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. This store is the one-time card compared below. Every Linq fact comes from Linq's own website, checked on 31 October 2026.
Linq is a capable product. It combines a digital business card with a pocket CRM, a business phone line and physical cards you can hand out. For some people that bundle is exactly right.
For others it is more than they need. If you only want a smart profile that people can scan and save, you may be paying for tools you never open. This guide sets out what Linq does well, where it costs more, and how a one-time card compares.
For the full field of options, see our guide to the best digital business card.
Who should consider switching
You may want an alternative if most of these are true:
- You use your Linq page, but rarely Linq Phone or the messaging tools.
- You do not need a physical card, badge or table stand.
- You would rather pay once than renew every year.
- You are one person or a small team without central admin needs.
If you rely on Linq Phone, its CRM integrations or its event products, Linq is probably still the better fit.
What Linq does well
Linq is more than a card. Its own help centre describes it as "a digital business card and mobile CRM".
- Physical products. Linq sells a card in titanium or PVC, a MiniCard for your phone case, a tabletop Hub and an event Badge. Each one opens your Linq page, and most have a QR code as well.
- A full contact toolkit. Its Linq One subscription adds a paper card scanner, lead forms, Calendly and video embeds, more than one page and a team directory.
- Follow-up tools. Linq One also adds advanced analytics, message snippets, follow-up templates, contact enrichment and Linq Phone for calling and texting.
- CRM connections. Linq's help centre lists Salesforce, HubSpot and Zapier for Linq One.
- No app for the other person. Linq says the person you meet can view and save your details without the Linq app.
- Team admin. Linq lists access controls, bulk updates with templates, a real-time analytics dashboard and remote reprogramming of products.
If you want all of that in one place, it is a strong package.
Where Linq costs more or needs more
- A subscription is required. Linq's help centre answers "Does the Linq App require a paid subscription?" with "Yes".
- The plan shown on its pricing page costs $29 a month, or $249 a year, "for entrepreneurs and teams".
- Products need a subscription too. Linq's shop says all products require an active subscription before they can be activated.
- Hardware is extra. Linq's shop lists the Mini Card at $12.99, the Digital Card at $14.99, the Badge at $19.99 and the Hub at $29.99.
- Cancelling removes features. Linq says that if you cancel Linq One, you lose Linq One features, including Linq Phone, at the end of the billing period.
- Team prices are not published. Linq's help centre asks you to chat with a specialist for pricing.
Linq vs a one-time card: feature table
| Feature | Linq | This store (one-time card) |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Subscription required; $29 a month or $249 a year on the plan shown | One payment: $72 or $120 |
| App needed by the person you meet | No | No |
| Physical NFC products | Yes, sold separately | No, digital profiles only |
| Paper card scanner | Linq One | Business Add-ons (Card Scanner) |
| Lead forms | Linq One | Business Add-ons (Forms, Contact Leads) |
| CRM | Salesforce, HubSpot and Zapier on Linq One | Built-in CRM and Export on Business Add-ons |
| Analytics | Advanced analytics on Linq One | Included in both plans |
| Calling and texting | Linq Phone | Not included |
| Booking embeds | Calendly embed on Linq One | Bookings on Business Add-ons |
| Edits | Can be updated at any time | Unlimited |
Linq facts checked on 31 October 2026 on linqapp.com and help.linqapp.com. This store sells digital profiles only, with no NFC cards or other hardware.
3-year cost
For one person
| Option | 3-year cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Linq, plan shown on its pricing page | $747 | $249 a year × 3, before any hardware |
| This store, Brand Presence | $72 | Paid once |
| This store, Business Add-ons | $120 | Paid once, with lead tools |
For a team of five
| Option | 3-year cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Linq | Not published | Linq asks teams to contact a specialist for pricing |
| This store, Brand Presence × 5 | $360 | Paid once per profile |
| This store, Business Add-ons × 5 | $600 | Paid once per profile |
Linq prices checked on 31 October 2026. We did not assume Linq's team price, because it is not published. For more on totals over time, see how much a digital business card costs.
A worked example
Take a consultant who uses her Linq page at client meetings. She shares the QR code and her link, but she has never set up Linq Phone. She does not use the CRM integrations.
On the plan shown on Linq's pricing page, she pays $249 a year, or $747 over three years. On Brand Presence here she pays $72 once. If she wants lead forms and a built-in CRM, Business Add-ons costs $120 once.
If she did use Linq Phone every day, the comparison would change. A business phone line is not something this store offers.
What you keep and what you lose
You keep a live profile at a permanent link, a QR code, a save-contact button, analytics and unlimited edits.
You lose Linq Phone, its messaging and follow-up templates, its direct CRM integrations, more than one page per account, and the use of Linq hardware with your new profile.
Write down which of those you actually use before you decide.
What we could not verify
Linq's website did not show a per-user team price, a full plan comparison or a free plan when we checked. Its cancellation article mentions "free features" without listing them. We have not guessed at any of these.
Switch if…
- you mainly use the profile, not Linq Phone or messaging;
- you do not need a physical card, badge or stand;
- you want to know the full cost on day one;
- you are happy with a built-in CRM and export rather than direct CRM integrations; or
- you want unlimited edits with no renewal. Our no-subscription guide explains what one payment covers.
Stay if…
- Linq Phone is part of how you work;
- you rely on Salesforce, HubSpot or Zapier connections;
- you want a physical product to hand out or leave on a table;
- you manage a large team and need admin controls and remote reprogramming; or
- you use Linq's event tools.
How to move your details over
- List what is on your Linq page. Name, title, contact details, links, documents and photos.
- Export your contacts if you can. Check what your Linq plan allows before you cancel anything.
- Build your new profile. Our guide on how to make a digital business card walks through it.
- Test it on two phones. Scan the QR code and press save-contact.
- Update every link. Email signature, social bios and any slides or printed materials.
- Decide what to do with Linq hardware. It points to your Linq page. Ask Linq whether it can point elsewhere.
- Cancel at the end of the billing period, once everything points to the new profile.
Other alternatives
If you are comparing more than one app, read our Popl alternative and Blinq alternative guides. Ready to buy? Both plans are on the digital business card page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Linq alternative?
If you mainly need a digital profile, a one-time card with unlimited edits costs less over time. If you need a phone line, CRM integrations or physical products, compare apps that offer those, or stay with Linq.
Does Linq require a subscription?
Yes. Linq's help centre says a paid Linq subscription is required, and its shop says products need an active subscription before activation.
How much does Linq cost?
Linq's pricing page shows $29 a month, or $249 a year, for entrepreneurs and teams. Prices checked on 31 October 2026.
Does the person I meet need the Linq app?
No. Linq says they can view and save your details without the app.
Can I keep my Linq card if I switch?
The card is yours, but it opens your Linq page. Ask Linq whether it can point elsewhere before you cancel.
Is there a Linq alternative with no subscription?
Yes. On this site both plans are one-time payments, with no subscription and unlimited edits.