Disclosure: Digital Business Card is an independent store. We work with several digital business card platform partners and may earn a commission when you buy through us. This never changes your price. The store you are reading is one of the eight options below. We have tried to be fair. Every competitor figure comes from the vendor's own website, and you should check it there before you buy.
There is no single best digital business card. There is a best card for how you work.
Some people want a free plan and are happy to pay later for extras. Some want a physical NFC card to hand over. Others want a simple profile with no bill every year. Each of those leads to a different answer.
This guide compares eight options side by side. It explains how we compared them, gives a short verdict on each, and ends with who should pick a one-time card and who should not.
Why we wrote this guide
Most "best of" lists are written by people who earn from some of the products. So is this one, which is why the disclosure sits at the top. We have tried to make that matter as little as possible.
We used only what each vendor publishes about itself. We included strengths that are not ours, such as free plans and physical cards. And we said plainly where this store is the wrong choice. If a competitor fits you better, buy from them.
The short answer
- Want a free plan to start? Look at HiHello, Blinq or Wave Connect. All three publish a free plan.
- Want a physical NFC card? Look at Mobilo or V1CE. Both sell cards. Blinq and Wave Connect sell them too.
- Run large event or sales teams? Look at Popl, Blinq Business or Wave Connect Teams.
- Want a digital-only profile with no subscription? A one-time card, such as this store's, costs the same in year five as in year one.
What you are actually buying
Every option here sells the same core thing: a web page with your details, shared by link or QR code. The person you meet opens it in their browser and saves you to their contacts.
The differences sit around that core. How you pay. Whether a physical card comes with it. Which extra tools you get, such as lead capture or team admin. And what happens to your page if you stop paying. Those differences are what this guide compares.
How we compared
We set out to compare like with like. Here is exactly what we did.
- Sources. We used each vendor's own pricing page and, where needed, its own help centre. We did not use review sites, resellers or our memory.
- Date. Prices checked on 31 October 2026. Prices change, so check the vendor's page before you buy.
- The plan we picked. For each vendor we used the cheapest paid option for one person shown on its pricing page. We ignored time-limited promotions and free trials.
- 3-year cost. The yearly price multiplied by three, in the vendor's own currency. Where a vendor sells hardware separately, we say so.
- App needed by the recipient. We marked "No" only where the vendor's own site says the person receiving the card needs no app.
- NFC hardware. We marked "Yes" where the vendor sells or offers NFC cards on its own site.
- Gaps. Where a price or fact was not shown on the vendor's site, we wrote "see vendor site". We did not estimate.
We did not test every feature of every app. This is a comparison of what each vendor publishes, not a lab test.
The comparison table
| Option | Pricing model | 3-year cost for 1 person | App needed by recipient | Subscription | NFC hardware | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This store | One-time payment | $72 (Brand Presence) | N | N | N | A digital-only profile with no renewal fee |
| Popl | Subscription; see vendor site | Subscription; see vendor site | See vendor site | See vendor site | See vendor site | Event lead capture for teams |
| Linq | $29 a month or $249 a year (plan shown) | $747 on the plan shown | See vendor site | Y | Sells cards; see vendor site | Teams wanting phone and messaging tools |
| HiHello | Free plan; Professional $72 a year | $216 | N | Y (free plan available) | See vendor site | Individuals who want a strong free plan |
| Blinq | Free plan; Premium $87.99 a year | $263.97 | N | Y (free plan available) | Y | People who want wallet, watch and widget sharing |
| Wave Connect | Free plan; Pro $7 a month billed annually | $252 | N | Y (free plan available) | Y | Small teams that capture leads at events |
| Mobilo | NFC card plus Pro $3 a month | $108 for Pro, plus a card | N | Y | Y | People who want an NFC card with a low monthly fee |
| V1CE | NFC card from £60, paid once | From £60 (card) | N | N (optional upgrade) | Y | People who want a designed NFC card and no monthly fee |
Prices checked on 31 October 2026 on each vendor's own site, in the vendor's currency. The cheapest paid option for one person is shown; several vendors also offer free plans with fewer features. This store sells digital profiles only, with no NFC cards or other hardware. Names are trademarks of their owners.
What to look for in any digital business card
Before you read the verdicts, decide what matters to you. These are the questions that separate the options.
How you pay
Most apps charge monthly or yearly. The price looks small each month, but it never stops. A one-time card costs more on day one and nothing after that. Our digital business card cost guide shows 1-, 3- and 5-year totals.
Whether there is a free plan
A free plan is a real advantage if you only need the basics. HiHello, Blinq and Wave Connect all publish one. Check what is limited, such as the number of cards or scans.
Whether the recipient needs an app
The person you meet should not need to install anything. Every vendor that states it says the recipient needs no app. Check the vendor's site for any you are unsure about.
Hardware or no hardware
An NFC card lets someone hold their phone near the card to open your profile. It is a physical product, so it costs money and can be lost. A QR code on your phone does the same job without hardware.
What happens if you stop paying
This is the question people forget. With a subscription, ask what happens to your profile and QR code when you cancel. Our guide do QR codes expire? explains why some codes stop working.
Free vs paid plans
Free plans are a fair way to start. They usually limit something: the number of cards, branding, scans or lead tools. Paid plans remove those limits, and then charge every month or year. Before you upgrade, check which limit actually affects you. Many people never hit it.
Ways to share
Every option here shares by QR code and link. Some add wallet passes, phone widgets or watch apps. These are conveniences. They help you reach your QR code faster. They do not change what the other person sees.
Team tools
Team plans add central management and per-seat billing. If you are buying for five or more people, compare those plans directly. HiHello Business, Blinq Business and Wave Connect Teams all publish per-user prices.
Verdicts on each platform
This store: one-time digital card
This store sells a live web profile shared by link or QR code, paid once. Brand Presence costs $72 and Business Add-ons costs $120. There is no subscription and edits are unlimited. Profiles are set up and hosted by our platform partner.
The weaknesses are real. There is no free plan. There is no NFC card. In some markets the price is on request. If you want a free start or a physical card, another option will suit you better. If you want to pay once for a complete profile, this is built for that. See the plans on the digital business card page. Our no-subscription guide answers the hard questions about one-time payment.
Popl
Popl's pricing page is aimed at teams and event lead capture. It describes a badge scanner that works at any event, and says its pricing has no per-scan fees: one quote, one price.
It does not publish a price for individuals on that page. It links individuals to its app instead. If you are a sales or events team, Popl is worth a demo. If you are one person comparing prices, you will need to check inside the app.
Linq
Linq's pricing page lists a plan for entrepreneurs and teams at $29 a month, or $249 a year. It includes extras such as Linq Phone and email integration. Its shop lists physical cards from $12.99.
That makes Linq the most expensive option here on the plan shown, at $747 over three years. It suits people who want phone and messaging tools alongside a card. If you only need a profile, it is more than you need.
HiHello
HiHello has the strongest free plan we found. HiHello Personal is free with no time limit. Its own FAQ says it includes 2 cards, QR and messaging sharing, wallet passes, an email signature and virtual backgrounds.
HiHello Professional costs $6 a month billed yearly, or $72 a year. HiHello Business costs $5 per user per month billed yearly, with a five-user minimum. Its site says no app is needed to receive a card. If you can live with the free plan, it is hard to beat on price.
Blinq
Blinq also publishes a free plan, with two free cards. Premium costs $9.99 a month or $87.99 a year. Business is billed per card, from $4.99 a month billed annually, with a minimum of five cards.
Blinq sells NFC cards and supports wallet passes, widgets and Apple Watch sharing. Lead capture with contact enrichment is charged at $9.99 per lead. Its site says recipients do not need the app. It suits people who want many ways to share from their phone.
Wave Connect
Wave Connect publishes a free plan. Pro costs $7 a month billed annually. Teams costs $5 per user per month billed annually, with a minimum of three users.
Its site offers NFC business cards and says no app is required for recipients. It sells credits for AI lead capture at events, such as badge and business card scanning. It suits small teams that go to a lot of events.
Mobilo
Mobilo is built around a physical NFC card. Its pricing page lists cards from $19.99 for a branded card up to $139 for a metal one, before any promotion. The Pro plan for one person is $3 a month.
Its site says no app is required. Over three years the Pro plan alone comes to $108, plus the card. It suits people who want a physical card and are happy with a small monthly fee.
V1CE
V1CE sells a designed NFC card, from £60 paid once. Its pricing page says the software then costs $0 a month. An optional upgrade, Client Capture OS, costs $64.98 a month, in US dollars.
Its site says the card works with no app, and that people can scan the code on the back instead. It also offers a refund within 90 days if the card has not brought you new contacts. It suits people who want a premium physical card without a monthly fee.
Digital business card features explained
Vendors use different names for the same things. Here is what the common features mean in plain words.
| Feature | What it does | Who needs it |
|---|---|---|
| Profile link | A permanent web address for your card | Everyone |
| QR code | A code that opens your profile when scanned | Everyone who meets people in person |
| Save-contact button | Adds you to the visitor's phone contacts | Everyone |
| Analytics | Shows how often your profile is opened and used | Anyone who wants to improve it |
| Lead capture | Lets visitors leave their details for you | Sales, recruiters and service businesses |
| CRM | Keeps track of the contacts you collect | People who follow up leads |
| Card or badge scanner | Turns a paper card or event badge into a contact | People at events |
| Wallet pass | Puts your card in your phone's wallet app | People who want faster access |
| Team admin | Lets one person manage many profiles | Larger teams |
Most people need the first four. The rest depend on your job.
NFC card or QR code?
This is the biggest split between the options in this guide.
An NFC card is a physical card with a chip. Someone holds their phone near it, and your profile opens. It is a nice moment, and some people like having something to hand over. But it is another object to buy, carry and replace if lost. Some older phones also need NFC switched on.
A QR code does the same job with no hardware. You show it on your phone, or print it on your own slides and materials. Almost every modern phone camera reads it. It costs nothing extra.
If a physical card matters to you, choose a vendor that sells one. If it does not, a QR code saves you the cost and the hassle.
Cost for a team of five
Team pricing changes the comparison. Here is a team of five people over three years, using the per-user prices each vendor publishes.
| Option | Published team price | 1 year | 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| This store | $72 per profile, paid once | $360 | $360 |
| HiHello Business | $5 per user a month, billed yearly, 5-user minimum | $300 | $900 |
| Blinq Business | $4.99 per card a month, billed annually, 5-card minimum | $299.40 | $898.20 |
| Wave Connect Teams | $5 per user a month, billed annually, 3-user minimum | $300 | $900 |
| Mobilo, Linq, Popl, V1CE | Team prices not published per user on the pages we checked | See vendor site | See vendor site |
Prices checked on 31 October 2026 on each vendor's own pricing page. For larger teams, ask us about team pricing.
How to choose in five steps
- Write down how you share. Mostly in person, mostly online, or both?
- List the features you need. Use the table above. Be strict.
- Decide on hardware. Do you want an NFC card, or is a QR code enough?
- Price three years, not one month. Include every person and any hardware.
- Ask what happens if you stop paying. Then pick the option you would still be happy with in year three.
Mistakes people make when choosing
- Comparing monthly prices. The 3-year total is what you pay.
- Paying for features they never use. Lead tools only help if you follow up.
- Forgetting the recipient. If the other person needs an app, fewer people will open your card.
- Ignoring the exit. If you leave a subscription, your old QR codes may stop working.
- Buying hardware first. Decide how you will share before you buy a card to carry.
Strengths and trade-offs at a glance
| Option | Main strength | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| This store | One payment, unlimited edits, no renewal | No free plan and no NFC card |
| Popl | Event lead capture for teams | No individual price on its pricing page |
| Linq | Phone and messaging tools with the card | Highest yearly price of the plans shown |
| HiHello | Generous free plan | Paid plans renew every year |
| Blinq | Many ways to share from your phone | Lead capture is charged per lead |
| Wave Connect | Free plan and event lead tools | Paid plans renew every year |
| Mobilo | NFC card with a low monthly fee | Card and plan are paid separately |
| V1CE | Designed NFC card, no monthly fee | Card price is higher up front |
Which option for which person
A freelancer who meets clients in person. She wants one card for years and hates subscriptions. A one-time card fits, or HiHello's free plan if she only needs the basics.
A sales team of twenty at trade shows. They need badge scanning and one admin. Popl, Blinq Business and Wave Connect Teams are built for this. Ask each for a demo.
A consultant who wants something to hand over. He likes the moment of giving a card. Mobilo or V1CE sell NFC cards for that.
A small business owner on a tight budget. She wants a profile for herself and two staff, with no yearly bills. Three one-time profiles cost less over three years than most team plans.
A remote recruiter. He shares by link in email and video calls, and wants candidates to book time. A card with bookings, such as Business Add-ons here, or a paid tier elsewhere, fits.
A student at careers fairs. She needs a CV link and a QR code, and has no budget. A free plan is the sensible start.
How to test a card before you commit
Whichever option you choose, test it before you rely on it.
- Build your profile and open it on an iPhone and an Android phone.
- Ask a friend to scan your QR code and save your contact.
- Check how the link preview looks in WhatsApp and email.
- Read what happens if you stop paying, or what the refund conditions are.
- Use it at one real meeting before you share it widely.
What we did not compare
We did not test speed, support quality or how each app feels to use day to day. We did not compare every plan, only the cheapest paid option for one person and published team prices. And prices change. Treat this guide as a starting point, then check each vendor's page.
Who should pick a one-time card
A one-time digital card makes sense if most of these are true for you:
- You want to know the full cost on day one, with nothing to renew.
- You share mainly by QR code on your phone, by link and in your email signature.
- You do not need a physical NFC card.
- You expect to keep your card for several years.
- You want unlimited edits without a higher tier.
- You buy for yourself or a small team, rather than hundreds of seats.
Over three years, Brand Presence at $72 compares with $216 for HiHello Professional, $252 for Wave Connect Pro and $263.97 for Blinq Premium.
Who should pick something else
Be honest with yourself about these:
- You only need the basics and want to pay nothing. A free plan from HiHello, Blinq or Wave Connect may be enough.
- You want a card to hand over. Mobilo, V1CE, Blinq and Wave Connect sell NFC cards. This store does not.
- You run a large team with central admin needs. Compare per-seat team plans and ask for demos.
- You depend on event badge scanning. Popl, Blinq and Wave Connect publish lead capture tools for events.
Questions to ask any vendor before you buy
- What is the total cost over three years for my number of people? Ask for the yearly price per person, any minimum seats and any hardware.
- What happens to my profile and QR code if I stop paying? You want a clear written answer, not a sales line.
- Does the person I meet need an app? The answer should be no.
- Are edits unlimited on my plan? Some features or changes may sit behind a higher tier.
- Is there a written refund policy, and what are the conditions? Read when a refund applies, not just the number of days.
- Can I export my contacts if I leave? Contacts you collect should not be locked in.
- Which currency will I be charged in? A price in another currency can cost more after bank fees.
More buying guides
- How Much Does a Digital Business Card Cost?
- Digital Business Card With No Subscription: One Payment Explained
- Brand Presence vs Business Add-ons: Which Plan Should You Choose?
- Do QR Codes Expire? Static vs Dynamic QR Codes Explained
- Free vs Paid Digital Business Card: What Free Plans Leave Out
- NFC Business Card vs Digital Business Card: Which Do You Need?
- Digital vs Paper Business Cards: Cost, Reprints and Waste
- Linq Alternative: A One-Time Digital Business Card
- Popl Alternative for Solo Users and Small Teams
- HiHello Alternative: Avoid Per-User Subscription Costs
- Blinq Alternative: A One-Time Digital Business Card
- Digital Business Card for Small Business: A Mini Website
- Digital Business Card for Realtors: Listings, Showings and Leads
- Digital Business Card Lead Capture: From Scan to Follow-Up
New to digital cards? Start with how to make a digital business card.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best digital business card?
It depends on how you share and pay. For a free start, HiHello, Blinq and Wave Connect publish free plans. For a physical NFC card, look at Mobilo or V1CE. For a digital-only profile with no subscription, a one-time card costs least over several years.
What is the cheapest digital business card over three years?
Among the paid options we checked, a one-time card is usually cheapest over three years, because it has no renewal fee. Free plans cost nothing but have fewer features.
Do I need an app to receive a digital business card?
No, for every vendor that states it. The card opens in the phone's browser.
Is a subscription digital business card worth it?
It can be, if you need team admin, event lead capture or features only a higher tier includes. If you need a complete profile and nothing more, a one-time payment often costs less.
Does this store sell NFC cards?
No. This store sells digital profiles only, shared by link and QR code. Nothing is printed or posted.
How did you check competitor prices?
On each vendor's own pricing page or help centre, on 31 October 2026. Where a price was not shown, we wrote "see vendor site" instead of estimating.
Can I switch from a subscription app to a one-time card?
Yes. Build your new profile, then put the new link and QR code in your email signature and social bios. Old QR codes from the previous app will point to the old profile.