A couple of months ago, one of my old colleagues, with whom I’ve been out of touch for a while, sent me an email. The email had something peculiar. It had a QR Code on it. “Scan to get my contact information!”, on it.
So, I did, and something like the image below appeared on my mobile screen.
That’s when I knew I had to get one of my own!
For the uninitiated, a digital business card lets you effortlessly store and share contact details virtually. You can store a variety of data, from email to social media links. These cards can also double up as micro websites you can carry around in your mobile devices to hand out at “opportune” moments. And frankly, what a memorable way of sharing contacts and forming connections in the age of LinkedIn.
So, if you’re creating a digital business card for the first time (good going, by the way!), you may feel like you’re comparing apples to apples when evaluating different card markers.
But don’t worry! I’ll simplify the process for you in a minute now.
6 Best Digital Business Card Solutions: For Individuals and Business Owners
After weeks of testing and comparing the many digital business card makers in the market, I’ve found six options for you.
Here are six digital business card makers to consider in 2024.
Alright, then. Let’s take a deeper dive into the digital business card solutions listed here and make a thorough comparison, shall we?
1. Uniqode’s digital business cards (formerly Beaconstac)
First up, we’ve got my top pick from the lot: Uniqode.
Where do I even begin? If you’re looking for a digital business card solution with personalized designs, in-depth analytics, and enterprise-grade data security features, then you’ll regret not choosing this one.
How do I know? It’s got a 4.95/5 rating on G2 and is trusted by big names like Nestle and Pepsi. It’s also got a simple and intuitive design, which means a quick and easy setup and none of the hassles.
And if that wasn’t impressive enough, Uniqode’s data security will do the job for ya. You’ll get SOC-2 Type 2, GDPR compliant, URL-based phishing detection, data encryption, custom domain, multi-factor authentication, and SSO login for maximum data protection. Phew. You know you’re in safe hands!
Pros
- Easily shareable via Apple or Google Wallet with no need for a separate mobile app.
- Two-way contact sharing feature for capturing marketing campaign leads.
- Plenty of data fields when creating a digital business card, like 20+ social media links, Calendly links, websites, and more.
- In-depth analytics to track the total number of card views, contacts saved, and where someone accessed the card.
- Centrally manageable dashboard with role-based access to get a 360-degree view of the organization’s cards.
- API access, bulk creation functionality, and around 4000+ integrations.
- A 24/7 customer service is accessible via live chat, email, and phone.
Cons
- The 2-factor authentication and custom domain features are only available for Business+ users.
- Bulk creation and API access aren’t available to Solo plan users.
Pricing
Uniqode provides four different subscription offers.
- Solo plan is $6/user/month
- Team plan is $5/user/month
- Business plan is $4/user/month
- Business+ plan has custom pricing.
2. Know.ee
If you, my friend, are someone who frequents trade shows, seminars, and other networking events, the digital business card from Knowee is for you. This is because it’s designed specifically for sharing and networking.
But what I loved about the solution is its rich selection of 37+ templates and custom designs.
Not only can you create beautiful-looking digital business cards, but also get high-grade security. Yes! The unique URLs, URL masking, and SSO login services offered by the maker ensure the highest data security.
You also benefit from a central data management dashboard. Whether you’re a small team or a big one, you can easily transfer contacts and information between the tool and your CRM of choice for smooth functioning.
And for the cherry on the cake, its free plan comes with a slew of attractive, in-demand features like card statistics, no ads, and easy online card modification.
Pros
- A centralized card data management system and a variety of card templates.
- Unique URL and single sign-on feature.
- No Ads are shown upon scanning.
- Dashboard for viewing card statistics like the number of views, users, and clicks.
Cons
- There might be a learning curve to make optimal use of the digital business card.
- No card customization functionality for the free version.
- Only Enterprise users get the email signature tool for real-time modification to electronic business cards.
Pricing
Knowee provides three different pricing plans.
- Individual Free: Individual professionals and freelancers can create a digital business card for free, forever.
- Team Pack: 0.90€ per month per user
- Enterprise: Available on request
3. HiHello
Say hello to another highly-rated digital business card maker on the list: HiHello. This one is custom-made for individuals as well as businesses.
When I was testing out the HiHello card, I was blown away by how easy it was to share. Neither you nor the recipient needs to download a mobile app to trade cards.
You can share the card in 10+ ways via channels like email, text, NFC tag, and more. This feature makes HiHello one of the best in business. No doubt there.
But the highlight for me was the availability of an unlimited number of fields and links to add to the business cards. Plus, you get the SOC 2 Type II security standard as well as enterprise-grade security for data protection. So, what’s not to like?
Pros
- Easily shareable via email, QR code, text, Airdrop, email signatures, social media, and more.
- Teams can make bulk updates in real-time.
- Affordable pricing
- Control who receives what information upon scanning your digital business card.
- Direct contact management using the HiHello app and integration with CRMs like Salesforce.
Cons
- Only basic analytics features are provided to Professional and Business plan users.
- The bulk creation feature is only available to Business plan subscribers.
- Limited offline accessibility
Pricing
HiHello offers four tiers of pricing.
- Free plan
- Professional: $6 per month
- Business: $5 per user per month
- Enterprise: Available on request
4. KADO Networks
Fellas, if you are in a relationship-driven role, go for KADO Networks digital business cards without a second thought.
Why do I say so? Because it comes packed with on-demand networking features like multiple call-to-actions and interactive digital profiles.
You will find its all-in-one networking and relationship management solution a joy to work with. It also lets you create and customize your digital business card to suit your preferences and branding needs. Just what you need to build meaningful relationships!
Oh, and, if you were to believe the makers, KADO users are able to expand their network by at least 35%. You can, too.
Pros
- Integrates with a variety of external and internal sources like CRMs, notes, email, LinkedIn, and more.
- Add contact information, personalized CTAs, social profiles, videos, and links.
- Share cards using KADO mobile app, QR code, phone wallet, email signature, or virtual background.
- All new contacts are immediately synced with GSuite and Outlook accounts.
- Integrates with over 1000 CRMs either through Zapier or directly.
- Admin control feature for enterprises for a high-level overview of the employees and their card usage.
- Up to 3 users with the free plan.
Cons
- Basic analytics to track the number of views.
- Integration with Outlook and Google Calendar is only available to Business plan users.
Pricing
KADO offers a freemium plan and two paid pricing plans.
- Free plan
- Teams: $3.71 per month
- Business: $7.48 per month
5. Blinq
Here’s another QR code-powered digital business card for ya, and another one you’re going to love using.
It provides a seamless card creation process with its in-built design templates and customization options with your headshot and your logo.
I was also surprised by how conveniently you can share the card using smartphone widgets, physical NFC business cards, and Apple Wallet. Or, just share the card’s QR code via LinkedIn or Gmail. It’s THAT simple.
And the best part? You can instantly update the information on your card using the Blinq mobile app. That’s probably why industry leaders like Google, Uber, and Salesforce use the solution too.
Pros
- Clean and intuitive interface for desktop and mobile apps.
- Teams get admin controls to set custom, ‘live’ templates. It updates the cards whenever the templates are changed.
- Display the cards as virtual backgrounds for Zoom and MS Teams.
- No cap on the number of card shares.
- Native integration is available with Hubspot and Salesforce.
- Complete branding control for a consistent digital presence across social interactions.
Cons
- It will require an internet connection for use unless you carry NFC business cards with you.
- Only a handful of color customization options.
- Cap on the number of cards you can create.
Pricing
Blinq only has four different pricing plans based on the number of users.
For individuals
- Free plan
- Premium: $2.99 per month
For teams
- Business: $4.99 per card per month
- Enterprise: Available on request
6. QR Planet (Formerly QRD)
This digital business card is also powered by QR codes (I mean, QR code technology is so hot right now. So, why not?)
With QR Planet, you decide how to create QR codes and in what format. So with every scan, you get accurate analytics. This makes the card especially useful in creating and tracking QR code-based mobile marketing campaigns in one place.
You can also create dynamic QR codes and add links of your choice, like a link to your website. If you’re a small business, this one will come really, really handy.
And if you’re a startup, NGO, or academic institution, don’t forget to grab your special 10-20% discount on the paid subscriptions!
Pros
- You can track the time, places, devices, and GPS locations of each and every scan.
- Batch QR Code Generator lets you create a bunch of personalized QR codes in a single go.
- A WYSIWYG editor, a JavaScript editor, that lets you customize the landing pages linked to the QR codes as they appear on the web.
- Users can create designer QR codes with the brand logo embedded.
- Sends email notifications for every scan, including the scanning device and location.
- Unlimited scans are provided on all premium plans.
Cons
- Slightly confusing onboarding process.
- QR Planet offers a slew of use cases. So, it may take time to optimally use the solution.
Pricing
QR Planet has four different pricing plans.
- Free plan
- Starter: $5 per month
- Premium: $15 per month
- White Label: $35 + $5 per user per month
Alright, folks. Those were six of the best digital business cards I’ve tried and tested. Now it’s time you pick one of yours.
Let me show you how.
What to Consider When Choosing a Digital Business Card?
Yes, what should you consider when choosing a digital business card?
Well, for one, features like custom design, data security, and quick shareability should be table stakes. Non-negotiable. If a digital business card solution doesn’t offer these features, they’re not worth the buck. Forget’em and move to the next one.
But there’s much more a card can (and should!) offer. When making your pick, ask the following questions:
- What information can the card store?
- Is the card customizable?
- Can you create the cards in bulk?
- Do you get tracking and analytics?
- How easily can you save and share the card with others?
- Is the card secure?
- What is the response time of customer support?
Did you find a digital business card solution that ticks all the boxes? Well, go ahead and sign up for a trial run.
Parting Thoughts
That’s a wrap on my list of the best digital business cards, folks. You know the drill now!
Digital business cards are secure, paperless, and cost-effective methods of digital contact sharing. But there’s one big caveat: No two solution providers are the same. Nuh-uh. So, follow the selection criteria I’ve shared above and find the best fit for your business and networking goals.
