Jun 06 , 2022
The Differences Between Proximity Cards and Key Fobs
Proximity cards and access key fobs both serve the same basic purpose: they get you into your building. They are both equipped with access control technology and a code that’s unique to you. However, there are some crucial differences between proximity cards and key fobs you should know about before you make your choice.
Size and Shape
The most obvious differences are visible at a surface level. A prox card or door entry card looks more like an ID, printed in a standard CR80 size comparable to a driver’s license. Meanwhile, a key fob is smaller and thicker, about the size of a poker chip.
The different shapes and sizes allow you to transport the keys differently. The size of a proximity card makes it easy to keep with other similarly-shaped cards, such as IDs. Fobs fit perfectly on a keychain and can be kept with your other, more traditional keys.
Discretion
A proximity card has plenty of surface area for you to use. Many of AuthorizID’s access cards are printable, so you can use them as an ID as well. Print an employee’s name, photo, and any other necessary information on the card.
Key fobs are more subtle. They’re plain, understated, and serve the same purpose as a proximity card without any flash or fanfare. If you don’t want your employees’ names and identifying info out in the open, a key fob may be the way to go.
Customization
As we briefly mentioned, proximity cards can be customized in ways that key fobs can’t. The size and shape of a prox card allow your employees to use their access credential as a photo ID. If you use multiple types of readers for different systems, you can customize a proximity card to fit. Do your employees use a barcode scanner to clock in? Print that barcode on the card.
Don’t discount key fobs on this front, though. For some industries, excess identifying information can do more harm than good. You can still tailor your employees’ key fobs to open certain doors but not others, and with a sleek grey fob, you’ll do it in style.
When looking into proximity access cards or key fobs, there are more differences between them than meet the eye. However, at the end of the day, they both serve the same purpose. Choose the building access solution that benefits your industry and keeps your employees safe.