MIFARE Ultralight vs ST25TV02K

Choose MIFARE Ultralight if you need the lowest-cost solution for single-use or limited-reuse applications like event tickets, transport tokens, or basic product authentication. With 48 bytes of user-writable memory and 32 bits of one-time programmable space, it suits simple data storage scenarios where each tag stores minimal information. The chip operates on ISO/IEC 14443-A protocol at 13.56 MHz with NFC Forum Type 2 compatibility, ensuring broad smartphone readability. Security is minimal—a 7-byte UID and field-programmable read-only locks per page, but no encryption or password protection. The total 64-byte memory includes manufacturer data and lock bits, leaving only 48 bytes for your application. This makes it ideal for disposable credentials, loyalty cards with limited transactions, or scenarios where cost per tag is the primary constraint and data security requirements are low. Choose ST25TV02K if you require greater memory capacity, reusable read/write capability, and basic access control. With 256 bytes of EEPROM organized in 64 blocks of 4 bytes, you get more than five times the usable storage of MIFARE Ultralight. The chip operates on ISO/IEC 15693 and ISO/IEC 18000-3 mode 1 protocols at 13.56 MHz with NFC Forum Type 5 compatibility, offering longer read range than ISO 14443-A in many implementations. Security features include 32-bit password protection and lock bits, plus AFI (Application Family Identifier) for application-level filtering. The energy harvesting output allows the tag to power external sensors or indicators from the RF field. This makes ST25TV02K appropriate for reusable asset tracking, supply chain management with multiple data updates, sensor tags requiring field-powered operation, or any application needing password-protected memory areas and higher data capacity.