Best NFC Business Cards in 2026: 8 Top Options Compared
Compare the best NFC business cards for 2026. We review Popl, Mobilo, Linq, Wave, and more - plus smart alternatives if you don't want physical cards.
Want to stand out and capture more leads?
Create your free profile in 2 minutes →NFC business cards let you share your contact information with a single tap - no app required on the recipient's phone. Just tap your card against their smartphone and your details appear instantly.
But with dozens of NFC card providers now available, which one should you choose? We've tested the top options to help you decide.
What is an NFC Business Card?
NFC (Near Field Communication) business cards contain a small chip that transmits data when held near a smartphone. When someone taps their phone against your card, it automatically opens your digital profile or contact card.
How NFC Business Cards Work
- You tap your NFC card against someone's phone
- Their phone detects the NFC signal (no app needed)
- A notification appears - usually opening a web link
- They see your profile with all your contact details
- They save your contact with one tap
Most smartphones made after 2018 support NFC reading without any setup.
NFC vs QR Code Business Cards
| Feature | NFC Card | QR Code |
|---|---|---|
| Recipient action | Just hold phone near | Point camera at code |
| Works through wallet | Usually | No |
| Works in low light | Yes | Harder |
| Physical card required | Yes | No |
| Initial cost | $15-50 per card | Free |
| Replacement cost | $15-50 again | Free |
Both technologies link to the same destination - your digital profile. NFC is slightly faster, but QR codes are free and don't require physical cards.
Best NFC Business Cards: Quick Comparison
| Provider | Price | Card Material | App Required | Team Plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Popl | $20-50 | Plastic/Metal | No (but recommended) | Yes |
| Mobilo | $7-35 | Plastic/Metal/Wood | No | Yes |
| Linq | $10-30 | Plastic/Metal | No | Yes |
| Wave | $30-75 | Plastic/Metal | No | Yes |
| V1CE | $50-150 | Metal/Bamboo | No | Yes |
| Blinq | $0 (digital only) | N/A | App available | Yes |
| Dot | $25-45 | Plastic/Silicone | No | Yes |
| Tap Bio | $30-50 | Plastic | No | Limited |
Below we'll break down each option in detail.
1. Popl - Most Popular NFC Card
Best for: Individual professionals who want a recognisable brand
Price: $19.99 - $49.99 per card
What You Get
Popl is probably the most well-known NFC business card brand. They sell physical NFC cards, phone stickers, and wristbands that link to your Popl digital profile.
Card options:
- Plastic cards (~$20)
- Metal cards (~$40)
- Phone attachments (~$20)
- Wristbands (~$25)
Pros
- Recognisable brand - people have heard of Popl
- Multiple product form factors
- Decent free tier for basic profiles
- Enterprise plans available
Cons
- Higher price than some competitors
- Free tier is quite limited
- Must use their platform for profiles
- Replacement cards cost the same as original
Our Take
Popl is solid but expensive for what you get. The brand recognition is nice, but you're paying a premium for marketing rather than features.
2. Mobilo - Best for Teams
Best for: Companies equipping multiple employees
Price: $6.95 - $34.95 per card
What You Get
Mobilo focuses heavily on enterprise features - CRM integrations, team management, and lead capture. Their cards are more affordable than Popl, especially in bulk.
Card options:
- Plastic cards (~$7)
- Metal cards (~$15-25)
- Wood cards (~$25)
- Recycled plastic (~$10)
Pros
- Most affordable option for teams
- Good CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Interesting material options (wood, recycled)
- Solid analytics
Cons
- Less polished interface than competitors
- Brand less recognised
- Some features require higher-tier plans
Our Take
Best value if you're buying for a team. The CRM integrations are genuinely useful for sales teams.
Skip the expensive NFC card
Create a free digital profile with built-in QR sharing. No card needed.
Get started free3. Linq - Best Budget Option
Best for: Budget-conscious professionals
Price: $9.99 - $29.99 per card
What You Get
Linq offers affordable NFC cards with a clean, simple profile page. Good option if you want NFC without spending much.
Card options:
- Plastic cards (~$10)
- Metal cards (~$20-30)
- Phone stickers (~$10)
Pros
- Affordable entry point
- Simple, clean profiles
- No monthly subscription required for basic features
- Physical products are decent quality
Cons
- Limited customisation options
- Analytics behind paywall
- Profile pages less feature-rich
Our Take
Good budget choice if you just want basic NFC functionality without bells and whistles.
4. Wave Connect - Most Features
Best for: Feature-focused networkers
Price: $29.99 - $74.99 per card
What You Get
Wave offers one of the most feature-complete digital business card platforms. Their NFC cards link to profiles that can include extensive content - videos, links, lead capture, and more.
Card options:
- Plastic cards (~$30)
- Metal cards (~$50-75)
Pros
- Excellent profile features
- Good free tier for the platform
- Strong analytics
- Virtual backgrounds and email signatures included
Cons
- Cards themselves are expensive
- Can be overwhelming with options
- Physical cards are pricier than competitors
Our Take
Wave has the best platform, but their physical cards are overpriced. Consider using Wave's profile with a cheaper generic NFC card.
5. V1CE - Premium Quality
Best for: Executives who want a luxury feel
Price: $49.99 - $150+ per card
What You Get
V1CE positions itself as the premium NFC card brand. They focus on high-quality materials and a luxury unboxing experience.
Card options:
- Plastic cards (~$50)
- Metal cards (~$80-100)
- Bamboo/wood cards (~$70)
- Custom designs (~$100-150)
Pros
- Premium materials and finish
- Great for making an impression
- Customisation options
- Good build quality
Cons
- Very expensive
- Features similar to cheaper options
- Premium pricing doesn't mean better technology
Our Take
If budget isn't a concern and you want the most impressive physical card, V1CE delivers. But the technology inside is the same as a $10 card.
6. Blinq - Best Free Digital Option
Best for: Those who don't want physical cards
Price: Free (digital), physical cards available
What You Get
Blinq is primarily a digital business card app, but they also sell physical NFC products. Their app is well-designed and free for basic use.
Options:
- Free digital business card
- Physical NFC cards (~$25)
- QR code cards
Pros
- Free digital card with good features
- Well-designed app
- Apple Wallet integration
- QR code works without physical card
Cons
- Physical cards less central to their offering
- App-focused experience
- Limited customisation on free tier
Our Take
Blinq is great for digital-first users. If you want NFC, pair their free profile with a generic NFC card for the best value.
7. Dot - Simple and Clean
Best for: Minimalists
Price: $24.99 - $44.99 per card
What You Get
Dot keeps things simple - just an NFC device and a straightforward profile page. Good for those who don't need complex features.
Card options:
- Plastic cards (~$25)
- Silicone stickers (~$25)
- Metal cards (~$45)
Pros
- Simple, clean design
- Easy setup
- Good build quality
- Straightforward pricing
Cons
- Limited features compared to competitors
- No advanced analytics
- Basic team features
Our Take
Good for people who just want NFC to work without complexity. Not the best value, but not overpriced either.
8. Generic NFC Cards - Best Value
Best for: DIY-minded professionals
Price: $3-10 per card (bulk pricing)
What You Get
You can buy blank NFC cards from Amazon or AliExpress and program them yourself to link to any URL - including your own digital business card profile.
Options:
- Blank NFC cards (~$3-5 each)
- Bulk packs of 10-50 (~$1-2 each)
- Various colours and materials
How It Works
- Buy blank NFC cards (search "blank NFC business cards")
- Create a digital business card on any platform
- Use a free NFC writing app to program the card
- Card now links to your profile
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Works with any platform
- Replace cards cheaply
- Bulk orders very cost-effective
Cons
- Requires setup work
- Generic appearance
- No branded packaging
- Quality varies by seller
Our Take
The smartest option for budget-conscious users. Pair a $3 generic NFC card with a free Parsley profile for the best value possible.
Do You Actually Need an NFC Card?
Here's the honest truth: QR codes do the same thing - for free.
Why QR Might Be Better Than NFC
| Factor | NFC Card | QR Code (Screen) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $15-100 | Free |
| Replacement cost | Same as original | Free |
| Works without physical item | No | Yes |
| Works if you forget card | No | Yes (on your phone) |
| Recipient experience | Very fast | Fast |
| "Cool" factor | Higher | Lower |
When NFC Makes Sense
- You want the "wow" factor of tap-to-share
- You attend many in-person events
- Your industry values physical tokens
- Budget isn't a primary concern
- You don't want to pull out your phone
When QR Makes More Sense
- You want a free solution
- You'd rather not carry another card
- You lose things easily (no replacement cost)
- You network both in-person and digitally
- You want your profile always up-to-date
Our Recommendation: Digital First, Physical Optional
Instead of buying an expensive NFC card, consider this approach:
Step 1: Get a Free Digital Business Card
Create a profile on Parsley. You get:
- Custom profile with contact info, links, photos
- QR code for instant sharing
- Apple Wallet pass for quick access
- Analytics to see who's viewing
- No monthly fee for core features
Step 2: Add NFC If You Want
If you still want the tap-to-share experience:
- Buy a generic NFC card ($3-10)
- Program it to link to your Parsley profile
- Same functionality as a $50 branded card
Step 3: Use the Best Method for Each Situation
- Quick exchange: QR code on your phone
- Want to impress: Tap your NFC card
- Remote networking: Share your profile link
- Conferences: Add QR code to your badge
This hybrid approach gives you all the benefits of NFC at a fraction of the cost.
Create your free digital business card →
NFC Business Card FAQs
How do NFC business cards work?
NFC cards contain a small chip that communicates with smartphones. When someone holds their phone near your card (within a few centimetres), the phone detects the chip and opens the programmed link - usually your digital business card profile.
Do recipients need an app to scan NFC cards?
No. Most smartphones made after 2018 can read NFC cards without any app. iPhones (XR and later) and most Android phones support NFC out of the box. The phone just opens the link in the default browser.
How much do NFC business cards cost?
Branded NFC cards range from $15-150 depending on materials and brand. Generic programmable NFC cards cost $3-10. The technology inside is essentially the same - you're paying for branding and materials.
Can I reprogram an NFC business card?
Some NFC cards can be reprogrammed, others are locked after first write. Check before buying if this matters to you. Alternatively, link to a digital profile that you can update anytime - the NFC card always points to the same URL, but the profile content can change.
Is NFC or QR code better for business cards?
Both link to the same destination. NFC is slightly faster (just tap) but requires a physical card. QR codes are free and work from your phone screen. Many people use both depending on the situation.
What's the best NFC business card for teams?
Mobilo offers the best value for teams with good bulk pricing and CRM integrations. Wave has more features but higher card costs. For maximum savings, create team profiles on a free platform and use generic NFC cards.
Summary: Best NFC Business Cards in 2026
Best Overall: Mobilo - good balance of price, features, and team support
Best Budget: Linq or generic NFC cards + free profile
Best Premium: V1CE - if you want the luxury experience
Best Platform: Wave - excellent profile features (but expensive cards)
Smartest Approach: Create a free digital business card on Parsley, then optionally add a cheap NFC card that links to it.
The technology in a $3 card is the same as a $100 card. The real value is in your digital profile - make that great, and the physical card is just a delivery mechanism.
Get your free digital business card →
Last updated: January 2026
