Quick Comparison
| Feature | Snowball | ABBYY Business Card Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Offline scanning | ||
| Voice notes | ||
| Modern UI/UX | Native iOS design | Dated interface |
| On-device AI | ||
| Follow-up reminders | Basic | |
| CRM integrations | 100+ | Salesforce, limited |
| Active development | Weekly updates | Infrequent |
| Privacy | On-device processing | Cloud processing |
ABBYY Was Great—In 2015
ABBYY Business Card Reader was one of the first dedicated card scanning apps. It's still functional, but the app feels dated. The interface is clunky, it requires internet, and development has slowed. Professional networking has evolved.
- Requires internet connection for scanning
- Dated user interface and experience
- Limited integrations beyond Salesforce
- No voice notes for context capture
- Cloud-based processing raises privacy concerns
- Infrequent updates and feature additions
Key Differences
Works Offline
Snowball scans offline using on-device AI. ABBYY requires internet for every scan—useless at crowded conferences.
Modern Experience
Snowball is built with modern iOS design patterns. ABBYY's interface feels like it's from another era.
Voice Notes
Capture what you discussed while the conversation is fresh. ABBYY has no voice note feature.
Privacy-First
On-device AI means your business cards never leave your phone. ABBYY sends images to external servers.
When ABBYY Makes Sense
- You're already invested in the ABBYY ecosystem
- You need multi-platform support (ABBYY has Android)
- You prefer established brands over newer apps
- You only need basic scanning without relationship features
When to Choose Snowball
- You need offline scanning at events
- You want a modern, fast mobile experience
- You need voice notes for context
- You care about privacy and on-device processing
- You want active development and new features
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ABBYY more accurate than Snowball?
Both achieve high accuracy. ABBYY uses cloud processing; Snowball uses on-device AI. In practice, accuracy is comparable, but Snowball works offline.
Can I import my ABBYY contacts?
Yes. Export from ABBYY as vCard or CSV and import into Snowball. Your contacts transfer in minutes.
Does ABBYY have better enterprise features?
ABBYY has Salesforce integration. Snowball integrates with Salesforce plus HubSpot, Pipedrive, and 100+ other tools.
Why is ABBYY still popular?
ABBYY was an early leader and has brand recognition. Many users simply haven't tried modern alternatives.