Dot vs Linq: which digital business card is right for you?

An honest, side-by-side comparison of Dot and Linq in 2026, covering features, pricing, and real pros and cons.

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Quick verdict

  • Dot:Best for professionals who want a physical NFC card with a one-time purchase model.
  • Linq:Best for sales professionals who want an integrated CRM and phone system.
  • Lynkle:Best for forward-thinking individuals and teams who want beautiful digital cards with personalized handles and full control over privacy. Worth considering if neither fully meets your needs.

What is Dot?

Dot digital business cards

Dot is a digital business card provider that focuses on physical NFC-enabled smart cards. Unlike purely digital solutions, Dot sells physical cards that you tap against a phone to share your contact information. Their one-time purchase model means no monthly subscriptions for individuals, though teams pay monthly per user. Cards come in various styles and are designed for professionals who prefer a tangible networking tool.

Dot key features

  • Physical NFC smart cards - Tap your card on any smartphone to instantly share your contact details.
  • One-time purchase - Individual cards start at $39 with no monthly subscription required.
  • Lifetime updates - Update your card information anytime without buying a new card.
  • Universal compatibility - Works with both iPhone and Android devices without requiring an app.
  • Team management - Growth plan for teams with centralized management and analytics.

Dot pricing

PlanKey featuresPricing
dot.Card (physical)Physical NFC card with free basic digital profile included.From $30 (one-time)
dot.Profile+Advanced customization, analytics, contact export, and branding controls.$15/month ($12/month billed annually)
Essential Team planTeam management and basic admin features for up to 100 users.$8/user/month billed annually (annual only)
Growth Team planAdvanced analytics, centralized admin, CRM integrations, and white-labeled profiles.$15/user/month billed annually (annual only)

What is Linq?

Linq digital business cards

Linq is a digital business card and networking platform that combines NFC technology with a built-in CRM and AI phone system. In February 2026, Linq raised $20M to pivot toward AI messaging infrastructure, and its old affordable "Linq Pro" plan has been replaced by "Linq One" at $29/seat/month (or $249/seat/year, about $20.75/seat/month billed annually). The product lineup now bundles digital cards with Linq Phone (AI calling/texting/voicemail) and Linq Blue (iMessage outreach), making it a hybrid solution for sales-focused professionals — though the long-term future of the digital card product is uncertain.

Linq key features

  • Built-in CRM - Mobile CRM with contact management, lead scoring, and follow-up automation.
  • Business phone system - Integrated business phone number with call recording capabilities.
  • Physical NFC products - NFC cards, phone stands, and accessories for sharing contact details.
  • Lead retrieval automation - Automated follow-up sequences and lead management tools.
  • CRM sync - Two-way sync with Salesforce and HubSpot for seamless data flow.

Linq pricing

PlanKey featuresPricing
Basic plan1 Linq page, unlimited page sharing, business card scanner, and basic analytics.Free
Linq OneMultiple pages, Linq Phone (AI phone number with calling/texting/voicemail), CRM integrations, and workflows.$29/seat/month ($20.75/seat/month billed annually)
Linq BlueiMessage outreach, CRM-connected messaging, and enterprise CRM integrations.Custom pricing
Physical productsNFC cards, badges, bracelets, and accessories sold separately.$12.99 - $99 (one-time)

Feature comparison: Dot vs Linq vs Lynkle

FeatureDotLinqLynkle
Free planYes (limited)
Mobile appsiPhone onlyiPhone and AndroidiPhone and Android
NFC supportYes (physical card)Compatible tag pairing: free; in-app Tap to Share: Pro or Teams
QR code sharing
Custom brandingLimited
Expiring links
Personalized card URL
AnalyticsYes (Teams only)
Team features
CRM integrations
Wallet passesApple & Google
Lead captureLimited
Physical cardsYes (core product)Yes (sold separately)No (DIY guide)

Pricing comparison: Dot vs Linq vs Lynkle

PlanDotLinqLynkle
FreeNo free planNo free planFree plan available
Individual / Pro$15/month ($12/month billed annually)Free$4.50/month
Teams / Business$8/user/month billed annually (annual only)N/A$48/user/year (min 5)

Dot vs Linq: pros and cons

Dot

Pros

  • 🟢No monthly subscription for individual cards
  • 🟢Lifetime free updates to card information
  • 🟢Physical card provides a tangible networking experience
  • 🟢Universal compatibility with no app needed for recipients

Cons

  • 🔻Requires purchasing a physical card to get started
  • 🔻dot.Profile+ at $15/month ($12/month annually) is expensive for individuals
  • 🔻Team plans are expensive ($8-$15/user/month) and annual-only
  • 🔻No free digital-only plan available
  • 🔻Limited digital-only features compared to software-first competitors
  • 🔻No privacy features or expiring links
  • 🔻No personalized card URLs

Linq

Pros

  • 🟢Built-in CRM and AI phone system is unique in the market
  • 🟢Free Basic plan with 1 Linq page and card scanner
  • 🟢Strong lead management and follow-up automation
  • 🟢Two-way CRM sync with Salesforce and HubSpot
  • 🟢Both digital and physical NFC product options

Cons

  • 🔻Company pivoted to AI messaging in 2026, digital card future is uncertain
  • 🔻Old affordable Pro plan is gone - replaced by Linq One at $29/seat/month ($20.75/seat/month annually)
  • 🔻Physical products are an additional cost
  • 🔻Linq Blue pricing is not transparent
  • 🔻No privacy features like expiring links
  • 🔻No personalized card URLs
  • 🔻Can feel overly sales-focused for casual networking

Looking for another option? Consider Lynkle

Lynkle digital business cards

If neither Dot nor Linq fully meets your needs, Lynkle is worth a look. While Dot focuses on physical NFC cards with no monthly fees for individuals and Linq emphasizes built-in CRM with business phone number and call recording, Lynkle takes a different approach: it's a 100% digital business card built for forward-thinking individuals and teams.

Instead of being stuck in the past, Lynkle embraces what being digital has to offer. You get personalized card handles (like a link-in-bio) such as lynkle.com/your-name, beautifully designed cards you can share anywhere, and full control over your privacy – set your card to private mode with expiring links or make it searchable on Google and Bing. With a generous free plan, a Pro plan at $4.50/month, and Teams at $48/user/year (minimum 5 users), it delivers strong value for individuals and teams alike.

Lynkle key features

  • Personalized card handles - Get a custom URL like lynkle.com/your-name, working like a link-in-bio for your professional identity.
  • Private or searchable cards - Set your card to private mode with expiring links, or make it discoverable on Google and Bing.
  • Beautifully designed cards - Stunning cards that look great on all devices with full branding customization.
  • Share anywhere - Use the native iPhone and Android apps, QR code, Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, email signature, text, NFC, and more.
  • Lead capture - Capture leads directly from your card and export to your CRM.
  • CRM integration - Connect with HubSpot, Salesforce, and sync contacts with Google and Outlook.

Lynkle pricing

PlanKey featuresPricing
Teams planBest for teams of 5–50Real-time card templates, centralized contact management, and billing. Minimum 5 users.$48/user/year
Free planDigital business card with unlimited fields and basic branding.Free
Pro plan3 cards with advanced branding, integrations, and privacy controls.$4.50/month

Final verdict

The decision between Dot and Linq depends on your priorities and budget. Dot's standout strength is physical NFC cards with no monthly fees for individuals, making it ideal for professionals who want a physical NFC card with a one-time purchase model. Linq, on the other hand, shines with built-in CRM with business phone number and call recording, which is best suited for sales professionals who want an integrated CRM and phone system.

If you want a 100% digital business card with personalized handles, the choice between private or searchable cards, and a forward-thinking approach to networking, Lynkle is a strong alternative worth exploring alongside Dot and Linq.

For a broader vendor shortlist, use our scored guide to the best digital business cards in 2026 with pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and best-for verdicts.

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