Facial Recognition vs RFID: Which Is Right for Your Business?
For most businesses, facial recognition is the stronger long term choice for time and attendance. It’s faster, more secure and harder to cheat than a card based system. RFID still has a place. It’s cheaper to install and works well in specific situations, but it comes with trade-offs worth understanding before you buy. This guide compares both so you can work out which suits your business.
Quick Answer
If you want the short version: facial recognition is the better option for most businesses, unless you have a specific reason not to use it.
How Each Technology Works
Facial Recognition
RFID
Why Facial Recognition Comes Out on Top
Facial recognition solves problems that RFID simply can’t.
Where RFID still makes sense
RFID isn’t obsolete. It’s a genuinely practical option in the right setting.
Worth knowing before comparing on price alone: dedicated RFID terminals like the Uni-Ubi UCard 2 and Anviz W1C Pro use sequential clocking logic. The first scan of the day is treated as a clock in, and the second as a clock out. That works fine for a standard day shift, but it breaks down for night shifts that span midnight, where the “day” resets partway through a shift. Facial recognition terminals avoid this altogether, since the employee simply selects clock in or clock out on the screen. For businesses running overnight shifts, this often means two dedicated RFID terminals are needed to cover both directions reliably, which changes the cost comparison against a single facial recognition terminal.
Facial Recognition, RFID, and GDPR
Some employees have concerns about facial recognition and GDPR, or simply don’t want to consent to biometric data capture. It’s a reasonable position, and one worth planning for rather than working around.
One Terminal, Two Options
Uni-Ubi UFace Terminals Support Facial Recognition and RFID, Side by Side
The UFace 5 Pro and UFace 8 Pro support facial recognition and RFID/Mifare on the same device, at the same time. Nobody has to compromise, and there’s no need for separate hardware.
This flexibility is one of the clearest advantages a Uni-Ubi UFace terminal has over a dedicated RFID device. A single terminal can serve a mixed workforce from day one, and the balance between facial and RFID users can shift over time without buying anything new.
Facial Terminals We Recommend
Top Recommendation
Uni-Ubi UFace 5 Pro
A powerful facial recognition terminal with accurate liveness detection and sub-second matching. It supports face, RFID/Mifare card, and PIN authentication, ensuring flexible clocking methods on one device.
Key features:
Best for Remote Sites
Uni-Ubi UFace 8 Pro 4G
The same capabilities as the UFace 5 Pro, with built-in 4G connectivity. A good fit for remote sites, construction sites or anywhere without reliable network infrastructure.
Key features:
Dedicated RFID Terminals
When facial recognition genuinely isn’t the right fit, these are the RFID terminals worth considering. Simpler devices, at a lower price point.
Our Recommendation
Uni-Ubi UCard 2
An industrial grade RFID terminal with a slim, minimalist design, built for durable, long term performance across both indoor and outdoor installations.
Key features:
Alternative Option
Anviz W1C Pro
A compact RFID terminal with a colour touchscreen and fast recognition, built as a straightforward, lower capacity alternative to the UCard 2 for smaller teams.
Key features:
Facial Recognition vs RFID at a Glance
| Feature | Facial Recognition | RFID |
|---|---|---|
| Contactless | Yes | No, card/tag required |
| Buddy punching prevention | Yes | No |
| Cost of Terminal | Higher | Lower |
| Can be forgotten or lost | No | Yes, card/tag can be lost |
| GDPR flexibility | Requires consent | No biometric data captured |
| Reliable for overnight workers | Yes | Limited, may need 2 devices |
| Clock in/out buttons | Manual, on screen | Automatic sequential logic |
| Outdoor use | Yes (IP65) | Yes |
| Works without physical item | Yes | No |
| Idency recommended | Primary recommendation | When facial isn’t suitable |
Which Is Right for Your Business
| Business Type | Recommended Solution | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most businesses | Uni-Ubi UFace 5 Pro (facial recognition) | Faster, more secure, prevents buddy punching |
| Remote or off-grid sites | Uni-Ubi UFace 8 Pro 4G | Built-in 4G removes the need for local network infrastructure |
| Employees with GDPR concerns | Uni-Ubi UFace 5 Pro (facial + RFID together) | Lets consenting and non-consenting employees use the same device |
| Budget-conscious or simple set-ups | Uni-Ubi UCard 2 (dedicated RFID) | Lower entry cost for a straightforward requirement |
| Businesses wanting RFID now, flexibility later | Uni-Ubi UFace 5 Pro used for RFID | Same hardware can add facial recognition at any point |
Why Facial Recognition Is Worth the Extra Cost
The price difference between a facial recognition terminal and a dedicated RFID device is real, and for a straightforward setup with no plans to change, a Uni-Ubi UCard 2 is a perfectly reliable choice. But for most businesses, the Uni-Ubi UFace 5 Pro terminal earns its higher price back through flexibility alone. It handles clock in and clock out cleanly without relying on sequential logic, it gives employees a choice around GDPR consent, and it leaves the door open to add facial recognition for more employees later without buying new hardware. A single terminal that can do both is, in most cases, a better long term investment than two separate systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
RFID cards can be lost, shared or used by someone other than the intended employee. Facial recognition can’t be shared or handed to a colleague, which makes it the more secure option for preventing buddy punching.
Yes. Uni-Ubi UFace 5 / 8 Pro terminals support both on the same device, and IdencyTime manages both authentication types within a single system.
Yes, biometric data capture requires employee consent. Employees who don’t consent can use an RFID or Mifare card instead on the same Uni-Ubi UFace terminal.
Yes. If a UFace 5 / 8 Pro terminal is used for RFID from the start, facial recognition can be enabled for some or all employees at any point without buying new hardware.
Not sure whether facial recognition or RFID is right for your business?
Our team can talk through your setup and recommend the right terminal, with no obligation.
Uni-Ubi UFace 8 Pro (4G) Facial Recognition Terminal
£1,299.99 inc.VAT | £1,083.33 ex.VAT
Anviz W1C Pro WiFi RFID Time and Attendance Terminal
£219.99 inc.VAT | £183.33 ex.VAT
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