Need hardware that can read or encode the exact chip family you plan to deploy?
Stock SKU. Custom tooling from 2,000 pcs.
Standard; rush possible on request.
Stock samples via DHL / FedEx.
Use this hardware when the project needs enrollment, encoding, or compatibility testing around a specific chip family and interface. Confirm protocol support, SDK expectations, and deployment style before the shortlist is locked.
What buyers usually confirm first
swipe →Spec Check
Chip protocol, operating system, interface, and SDK expectations should all be clear before a reader sample is approved.
| Product Name | FR Nano NFC Reader/Writer |
| Operating Frequency | 13.56MHz (HF) |
| Compliance | ISO/IEC 14443 Type A/B, ISO 18092 (NFC) |
| Communication Speed | 106, 212, 424 Kbit/s |
| Read Range | 0-60 mm (0-2.36 in) |
| Supported Cards | NXP MIFARE Classic 1K/4K, Plus, Ultralight, DESFire EV1/EV2/EV3, NTAG 21x (210/213/215/216), NTAG 4xx DNA, JCOP Java Card, SmartMX |
| Connectivity | USB, UART (TTL), RS232 |
| Supply Voltage | 5V DC |
| Supply Current | 150 mA (operating) |
| Dimensions | Standard: 86 x 27 x 8 mm; OEM: 86 x 27 x 5 mm; UART: 87 x 27 x 5 mm |
| Weight | Standard: 26 g; OEM: 10 g; UART: 11 g |
| SDK | Free Java, JavaScript, Node.js, PHP, Python, C/C++, Arduino IDE, Lazarus, Borland Delphi, C++ WxWidgets, MS.NET (C#, VB.NET, C++.NET) |
| Supported OS | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Firmware Updates | Free regular updates available for download |
| Certifications | CE EMC (2004/108/EC), R&TTE (1999/5/EC), LVD (2006/95/EC), EMF (2013/35/EU), RoHS2 (2011/65/EU) |
| Warranty | 2-year standard (3 or 5-year options) |
Shortlist Logic
Hardware usually stays in consideration when it reduces integration risk and supports the exact credential workflow being planned.
Use Cases
Deployment context helps determine whether this hardware belongs at a desk, in a kiosk, in a gate, or inside a device.
read and encode employee badges at HR desks with sub-second tap-and-write cycle times
OEM board embeds into payment, ticketing, and visitor check-in terminals at 10 g form factor
program MIFARE Classic and DESFire room keys at front desk check-in stations
read and write ICODE SLIX book tags per ISO/IEC 15693 at patron self-service kiosks
UART module integrates into PLC and HMI panels for operator login at manufacturing terminals
desktop reader for NFC application testing during pre-production evaluation phases
µFR Nano vs JustID USB Dongle — How To Choose
Both are compact USB NFC readers under $100. µFR Nano supports read + write + encode across MIFARE / NTAG / DESFire with full API + developer SDK. JustID Dongle is minimal — UID read only, no write, no advanced cipher support. Pick by whether you need full NFC development or just tag presence detection.
Option A Full API + SDK, read + write + encode
Best for
Option B UID read-only, keyboard emulation
Best for
Quick decision tip — If you need to write data to tags, program access credentials, or integrate via SDK (C / Python / Java), µFR Nano (Option A) is the developer-grade tool. If you only need to read a UID and feed it to existing software that expects keyboard input, JustID Dongle (Option B) works out of the box at 1/3 the cost with zero development.
Yes — if you are a system integrator, software developer, OEM product designer, or developer evaluating NFC reader hardware for a new application, the FR Nano is one of the best-selling desktop / OEM 13.56MHz NFC reader/writers globally because of (1) free SDK with compiled examples in 7+ languages, (2) three form factors (standard enclosure / OEM board / UART module) sharing identical firmware + API, (3) full NXP MIFARE family + NTAG + NTAG424 DNA + JCOP Java Card support out-of-box. Integrators consistently find that NFC project delays stem mostly from inadequate SDK documentation and reader firmware limitations — making SDK quality the primary reader selection criterion ahead of unit price.
Pick a different reader if you need TCP/IP + PoE network deployment (use rfid-reader-writer or µFR Nano Online), 80-200 mm long-range read (use µFR XL OEM 200 mm or µFR Classic CS RF Booster 120 mm), SAM-secured cryptographic key storage (use µFR Classic CS), or zero-code keyboard emulation (use JustID NFC USB Dongle). Pick the µFR Nano when desktop / kiosk / OEM integration with strong SDK support is the requirement.
Comparison across the 5 main reader classes within the Digital Logic NFC reader family (The is the official partner / supplier for these). Prices indicative at MOQ 10 units.
| Class | Read range | Connectivity | SAM / encryption | Best fit | Unit price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| µFR Nano | 0-60 mm | USB / UART / RS232 | Software-only AES | Desktop, OEM, kiosk — default starter reader | $85 – 165 |
| µFR Nano Online | 0-60 mm | USB + Wi-Fi + BLE + Ethernet (variant) | Software-only AES | Network-connected IoT, cloud-integrated, autonomous Master Mode | $145 – 245 |
| µFR XL OEM | 0-200 mm (long-range) | USB + RS232 + Ethernet | Software-only AES | Smart table, under-desk concealed, multi-tag stack, wallet-pass | $285 – 425 |
| µFR Classic CS | 0-80 mm; 0-120 mm with RF Booster | USB + RS232 | Optional SAM slot for hardware key storage | Closed-loop payment, transit fare collection, EMVCo / public AFC | $185 – 345 |
| JustID NFC USB Dongle | 0-50 mm | USB HID + CDC ACM | Keyboard emulation only | Plug-and-play attendance / POS / kiosk — no driver / SDK needed | $45 – 95 |
Verdict: µFR Nano wins as the default starter / OEM integration reader. Online for IoT / cloud. XL for long-range / concealed / smart-table. Classic CS for SAM-secured payment. JustID for zero-code legacy software integration.
Campus card integrators standardize on a reader family with a documented SDK because every access point, enrollment desk, and payment terminal repeats the same integration. Compiled sample code for the campus's chip choice (for example DESFire AES workflows in C++ or Java) is what compresses per-access-point integration time.
The practical evaluation: take the SDK, implement your actual enrollment flow end-to-end on one access point, and measure the engineering days. That number times your access-point count is the real cost comparison between readers.
Verified compatibility across NFC chips, host operating systems, programming languages, and downstream system integrations.
| Category | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NXP MIFARE | MIFARE Classic 1K / 4K (S50 / S70), MIFARE Plus (SL1 / SL3), MIFARE Ultralight EV1 / C, MIFARE DESFire EV1 / EV2 / EV3 (2K / 4K / 8K) | DESFire EV3 AES-128 mutual auth fully supported in SDK; example C / C++ code included |
| NXP NTAG | NTAG210µ / 213 / 215 / 216, NTAG424 DNA (SUN auth) | NTAG424 DNA SUN message verification via SDK helper function |
| JCOP / Java Card | JCOP Java Card, SmartMX secure elements | APDU passthrough for custom applets; banking + government eID workflows |
| Operating systems | Windows 10 / 11, Windows Server, Linux (Ubuntu 18.04+ / Debian / RHEL / Raspberry Pi OS), macOS 10.15+, Android 8.0+, iOS 13+ | SDK binaries for all listed platforms; community-built for ESP32 / Arduino |
| Programming languages | Java, JavaScript, Node.js, PHP, Python, C / C++, Arduino IDE, Lazarus, Borland Delphi, C++ WxWidgets, MS.NET (C# / VB.NET / C++.NET) | Working sample code shipped for first 7; community bindings for others |
| Form factor variants | Standard enclosure (86 x 27 x 8 mm, 26 g), OEM board (86 x 27 x 5 mm, 10 g), UART module (87 x 27 x 5 mm, 11 g) | Identical firmware + API across all 3; pick form factor for mechanical / power constraints |
| Connectivity options | USB 2.0 (HID + CDC), UART TTL (3.3V / 5V), RS232 | UART for direct microcontroller / Raspberry Pi GPIO connection without USB overhead |
| Campus / identity management systems | CBORD, Blackboard Transact, TouchNet, Heartland Campus Solutions, Atrium, OneCard | DESFire EV3 multi-application supported by all major campus card platforms |
| Hotel lock encoders | Assa Abloy Saflok / VingCard, SALTO, Onity (Dormakaba), TESA, Kaba Front Desk encoder integration | For hotels deploying their own custom front-desk encoder hardware |
| Library self-checkout | Bibliotheca selfCheck, 3M self-checkout, mk Solutions, D-Tech International | ISO 15693 ICODE SLIX library tag support (firmware module) |
| Certifications | CE EMC (2004/108/EC), R&TTE (1999/5/EC), LVD (2006/95/EC), EMF (2013/35/EU), RoHS2 (2011/65/EU), FCC Part 15 (US), ICES (Canada) | Full certification documentation provided per order |
How much does the µFR Nano cost at 100 units? Standard enclosure with USB cable and sample NFC cards: $115-145 per unit at MOQ 100. OEM board (no enclosure): $78-98 per unit. UART module: $68-85 per unit. Volume brackets: MOQ 10 = $145-180; MOQ 100 = $95-145 (base); MOQ 1,000 = $72-105; MOQ 10,000+ = $58-85.
Form factor selection? Standard enclosure (desktop deployment): base price. OEM board (embedded into customer enclosure): -$25-40 vs standard. UART module (microcontroller / Raspberry Pi GPIO): -$35-55 vs standard.
Custom firmware? Stock firmware: included. Custom firmware development (specific protocol modifications, custom LED patterns, custom auto-mode behavior): NRE $1,800-4,500 one-time. Pre-loaded customer-specific firmware on production: included at 100+ units.
Pre-encoding sample cards? Stock evaluation cards (MIFARE Classic 1K, NTAG213): included with each unit. Custom-encoded sample cards (customer DESFire AES key, NTAG424 DNA SUN): +$3-8 per card + key-loading NRE $450-1,200.
Warranty? 2-year standard: included. 3-year extended: +$8-12 per unit. 5-year extended: +$18-28 per unit (recommended for university / enterprise / campus deployments with long refresh cycles).
What’s the case vs cheaper readers? Reader unit cost is rarely the true TCO driver in OEM / SI deployments — integration engineering is. A documented SDK with compiled samples in your stack routinely saves days of work per access point, which dwarfs the per-unit hardware premium at fleet scale. Benchmark the integration on one access point before deciding on price.
For OEM and integrator buyers, the reader SDK is effectively the product: integration time scales with documentation quality and sample-code coverage, and a documented SDK with compiled examples in your stack routinely cuts integration from weeks to days. The desktop and OEM NFC reader segment is served by a handful of vendor families (ACS, HID OMNIKEY, Feig, Identiv, Digital Logic), with Digital Logic differentiated by SDK breadth across 7+ languages and identical firmware across enclosure, OEM, and UART form factors.
Access-control modernization and kiosk growth keep demand expanding, with Ethernet and PoE connectivity increasingly specified for enterprise rollouts.
The FR Nano standard enclosure measures 86 x 27 x 8 mm and weighs 26 g, housing the NFC reader in a compact desktop-friendly casing with a USB-C connector. The commercial set includes the reader, USB cable, and sample NFC cards for immediate evaluation. This form factor is the primary choice for desktop enrollment stations, software development workstations, and point-of-sale card reading terminals where the reader sits alongside a PC or laptop.
The FR Nano OEM module strips the enclosure to expose a bare PCB at 86 x 27 x 5 mm and just 10 g, designed for embedding inside custom hardware enclosures, kiosks, and industrial terminals. OEM integrators mount the board using screw holes or adhesive pads, connecting via USB or UART to the host controller. This variant reduces per-unit cost and physical size for volume production runs.
The FR Nano UART module at 87 x 27 x 5 mm and 11 g provides TTL-level serial communication for direct connection to microcontrollers, Arduino boards, Raspberry Pi, and ESP32 modules without USB overhead. This variant is preferred for embedded IoT projects, industrial PLC integration, and custom firmware development where direct serial communication eliminates USB driver dependencies.
The FR Nano is available as a complete commercial set with USB cable and sample cards, or as standalone modules for OEM integration. All three variants share the same firmware, SDK, and API code written for one version runs on any other without modification. The supports volume orders across all variants with custom firmware configuration, pre-encoded sample cards, and technical integration guidance for your specific host system.
Supplier Fit
Once the format is right, most teams still need confidence in manufacturing control, sample support, and repeat-order reliability.
Quality-focused manufacturing and sample support for custom RFID projects.
RFID manufacturing experience across cards, tags, labels, wristbands and readers.
Test product compatibility before bulk purchasing and customization decisions.
Next Reading
Use these references when protocol fit, interface choice, and reader workflow still need to be validated before sampling.
Comparison Pages
These head-to-head pages help buyers compare chip, frequency, material or format decisions before they lock a sample plan for this product.
Commercial Fit
Most inquiry-ready visitors want to know whether this product matches their workflow, region and approval stage. These cues help them move faster without leaving the product page.
Usually need reader compatibility, interface clarity and sample hardware that matches the planned deployment.
Often looking for OEM-ready modules or development-friendly reader hardware with practical integration support.
Typically focused on workstation issuance, desktop testing and reader plus credential matching.
Quote Checklist
Market Notes
Desktop enrollment, access-control replacement and asset-reading workflows often require clear driver and interface expectations.
Reader projects commonly involve NFC development, kiosk integration and bundled supply with matching tags or cards.
Attendance, access-control and hospitality rollouts often prioritize simple deployment and dependable hardware pairing.
Nearby Options
Teams often keep a few hardware paths open until interface, deployment style, and credential support are all clear.
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Compare this optionBefore You Order
Five short reads on the procurement-side topics every B2B RFID buyer wants answered before signing a quote — MOQ thresholds, lead time reality, pricing transparency, sample policy, and how to audit a Chinese factory before your first order.
Buyer Questions
These FAQs cover the points that usually come up between a first shortlist and a real sample or quote request.
For µFR Nano NFC Reader, the standard MOQ starts at 1 piece (for evaluation); 10+ for bulk order on stock SKUs. Custom shapes, molds or non-standard materials typically move MOQ to 2,000–5,000 pieces to cover tooling setup. Exact MOQ and unit pricing are quoted per project once chip, customization and packaging are confirmed.
Yes. Stock rfid readers samples of µFR Nano NFC Reader are typically free; we only ask buyers to cover DHL/FedEx express shipping. Samples ship in 1–3 business days after your order is confirmed and arrive in 2–5 days to most countries. Custom samples (new chip, new size, printed artwork) usually take 3–7 additional days.
Standard µFR Nano NFC Reader orders ship in 7–15 business days after PO confirmation and artwork approval. Large runs (>100k units) or orders with complex encoding / custom molds may take 15–25 business days. Rush production is available on request for time-sensitive launches; confirm MOQ and artwork early to protect the timeline.
Yes. µFR Nano NFC Reader supports end-to-end customization: full-color CMYK / silk-screen / UV printing, laser engraving, serial numbering, custom chip encoding (UID write, NDEF, sector locking), custom shape / size (subject to tooling MOQ), and packaging. Share your artwork, chip requirement and quantity and we will return a spec sheet + price within 24 hours.
Compatibility depends on the frequency band (LF 125 kHz / HF 13.56 MHz / UHF 860–960 MHz) and chip family used by your reader or installed system. Send a photo of your current card / reader model and we will recommend the matching chip + test a sample before bulk order.
RFIDAK operates under ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), audited by SGS. µFR Nano NFC Reader is subject to incoming material inspection, in-process QC at every lamination / bonding / encoding step, and 100% electrical performance testing before shipment. Products meet CE, FCC, RoHS and REACH as applicable by market. Full test reports are available on request for buyer audits.
Yes. µFR Nano NFC Reader ships with SDK and sample code (Windows / Linux / Android where applicable), plus USB-HID keyboard-emulation mode for zero-integration deployments. Request the developer bundle at inquiry stage and we will include it with the evaluation unit.
RFIDAK ships µFR Nano NFC Reader via DHL / FedEx / UPS (door-to-door, 3–5 days to most countries), air cargo (5–7 days for heavier orders), or sea freight (20–35 days for bulk over 500 kg). Standard Incoterms are EXW, FOB Shenzhen and DDP; choose based on customs clearance preferences. Commercial invoice, packing list and CoC / MSDS are included automatically.
For repeat buyers, RFIDAK locks tooling, artwork and chip encoding on file so subsequent POs ship faster — typically 5–10 business days for stock chip types at previously-run quantities. Price is adjusted transparently per chip market rate and FX movement; we flag any chip shortage (e.g., DESFire EV3) before quotation so the project plan stays realistic.
Key µFR Nano NFC Reader specs: frequency 13.56 MHz (HF); dimensions Standard: 86 x 27 x 8 mm; OEM: 86 x 27 x 5 mm; UART: 87 x 27 x 5 mm. A full technical datasheet including read range, chip memory map, IP / temperature rating and compliance certificates is available on request; attach your reader model and target environment so we can confirm suitability before quoting.
Try before you buy. Request free samples of any RFID product from our 50+ SKU catalog. Samples shipped via DHL/FedEx within 1-3 business days worldwide.
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