Chip vs Chip

NTAG215 vs NTAG 424 DNA

NTAG215 offers 504 bytes memory with 32-bit password security, making it ideal for Nintendo amiibo, product tags, marketing posters. NTAG 424 DNA provides 256 bytes with AES-128 + SUN authentication security, suited for product authentication, anti-counterfeiting, secure access.

NTAG 215

FamíliaNTAG
Memória540 bytes (user: 504 B)
Preço$0.080 – $0.200

NTAG 424 DNA

FamíliaNTAG
Memória416 bytes (user: 256 B)
Preço$0.250 – $0.550

NTAG215 vs NTAG 424 DNA: Consumer Capacity vs. Cryptographic Security

NTAG215 and NTAG 424 DNA share NXP heritage and smartphone compatibility, but diverge completely on security. One is an open data store; the other is a cryptographic authentication device.

Overview

NTAG215 provides 492 bytes of usable NDEF memory with no cryptographic security. Its fame rests on Amiibo compatibility and its generous capacity for multi-record NDEF payloads. Any NFC-enabled smartphone reads it natively.

NTAG 424 DNA offers 256 bytes in a NFC Forum Type 4 file structure protected by AES-128. Its defining feature is SUN (Secure Unique NFC) messaging: on every tap, it appends a cryptographically unique CMAC and counter to a URL, enabling a backend server to verify each tap as authentic and unrepeatable.

Key Differences

  • Security: NTAG215 — 32-bit password (clonable, no crypto). NTAG 424 DNA — AES-128 SUN messages; every tap produces a unique server-verifiable token. Cloning is infeasible.
  • Memory: NTAG215 — 492 bytes usable. NTAG 424 DNA — 256 bytes in Type 4 NDEF file. NTAG215 actually stores more raw bytes.
  • Protocol: NTAG215 — NFC-A ISO 14443-A Type 2. NTAG 424 DNA — NFC-A ISO 14443-4 (T=CL), enabling richer access-controlled file structure.
  • Amiibo: NTAG215 is Amiibo-compatible. NTAG 424 DNA is not.
  • Backend requirement: NTAG215 works with no backend. NTAG 424 DNA requires a cloud service to verify SUN CMACs.
  • Price: NTAG 424 DNA is roughly 3–5× the cost of NTAG215.

Use Cases

Choose NTAG215 when: - Amiibo compatibility is required - Large NDEF payloads (up to 492 bytes) are needed with no security requirement - Cost and simplicity dominate

Choose NTAG 424 DNA when: - Anti-counterfeiting is a requirement (brand protection, luxury goods, pharmaceuticals) - Each scan must be provably unique - Backend infrastructure is available to verify SUN tokens

Verdict

NTAG215 wins on memory and cost for open data delivery. NTAG 424 DNA wins on security — it is the only choice when cryptographic tap authentication is required in a smartphone-friendly package. They are not interchangeable.

Recomendação

Choose NTAG215 when you need mid-range Type 2 tag used in amiibo; choose NTAG 424 DNA when you need dynamic URL authentication without an app.