WiFi vs. Beacons – Which is Best Option for Location Based Services

Location based services for a mobile is a software application which is used to know where the smartphone is located. Location based services are used in almost every industry.

The major components of a location based service are a mobile network, a content provider to give geo-specific information, a software application, a positioning component, and a mobile device. These location based services are dependent on WiFi and Bluetooth as GPS and ultrasonic/infrared don’t work properly indoors.

WiFi Vs Beacons: WiFi-powered location based services use the existing WiFi infrastructure to detect the devices whose WiFi is turned on.

WiFi-based methods use MAC addresses and SSID. It’s widely accessible as most mobile devices and establishments already have WiFi to use WiFi LBSs for engagement.

On the other hand, beacons are basically Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)-based indoor transmitters that sense the nearness of a user and send information to the smartphones. But due to low power and short range one can find many overlapping beacons over an area Beacons provides a very specific data from target customer, but it require the need for an app. Whereas WiFi don’t need any such app.

These are the main difference between WiFi and Beacons. Although it depends upon need and strategy of any business that they require WiFi OR Beacons. In all Location based Software Development Services are proving to be essential for any type of industry in today’s world.