Access Control systems are a workplace staple today, providing a must-have technology for all types of industries, from corporate offices to airports to restaurants, and many more. Almost every type of business today could find some security benefit in an access control system, whether it’s controlling visitor and employee entry or preventing your building against trespassing. Others may simply want to integrate their access control needs with back-end systems, like time and attendance, for a simpler all-in-one technology solution.
However, different types of businesses will have different needs when it comes to their access control system. Some small businesses might need access control for a single door, while others might require massive cloud-based access control systems that integrate across multiple locations. Whatever your access control needs are, you can rest assured that today, there is certainly an access control manufacturer or provider on the marketplace that can help! 360Connect is here to help you find the perfect access control system for YOUR business needs (whether large or small), with our list of the top 10 access control systems.
1. ADT Access Control System
System type: Electronic
ADT is one of the top access control and security systems for businesses of all types and sizes. Their security system solution is completely customizable and flexible in terms of your particular business’s needs. In addition, ADT offers integrative security features that can be added onto your access control system, such as video surveillance and burglary alarms. The ADT system can also be managed remotely and can be scaled up or down as your business’s needs change over time.
| Solutions offered | Top Benefits | Industry Specialties | Pro installation included? | Best for | *Important to know |
| Mobile app access (remote management) Hardware: Keycards and keycard readers, 2-way intercoms | -Mobile app for remote management -24/7 monitoring -Video surveillance integration | Automotive Food & Bev Retail Health & Wellness | Yes | Full-fledged security system with video surveillance integration | Biometric readers and mobile credentialing systems not offered |
2. Kisi Access Control System
System type: Cloud-Based
Kisi is rated by business.com as the best business access control system overall. Part of the reason for this is that Kisi offers very simple, easy-to-use systems that don’t sacrifice the level of security they offer. Kisi offers two access control system reader options and one controller, making your decision easier when implementing the new system. In addition, they offer integrations with many back-end systems, such as your CRM, so you can gain valuable data and insights. Their product is also affordable, at just $599-$699 for the reader and $899 per controller.
| Solutions offered | Top benefits | Industry specialities | Pro installation included? | Best for | *Important to know |
| Hardware: Kisi Reader and Reader Pro with card reader and Bluetooth reader. Software: Cloud-based Access Methods: Key card, fob, sticker, mobile, face recognition | -Over 20 available integrations -Mobile app for remote management -Multiple readers to choose from | Enterprise Office Hotels Healthcare Fitness centers | Yes | Simplicity and convenience | No fire, gas, or break-in alarms offered |
3. Salto Access Control System
System type: Cloud-Based
Salto is a digital access control system designed to be completely keyless and provide businesses with a seamless, integrative solution. They provide one of the most convenient and flexible access control systems on the market, as business leaders can mix and match hardware, software, and access methods to design the perfect system for their needs. Salto systems are also very user-friendly, offering digital keys and mobile app options. If your business is looking for an entirely digital access control system, Salto is one to consider.
| Solutions offered | Top benefits | Industry specialities | Pro installation included? | Best for | *Important to know |
| Hardware: Electronic locks, design locks, electronic readers, panic devices, wall readers Access methods: contactless cards, key fobs, RFID bracelets, mobile | -Smart locks with mobile access -Remote management -Easily scalable | Commercial Education Government Healthcare Hospitality Entertainment Transportation | Yes | Mobile management | Limited customer support system |
4. HID Access Control System
System type: Local hosting
HID Global is a world leader in the access control and security system space. They are a large company well-suited towards other large and enterprise level businesses, also offering built-in integrations such as location services, visitor management, ID card printing, and more. HID is a particularly reliable provider when it comes to security concerns, providing extra access control measures such as two-factor authentication, identity management, PKI authentication, and more. This makes HID a great choice for banks, financial institutions, government offices, and similar organizations.
| Solutions offered | Top benefits | Industry specialities | Pro installation included? | Best for | *Important to know |
| Hardware: Door readers, controllers Access methods: Mobile, ID cards, key fobs, touchless solutions | -Time-based access control -ID card printers (with holograms) included -Mobile access | Banking and financial Criminal Justice Defense Education Energy Enterprise Government Healthcare Sports and events Transportation | Yes | High-grade security | Best suited towards large companies with robust security needs |
5. Honeywell Access Control System
System type: Cloud-Based
Honeywell is a top-rated commercial security provider offering access control solutions to any size business or facility. While they do offer solutions for small and medium businesses, Honeywell systems tend to be best for larger access control projects, such as airports, critical infrastructure, healthcare buildings, etc. Honeywell offers a convenient “mix and match” solution as they provide several different hardware and access methods for businesses and users. They also offer convenient solutions such as cloud-based management, multi-location management, and additional security integrations.
| Solutions offered | Top benefits | Industry specialities | Pro installation included? | Best for | *Important to know |
| Hardware: Single door controller, web-based controller, hybrid access control panel, proximity readers, smart and Bluetooth readers, barcode reader Software: Integrated security software Access methods: Proximity cards, smart cards, mobile app | -Robust customer support -Web-browser management -Easily scalable -Third-party integrations available | Airport Infrastructure Healthcare Hospitality Metro Retail Enterprise SMB | Yes | Enterprise businesses | Pricing is on a custom quote basis |
6. SimpliSafe Access Control System
System type: Cloud-Based
SimpliSafe is one of the most simple and easy-to-use business access control systems. This access control system is extremely easy to set up, comes with free professional installation, and monitors your premises 24/7. SimpliSafe is also integrated with a professional monitoring system that dispatches police automatically in the case of a security incident for only $14.99 per month. Its ease of use yet comprehensive security solution makes it perfect for small businesses.
| Solutions offered | Top benefits | Industry specialities | Pro installation included? | Best for | *Important to know |
| Hardware: Base station Software: Cloud-based for remote management Access methods: Key fob, keypad, pincode | -Easy, quick installation -Emergency settings and sensors -Cost-efficient solution, starting at $14.99 per month | Small Businesses | Yes (free) | Small businesses | Not the best solution for large businesses or multi-site projects |
7. Envoy Access Control System
System type: Cloud-Based
Envoy offers a simple and safety-oriented access control product that is perfect for small, mid-size, and start-up businesses. Their access control solution allows cloud-based management from anywhere that syncs access information across all of your business’s systems. Envoy also recently introduced additional health and safety protocols for access control systems, such as health screening and touch-less sign-in. All in all, Envoy is one of the friendliest systems for SMB with one of the most attractive and easy to use interfaces. Available integrations with Envoy access control systems include Brivo, Genetec, Lenel, Kisi, OpenPath and more.
| Solutions offered | Top benefits | Industry specialities | Pro installation included? | Best for | *Important to know |
| Mobile-based solution. Integrations available for additional access methods. | -Health-screening options available -Security tools, such as visitor tracking -Built-in analytics | Start-ups Tech SMB Learn more. | No | Office environments | Mobile system – limited options for hardware. |
8. Bosch Access Control System
System type: Cloud-Based
Bosch offers a comprehensive, integrative access control system that is meant to be an “all-in-one” security solution. This access control system helps businesses tackle authorized access and visitor management with a variety of selections for software, controllers, readers, and credentials. Bosch’s product is also completely scalable and grows with you as your business grows. Additional security items that can be integrated with a Bosch access control system include video systems, intrusion alarms, conference systems, public address and voice alarms, fire alarms, and more.
| Solutions offered | Top benefits | Industry specialities | Pro installation included? | Best for | *Important to know |
| Hardware: Fingerprint scanners, card readers, secure readers, access keypads Access methods: key fobs, cards, adhesive tags, fingerprint scanners | -Multiple hardware choices -Emergency settings available -Easily scalable | Multi-store retail Transportation Public buildings Manufacturing Office buildings Apartment buildings Banking Energy and utility Lodging Healthcare Education Stadiums And more | Yes | Large access control projects, such as stadiums or airports | Best suited to high-grade security needs |
9. OpenPath Access Control System
System type: Cloud-Based
OpenPath is a modern, tech-savvy and cloud-based access control system for businesses. They are mobile device-centric and allow many mobile and digital options for users to unlock doors in a hands-free manner. OpenPath also offers additional convenient integrations that are needed in the modern workplace, such as wellness and health screenings, contact tracing, occupancy management, elevator and video surveillance integrations, and more. Note that OpenPath is a great solution for mobile-friendly and even “smart” offices, but it may not be the best choice for workplaces that are less digital.
| Solutions offered | Top benefits | Industry specialities | Pro installation included? | Best for | *Important to know |
| Smartphone-based access control Access methods: key fobs, cards, mobile app, Bluetooth Hardware: Smart readers, smart hubs, controllers Software: cloud-based | -New COVID-19 features, ie. health screening -Remote cloud-based management -Various integrations, including video surveillance | Enterprise Real Estate Retail Education Fitness Centers Residential Religious institutions | No | Hands-free access control | Multi-site friendly and scalable |
10. Johnson Controls Access Control System
System type: Web-Based
Johnson Controls is a great access control system for larger, enterprise, or multi-location businesses. This is partly because they have a hands-off management model, meaning the system reduces everyday management needs while still integrating with security systems such as video surveillance, fire, and intrusion. Johnson Control access control systems can be easily scaled up or down to fit your access control project size. They also offer many different system options, including hosted, physical, web-based, and biometric access options.
| Solutions offered | Top benefits | Industry specialities | Pro installation included? | Best for | *Important to know |
| Hardware: Door controllers, readers and cards, electronic locks, exit devices, badging solutions, and more Software: Web or mobile, advanced options Access methods: Biometric, key cards, mobile, and more | -Emergency integrations, ie. fire alarms and video surveillance -Low day to day maintenance -Compatible with multiple business locations | Data centers Education Government Residential Healthcare Industrial Housing Sports Entertainment Transportation | Yes | Multi-location solution | Credentials, integrated locks and stand-alone control points not included |
Suggested Further Reading
If your business is interested in finding the right access control system for your particular needs, you might explore writing a Request for Proposal in order to find your perfect supplier. We also recommend exploring the following access control topics:
Keep in mind that we can help with access control for particular industry needs, such as offices, hotels, healthcare, and fitness centers.
Many businesses also look to integrate their access control system with their video surveillance system for easier day to day security management. Learn more about the benefits of video surveillance systems.
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