ZapCard vs HiHello at a glance

The differences that matter when you're deciding between the two:

Feature ZapCard ⚡ HiHello
Physical card✓ Matte-black NFC card (PVC)✗ App-only — no physical card option
Price model$39 once (no subscription)Free tier + Pro/Business subscription
App required (you)No app required — manage from browserHiHello app required to create/manage
App required (recipient)✓ Zero install — opens in browser on tapOften prompted to open HiHello app
NFC tap to share✓ Physical tap on any NFC phone✗ QR code or app share only — no tap card
Works without phone signal✓ NFC tap works offline on recipient's phoneApp or link required — needs data connection
Ownership🇦🇺 Australian-owned🇺🇸 United States servers
Privacy Act 1988 compliance✓ AU compliant by designUS-based company, different jurisdiction
Shipping origin🇦🇺 Ships from MelbourneN/A — digital product
24-month total cost (solo)$39 total$0–$240+ (depending on tier)
Teams / bulk$29/card from 5 — CSV onboardingBusiness plan available

Five reasons Australians choose ZapCard over HiHello

1. A physical card opens doors an app can't

The moment at a meeting or open home where you hand someone your card is tactile and memorable. HiHello requires you to pull out your phone, find the app, navigate to your profile, and ask the other person to scan a QR code — or install an app. A ZapCard tap takes two seconds and leaves every bit as much of a professional impression as a traditional card, with none of the friction.

2. The recipient doesn't need to do anything

Tapping a ZapCard to a phone opens the profile in the phone's browser — instantly. No app prompt, no "download HiHello to view this". For busy professionals meeting dozens of people a week, eliminating that friction matters. The profile is in their hands before the handshake is finished.

3. No subscription, ever

HiHello's free tier is limited; meaningful features like custom branding, contact capture, and team management require a paid plan. ZapCard is $39 once. Profile edits, lead capture, vCard download, Apple Wallet pass — all included, for life, with no re-billing. Two years in, the cost is still $39.

4. Your client your data is never resold

HiHello is a US company. When your clients tap your card and their contact details land in a lead-capture inbox, that data travels to US servers under US privacy law. Australian professionals in finance, real estate, healthcare, and law have Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) obligations that make this a real consideration. ZapCard hosts everything in Cloudflare's secure network.

5. Ships from Melbourne in 1–3 days

HiHello is purely digital — there's no physical card to receive. ZapCard ships from Melbourne via Australia Post tracked. Most metro deliveries arrive in one to three business days. No international shipping delays, no customs fees, no waiting weeks for a card from a US warehouse.

Who switches from HiHello to ZapCard?

Common profiles we see making the switch:

Real estate agents and mortgage brokers

Open homes and client meetings are physical encounters. A tap card is more natural than asking someone to open an app. Buying from an Australian-owned business also matters for Privacy Act accountability in financial and property services.

Tradies and field service professionals

On a worksite, handing your phone to a client to scan a QR is awkward. Tapping a card to their phone while your hands are busy is seamless. The card survives the worksite; apps get accidentally closed.

Consultants tired of subscription creep

Digital tools accumulate monthly fees. ZapCard is a fixed cost you make once — no budget line, no payment failure, no feature downgrade if you forget to renew. It just works.

Teams rolling out across a whole business

HiHello's Business plan is subscription-per-user. ZapCard teams pricing is $29/card one-time, with central admin and CSV bulk onboarding. For a 10-person team over two years, the difference adds up significantly.

Get your ZapCard

$39 once. No subscription. Ships from Melbourne.

Physical NFC card. No app required on either side. Australian-owned. Tap to your live profile in seconds.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between ZapCard and HiHello?

ZapCard is a physical NFC card that opens your live profile with a tap — no app required on either side. HiHello is primarily a digital app experience with QR code sharing. ZapCard is also $39 once with no subscription, and data is made in Melbourne.

Does ZapCard work without any app installed?

Yes. Tapping a ZapCard to any NFC-enabled phone opens your profile directly in the phone's browser — no app download required. You also manage your profile from any browser; there's no dedicated app you need to install.

Is my data private and Privacy Act protected with ZapCard?

Yes. Profile and lead-capture data is hosted on Cloudflare's secure network. ZapCard complies with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) by default.

How do I switch from HiHello to ZapCard?

Order a ZapCard, set up your profile in about five minutes, and your card is ready to tap. Cancel your HiHello subscription on your own schedule — there's no lock-in on ZapCard's side and no data to migrate.

Does ZapCard have a free tier like HiHello?

No — ZapCard is a physical product starting at $39 once. There are no ongoing fees and no features locked behind a paywall. Every ZapCard owner gets the full feature set for life.

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First batch ships
May 2026.

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