# Best networking apps in 2026

The best networking apps in 2026 for meeting people, events, sharing your details and following up, with what each one costs and who it suits.

- Category: Networking playbook
- Reading time: 6 min read
- Author: Aman Singh, Member of Technical Staff
- HTML: https://www.connectmachine.ai/blog/best-networking-apps/

**Quick answer**

The best networking app depends on the job. Use LinkedIn or Meetup to meet new people, the event's own app at a conference, a digital business card to share your details, and a personal CRM to remember who you met and follow up. Most people need one from each group, and most have a free plan.

## Networking apps compared

<em>We make ConnectMachine, which appears in two groups below. Every other app is listed with facts from its own website.</em>

[Create your free card](/tools/create-card/?ref=networking-apps)

**Networking apps compared. Prices and free plans from each app's own website, checked 10 November 2026.**

| App | What it is for | Free to use? | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ConnectMachine | Digital business card, card scanner and contact notes | Yes, paid from $5/month billed yearly | Sharing your details and remembering people |
| LinkedIn | Professional profile and messages | Yes, Premium is paid | Finding people by company or role |
| Meetup | Local groups and events | Yes to join groups | Meeting people in your city |
| Luma | Event pages and RSVPs | Yes to RSVP | Startup, tech and community events |
| Whova, Brella, Grip | Conference apps chosen by organisers | Yes for attendees when the event uses it | Booking meetings at a conference |
| Blinq | Digital business card | Yes, 2 cards | Teams that want NFC accessories |
| HiHello | Digital business card and email signature | Yes, 2 cards | Teams that manage email signatures |
| Dex | Personal CRM linked to LinkedIn | No, 7-day trial | Staying in touch with a LinkedIn network |
| folk | Contact manager linked to email and WhatsApp | No, 2-week trial | Managing relationships from your inbox |

## Apps to meet new people

### LinkedIn

The default professional network. Search people by company, role or school, message them, and follow what your contacts post. A free account covers most networking; Premium adds more messaging to people outside your network, and its price depends on your country.

### Meetup

Groups that meet in person around a topic, from product management to running clubs. Joining groups and RSVPing is free. It works best when you go to the same group a few times, so people start to recognise you.

### Luma

Many startup, tech and community events are listed on Luma. RSVPing is free, and the guest list on some events shows who else is going, which helps you plan who to meet.

## Apps for events and conferences

Large conferences usually pick one app for attendees, such as Whova, Brella or Grip. You don't choose it; you download the one your event uses. Fill in your profile before the event, because that is what other attendees search when they book meetings.

For a step-by-step plan before, during and after an event, see <a href="/tools/conference-kit/">how to network at a conference</a>.

## Apps to share your details

Paper cards run out and get thrown away. A <a href="/blog/what-is-a-digital-business-card/">digital business card</a> opens from a QR code or a link, and the other person saves you without installing anything.

### ConnectMachine

Free plan with up to 4 cards and 3 paper card scans. Paid plans start at $5 a month billed yearly and add unlimited scanning, notes on every contact and an AI you can ask about your own network.

### Blinq

Free plan with 2 cards. Premium is $7.33 a month billed yearly, and it also sells NFC cards and accessories. (<a href="https://blinq.me/pricing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Blinq pricing page</a>, checked 10 November 2026.)

### HiHello

Free plan with 2 cards and 5 paper card scans a month. Professional is $6 a month billed yearly, and the Business plan manages email signatures for a team. (<a href="https://www.hihello.com/pricing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">HiHello pricing page</a>, checked 10 November 2026.)

For the full comparison, see the <a href="/blog/best-digital-business-card-apps-2026/">best digital business card apps</a>.

[Create your free card](/tools/create-card/?ref=networking-apps)

## Apps to remember people and follow up

Meeting people is the easy part. Remembering who they were and following up is where most networking stops.

### ConnectMachine

Every card you scan or exchange becomes a contact with notes and voice memos attached, and you can ask questions like "who did I meet at the Austin conference?". See how it works as a <a href="/use-case/personal-crm/">personal CRM</a>.

### Dex

Built around a network that already lives on LinkedIn, with reminders to stay in touch. Premium is $12 a month billed yearly, with a 7-day free trial. (<a href="https://getdex.com/pricing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Dex pricing page</a>, checked 10 November 2026.)

### folk

Connects to email, calendar and WhatsApp. Standard is $24 per member a month billed yearly, with a 2-week free trial. (<a href="https://www.folk.app/pricing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">folk pricing page</a>, checked 10 November 2026.)

For more options, see the <a href="/blog/best-personal-crm-apps/">best personal CRM apps</a>.

## Which networking app should you start with?

- <strong>Starting out or a student:</strong> LinkedIn plus a free digital card. See <a href="/blog/networking-tips-for-college-students/">networking tips for college students</a>.
- <strong>Going to a conference:</strong> the event app plus a card you can show as a QR code. See <a href="/use-case/events-conferences/">event networking</a>.
- <strong>Running or joining a community:</strong> Meetup or Luma for events, plus a card for the people you meet. See <a href="/use-case/communities-meetups/">communities and meetups</a>.
- <strong>Recruiting:</strong> LinkedIn plus a way to keep notes on every candidate. See <a href="/use-case/recruiting-hiring/">recruiting</a>.

## Make your free card in 2 minutes

1. Open the <a href="/tools/create-card/?ref=networking-apps">free card maker</a> and add your name, role, photo and links.
2. Save it and copy your card link, or download its QR code.
3. Put the link in your LinkedIn profile and email signature, and the QR on your phone's lock screen.
4. At the next event, let people scan it, and add a quick note on each person you meet.

[Create your free card](/tools/create-card/?ref=networking-apps)

## Frequently asked questions

### Which app is best for networking?

There isn't one app that does everything. LinkedIn is the best for finding people, Meetup and Luma for meeting them in person, and a digital card plus a personal CRM for sharing your details and remembering who you met.

### Which platform is best for professional networking?

LinkedIn is the largest professional network, so it is the place most people start. In-person events found on Meetup, Luma or your industry's conferences usually lead to stronger connections than messages alone.

### Are networking apps free?

Most have a free plan. LinkedIn, Meetup and Luma are free to join, and ConnectMachine, Blinq and HiHello all have free digital cards. Paid plans add features like more messaging, more card scans or team tools.

### Is LinkedIn enough for networking?

It is a good start, but most people still meet their best contacts in person. Pair LinkedIn with a way to share your details on the spot and a place to note what you talked about, so the connection doesn't fade after the event.

## Want a business card that never runs out?

ConnectMachine shares your card by QR code or link, with no app needed on their side.

Still handing out paper business cards? [ConnectMachine](/use-case/digital-business-card/) is a free digital business card that saves straight into the other person's contacts.

[Create your free card](/tools/create-card/)

[Get the app](/download-app/)