bluetooth Low Energy, Ultra-Wideband, or some other RTLS solution.
Manufacturing and Work-in-Progress
Barcodes are good when it’s possible to see and manually scan labels at each production stage.
RFID reads objects that are moving too fast to be manually scanned several times or aren’t visible during production. Test the tag under the actual line conditions in the presence of metal, liquids, heat, or chemicals before a mass purchase.
Retail and Apparel
At POS, barcodes are still relevant and popular. RFID solves a different issue in retail, counting lots of garments fast.
Your retail company can use RFID for inventory counts and keep barcodes for checkouts.
Healthcare and Laboratories
Drugs, samples, and patient-related products require one-item verification. That’s what makes barcodes useful for such applications.
RFID will work great with equipment, reusable trays, instruments, and other large assets. Conditions of sterilization, the presence of liquids and metals, confidentiality laws, and other factors dictate the RFID setup.
Consumer Engagement
QR codes allow customers to access manuals, product websites, warranty cards, and help pages on their phones.
A UHF RFID solution is designed for warehouse use. Smartphones aren’t able to read UHF RFID tags directly. NFC-compatible HF RFID tags is a closer technology for making phone taps possible.
Small Business Inventory
Hundreds of items and infrequent scanning don’t justify additional RFID infrastructure investment. Stick with a barcode or QR code.
Use RFID in case of frequent inventory checks, bulk processes, or lost valuable assets.
Can RFID, Barcodes and QR Codes Be Used Together?
Yes. An item can have RFID, a barcode, a QR code, and even printed text.
Each can be responsible for different functionality: RFID for bulk reads in warehouses, barcode for POS or older systems, QR code for use with phones, and printed text as an additional option.
If you see an opportunity for faster reading or reduced mistakes, include RFID in this process.
How to Choose Between RFID, Barcode and QR Code
| Business Requirements | Better Solution |
| Scan multiple items | UHF RFID |
| Identify a single specific item | Barcode or QR |
| Scan items with hidden tags | RFID |
| Grant users cell phone access | QR or NFC |
| Maintain low labeling cost | Barcode or QR |
| Detect movement at a gate or conveyor belt | RFID |
| Scan items that have metallic content or liquid around them | RFID tag with testing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RFID better than a barcode?
RFID is suitable for batch reading, hiding the tag, and using automated checkpoints. One reader will read multiple tags within one pass. Barcode technology is more affordable and provides direct identification of one visible item.
Is a QR code a type of barcode?
Yes. A QR code is a 2D barcode and consists of squares where the data is stored. It contains more direct data than a traditional 1D barcode. QR codes are usually readable by any smartphone without additional hardware.
Which is cheaper: RFID, barcode or QR code?
The startup cost is lower with barcodes or QR codes. Labels and readers cost less than RFID equipment. RFID is more expensive, but high-frequency, large-volume counts allow some cost recovery through reduced scanning labor.
Can multiple barcodes or QR codes be scanned together?
There are camera systems that can scan multiple visible codes together. But each code must remain inside the camera’s field of view. RFID scanning doesn’t require visual contact between the reader and all tags.
Is RFID more secure than QR codes?
No, not at all. RFID security is ensured by hardware capabilities, access control, authentication, encryption, and backend operations. QR codes are at risk of being replicated and guiding users to the wrong pages.
Can RFID and barcodes carry the same product ID?
Yes. RFID, barcodes, QR codes, and text can be made to refer to the same product record, making sure the item’s ID stays the same throughout warehouse scanning, checkout, and phone scanning.
Can RFID replace barcodes in a warehouse?
RFID can take the place of manual scanning in bulk shipments, cycle counting, and automatic checkpoints. Scanning a number of RFID-tagged objects together will save time on these processes.
Conclusion
RFID technology is more appropriate for processes involving batch reading, covert tags, or automated checkpoints. RFID performance is dependent on the specific item being tagged and the specific parameters of the read process. The presence of metal or liquids, the position of the tag, range, and placement of the antennas will affect the efficiency of the read operation.
Contact JLTRFID with details about your particular item, material, read range, number of items, and existing system to have your requirements matched with the proper RFID tag.
