Provenance StoryTag an item

Comparison guide

QR code or NFC chip?

Both open an object's provenance story. They differ in who can read them, how they look, and whether they can prove the item is genuine.

QR codeNFC chip
Cost per itemPenniesLow — more for secure chips
Readable byAny phone cameraMost modern phones, tap to read
VisibilityVisible markCan be fully hidden
Clone resistanceNone — easily copiedHigh with cryptographic chips
DurabilityDepends on print & materialSealed, long-lasting
Best forLabels, plaques, certificates, displayProving the object is the original

Our recommendation: use both

A visible QR code on a plaque, label or certificate invites anyone to explore the story. A hidden, secure NFC chip on the object proves it is the original. Both point to the same digital identity, so the story stays in one place.

Choosing NFC hardware

SmartLinks supports QR, standard NFC and secure NFC on the same identity — see SmartLinks connected products. Then read how to tag an item step by step.

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Give your collection a digital identity

SmartLinks connects physical objects to a living digital record — one identity per item, readable by QR or NFC, with ownership history, documents and media that travel with it.

Explore SmartLinksSee how it works

Questions

Frequently asked

Can a QR code be copied?+

Yes — any QR code can be photographed and reprinted. That is fine for sharing information, but it means a QR code alone cannot prove that the physical item is the original.

What makes an NFC chip secure?+

Secure NFC chips (for example NTAG 424 DNA) generate a unique, encrypted message on every tap. The server checks it, so a copied or cloned tag is detected.

Do all phones read NFC?+

Almost all modern iPhones and Android phones read NFC tags without an app. QR codes work with any phone camera, which is why many collections use both.