At a glance
| FastCardGen | Popl | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free; Pro is one-time ($4.99 / $9.99) | Free plan; Pro about $7.99/month; Teams plans; NFC products sold separately |
| How people get your details | Scan the vCard QR (saves directly) or open your card link | Tap an NFC device or scan a QR, opens your Popl profile |
| Hardware | None (optional: your own NFC tag) | NFC cards, tags and badges |
| Lead capture, CRM sync, analytics | No | Yes (paid plans) |
| Account | None | Yes |
QR or NFC?
NFC is quick when it works, but the other person's phone needs NFC switched on and held in the right spot. A QR code works with any phone camera, from a screen or paper, at arm's length. NFC vs QR in detail
Use your own NFC tag
You can put your FastCardGen card link on any blank NFC sticker or card: buy an NTAG215 or NTAG216 tag (the link is long, so NTAG213 is usually too small), install a tag-writing app such as NFC Tools, choose Write → Add a record → URL, paste your card link and write. Tapping the tag then opens your card with a Save contact button — no subscription involved.
When Popl is the better choice
If your team works trade shows and needs lead capture, badge scanning, CRM sync and analytics, Popl's paid plans are built for that. For simply sharing your own contact, a QR code and card link are enough.
Popl is trademarks of their owners. FastCardGen is not affiliated with them. Competitor plans and prices are as listed on their websites and in public reviews in November 2026 and change often — check their pricing page before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an NFC card for a digital business card?
No. A QR code works on every phone camera. NFC is a nice extra, not a requirement.
Can I write my FastCardGen card to an NFC tag?
Yes. Write your card link as a URL record to an NTAG215 or NTAG216 tag with an app like NFC Tools.
Does an NFC card work with iPhone?
iPhone XS and newer read NFC tags in the background when the screen is on; most Android phones read them with NFC switched on.
Is FastCardGen really free?
Yes for the card, QR code, contact file, card link and email signature. Pro is an optional one-time pass.
Contact files follow vCard 3.0 (RFC 2426); QR codes follow ISO/IEC 18004. Checked 2026-11-07.