Dye-based detection (e.g., EvaGreen®, SolisGreen®, SYBR® Green) is a cost-effective qPCR option, as it requires only addition of PCR primers. However, the intercalating dye will detect any dsDNA (non-specific amplicons, primer dimers) produced in the reaction. Melt curve analysis performed after the qPCR can be used to verify the specificity of amplification and to check for the presence of non-specific amplification products.
The probe-based qPCR system demonstrates higher specificity compared to dye-based qPCR, because probes only detect the gene of interest. Keep in mind that in probe-based assays, primer dimers and non-specific products will not be detected, however, they may compromise the PCR efficiency. Using probe-based qPCR system, it is possible to distinguish between sequences with high similarity (e.g. single-nucleotide variations). Additionally, probe-based qPCR assays allow for multiplex reactions in one tube, while only a single target can be amplified and measured in a dye-based qPCR.