# Wave Connect vs Popl: which do AI models recommend for event lead capture, October 2026

GTM AI Recommendation Index, October 2026 Edition, Event lead capture apps. One of fourteen models named Wave Connect first on the direct prompt; one named Popl. Page: https://gtm-ai-index.com/marketing/event-lead-capture/wave-connect-vs-popl/

| | First-choice share | Rank | Negative rate | Labels | Models naming it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave Connect | 8% | #3 of 13 | 5% | 22 | 10 of 14 |
| Popl | 4% | #8 of 13 | 27% | 30 | 13 of 14 |

## The direct prompt, model by model

- Kimi K2: wave connect first (first choices: Wave Connect, momencio) (alternatives: Eventleaf Lead Retrieval App, iCapture)
- GPT-5.4 mini: popl first (first choices: Popl) (alternatives: Captello, iCapture)
- Gemini 3.5 Flash: neither first, one named (first choices: BoothIQ, Mobly Capture) (alternatives: Blinq, Captello, Popl, iCapture)
- MiniMax M2.5: neither first, one named (first choices: B2Brain, Mobly Capture) (alternatives: Accelevents, Eventleaf Lead Retrieval App, Popl)
- Claude Haiku 4.5: neither named (first choices: Blinq) (alternatives: B2Brain, Conexa, iCapture)
- Perplexity Sonar: neither named (first choices: Blinq) (alternatives: B2Brain, Cvent LeadCapture, momencio)
- Grok 4.1 Fast: neither named (first choices: Blinq) (alternatives: Captello, Mobly Capture, iCapture, momencio)
- Mistral Small: neither named (first choices: Blinq, momencio) (alternatives: Mobly Capture)
- DeepSeek V4 Flash: neither named (first choices: Blinq) (alternatives: B2Brain, Eventleaf Lead Retrieval App, Mobly Capture, iCapture)
- Llama 4 Maverick: neither named
- Qwen 3.7 Flash: neither named (first choices: Whova) (alternatives: Attendify, Swapcard)
- GLM 4.7 FlashX: neither named (first choices: Mobly Capture) (alternatives: Blinq, Zuddl, momencio)
- GPT-6 Luna: neither named (first choices: Cvent iCapture) (alternatives: Captello, LeadCapture)
- Muse Glimmer 30B: neither named (first choices: Blinq, momencio) (alternatives: iCapture)

## What the models said about Wave Connect

- "Odd pricing structure ($10/lead); no handheld rental, app-only; not ideal for high-volume scanning." (DeepSeek V4 Flash, paraphrase prompt, soft negative)
- "Wave Connect and Captello are the two named in the recent review as the only platforms backing their security posture with named, audited certifications." (Muse Glimmer 30B, negative prompt, first choice)
- "Better Alternatives to Consider ... Wave Connect — pay-per-lead model ($10/enriched lead), no per-user fees" (Kimi K2, negative prompt, first choice)
- "I would recommend Wave Connect as the best default trade show badge scanning and lead retrieval tool" (Perplexity Sonar, paraphrase prompt, first choice)

## What the models said about Popl

- "Many users across reviews complain the cost is too high... Multiple users report the app freezing and crashing during setup" (DeepSeek V4 Flash, negative prompt, hard negative)
- "Popl - Inconsistent badge scanning - Returns no contact data at some conferences" (GLM 4.7 FlashX, negative prompt, hard negative)
- "Popl announced a partnership with Apollo and RocketReach to power the data layer behind its enrichment... Enrichment tools that automatically add emails... raise GDPR Art.6 legal basis" (Muse Glimmer 30B, negative prompt, soft negative)
- "Choose Blinq or Popl if you want an affordable, modern, seat-based app for your sales reps" (Gemini 3.5 Flash, comparative prompt, first choice)
- "prioritize "universal" third-party lead capture apps (like Blinq, Popl, iCapture, or Mobly)" (Gemini 3.5 Flash, negative prompt, first choice)
- "Best overall budget pick: Blinq or Popl" (GPT-5.4 mini, budget prompt, first choice)

Share is the count of first choices across the direct, paraphrase, budget and scale prompts over all fourteen models, for a mid-market B2B company; rank is within the category. Comparisons are drawn for the top eight products in each category. Published under CC BY 4.0; the output is the models' output, and nothing here is a recommendation by the index.