Guide
One-time vs subscription digital business cards: what to know before you buy
By Parichy · Published · 3 min read
How do the two pricing models differ?
With a subscription you pay repeatedly — monthly or yearly — for the service that hosts your page. It can suit a service that is continually changing, but the cost never ends and the card stops working the moment the subscription does.
With a one-time price you pay once for what the seller lists as included. It is easier to plan for, and the card you carry keeps working. The trade-off is that you must read carefully what the price covers.
What should I ask any seller?
Five questions settle almost every case:
- What is included in the price, in writing — hosting, editing, the QR code, the NFC redirect?
- What stops working if I stop paying, or if you stop trading?
- Are there usage limits, and what happens when I reach them?
- Can I change the details on the card without buying a new one?
- Is the total, with GST and delivery, shown before I pay?
How does Parichy price it?
A core Smart Profile is a one-time price, per profile, before GST. Hosting, editing your information, your QR code (PNG and SVG) and the NFC redirect to your profile are included, with no subscription for these. The price is not shown per month or per year anywhere on the site.
Some Smart Profiles run on metered services. The AI Concierge, for example, carries a fair-use limit because every conversation has a running cost; its page explains how that works. Each Smart Profile's page lists what applies to it, and the pricing page has the prices in full.
Why can a one-time price still have limits?
Because some features cost the seller money every time they are used — an AI assistant answering questions, for instance. A seller who is honest about that states the limit up front. It is a good sign when a page says what is unlimited and what is not, and a bad sign when a headline says "unlimited" and the detail says otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
Is a one-time price really one-time?
For the core features Parichy lists as included — hosting, editing, QR code and NFC redirect — yes: there is no monthly or yearly figure. Features that use metered services, such as the AI Concierge, can carry a fair-use limit, which is stated on their page.
What happens to my card if I stop using it?
It keeps opening your Smart Profile. Nothing in the core price is billed by the month or the year.
Can I switch what my card opens later?
Yes. The card stores a link to your profile, so you can change what it shows from your dashboard, or with Dynamic Profile Switching change which profile opens by rules such as time or place.
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