We all love the convenience of wireless technologies. Without it, we can’t quickly and securely transfer data from one device to another. However, there are two different types of technology that can help you achieve this: NFC and Bluetooth. But which is better? We evaluate NFC vs. Bluetooth in this head-to-head comparison.
Good to know: in the market for a waterproof Bluetooth speaker? Check out the best ones.
NFC vs. Bluetooth: Quick Comparison
NFC and Bluetooth are wireless communication technologies that enable short-range data transfer between devices. In addition, both are standardized technologies supported by many devices and manufacturers, but differ in many respects.
| Characteristics | Bluetooth | NFC |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Uses 2.4 GHz ISM spectrum band (2400 to 2483.5 Mhz) | Operates within the globally available radio frequency ISM of 13.56 MHz |
| Distance | Range up to 10 – 20 meters (33 – 66 ft) | Range up to 4 cm (0.131 ft) |
| Speed | Can transfer data at speeds up to 2 Mb/s (with Bluetooth 5) | Allows for rapid data transfer with a maximum of 424 Kb/s |
| Security | Has vulnerabilities | Highly secure |
| Number of devices | Up to 8 devices can be connected at a time | Connects 2 devices |
What Is NFC Technology?
NFC is the abbreviation for Near Field Communication. It is a wireless touch technology that pairs two devices quickly without any pairing process required. To connect these types of devices wirelessly, bring them close enough so that one can read the other.
There are two different types of NFC devices: passive and active. Passive devices do not process data from other NFC sources and can only connect to an active device and send back information. These include access cards for office buildings and dorms, dog ID chips, and frequent shopper cards. Active devices can send and receive data. Some examples of active devices are touch payment terminals, smartphones, and smartwatches.
NFC employs a touchless “tap” to enable devices to talk. A reader (active) device, like a smartphone, emits a radio signal. This signal makes contact with a nearby NFC tag (passive), a small chip with a coil. The tag wakes up, thanks to the electromagnetic nudge, and uses the resulting current to send a small amount of data back to the reader.
NFC is a newer standard than Bluetooth, though the technology it uses is older. It sends radio waves using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). NFC improves it by sending data in both directions instead of only one way, like the original technology.
Read on for additional information regarding NFC.
Tip: some features like Nearby Share on Windows use Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet to transfer your files. Learn how to take advantage of it.
What Is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth technology brought the first wireless data transmission. It is a direct radio transmission developed in 1989. To use Bluetooth, you must pair the two wireless devices before you can transfer any data. It is the simplest way to transfer larger packets of data between two devices, but it can be prone to glitches because of the pairing process.
This wireless technology, now on version 5.3, is present on almost all modern electronic devices, like laptops, smartphones, speakers, gaming equipment, and wireless headphones.
If you’d like to learn more about how Bluetooth technology works, check out our dedicated post for additional information.
NFC vs. Bluetooth: Key Differences
While NFC and Bluetooth are both wireless transfer methods, they have different purposes.
Use Cases
First off, it’s important to note that the two technologies have different use cases. One of the most common uses of NFC is contactless payments using smartphones. However, NFC can also be used in access control (granting entry to buildings, hotel rooms, etc.), user/device authentication, object/asset tracking, and smaller data transfers (such as contacts or a couple of photos).
Bluetooth is the better choice when transferring larger amounts of data. It’s typically used to connect devices, enabling anything from seamless audio streaming, file sharing and device synchronization.
FYI: Bluetooth won’t connect? Learn how to fix the situation.
Frequency
NFC and Bluetooth are designed to coexist peacefully. They each use specific frequency ranges – 13.56 MHz for NFC and 2.4 GHz for Bluetooth – to transmit data. This prevents their signals from clashing and ensures both technologies function properly on your device. In addition, Bluetooth also has a mechanism called frequency hopping, which changes the frequency channel randomly and rapidly.
Distance
These two wireless technologies differ in their connectivity ranges. Specifically, NFC boasts an extremely limited range, typically spanning just a few centimeters. Think how close you need to bring your credit card to the POS for the payment to go through. In contrast, Bluetooth offers a significantly broader range, even if it can’t make long-range connections, typically extending from 10 to 20 meters (33 to 66 ft.) This means you can effortlessly link your phone with a Bluetooth speaker, even if they’re located in separate rooms.
Speed
NFC’s transfer rate is slow in comparison to Bluetooth, with a maximum rate of only 424 Kbit/s. However, NFC connects quickly, with lightning speed in only about one-tenth of a second. This close and rapid connectivity makes it ideal for handling payments and keeping them secure.
This technology also uses very little power, much less than Bluetooth. The only time it uses a bit more power is when it is paired with a passive, unpowered device like an NFC tag.
While Bluetooth pairs more slowly than NFC, it sends data more quickly. Data transfer rates for Bluetooth connections average about 2 Mb/s.
The power requirement is about one milliwatt. This lower power consumption makes it great for devices that are powered by batteries. The technology does use some battery juice when it is scanning for available connections, so if you’re not actively using Bluetooth and want to preserve your battery, it’s a good idea to turn Bluetooth off.
Tip: increase your Windows security by using these settings for free protection.
Security
When it comes to security, NFC is the clear winner. NFC is a highly secure technology that protects your information during transmission by employing multiple encryption protocols.
Despite supporting some security measures, such as pairing codes and authentication mechanisms, Bluetooth is less secure and can be susceptible to attacks if you’re not careful. Read our guide on Bluetooth safety tips.
Number of Devices
NFC technology allows the automatic pairing of just two compatible devices within the acceptable read range.
When it comes to Bluetooth, one device takes the role of the master device and pairs up to seven different devices at a time, acting as slaves to the master device. This setup is called a piconet. It allows the establishment of short-range wireless connections between Bluetooth devices, such as a smartphone [master] and multiple peripherals (headphones, keyboards, and speakers) [slaves].
Tip: check out these methods (other than Bluetooth) to transfer files from your PC to Android.
Bluetooth or NFC?
The NFC vs. Bluetooth choice depends on your specific needs and how you plan to use it. That said, the two technologies can work in tandem to create even better connectivity between wireless devices.
If you want to start making contactless payments with your smartphone, read about the best NFC digital wallet options to see what they each bring to the table. If your situation calls for a Bluetooth connection, you may want to get up to speed with how to set up and manage Bluetooth devices in Windows.
Image credit: Unsplash, Flaticon, Flaticon, Flaticon. All screenshots by Alexandra Arici.
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