Feb 16, 2026
Best Linq Alternative: 5 Digital Business Cards to Switch To (2026)
Georges El-Hage
Looking for a Linq alternative? You're not alone. Linq pivoted away from digital business cards in 2025 to focus on AI messaging infrastructure, and their card products have effectively been discontinued. If you're a former Linq user, you need a new platform - and you need one that won't disappear on you again.
I've tested every major digital business card platform over the past 6 years. Here are the 5 best Linq alternatives in 2026, ranked by real-world experience - not spec sheets.
TL;DR
Wave Connect is the best Linq alternative in 2026, offering a free plan with analytics, contact export, CRM sync, and NFC cards - no app required. Blinq is best for teams needing 80+ HRIS integrations. HiHello offers the most card profiles (16). Popl dominates event lead capture. V1CE has the most premium NFC hardware. All five are stable, funded platforms that won't pivot away from digital business cards.
Why Linq Users Need an Alternative
Linq pivoted from digital business cards to AI messaging APIs in early 2025, and raised $20M in February 2026 to double down on that new direction. Their original NFC cards, app, and digital profile platform have been effectively sunset. If you're still using Linq, your card may stop working or stop being supported at any point.
The good news? The market has matured a lot since Linq launched. Every platform on this list is more feature-rich than what Linq offered at its peak. You're actually upgrading, not just replacing.
What to Look for in a Linq Replacement
The right Linq alternative should cover what Linq did well - and fill the gaps it never addressed. Here's what I'd prioritize:
Replacement Criteria
- Free plan that doesn't delete your data: You shouldn't pay just to keep your contacts accessible
- NFC card support: If you bought Linq NFC cards, you'll want a platform with its own NFC hardware
- CRM integrations: Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive - your leads need to flow somewhere
- No app dependency: Linq was app-based. Browser-first platforms have way less friction for recipients
- Contact export: Own your data. If a platform pivots (sound familiar?), you can take your contacts with you
#1 Wave Connect - Best Overall Linq Replacement
Wave Connect is the most complete Linq alternative in 2026 - it does everything Linq did, plus a lot that Linq never offered. It's browser-based (no app required), has a free forever plan with analytics and contact export included, and offers metal NFC cards for former Linq hardware users. I'm biased here since I built it, but I'll explain exactly why and let you decide.
The biggest difference between Wave and Linq? Wave is browser-first. Your recipients don't need to download anything. They tap your NFC card or scan your QR code, and your profile opens right in their browser. That alone makes sharing smoother than Linq ever was.
What you get on Wave's free plan:
- Unlimited sharing (QR, NFC, link, Apple Wallet)
- Analytics - see who viewed your card and when
- Contact export to CSV - own your data, always
- Email signatures
- Zero recipient solicitation - your contacts don't get "Download Wave" pop-ups
Paid plans: $7/mo Pro (custom branding, branded QR codes) or $60/user/year for Teams (bulk Excel import, CRM sync with Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Zoho, admin dashboard). Volume pricing available for 100+ users.
Security: SOC 2 Type II certified, SCIM/SAML for enterprise provisioning. If you're in a regulated industry, this matters more than you think.
NFC cards: Metal, bamboo, and PVC options available at wavecnct.com/collections. If you've got old Linq NFC cards, Wave's cards are a direct replacement.
Why it's #1: Free plan with the most included features. Browser-based with zero friction. Enterprise-grade security. And it's not pivoting to AI messaging anytime soon. 😄
#2 Blinq - Best for App Lovers and HRIS Teams
Blinq is a polished, app-first digital business card with 80+ native HRIS integrations - making it the strongest choice for teams that need automated card provisioning from their HR system. If your company runs BambooHR, Workday, or similar platforms and you want cards auto-created when new employees are added, Blinq has the deepest integration set in the industry.
Blinq also has the best email signature builder I've tested. Genuinely fast and intuitive - you can have a professional email signature ready in under 30 seconds.
Pricing: Free plan available. $9.99/mo Premium (annual: $7.33/mo). Teams at $60/user/year (5-user minimum).
What to watch for: Blinq uses a credit system for advanced features. Badge scanning costs 5 credits per scan, and CRM exports cost 5 credits per contact. You get 500 free credits, but after that it's $1/credit. A 25-person team at one trade show (100 scans + 100 CRM syncs) could burn $500 in credits on top of your subscription. Also, Blinq's free plan adds "Powered by Blinq" branding and sends pop-up/email solicitations to your recipients.
Check out Blinq's site to see if their HRIS list covers your stack. For a deeper dive, read our Wave vs Blinq comparison, or see our best Blinq alternative guide if you're weighing all the options.
#3 HiHello - Best for Feature Depth
HiHello offers more free card profiles than any competitor (4 on free, 16 on Professional) and has unique features like a corporate directory and event leaderboards that no other platform matches. If you need to create different cards for different roles or events, HiHello gives you the most flexibility.
Their Business plan includes unlimited scans, unlimited contact enrichment, and native Salesforce/HubSpot integrations - all at a flat $60/user/year rate with no per-scan or per-contact fees. That's a simpler pricing model than Blinq's credit system.
Pricing: Free plan (4 cards, 5 lead capture scans/month). $8/mo Professional. $60/user/year Business (5-user minimum).
What to watch for: The free plan includes "Powered by HiHello" branding and recipient solicitation emails. Analytics and contact export are paywalled behind the $8/mo plan. Also, HiHello doesn't sell NFC cards - if you need hardware, you'll need a third-party card that links to your HiHello profile. No free teams trial either - you'll need to pay before testing.
Learn more at hihello.com, or see our Wave vs HiHello comparison for the full breakdown.
#4 V1CE - Best for Premium NFC Hardware
V1CE has the widest range of NFC card materials in the market - 24K gold, brushed metal, bamboo, and PVC - with a free in-house design service and a lifetime card guarantee. If you loved Linq's physical card and want an upgrade in materials and craftsmanship, V1CE is the premium hardware play.
Their business model is hardware-first: buy a physical card, get lifetime platform access. That's appealing if you want a one-time purchase rather than a monthly subscription. The Plus Unlimited plan ($149.99/month, flat rate, unlimited users) is also interesting for larger teams who want predictable costs.
NFC card pricing: $79 (PVC), $110 (bamboo), $145 (metal), $450 (24K gold). All include lifetime platform access and free design service.
What to watch for: V1CE has no SOC 2 certification - not ideal if security compliance matters to your organization. Free plan analytics are limited to 30 days (data gets deleted after that). Their trial requires a credit card and auto-converts to annual billing, which has generated plenty of negative Trustpilot reviews. The Android app was actually removed from Google Play in early 2025. And customer support operates on UK business hours, which can mean delays for US-based teams.
See their full product line at v1ce.co.
#5 Popl - Best for Events and Lead Capture
Popl has repositioned as an event-focused lead capture platform, with an AI badge scanner that hits a 95% email match rate and a LinkedIn QR scanner that no other competitor offers. If you attend a lot of trade shows and conferences and lead capture is your top priority, Popl is purpose-built for that.
Popl also offers offline scanning (works without internet), on-floor event call support from 9am-9pm EST, and custom CRM field mapping that's more flexible than most competitors.
Pricing: Free plan available (1 card, 5-contact viewing limit). $7.99/mo Pro. Teams pricing requires a sales demo - not publicly listed.
What to watch for: The free plan's 5-contact viewing limit is brutal - you can collect contacts but can only see 5 of them unless you upgrade. Popl's event lead capture uses per-scan usage-based pricing on top of the base subscription, which adds unpredictability to costs. There's also no free teams trial - you need a demo to even see the teams dashboard. And like all competitors except Wave, the free plan adds "Powered by Popl" branding and solicits your recipients.
Visit popl.co for pricing details, read our Popl vs Wave comparison for the full picture, or see our dedicated guide to exploring Popl alternatives beyond this list.
At a Glance: 5 Best Linq Alternatives (2026)
| Feature | Wave Connect | Blinq | HiHello | V1CE | Popl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Overall replacement | HRIS teams | Feature depth | Premium NFC | Event lead capture |
| Free Plan | ✅ Full features | ✅ Limited | ✅ 4 cards | ✅ 30-day analytics | ✅ 5-contact limit |
| Free Analytics | ✅ Yes | ❌ Paid | ❌ Paid | ⚠️ 30 days only | ❌ Paid |
| Free Contact Export | ✅ CSV | ❌ Paid | ❌ Paid | ❌ Paid | ❌ Paid |
| No Recipient Solicitation | ✅ None | ❌ Pop-ups | ❌ Pop-ups | ⚠️ Unknown | ❌ Pop-ups |
| App Required? | ❌ Browser-first | ✅ App-first | ⚠️ Both | ❌ Browser-based | ✅ App-focused |
| NFC Cards | ✅ Metal, bamboo, PVC | ✅ Custom NFC | ❌ No NFC | ✅ Gold, metal, bamboo | ✅ Cards, bands |
| CRM Sync | Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Pipedrive | CRM (credit-based) | Salesforce, HubSpot | HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive | CRM + custom mapping |
| SOC 2 | ✅ Type II | ✅ Claimed | ✅ Claimed | ❌ No | ✅ Claimed |
| Pro Price | $7/mo | $9.99/mo | $8/mo | ~$4.99/mo | $7.99/mo |
| Teams Price | $60/user/yr | $60/user/yr | $60/user/yr | ~$150/mo flat | Contact sales |
Prices and features verified as of February 2026. I personally tested all five platforms' free plans and team features.
How to Migrate from Linq
Switching from Linq doesn't have to be painful. Here's the step-by-step process I'd recommend:
- Export your Linq contacts now: While the platform is still accessible, download everything. CSV export, contact lists, any data you can pull. Don't wait - if Linq fully shuts down its DBC features, you may lose access.
- Sign up for your new platform: All five alternatives on this list have free plans. Create an account, build your profile, and test it before committing to anything paid.
- Recreate your digital profile: Add your contact info, photo, company details, and social links. Most platforms let you do this in under 5 minutes.
- Import your contacts: If your new platform supports CSV import (Wave does), upload your exported Linq contacts so your network history carries over.
- Order new NFC cards: Your old Linq NFC cards will link to Linq's platform, which is sunsetting. Order new cards from your chosen platform - Wave, Blinq, Popl, and V1CE all offer their own NFC hardware.
- Update your QR codes: If you have Linq QR codes printed on materials, business cards, or signage, replace them with your new platform's QR code. Most platforms offer downloadable QR images you can drop into your designs.
- Set up CRM integration: Reconnect your CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.) to your new platform so leads flow automatically again.
If you're migrating a team, check out our guide on digital business cards for teams for deployment tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Linq digital business cards?
Linq pivoted from digital business cards to AI messaging infrastructure in 2025, and raised $20M in February 2026 to fund the new direction. Their original DBC products have been effectively discontinued.
Can I transfer my Linq contacts to another platform?
Yes, export your contacts from Linq as a CSV file while the platform is still accessible, then import them into your new platform. Wave Connect supports direct CSV import.
Which Linq alternative is completely free?
Wave Connect offers the most complete free plan, including analytics, contact export, and email signatures at no cost. All five alternatives on this list have free tiers, but Wave's includes the most features.
What is the best Linq alternative for teams?
Wave Connect is the best Linq alternative for teams, with a free trial (no credit card), bulk Excel import, and $60/user/year pricing. Blinq is a strong second choice if you need 80+ HRIS integrations.
Will my old Linq NFC cards still work?
Linq NFC cards link to Linq's platform, which is being sunset. You'll need to order new NFC cards from your replacement platform - Wave, Blinq, Popl, and V1CE all sell their own NFC hardware.
Do any Linq alternatives work without an app?
Wave Connect and V1CE are fully browser-based - recipients don't need to download anything. Blinq and Popl are app-first platforms that work best with their mobile apps installed.
Which Linq alternative has the best NFC cards?
V1CE offers the widest range of NFC materials (24K gold, metal, bamboo, PVC) with free design service. Wave Connect offers metal, bamboo, and PVC NFC cards with a focus on simplicity and durability.
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Create My Free CardAbout the Author: George El-Hage is the Founder of Wave Connect, a browser-based digital business card platform serving 150,000+ professionals worldwide. With 6+ years helping organizations transition from paper to digital networking, George has deep expertise in what makes digital business cards successful for individuals and teams. Wave Connect is SOC 2 Type II compliant and integrates with leading CRM platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive.