NTAG213 vs. NTAG215 – Which NFC Chip Should You Choose? [Comparison]
When choosing NFC tags, stickers, or keychains, sooner or later you’ll come across two model numbers: NTAG213 and NTAG215. These are the two most popular NFC chips from NXP. They look identical on the outside, but there’s one key difference: memory capacity. In this guide, we explain how they differ and which chip to choose for your specific application.
NTAG213 and NTAG215—what do they have in common?
Both chips operate at 13.56 MHz (ISO 14443A) and can be read by any modern NFC-enabled phone—whether it’s an Android or an iPhone. Both are fully programmable: you can store a link, a vCard business card, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings, or any NDEF record on them. All you need to program them is a free app, such as NFC Tools—we’ve described the process step by step in our guide, “How to Program NFC Tags.”
NTAG213 vs. NTAG215 – Comparison Chart
| Parameter | NTAG213 | NTAG215 |
|---|---|---|
| User Memory | ~144 bytes | ~504 bytes |
| Frequency | 13.56 MHz | 13.56 MHz |
| Standard | ISO 14443A | ISO 14443A |
| Phones | Android and iPhone | Android and iPhone |
| Best for | short link, simple record | vCard business card, more information |
| Price | lower | slightly higher |
When is the NTAG213 sufficient?
The NTAG213 is a cost-effective choice that's more than enough when you're storing a single link or a short record:
- a link to a webpage, menu, or social media profile,
- marketing campaigns, labels, and product labeling,
- Simple automations on your phone.
If you're only storing a URL, the NTAG213 offers the best value. At Tagshop, you'll find it in products such as rectangular tags and NFC cards.
When will the NTAG215 be better?
The NTAG215 has more than three times as much memory, so choose it when you want to store more data at once:
- a detailed vCard business card (first name, company, phone number, email, address, website),
- several NDEF records at the same time,
- scenarios where having extra memory for the future will come in handy.
That’s why our round NFC stickers, as well as our keychains and wristbands, use the NTAG215 chip—you can be sure they can even hold a full digital business card.
What about metal?
Regardless of which chip you choose, keep one thing in mind: a standard NFC sticker won’t work on a metal surface —metal blocks the signal. To tag devices, tools, or equipment, you’ll need an anti-metal version with a ferrite shield. You’ll find them in the “anti-metal NFC stickers” category.
Summary – Which NFC chip should you choose?
- NTAG213 – when you're storing a link or a short record and want the best price.
- NTAG215 – when you need more memory, such as for a full vCard or several records at once.
Not sure what to choose? Contact us —we'll help you select the right chip and format for your specific application.
