Once you’re spending lots of of {dollars} to attend a networking event—or hundreds of {dollars} to exhibit at one—the knowledge on the enterprise playing cards you gather is commonly your largest tangible takeaway. Are you capturing it correctly?
We’re long gone the times when every enterprise card was handled as a collector’s merchandise. As a contemporary salesperson, all you wish to do is get your new contact’s electronic mail and telephone quantity into your CRM as shortly as attainable so you may toss their card into the closest recycling bin. Fortunately, we now have business card scanners to save lots of us all that typing.
For gross sales professionals, enterprise card scanner apps that robotically switch contact data to your CRM are way more helpful than {hardware} gadgets that solely generate and retailer photographs.
{Hardware} scanners will get you a a lot better high quality picture, however in the end you don’t want a trustworthy replica of a enterprise card—you want the title, electronic mail deal with, and telephone quantity from that enterprise card, saved in an simply searchable database the place you may take motion. And naturally, free enterprise card scanners are preferable to ones that cost a month-to-month subscription or utilization payment.
Nonetheless, completely different wants require completely different instruments. We sifted by way of the numerous enterprise card scanner options on the market and picked out 17 which are value contemplating.
CRM enterprise card scanners
CRMs with enterprise card scanners are an effective way to seize contact data from conferences or conferences on the go. If dealing with enterprise playing cards takes outing of your day, it’s time to let tech resolve the issue. Many CRMs have built-in enterprise card scanning capabilities, though every CRM has its personal distinctive approach of doing it.
1. Nutshell
Value: Free in each Nutshell subscription (beginning at $16/consumer/month)
Notable options:
- Designed for use on-to-go, throughout conversations, and many others.
- Creates a contact inside the app based mostly on the knowledge on the enterprise card
- Computerized area mapping, no further steps
- Takes actually seconds
Abstract: Nutshell’s business card scanner is light-weight and constructed into the Nutshell cell app. The scanning know-how is flexible and doesn’t require a flat floor or brilliant lighting with a view to learn playing cards precisely. Thoughtfully designed, the app presents the choice to solely scan one aspect, for the reason that backs of enterprise playing cards are typically devoid of contact data—very helpful on-the-go.
Be careful for: It takes a few minutes to parse the info and replace contact data.
2. Zoho Scanner
Value: Free add-on to Zoho CRM (Paid plans begin at $12/consumer/month)
Notable options:
- Lets customers save the contact as a contact on their telephone or as a lead/contact in Zoho CRM
- Lets customers export data to different apps within the Zoho suite
- Scans enterprise playing cards in several languages
Abstract: Zoho’s enterprise card is a separate app known as Zoho Scanner, which implies that the scanning function isn’t constructed into the principle app. The enterprise card scanner itself is extraordinarily versatile, and offers the choice to save lots of the knowledge from the scanned enterprise card as a contact inside Zoho or immediately onto the consumer’s telephone. Zoho Scanner additionally lets customers export enterprise card data to different apps within the Zoho suite, and even scans playing cards in different languages.
Be careful for: There’s a frequent consumer grievance that the scanner often fails to learn letters correctly.
3. HubSpot
Value: Free in HubSpot CRM (Paid plans begin at $50/consumer/month)
Notable options:
- Constructed into HubSpot
- Lets you choose the particular fields that you just wish to import
- Saves scanned playing cards into your contacts
Abstract: HubSpot’s enterprise card scanner is constructed into the HubSpot app itself. They promote the helpful skill to pick which fields you’d wish to import, mapping fields from the cardboard to match the info inside the CRM. Though helpful, this handbook course of takes a substantial period of time for a salesman on the go.
Be careful for: Tediously mapping fields on the cell app whereas making an attempt to get someplace.
4. Insightly
Value: Begins at $29/consumer/month for 15 scans/month
Notable options:
- Restrict on variety of scans—and the numbers are low: 15, 25, or 50/month relying in your plan. Plans are $29, $49, and $99 respectively
- Can’t use a photograph of the again of the cardboard
- Can add tags to the playing cards
Abstract: Insightly’s enterprise card scanner limits customers’ variety of scans per thirty days to fifteen, 25, or 50, relying on the consumer’s plan. Enormous crimson flag. (The $99/month plan solely permits for 50 scans per thirty days.) That is an absurd billing technique: There are stretches of months the place salespeople gather no enterprise playing cards by any means, and different months filled with conferences whereby lots of of playing cards are collected, so the month-to-month restrict is a turnoff for potential customers.
Be careful for: The unrealistically low variety of scans allowed.
5. Nimble
Value: $19/mo
Notable options:
- Provides the particular person as a contact inside your CRM
- Doesn’t robotically detect fields, so customers want to pick every telephone quantity and electronic mail deal with from the “different” class
Abstract: Nimble’s built-in enterprise card scanning software program is a complete scanner that provides the contact’s data to your CRM, however with a (huge) catch: Fields aren’t robotically mapped to match the fields within the CRM. Customers of this app might want to manually specify which fields belong to which corresponding classes. This further work is certainly not ideally suited for conferences and occasions.
Be careful for: The cell app crashes, lags, and freezes. One consumer writes, in a one-star evaluation, “[the application] crashed 3 occasions in a row simply making an attempt to write down this evaluation.”
6. Infusionsoft by Keap
Value: Constructed into Keap, beginning at $29/consumer/month
Notable options:
- Add enterprise playing cards as contacts into Infusionsoft robotically
- Add restrict of 250/consumer
- 15 minute to two-hour wait time
Abstract: Infusionsoft by Keap has a pleasant scanner app which saves the cardboard data as a contact robotically. They solely enable for 250 contacts to be uploaded each 30 days per consumer. That looks like a fairly secure quantity for any salesperson who isn’t on the market completely crushing the convention circuit. Additionally they warn that there’s a 15-minute to two-hour wait time for contact data to be parsed and uploaded correctly, so if you really want to comply with up with somebody, it’s finest you kind them within the old school approach.
Be careful for: The scanner app is strong, however prospects warn of paying an increasing number of for extra options over time.
7. Vision-e
Value: $4.99/consumer/month
Notable options:
- Scan a vast quantity of enterprise playing cards and commerce present badges on to Salesforce as leads or contacts
- Free Slack integration & scan PDF Paperwork
- Robust buyer help
Abstract: Imaginative and prescient-e has supplied scanning options to Authorities, Enterprise, and international companies. Their without end free plan permits limitless customers to securely scan enterprise playing cards, QR codes, and commerce present badges, integrating with Salesforce for lead and get in touch with processing. The service additionally contains free Slack integration and PDF doc scanning.
Be careful for: The free model is simply a demo and is deceptive prospects.
8. snapADDY
Value: $6/mo
Notable options:
- snapADDY is out there at $72/12 months for one seat, or $6/month.
- No added {hardware} required
- Duplicate-checking
Abstract: snapADDY is a third-party enterprise card scanner with a cool consumer interface and integrates with Salesforce, Zapier, Pipedrive, HubSpot, and a number of other different CRMs. Additionally they invested in testing photo qualities of enterprise card scanners, displaying the place they rank in opposition to the rivals.
Be careful for: Be certain snapADDY integrates with your CRM.
9. Scanbizcards
Value: $8.33/mo
Notable options:
- Has a free plan that lets customers add a restricted quantity of contacts to their deal with books, one by one
- Batch export is out there within the paid plan, which is $100/12 months
- Integrates with SugarCRM and Salesforce, and sooner or later will combine with HubSpot, eloqua, and Marketo
Abstract: Scanbizcards has an utility that lets customers add a restricted quantity of contacts into their deal with books as contacts. Their free plan permits customers to export these contacts into their CRM one by one, with a tough restrict of three scans per week. Customers can carry out batch exports by choosing the paid plan, which is $100/12 months. Scanbizcards integrates with SugarCRM and Salesforce, and plans on integrating with HubSpot, Eloqua, and Marketo sooner or later.
Be careful for: The free model is riddled with ads and solely permits for 3 card scans per week.
10. ABBYY Business Card Reader
Value: $59.99
Notable options:
- They combine with Salesforce as of March 2019, and that’s their solely CRM integration
- Good answer for individuals with out CRMs
- Comparatively low-cost
Abstract: ABBYY is one other nice possibility for salespeople and enterprise homeowners preferring to scan enterprise playing cards immediately into their telephone’s deal with guide. The appliance prices $59.99 within the iPhone App Retailer, which appears dear however is a good one-time worth for a strong enterprise card scanner. ABBYY integrates solely with Salesforce, in accordance with their newest description.
Be careful for: Use any CRM apart from Salesforce? Maintain studying, as a result of this one isn’t for you.
11. CamCard
Value: $5-12/mo
Notable options:
- Gross sales administration instruments through CamCard consumer interface
- Combine your buyer knowledge with different CRM functions you may be utilizing: Salesforce, SugarCRM, Google Contacts, Outlook Contacts, Excel
- The usual version is $5/consumer/mo, and permits for Excel exportation
Abstract: CamCard is a strong answer for scanning enterprise playing cards, and options its personal proprietary semi-CRM consumer interface. CamCard permits a number of customers to entry the identical knowledge on a permissions foundation, which means you may scan enterprise playing cards and delegate completely different units of contacts to completely different customers. CamCard additionally permits its customers to export contact knowledge into Excel, which may then be uploaded into any CRM. The usual version goes for $5/month per consumer, which is a good worth in comparison with different choices, and permits customers limitless scans.
Be careful for: Prospects say the scanner occasionally misreads quirky fonts.
Enterprise card scanning gadgets
There may be quite a lot of enterprise card scanning gadgets and apparatuses specifically designed for big organizations and significantly motivated salespeople. These gadgets are optimized for prime quantity and excessive effectivity and sometimes have a number of capabilities and capabilities.
1. Zoeson Portable Scanner
Value: $103.00
Common buyer ranking: 5 stars out of 5
Product abstract (through Amazon): “Whether or not you’re at house, within the workplace or library or having fun with a cup of espresso, the handscanner can all the time be there!”
Notable options:
- Rapidly retailer photographs as JPEG/PDF recordsdata
- Light-weight and travel-friendly
- Select from 3 picture resolutions
- Relevant for quite a lot of functions
- Helps a Micro SD card
Abstract: The Zoeson Moveable Scanner is a flexible and useful machine that’s able to scanning enterprise playing cards, photographs, receipts, and many others. The machine itself is battery-powered and sufficiently small to slot in your pocket. Even higher, this dangerous boy doesn’t require any further software program or setup, as photographs are saved on a micro USB drive to be seen in your laptop later.
Be careful for: The Zoeson scanner doesn’t have wi-fi capabilities. All transfers should be executed through cable. The scanner additionally solely outputs photographs as JPEGs or PDFs. There’s no knowledge parsing by any means, so in case your objective is to extract the knowledge off enterprise playing cards, this isn’t the product for you.
2. PenPower WorldCard Pro Business Card Scanner (Win/Mac)
Value: $179.95
Common buyer ranking: 3 stars out of 5
Product abstract (through Amazon): “The tilting open “mail field” entrance permits you to put in enterprise playing cards simply, tilting shut design protects the scanner from particles or mud. Scans and acknowledges enterprise playing cards, then saves contact data into Handle Ebook or Microsoft Outlook. turns enterprise playing cards into correct digital format in a couple of seconds.”
Notable options:
- Acknowledge, scan, and save contact data right into a digital format
- A number of language help
- Export contacts as a CSV file to add on to your CRM
- Information administration capabilities to assign data and contacts to particular customers
- Superior search capabilities
Abstract: The WorldCard Professional is a superb pocket-sized enterprise card scanner that enables customers to extract data immediately from enterprise playing cards and put it aside to their computer systems. This scanner acknowledges 24 completely different languages, and has an accompanying utility that lets customers handle, replace, and even export contacts to Excel. The value tag ($134.95) is a strong one-time cost to pay as an alternative choice to subscription companies. Sadly, nevertheless, it doesn’t run on batteries and also you truly must plug it in.
Be careful for: The scanner typically reads playing cards poorly and requires recalibration—3 times whereas working a 555 card batch, in accordance with one buyer.
3. Plustek SmartOffice PS283 Flexible Document Scanner
Value: $199.00
Common buyer ranking: 4.6 stars out of 5
Product abstract (through Amazon): “Scan your paperwork shortly and affordably. The Plustek 25 ppm Sensible Workplace PS283 presents you a versatile and productive approach to scan and handle your entire paper based mostly data. From enterprise playing cards to authorized dimension paperwork, all of them may be scanned and saved as a searchable PDF on the contact of a button…The Sensible Workplace PS283 comes with a robust software program bundle together with doc administration, enterprise card studying, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and imaging software program.”
Notable options:
- 25ppm scanning velocity
- 50-page automated doc feeder
- Enhanced picture processing
- Scan enterprise playing cards with a single button-click
- Single contact scan-and-send to electronic mail, printer, FTP, folder, community, or picture utility
Abstract: The Plustek SmartOffice PS283 is a desktop scanning machine that may save paperwork of assorted bodily sizes to a PDF, or ship them on to a folder, electronic mail, and many others. It boasts a easy touch-to-scan interface and an automated doc feeder so you may load it filled with playing cards and stroll away. The draw back is that it doesn’t transcribe enterprise card knowledge in any approach, so data from playing cards can’t robotically populate your CRM, however is in any other case an excellent answer for creating digital copies.
Be careful for: The PS283 doesn’t have a tray to catch paperwork after they’re fed by way of the machine—a minor (however annoying) disadvantage for a desktop machine.
4. Ambir ImageScan Pro 667ix Simplex Card Scanner with AmbirScan Business Card Reader
Value: $184.99
Common buyer ranking: 4.5 stars out of 5
Product abstract (through ambir.com): “The ImageScan Professional 667ix is a rugged simplex card scanner. As a result of it’s USB-powered, you’ll by no means must seek for an outlet. And at slightly below one pound and about 8” lengthy, it suits on any crowded desk, registration space or cell cart.”
Notable options:
- Imports contacts on to Outlook.
- Detects duplicate contacts
- Routinely backs up knowledge
- Outputs picture recordsdata as PDF, TIFF, JPG, Searchable PDF, Phrase, or Excel
- Exports contacts to a CSV file (which may be uploaded to your CRM)
Abstract:
Be careful for: One Amazon reviewer complained that the bottom of the unit was wobbly out of the field, and that the AmbirScan software program “cannot acknowledge textual content from a enterprise card or do something significantly helpful.”
Be aware: Ambir additionally presents a larger “Duplex” model for round $300.
5. Ambir TravelScan Pro 600 Simplex Document Scanner with AmbirScan Business Card Reader
Value: $160.00
Common buyer ranking: 4.0 stars out of 5
Product abstract (through ambir.com): “Once you go cell, the TravelScan Professional goes with you. It’s USB-powered, so that you’ll by no means must seek for an outlet. And at slightly below a pound and simply over a foot lengthy, it suits in any laptop computer bag and by no means weighs you down.”
Notable options:
- Extremely-compact footprint
- TWAIN driver included for compatibility with hundreds of software program functions and {hardware} programs
- Straight-to-PDF scanning
- Auto-continue perform permits you to repeatedly feed media, so piles of paperwork or playing cards may be scanned shortly
Abstract: The Ambir TravelScan Professional 600 is a modern, desktop-sized doc scanner that scans paperwork ranging in dimension from letters to enterprise playing cards. The TravelScan has a robust built-in system that parses enterprise playing cards and exports the info on to a CSV file, even removes duplicates alongside the best way.
Be careful for: The TravelScan captures just one aspect of a doc at a time, and one reviewer complained that it doesn’t do properly feeding skinny paper like retailer recipts.
6. Munbyn Handheld WiFi Document Scanner and Copier
Value: $99.98
Common buyer ranking: 3.8 stars out of 5
Product abstract (through Amazon): “Nice for scanning contracts and associated recordsdata after assembly with prospects. Vast applicability in enterprise, instructing, research, regulation and others. Save time, cash and vitality.”
Notable options:
- Scan paperwork of any dimension by transferring the machine over the merchandise
- WiFi connection that can be utilized with Mac, PC, iPhone, and iPad
- Shops JPEG/PDF recordsdata inside seconds on a 16GB Micro SD card
- Three decisions of decision
Abstract: The Munbyn moveable scanner is a wand-style enterprise scanner that you could wave over a doc to take a photograph. Due to its distinctive wand fashion, scanning paperwork is fast and straightforward, however not all the time clear, in accordance with some prospects. The Munbyn wand doesn’t extract any knowledge from the paperwork it scans, however is ready to save them wirelessly as a number of completely different picture recordsdata.
Be careful for: A number of Amazon reviewers talked about that the directions had been poorly written and onerous to comply with. Based on this two-star review, “the tiny ‘instruction booklet’ was written by somebody with solely a marginal command of the English language. One part was labeled ‘Methods to Scanning.’ One other informed the way to ‘set the timer,’ however there was no point out anyplace about what the timer was for, the way to use it, and many others.”
Selecting the enterprise card scanner that’s best for you
No two scanners supply the very same performance and options. The best-rated and most helpful scanners, nevertheless, all have the identical few options in frequent:
- Light-weight and straightforward to make use of
- Exports knowledge to your CRM, doesn’t save the cardboard as a picture
- Scans data precisely
By way of practicality, this places CRM scanners on the high of the checklist for many enterprise wants, as there aren’t any integrations and tedious exports to handle. Much more helpful are CRM scanners constructed into the CRM utility immediately, which implies customers gained’t must toggle backwards and forwards between a scanner app and a CRM app when on-the-go.
Our checklist is comprised of the very best CRM scanners we might discover, however should you’re able to attempt the very best of the very best, we suggest starting a 14-day trial of Nutshell. Scan enterprise playing cards to your coronary heart’s content material, and even should you resolve Nutshell isn’t for you, we’ll allow you to export and preserve your knowledge. You’ve earned it.
LIVE DEMO
Able to see Nutshell in motion?
Attend a dwell guided tour! Each Tuesday at 3pm ET / midday PT.
BACK TO TOP
