Written by Dan Barraclough Reviewed by Maïté Bouhali Updated on December 21, 2023 On this page How does RFID work? What is the Difference Between Active and Passive Tags? How Much Does RFID Asset Tracking Cost? The Best RFID Asset Tracking Systems: An Overview 1. EZOfficeInventory: Best Overall 2. InnoMaint: Best for Setting up Reminders 3. eWorkOrders: Best for Custom Reports 4. WiseTrack: Best for Ease of Use 5. Eagle Technology: Best for Third-Party Integrations 6. RFgen: Best for Sustainability Expert Verdict FAQs Expand Our site is reader-supported – by clicking our links, we can match you with a potential supplier, and we may earn a small commission for this referral. After rigorous testing by our experienced research team, we’ve concluded that EZOfficeInventory is the best RFID asset tracking system on the market. Its ease of use, comprehensive set of features and real time tracking with your smartphone means it comes out on top against other systems currently available.However, every business has a unique set of requirements and yours is no different. That’s why we’ve tested five strong competitors who may serve your business better, depending on what you need.In this comprehensive review, we’ll explain the importance of RFID asset tracking, run through the cost of implementing it and then take a look at what impressed our research team about EZOfficeInventory and its five competitors. Top 6 RFID Asset Tracking Software These are the providers we recommend based on our research. Use our comparison tool to find the best service for your business.EZOfficeInventory – Best overallInnoMaint – Best for setting up reminderseWorkOrders – Best for custom reportsWiseTrack – Best for ease of useEagle Technology – Best for third-party integrationsRFgen – Best for sustainability What is RFID Asset Tracking?Asset tracking is crucial for combatting inventory shrink, which refers to the reasons why a business’s stock goes missing. These reasons include damage, human error and theft.The National Retail Federation estimates that US retail shrink grew to more than $112 billion in 2022, up from $93.9 billion in 2021.RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification and it tracks a business’s physical assets. An RFID tag is loaded with relevant data and attached to an asset. An RFID reader picks up the tags pulsating radio wave, capturing the stored data. This information is then stored, monitored and actioned on in powerful asset tracking software.A robust RFID system consists of four main parts: An RFID tag, an RFID reader, an antenna and an asset tracking database.RFID Tags can be active, passive, or semi passive. This will dictate the type of signal it sends and receives. The tag contains identifying information such as the name, condition, location and anything else relevant to the asset.The antenna picks up the signal sent from the RFID tag.The RFID Reader is a handheld device that collects the data from the antenna and sends to the asset tracking database.The asset tracking database receives the data from the RFID reader. The database gives you an overview of everything, allowing you to sort, evaluate and action on your tagged assets. How many assets would you like to track? 1-24 25-99 100-399 400+ Request free quotes What is the Difference Between Active, Semi Passive, and Passive RFID Tags?RFID tags come in three different forms: active, passive and semi-passive. Here’s a quick explainer.Active tags are fitted with a built-in battery and onboard transmitter that allows them to transmit a signal 150 meters. Suitable for real time tracking of high value goods over long ranges.Passive tags only reflect back a signal the RFID reader sends to them. Their read range is only 10 meters. It’s the cheapest option and suitable for tracking less expensive goods over short ranges over a shorter period of time.Semi-passive tags are fitted with a built-in battery but no transmitter. With the battery it can offer features like real time tracking but without the transmitter the range is low compared to an active tag. Suitable for environment and conditioning monitoring.In a nutshell, active RFID tags are more expensive but offer better features and range, making them the best for tracking higher value goods. Semi-passive and passive tags are cheaper options, especially if you only need to track assets over a shorter distance. How Much Does RFID Asset Tracking Cost?Active, passive and semi passive asset tracking comes in different price ranges with active the most expensive and passive the cheapest. There are other parts to an asset tracking system you will need to consider also when pricing a system. Here’s a quick breakdown of the cost of each component.RFID Tag CostsActive tags cost $25 and above with more advanced tags costing over $100 each. Passive tags are cheaper, costing between $0.25 and $5.00 per tag. Semi-passive tags meanwhile can cost anywhere from $5 to $20 per tag. For active and semi-passive tags, factors such as battery size can raise or lower the price.Installation CostsYou can install most active and semi-passive tags yourself because they’re essentially ‘ready-out-the-box’ solutions. On the other hand, passive tags will require expert installation because they require certain connectivity tests, and they need to be connected to a central server, which will cost you a one-off fee. This installation fee is not clear in any of the systems we reviewed but it will be part of any plan or package you choose if you are implementing a passive tag system.License and Maintenance CostsPassive readers are generally larger and more complicated then active readers as they have features like larger cables and antennas. Over time these can become snagged, bumped and suffer general wear and tear which can lead to incurring maintenance costs down the line. Consider investing in training for all your staff on how the passive readers work, which could help you save on maintenance fees.You’ll also need to consider the license charges that are used to cover most customer support and software upgrades. Some providers like WiseTrack charge a one off license fee while others like EZOfficeInventory charge a monthly fee which includes all maintenance, support and upgrades.Software CostsMost RFID asset tracking companies offer bespoke pricing. However, EZOfficeInventory offers set price plans, which should give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for software, per month. In the table below, we’ve laid out each plan they offer, highlighting the ideal customer type, price, and top features for each tier.PlanEssentialAdvancedPremiumEnterpriseBest forSmall teams that are getting startedGrowing teams that are tracking complete asset life cyclesTeams that are collaborating on asset management tasksEnterprises with custom requirementsPrice (billed annually)$40/month$55/month$65/monthCustomTop featuresDepreciation managementCustom fieldsQR and Barcode labelsAsset availability calendarData backups (via DropBox and OneDrive)Checkout bulk itemsRFID (radio frequency ID) scanningG Suite integrationLimited asset visibility to certain departmentsGlobal private cloud optionCustom integrations and securityA dedicated account managerPricing examples are updated and sufficiently accurate as of the most recent update of this page in December 2023. The Best RFID Asset Tracking Systems: An OverviewThe table below gives a brief overview of our findings followed by a closer look at the six asset tracking systems, highlighting the pros and cons of each. Swipe right to see more 0 out of 0 backward forward Best overall EZOffice Inventory Best for setting up reminders InnoMaint Best for custom reports eWork Orders Best for ease of use WiseTrack Best for third-party integrations Eagle Technology Best for sustainability RFGen Key Features Excellent appEasy to useIntegrations with popular software Key Features Customizable reportsMobile app availableReminders and escalation alert features Key Features Customizable softwareScalable solution Key Features Easiest-to-use system we testedIntuitive data entry features Key Features Supports integrations with leading software, including QuickBooks and OracleEasy to use Key Features Emphasis on helping you achieve your sustainability targetsEasy to use Did You Know? Without the help of asset tracking software, retail inventory is only correct about 63% of the time. 1. EZOfficeInventory EZOfficeInventory Pricing $40.00 - $65.00 Get a free quote! Quick overview From our research, we know that EZOfficeInventory offers the best RFID asset tracking solution. Why? Because it’s comprehensive and easy to use – what more does a business need?In particular, we like how you can integrate EZ’s app with its RFID reader to get real-time tracking data direct to your smartphone, allowing you to pull up your asset’s location and status while you’re on-the-go.From the app you can also plan asset reservations well in advance, which is important for giving you an overview of when and where assets are going to be checked in and checked out.However, some integrations are aren't available on the Essential and Advanced plans, unlike Eagle Technology which offers the best range of third party integrations.Overall, this provider is the best option for modern businesses. Read more + Read less - Strengths Excellent app to help you scan assets on-the-go Free 15-Day Trial Integrations with popular software such as G-Suite and Zendesk on Premium plan Weaknesses No integrations on the Essential plan Pricing See more See less PlanPrice (per month, unlimited users) Essential $40.00 Advanced $55.00 Premium $65.00 Enterprise Bespoke Pricing Update When updating this article in December 2023, we discovered that EZOfficeInventory have updated their pricing from our last update in September 2023.The Essential Plan has increased by $5 per month while the Advanced and Premium Plans have increased by $10.With this increased pricing comes increased functionality in the plans, with Asset Tracking now included in the Essential Plan. Save by Comparing RFID Asset Tracking Quotes Do you currently use asset tracking software? Yes No 2. InnoMaint InnoMaint Pricing On request Get a free quote! Quick Overview Setting up reminders can be the difference between a successful day in the field, and a day to forget.Thankfully, InnoMaint makes it really easy to set up reminders that notify you of any upcoming activities such as part replacements or contract renewals. You can also set up escalation alerts that are designed to tell users when items are past due, or if there have been any contract violations.Unlike EZOfficeInventory, there are no deprecation management features, but InnoMaint still manages to pick up awards such as Digital.com’s Best CMMS Software for 2021. Read more + Read less - Strengths Superb reminders and escalation alert features Customizable reports Mobile app allow you to scan asset and raise damage alerts on the go Weaknesses Doesn’t offer depreciation management features, unlike EZOfficeInventory Pricing See more See less PlanPrice All plans On request Did You Know? RFID technology can improve your inventory accuracy to 99.99% 3. eWorkOrders eWorkOrders Pricing On request Get a free quote! Quick overview Customizing your RFID asset tracking reports will improve the user experience for your staff and, ultimately, boost efficiency. This is something eWorkOrders does with ease.In our research, we found eWorkOrders to be one of the most flexible and customizable options, enabling you to tweak your reports on maintenance, equipment management, invoicing, and more.One downside is that eWorkOrders doesn't offer a free demo unlike other providers like EZOfficeInventory or RFGen.However the features on offer should be more than enough for most modern businesses. Read more + Read less - Strengths Customizable software for better user experience and efficency Scalable solution making it ideal for growing business Multiple location management from one centralized location Weaknesses No free demo available unlike EZOffice or RFGen Outdated website Pricing See more See less PlansPrice All plans On request Unclear on how much you’ll pay for your RFID asset tracking software? Not to worry, we’ve explained the average RFID asset tracking costs in the section below. Also, don’t forget that we can help you find a clear price for your next RFID asset tracking system. All you need to do is use our free comparison tool and we’ll match your business with trusted companies that best suit your budget.They’ll then get in touch with you with more pricing information in the form of no-obligation quotes. Our service is quick, easy, and free. ▶ Read more: What is The Best Asset Tracking For Construction in 2023? 4. WiseTrack WiseTrack Pricing On request Get a free quote! Quick overview WiseTrack was the easiest-to-use RFID asset tracking system that we tested, offering an intuitive interface for its mobile and desktop app. We also found it really easy to eliminate incorrect descriptions, while the pop-up searching feature makes entering data even easier.Previously, in our last update of WiseTrack, there was no IOS app but this is now available on the App Store.However, WiseTrack's customer support is only available Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm PST, unlike RFGen which has 24/7 customer support, if this is something you really need from a provider. Read more + Read less - Strengths Easiest-to-use system that we tested Intuitive data entry features IOS App now available on App Store Weaknesses No free demo available on on website Limited customer support hours in comparison to competitors like RFGen Pricing See more See less PlansPricing All plans On request ▶ Read more: RFID Tracking vs Bluetooth Tracking Save Money by Comparing RFID Asset Tracking Quotes Do you currently use asset tracking software? Yes No 5. Eagle Technology Eagle Technology Pricing On request Get a free quote! Quick overview When researching RFID asset tracking companies, we always keep an eagle eye on which integrations are available. That’s because bolstering your asset tracking software with third-party software can help improve your operations even further.Eagle Technology allows you to sync your system with leading software such as QuickBooks, Siemens, and Oracle, making it easy to add an extra pair of expertly crafted hands to your asset tracking tasks.While Eagle Technology’s reporting features could be better in comparison to more customizable competitors like eWorkOrders, it’s still the best choice if you want to add multiple integrations to help your team. Read more + Read less - Strengths Supports integrations with leading software, including QuickBooks and Oracle Easy to use Weaknesses Cannot add date ranges on certain reports Third-party integration costs can quickly add up Pricing See more See less PlansPricing All plans On request ▶ Read more: How to Keep Track of Tools: Our Handy Guide for 2023 6. RFgen RFgen Pricing On request Get a free quote! Quick overview What stood out to us when examining RFgen was the company’s focus on sustainability – something that modern businesses are taking into greater consideration nowadays.Through its RFID asset tracking software, RFgen strives to help its clients reduce waste and places an emphasis on helping companies like yours not only track assets, but achieve green goals.We were disappointed to find no built-in invoicing features, but RFgen’s focus on helping the environment and easy-to-use software was enough for it to make our list. If you require in-built invoicing, a provider like EZOfficeInventory may be more suitable. Read more + Read less - Strengths Emphasis on helping you achieve your sustainability targets 24/7 customer support Easy to use software Weaknesses No built-in invoicing features Pricing See more See less PlansPricing All plans On request Did You Know? Manufacturers and distributors who implement RFID technology into their supply chain see an 80% improvement in shipping and picking accuracy Save by Comparing Free RFID Asset Tracking Quotes Do you currently use RFID tracking software? Yes No Expert Verdict In our research, EZOfficeInventory came out on top as the best RFID asset tracking system, offering a comprehensive range of features that are easy to use, along with set pricing plans. We also included five other excellent companies that might suit your company in different ways. Let’s recap our list…The six top RFID asset tracking systems are:EZOfficeInventory – best overallInnoMaint – best for setting up reminderseWorkOrders – best for custom reportsWiseTrack – best for ease of useEagle Technology – best for third-party integrationsRfgen – best for sustainabilityRemember, we can put you in touch with the country’s leading RFID asset tracking companies. All you need to do is answer some quick questions on our free comparison tool, and we’ll select companies based on your needs.You’ll then hear from one or more of those companies who’ll offer more information and no-obligation quotes for you to compare. Our service is quick, easy, and totally free. FAQs What is RFID Asset Tracking? RFID tracking is a way to help you keep track of tools and is very valuable because it saves you a ton of time. Instead of signing tools in and out in a diary or spreadsheet, RFID tracking uses radio frequency to detect which tools are in the room, and which ones aren’t. This data is then automatically synchronized with a software database on your computer or smart device, so when it comes to finding tools that you’ve misplaced, it’s simply a case of looking up their location on the system. How far can RFID be tracked? RFID systems typically operate in the ultra-high frequency band and offer a tracking range of up to 100 meters. However, if you’re using a low frequency RFID tag, it can read from a distance of up to one meter. Can RFID be used as GPS? You can! If you have an active RFID tag with embedded GPS receivers. These can provide GPS location coordinates and can be monitored with a GPS telematics device. Can RFID be hacked? While RFID systems are constantly updated and improved in terms of data security, the possibility of hacking is real. Devices like cell phones can be used to scan and replicate tag data at close range. This means that your RFID tag could be cloned or duplicated. Written by: Dan Barraclough Dan’s a Senior Writer at Expert Market, specialising in digital marketing, web design, and photocopiers, amongst other topics. Reviewed by: Maïté Bouhali Business Software Editor Maite began her career with Expert Market nearly four years ago as a writer. She quickly developed a passion for the challenges faced by small businesses and now endeavours to help them make informed decisions for their future. In her current position as Business Software Editor, Maite works closely with writers to ensure that each article is informative, well-researched, engaging, and actionable for readers. With extensive knowledge of CRM, vehicle tracking devices, and fuel cards, she is meticulous in her review of each article and provides detailed feedback before publication. Whether you're seeking to stay informed on the latest trends in business software or need guidance in selecting the most appropriate software for your organisation's needs, Maite is here to help. With her sharp eye for detail and commitment to quality, she is dedicated to supporting businesses in achieving their goals.