What's the difference between an NFC sticker and an NFC card?
NFC stickers and NFC cards use the same chip technology but differ in form factor. Stickers are thin adhesive discs or squares meant to be applied to objects (laptops, car windows, product packaging). Cards are credit-card-sized and meant to be handed to people like a business card.
Use cases for stickers vs. cards
NFC stickers are best for permanent or semi-permanent placements — on a store counter so customers can tap to see a menu, on a product so buyers can tap to see instructions, or on a desk so colleagues can tap to get your contact. NFC cards are for mobile networking — handing to people you meet at events, meetings, and chance encounters.
Durability and practical differences
A card is rigid, easily pocketable, and designed to look professional in a handoff. A sticker is flexible, adhesive, and designed to be stuck somewhere. Cards typically come with a branded profile management platform. Stickers are often sold as generic programmable tags that you configure yourself with an NFC writer app.
Can you use an NFC sticker as a business card?
Technically yes — stick it on the back of your phone and people can tap your phone. It works but looks less polished than a dedicated card.
Are NFC stickers cheaper than cards?
Blank NFC stickers are very cheap ($1–$3 each) but lack the platform and profile management that purpose-built cards include. Purpose-built NFC card platforms cost more but include analytics, profile editing, and branding.
Can NFC stickers be placed on metal surfaces?
Standard NFC stickers don't work on metal — the metal interferes with the RF signal. Special 'on-metal' NFC tags exist for that purpose and cost slightly more.