| Attribute | Active Tags | Passive Tags |
| Power Sources | Built-in Battery | Electromagnetic Induction |
| Reading Capability | Higher (22 to 102 m) | Lower (Up to 2.5 m) |
| Required Signal Strength | Lower | Higher |
| Tag Cost | Higher ($14 to $100) | Lower ($0.15 to $5) |
| Data Storage | Large read/write data (128 kb) | Small read/write (128 kb) |
| Size | Larger | Smaller |
| Weight | Larger | Smaller |
| Tag Life | Smaller (3 to 8 years depending upon tag transmission rate) | Larger (Up to 10 years depending upon the environment the tag is in) |
| Tag Readers | Cheap | Expensive |