The Best Business Card Scanners

The best business card scanners

PenPower WorldCard Cloud

PenPower’s WorldCard Cloud is easy to use and offers a wide range of features and top-level customer service. It’s compatible with Macs and PCs — a bonus for those who work with both platforms. This featureful device is extremely versatile for its compact size and costs approximately $140. 

Here are the highlights:

• Scanner: This business card scanner is one of the most compact and lightweight devices of its kind. It’s easy to transport and can plug into computers with its built-in USB cord. You never have to worry about batteries running low or relying on power sources. This device is designed to scan A8-sized business cards and boasts impressive image quality. It uses text-recognition software to import your contact data and recognizes phone numbers, email addresses and other pertinent information easily. Once scanned, the data is imported seamlessly into contact management programs like Excel or Microsoft 365. Additionally, mobile devices synced to these programs can access and download the contact information.
• Features: The WorldCard Cloud scanner includes several unique features, including the option to link to Google Maps after scanning a contact. Once you’ve scanned a card, you can access the map to get directions, look for nearby businesses and learn more about the new contact.
• Customer service: If you encounter a problem with installation, programming or use, you can contact the customer service team via the contact form. The WorldCard Cloud scanner allows you to request a warranty.

Ambir TravelScan Pro 600

The Ambir TravelScan Pro 600 scores high marks for its diverse features and efficient, nimble design. This Windows-compatible device allows you to scan a business card in three seconds. While the scanner is marketed as a travel device, it is ideal for an office environment, boasting the ability to scan documents up to 8.5 x 14 inches. 

This scanner costs approximately $160 on Amazon (the Amibir website may offer it for less). Here’s some more information: 

• Scanner: The TravelScan Pro 600 is extremely lightweight — 12.6 ounces — making it ideal for travel. Its maximum scanning length and height provide additional use cases beyond scanning business cards, and it comes backed with a two-year warranty from Ambir. Additionally, the scanner comes with a Citrix Ready certification, which means it is certified to be compatible with Citrix work environments. 
• Features: The TravelScan Pro 600 can connect to Windows devices via USB, allowing quick and efficient scanning anytime, anywhere. The scanner is compatible with Microsoft 365, allowing for seamless contact importing and its software detects duplicate information automatically. It can also export documents into a comma-separated values file for easy backup and save scanned documents as PDFs, TIFs or JPEGs to backup cloud services like Box, Dropbox, Evernote or Google Drive. [Related article: Your Guide on How to Back up Your Computer to Google’s Cloud]
• Customer service: If you need help using the device, customer service representatives are available by phone between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central time and via online chat support or contact form. The scanner also comes with a two-year limited warranty. 

Fujitsu ScanSnap S1100

The Fujitsu ScanSnap business card scanner is versatile enough to scan business cards and letter- and legal-size documents. It can scan an exact card image and includes text-recognition software. The scanner is compatible with Mac and Windows, which is very helpful for those who use multiple platforms.

The Fujitsu ScanSnap costs approximately $230. Here are its highlights:

• Scanner: While larger than some competitors, the Fujitsu ScanSnap scanner is still small and lightweight enough to fit into most large totes and laptop bags. However, because it’s a bit larger than other scanners, it offers the added benefit of scanning larger documents.
• Features: The Fujitsu ScanSnap comes with a driver disc that installs all necessary components and text recognition software. Once up and running, the software detects all card information automatically, including email addresses, phone numbers and mailing addresses. It imports the info directly into Microsoft Outlook or another third-party application, giving you control over data organization and the ability to add notes and label new contacts. 
• Customer service: The Fujitsu ScanSnap offers reliable help and support options via phone, email, live chat or email form. Customer service representatives answer questions quickly and efficiently. The scanner comes with a limited one-year warranty, which is standard.

Plustek SmartOffice PS283

The Plustek SmartOffice business scanner is designed to handle various scanning needs, making it a versatile choice for professionals dealing with different document types beyond business cards.

This scanner costs around $245. Here’s what you need to know:

• Scanner: The Plustek SmartOffice PS283 is compact and efficient, capable of scanning documents at a speed of up to 25 pages per minute. While this device is larger than the others on our list, it offers a 50-page automatic document feeder, so you don’t have to individually scan each page. It supports various paper sizes, from business cards to legal-size papers and includes advanced image processing features to enhance scan quality.
• Features: This Windows-compatible scanner integrates seamlessly with popular document management systems. It offers automatic document detection, streamlining the scanning process and saving documents as searchable PDFs or Microsoft Word and Excel documents. With one touch of a button, you can send documents to printers, folders, networks or email and imaging applications.
• Customer service: Plustek offers robust customer support via phone, email, fax and live chat. Users can also access detailed online manuals for troubleshooting. The scanner comes with a one-year warranty. 

Munbyn Handheld WiFi

The Munbyn Handheld WiFi scanner is a portable solution for scanning documents and business cards on the go. It does not require a computer connection.

Here’s more information on this approximately $150 device:

• Scanner: The Munbyn Handheld WiFi scanner is a lightweight, portable device that allows users to scan documents directly to their device with its built-in Wi-Fi. You don’t need to feed your documents. Just slide the scanner over the document, which should be placed on a flat surface. It supports various formats, including JPG and PDF and offers high-resolution scanning. 
• Features: This handheld scanner lets you charge it like a phone; users don’t need an external power source or computer. It’s compatible with Android, iOS, Mac, Windows and Linux systems for file transmission. It includes optical character recognition software to convert scanned images into editable text and integrates with cloud services for easy storage and sharing. The scanner previews your image so you can tell if you need to rescan it. There are three resolutions (300dpi, 600dpi and 1050dpi).
• Customer service: Munbyn provides customer support via email, phone and Facebook live chat. The scanner includes an 18-month warranty and lifetime free service.

Why use business card scanners?

Business card scanners make it easy to transfer contacts’ names, phone numbers, email addresses and websites to a digital format for easy storage and access. They help reduce office clutter and are a great tool if you’re pursuing a paperless office. 

Stacey Crew, an organization expert and author of The Organized Mom, said storing business card information digitally makes businesses more efficient. “Professionals who either own or work for a small business are busy by nature, so the less physical clutter, the better,” Crew noted. “Clutter is a distraction that can keep individuals from remaining focused and productive.”

Business card scanners also provide an easy way to import customer and client data into the best customer relationship management (CRM) software solutions, helping you centralize customer information and better serve their needs. “CRM software can record history with a prospect or client, which keeps the contacts alive as opposed to a pile of cards with handwritten notes on the back,” Crew explained. “That is fine when you’re at a trade show but not a productive way to stay in touch afterward.”

The best business card scanning apps

Business card scanning apps use your smartphone’s camera to capture and digitize business cards. They’re an excellent alternative to dedicated devices if you’re looking for the simplest, most compact solution. 

Consider the following scanning apps that can help keep your business card contacts organized: 

• ABBYY: ABBYY is a popular iOS business card scanning app known for accuracy and ease of use. It uses contactless card sharing with quick response (QR) codes, supports 25 languages and highlights unrecognizable text so you can edit it later. Contacts are stored in the app’s Cardholder section; you can also add contacts to your iOS device’s Contacts list and export the data to Excel and Salesforce. Additionally, you can add LinkedIn and Facebook information to your contact data. This app is free to download and use but offers a more featureful premium version for $7.99 per month (annual and lifetime purchases are also available).
• Haystack: This free app offers a modern take on business card management by providing a fully digital business card solution for Android and iOS. It fills in missing information automatically from web searches, syncs contacts to your phone and creates a contact color scheme from each card’s logo colors. If you prefer digital cards over text, Haystack allows you to customize this option. Users can create and share digital business cards through Haystack via email, short message service (SMS) and QR code for effortless sharing.
• Covve: Covve is a powerful contact management app that can help you expand your professional network. The app features follow-up reminders to help you establish and maintain relationships and lets you contact people via phone, SMS, email and WhatsApp. Covve sorts contacts by relationship status and uses an AI assistant to make the follow-up process easier. This app is free to download and use with limited features. You can also pay $4.99 or $12.99 monthly (or $49.99 or $119.99 annually) for a Pro version with extensive functionality.
• Vision-e: Vision-e offers Android and iOS users robust features, including cloud synchronization, seamless integration with CRM systems like Salesforce and multilanguage support. This app is designed to simplify the process of capturing and managing business contacts, providing users with tools to easily share scanned cards via email or social media. You can save business cards, near-field communication digital cards and event badges and add voice notes and log calls. You can also create your own digital business card and custom QR codes. There’s a free version with limited use, an individual user plan for $29.99 per month and a premium option for $299.
• CamCard: CamCard prides itself on quick card entry, e-card exchange, smart management and always being available. You can add notes, set reminders, search information quickly and tag and share any card. It allows you to scan and store business card information that can be synced across multiple devices in real time. The app supports 16 languages and offers features like batch scanning, contact and company notifications and adding images. CamCard is available for Android and iOS for free, with the option to upgrade to a $4.99 monthly premium option or a $19.99 annual premium subscription.

Enhancing professional networking through digital business card management

Portable business card scanners and digital apps eliminate physical clutter to ensure contact information is easily accessible. These tools streamline contact management, integrate with CRM systems, enhance professional networking and can help take the stress out of business travel. Embrace these digital solutions to optimize your workflow and grow your network effectively.