Taplink vs paper business cards: what does each cost a team?
For a South African team of 10 or more, Taplink smart business cards cost more than paper in the first year and less from the second year on. Over three years, a team of 50 pays R30,950 for Taplink against about R53,648 for paper, if each person would otherwise use one box of 100 cards a year. Paper stays cheaper for people who hand out only a few cards.
Last reviewed: 7 October 2026
The cost for a team of 10, 50 and 100
All figures include VAT and exclude delivery. Taplink includes the R90 yearly fee from the first year.
| Team size | Taplink, year 1 | Taplink, 3 years | Paper, year 1 | Paper, 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 people | R4,890 | R6,690 | R3,577 | R10,730 |
| 50 people | R21,950 | R30,950 | R17,883 | R53,648 |
| 100 people | R38,900 | R56,900 | R35,765 | R107,295 |
How these figures are worked out
- Taplink: our published one-off price per card (R399 each for 10 to 49 cards, R349 for 50 to 99, R299 for 100 to 249), plus R90 per card a year for hosting and the admin portal. Custom-branded design is included.
- Paper: R357.65 for a box of 100 cards (R311 excluding VAT, from a South African online printer), with each person using one box a year. Design is not included.
- Figures are rounded to the nearest rand. Delivery is excluded from both.
When paper is the cheaper choice
Paper costs less in the first year at every team size, because Taplink's card is a one-off purchase made up front. From the second year, Taplink costs R90 per person against about R358 for another box of paper cards, so the gap closes and then reverses.
Over three years, Taplink is the cheaper choice for anyone who would hand out more than about 55 to 65 paper cards a year. The exact figure depends on team size, because the per-card price drops for larger teams. Someone who hands out only a handful of cards a year is cheaper on paper.
Taplink is also sold to teams of 10 or more. A sole trader, or a team that rarely meets clients, is better served by paper.
What changes beyond the price
The cost table compares like with like. These are the differences it does not show.
| When this happens | Paper cards | Taplink |
|---|---|---|
| A number or job title changes | The rest of the box is out of date and a new box is printed. | You update the profile once. If the number is not printed on the card, nothing is reprinted. |
| Someone leaves | Their cards keep circulating with their details. | You deactivate the profile. A card without a printed name can go to someone else. |
| Someone joins | They wait for a print run. | You assign a spare card from your stock the same day. |
| A contact gets saved | Typed in by hand, sometimes with a mistake. | Saved to the phone in one tap, exactly as you wrote it. |
| You meet a prospect | You hope they get in touch. | They can send their details back, and the cardholder is emailed straight away. |
| Printing and waste | A new box per person each year, and unused cards thrown away when details change. | One card per person, kept for as long as it lasts. |
New to smart cards? Read how NFC and QR cards differ, or download our four-page guide (PDF).
Frequently asked questions
Are smart business cards cheaper than paper business cards?
Not in the first year, but usually over three years. A team of 50 pays R21,950 for Taplink in year one against about R17,883 for paper, if each person would otherwise use one box of 100 cards a year. Over three years Taplink costs R30,950 and paper about R53,648, because after year one Taplink costs only R90 per card a year.
When is paper the cheaper choice?
For people who hand out few cards. Over three years, Taplink costs less than paper for anyone who would get through more than about 55 to 65 paper cards a year, depending on team size. Someone who hands out a handful of cards a year is cheaper on paper. Taplink is also sold to teams of 10 or more, so a sole trader is better served by paper.
What does Taplink cost per person?
A one-off R399 per card for 10 to 49 cards, R349 for 50 to 99, R299 for 100 to 249, and R249 for 250 or more, plus R90 per card a year for hosting and the admin portal. Custom-branded design is included. Prices include VAT and exclude delivery.
Do smart cards need reprinting when details change?
Not if the card carries only your branding. The details live on the person's profile, which you update in the admin portal, and the card already in someone's wallet opens the new details. If you choose to print names and numbers on the cards, a changed name or number means a new card for that person.
Can I keep some paper cards as well?
Yes. Some teams keep a small paper run for people who rarely meet clients. The Taplink profile also has a QR code, which can be printed on paper material, brochures or email signatures and opens the same profile as the card.
Sources
Paper card price: Webprinter, business cards, shop.webprinter.co.za/business-cards/business-cards/, R311 excluding VAT for 100 cards, checked 7 October 2026. Their prices are shown excluding VAT; we added 15% VAT to compare like with like.
Taplink prices: our published pricing on the home page, checked 7 October 2026.
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