Quick Comparison
| Feature | Snowball | Apple Contacts |
|---|---|---|
| Business card scanning | 2-second AI scan | Manual entry |
| Voice notes | ||
| Follow-up reminders | ||
| Smart tags | Basic groups | |
| Search | Full-text, tags, notes | Name/company only |
| Relationship context | Notes, voice, history | None |
| CRM sync | HubSpot, Salesforce, 100+ | None |
| Two-way sync | N/A (is the source) |
Apple Contacts is a Phonebook, Not a CRM
Apple Contacts does one thing: store contact information. It's a digital Rolodex. But if you're serious about networking, you need more than storage. You need a system that helps you remember context, follow up, and build relationships.
- No way to scan business cards—manual entry only
- No context—just fields for name, number, email
- No reminders—you have to remember to follow up
- Basic groups instead of smart, searchable tags
- No voice notes for capturing conversation details
Key Differences
Capture Without Typing
Point your camera, tap, done. Business card is in your contacts in 2 seconds. Apple Contacts requires manual entry for everything.
Remember the Conversation
Voice notes, written notes, tags. Remember not just who someone is, but what you talked about and how you can help each other.
Actually Follow Up
Set a reminder while scanning. Get notified at the right time. Apple Contacts has no reminder system.
Stays in Sync
Snowball syncs with Apple Contacts. Your data lives in both places. Best of both worlds.
When Apple Contacts is Enough
- You just need to store phone numbers and emails
- You never meet new people at events
- You have a perfect memory and never forget to follow up
- You don't need context beyond basic contact info
When to Add Snowball
- You meet people at events and exchange cards
- You want to remember what you discussed
- You actually want to follow up
- You need your contacts to sync to CRM
- You want searchable tags and context
Works With Apple Contacts
Download Snowball from the App Store
Grant access to your Contacts
Your Apple Contacts appear in Snowball
New Snowball contacts sync back to Apple Contacts
Use both together—Snowball adds intelligence
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Snowball replace Apple Contacts?
No—Snowball works alongside Apple Contacts. They sync two-way. Apple Contacts is your base storage; Snowball adds intelligence on top.
Will my Apple Contacts appear in Snowball?
Yes. Grant Snowball access to Contacts and your existing contacts will be imported. New Snowball contacts sync back to Apple Contacts.
Is my data duplicated?
Contact data syncs between both apps. Snowball-specific features (voice notes, tags, reminders) live in Snowball but are linked to your Apple Contacts.
What if I delete the Snowball app?
Your contacts remain in Apple Contacts. Snowball-specific data (voice notes, tags) would be lost unless you export first.