Every iPhone since the XS and XR (2018) reads an NFC tag in the background — with no app to install — using Apple’s Core NFC.
Source: Apple Developer
Buying guide
Digital Business Card Buying Guide (2026): what to look for
Shopping for a digital business card and not sure what actually matters? This is the plain, vendor-neutral checklist — what features to look for, how to choose, and what a fair price looks like in your currency. No sales pitch, just the questions worth asking before you buy.
Last updated August 2026 · Reviewed by Ashish Kumar
By the numbers
The facts behind the tap
Before you buy, a few verifiable facts about how these cards work — each linked to its primary source.
Android phones have supported NFC since 2010, when the Nexus S became the first NFC Android phone.
Source: Android Developers
A good card also lives in Apple Wallet as a pass (.pkpass), built with Apple’s PassKit — so your QR is one swipe from the Lock Screen even without the card.
Source: Apple Developer
Short answer
What a good digital business card should have
Short answer: look for a live profile you can update anytime, one-tap sharing by NFC, QR, and link, built-in lead capture (so visitors can leave THEIR details, not just read yours), and clear pricing in your currency. Everything else is a bonus.
The single biggest thing to check: your profile should stay live even on a free plan. Some vendors switch off your card the moment you stop paying — avoid those. A good platform keeps the basics free forever and charges only for advanced tools.
What to look for
Six features that actually matter
Ignore the long spec sheets. These are the six things that separate a card you’ll still use in two years from one that’s forgotten in a drawer.
A live, editable profile
Update your title, number, or links once and every card in circulation reflects it instantly. No reprints, no re-orders.
NFC + QR + link sharing
Three ways to open the same profile. Tap for phones nearby, QR for a screen or printout, and a plain link for email and chat. If a card offers only one, you’ll get stuck.
Lead capture / mini-CRM
The real upgrade over paper: visitors leave their details in a form and land in your contact list. That two-way flow is what turns a handshake into a follow-up.
Analytics
See when your profile is opened, how visitors engage, and which channels bring them in. Without analytics you’re networking blind — you can’t tell which events or contacts were worth your time.
Apple & Google Wallet
A Wallet pass keeps your card and QR one swipe away on any phone — handy when you don’t have the physical card on you or the battery’s dead.
Price & materials
Check the one-time card price and any monthly software cost separately, in your own currency. Metal lasts and feels premium; a sticker or PVC card is cheaper and works just as well.
How to choose
How to choose in four steps
1
Define your use
Be honest about how often you meet people. Occasional networking? The free profile and a QR are plenty. In-person daily? A tap card and lead capture will earn their keep fast.
2
Compare features
Line up two or three options against the six features above. Cross off any that hide the basic profile behind a subscription or work on only one phone platform.
3
Check pricing & shipping in CAD
Confirm the total lands in your currency, not a surprise USD conversion at checkout. Check where the card ships from and how long it takes — a card that arrives in three weeks isn’t much use for next week’s event.
4
Start free, then upgrade
Create the free profile first and use it for a week. You’ll know quickly whether you want a physical card or PRO features — and you’re never guessing, because you tried the real thing at no cost.
What it costs
What a digital business card actually costs
There are two separate costs: the physical card (a one-time purchase) and the software plan (free, or PRO). Here’s exactly what Anexus Connect charges, in Canadian dollars.
Digital profile — free
Your shareable profile with contact info, links, socials, and a QR code is free forever. No card required to start — share it by link or QR today. Smart Wallet passes for Apple and Google Wallet are free with any Anexus card; on a free account without a card, they’re a one-time $1.99 CAD.
Physical cards — one-time
A physical card adds one-tap NFC sharing and is a one-time purchase, not free: the Metal card is $59.99 CAD, and the Phone Tap sticker is $24.99 CAD. Both link to your same digital profile, so you never need to reorder when your details change.
PRO plan — optional
Want analytics, deeper lead capture, and integrations? PRO is $6.99/mo, or $59.99/yr if you pay annually. It’s optional — the free plan and a card already cover most people.
To be clear: the digital profile is free, but the physical card is a paid one-time purchase. You can use the card and profile forever without a subscription.
Questions
Buying questions, answered
Is a digital business card worth it?
For anyone who meets new people even a few times a month, yes. The profile itself is free, so there is no downside to trying it. The paid pieces — a physical card or a PRO plan — pay off once you value knowing who opened your profile, capturing leads automatically, and never reprinting a card again.
Do I need the physical card, or is the digital profile enough?
The digital profile alone is enough to share by link or QR code, and it is free. The physical card adds one-tap NFC sharing — you tap it on someone’s phone and your profile opens instantly, no scanning or typing. Many people start with the free profile and add a Metal ($59.99 CAD) or Phone Tap ($24.99 CAD) card once they are handing it out in person often.
How much should I pay for a digital business card?
Start at zero — the digital profile is free forever. If you want a physical card, expect $25–$60 CAD one-time: a Phone Tap sticker is $24.99 CAD and a Metal card is $59.99 CAD. Advanced software features (analytics, deeper lead capture, integrations) come with PRO at $6.99/mo or $59.99/yr. Be wary of any vendor that locks your basic profile behind a subscription — you should never lose your card just because you stop paying.
Are digital business cards worth it?
Yes, for most professionals who network regularly. Digital business cards are worth it because they cost nothing to create, never run out or need reprinting, and update instantly when your title or number changes. The paid extras — a physical NFC card or a PRO plan — earn their keep once you rely on automatic lead capture and knowing who opened your profile.
The best way to compare is to try one free
Create your free digital profile in minutes, then add a card only if you want one. No subscription required to keep it.