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The Best Access Control Systems of 2022

By
Kiely Kuligowski
,
business.com Staff
| Updated
Apr 26, 2022

Which is the best access control system for you? Easily compare several top-rated systems. See up-to-date comparisons and reviews for the top access control systems.
Featured Sponsor
SimpliSafe
Key fob or keypad entry
24/7 emergency dispatch
No installation fees
Best Overall
Kisi
Three service plan options
Phone, key card or fob options
Mobile app for remote management
Best for Multilocation Businesses
Vanderbilt Industries
Three service plans
Fire/intrusion alarm integration
Intelligent door readers
Best Low-Cost System
ISONAS
Two software plans
Web browser interface
Proximity or keypad door readers
Best Access Control Features
Brivo
Brivo offers three packages, make it a strong option for different size businesses.
Brivo offers robust features compared to it's competitors.
Which is the best access control system for you? Easily compare several top-rated systems. See up-to-date comparisons and reviews for the top access control systems.

Access control systems allow employers to restrict access to certain areas of their building, setting varying levels of security depending on individual employees' needs and clearances. These systems also track who has entered certain access points; you can see analytics on employees' movements and receive alerts on suspicious activity. 

This guide to access control systems reviews the top systems available for businesses, with information on system features, what to expect in 2021, and what you can expect to pay for an access control system.

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How We Decided
Our team spends weeks evaluating dozens of business solutions to identify the best options. To stay current, our research is regularly updated.
34
Considered
20
Researched
4
Selected

Compare the Best Access Control Providers

  Kisi ISONAS Vanderbilt Industries Brivo Honeywell Vanderbilt SimpliSafe Johnson Controls
System type Cloud-based Pure IP Cloud-based Electronic Cloud-based Cloud-based Cloud-based Cloud-based
Pro installation Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Key features Remote management, flexible, works for many business types Minimal hardware, two-way tamper communication, data encryption Controlled lockdowns, scalable, integration with other apps, designed for multiple sites Same-day service, movement monitoring, integration with other alarm systems Customization and Opensource options Custom notifications, remote access management DIY setup Managed access service, security integration

Our Reviews

SimpliSafe: Featured Sponsor

SimpliSafe is an affordable system with low monthly monitoring fees.
Installation is quick and easy.
It doesn't offer much access control.

SimpliSafe Security saves your business time and money. The system can be set up in under an hour. After that, it protects every inch of your property 24/7 with emergency dispatch and instant alerts for break-ins, power outages, leaks and dangerous temperature changes. You no longer have to worry about whether your business is safe.

With SimpliSafe, you can choose the type of monitoring you want. Options include sensors for doors and windows, motion detectors, freeze and water sensors and HD security cameras.

SimpliSafe was thoughtfully engineered to be incredibly easy to use. Securing your property takes seconds with a key fob or keypad. Employees can also use a unique PIN code to enter the building when a manager isn't there.

There's no installation or maintenance costs – and professional monitoring is only $14.99 a month.

September 2021: SimpliSafe recently unveiled a new Wireless Outdoor Security Camera with a rechargeable battery that will keep the camera, spotlight and speaker/alarm system powered for three to six months. There’s also the option to add on a small solar panel to help increase battery life. The camera is equipped with night vision and alert features and can differentiate between a human threat and other movements (including pets, cars, nature, etc.) up to 30 feet. If the camera senses a threat, it sets off a siren alert.

Learn more about SimpliSafe's pricing and plans.

Read SimpliSafe Review

Kisi: Best Access Control System Overall

Kisi's hardware and software options are very simple, offering two reader options and one controller, making installation quick and easy.
Kisi integrates with more than 20 services, including CRM, scheduling and data management systems.
Kisi does not offer emergency options, such as fire, gas and break-in alarms. To get these features, you need to go through a third party.

Kisi provides a flexible, modern system that works well for every type of business. With a wide range of employee access options, a mobile app for remote management and integration with other services, you can create the exact access control setup your business needs. For these reasons, Kisi is our choice as the best access control system overall.

Kisi's access control system consists of four parts: mobile and card access, a wall reader, cloud management and the Kisi controller.

June 2021: Kisi recently announced a partnership with Gymflow to improve gym management for facility administrators. The partnership will allow admins to customize and update access permissions with easy onboarding, as well as streamline security and event investigation processes. You can even integrate your systems with video surveillance for even more security and monitor your location from your dashboard. Members can unlock facility doors with their smartphones, and you can revoke access to any non-paying users.

April 2021: Kisi recently announced it is expanding into the physical security space with its new intrusion detection services. Using the company's access control contact sensors, Kisi users can now implement alarm policies directly from the dashboard. Kisi believes combining access control and alarm services into one platform benefits users, as it reduces issues that occur when two legacy systems work in tandem. We recommend that you contact Kisi directly for pricing information.

Read Kisi Review

Vanderbilt Industries: Best for Businesses with Multiple Locations

Vanderbilt's traditional system is specifically designed for larger, multisite businesses.
You can set custom notifications and manage access remotely.
Vanderbilt is only the manufacturer; you'll have to contact your local dealer for answers to questions or concerns you have about the system.

Vanderbilt offers high-quality hardware that more than meets industry standards for access control systems, with intelligent door readers and encrypted smart cards. Vanderbilt is our choice as the best system for businesses with multiple locations. Its system is specifically designed for larger businesses with multiple locations, with support for unlimited cardholders and centralized management.

March 2021: Vanderbilt Industries has made multiple significant firmware and software updates to its suite of access control and security products. Major updates include a new version of its ACTpro software to include automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) integration with Vanderbilt's access control system, a new wireless keypad to set and unset users' SPC systems, and a new version of its SPC Connect Mobile App for iOS and Android.

Read Vanderbilt Industries Review

ISONAS: Best Low-Cost Access Control System

ISONAS is easy to set up, with preconfigured readers and a simple network connection requirement.
Intelligent readers make authentication decisions and open doors even if the network is down.
It's not a comprehensive system. There are no holdup or fire emergency alarms.

Our choice for the best low-cost access control system is ISONAS; it's a budget-friendly system that requires relatively little hardware and no software infrastructure. It also has easy installation and web-based training that helps lower costs.

It provides Pure IP access control, which uses your existing network connection rather than depending on wiring and panels on each door. ISONAS also sells hardware to convert older systems into IP systems that are compatible with its access management software suite.

Read ISONAS Review

Brivo: Best Access Control Features

Brivo offers three packages, make it a strong option for different size businesses.
Brivo offers robust features compared to it's competitors.
Pricing is custom based on security needs, which can make planning hard for some businesses.

Brivo takes access control completely into the cloud, with a state-of-the art IP system that eliminates nearly all hardware and lets you manage your system from anywhere. The company will work with you to design and build a comprehensive building access control system.

Brivo's main access offering centers on its mobile platform, which simplifies the setup and management of the system. It replaces traditional cards and door readers with a mobile phone. Employees can download the Brivo Onair Pass app, which allows them to press a button to unlock any door they're allowed to access. The app communicates to a database (stored in the cloud), which sends an encrypted signal to the door controller, opening the door.

Brivo has recently expanded its hardware ecosystem thanks to a strategic partnership with Altronix, a security space provider known for its low voltage power and data transmission products. Altronix Trove Integrated Power Solutions are now integrated with Brivo's feature-rich access control panels. This partnership gives Brivo dealers additional flexibility in offering solutions and offers more options to customers who want to customize their implementation. The companies' mutual enterprise customers can now take advantage of simplified deployments of controllers, readers, locks and other peripheral access control devices.

Brivo also offers an “Anomaly Detection” feature for its flagship access control system, Brivo Access. This feature combines advanced data analytics and machine learning algorithms to compare and identify events that seem suspicious or unusual. When someone engages in an activity that is a departure from their past behavior, Anomaly Detection creates a priority alert in Brivo Access Event Tracker with a severity indicator that helps organizations prioritize what to investigate. This can be particularly useful for businesses with a hybrid work policy, where employees have variable in-office schedules and movement.

Brivo recently partnered with MRI Software, a leading provider of real estate software. Their shared goal is to enhance the resident, staff and visitor access experience at multifamily properties. Brivo’s access control capabilities streamline daily operations for property managers so they can provide secure and convenient access for their residents. Specifically, the integration provides security for common areas and delivers in-unit smart home amenities, like keyless smart lock entry, guest codes and thermostat controls.

Brivo recently announced an $800 million merger with Crown PropTech Acquisitions, which is expected to close in the first half of 2022. The merger will give Brivo $304 million in capital, which will drive the company’s growth and ability to serve its customers with innovative products in the years ahead.

Learn more about Brivo's plans and pricing.

Read Brivo Review

Honeywell: Most Customizable Access Control

Honeywell's system offers flexibility and customization compared to competitors
Consider Honeywell if robust features are a must.
No free trial or demo

Among access control companies, Honeywell is perhaps the closest thing to a household name. The brand is known for its industrial and manufacturing arm, but it manufactures powerful access control tools as well. That said, users new to access control systems may find the technology challenging to adopt and understand.

Honeywell offers access control among its commercial security products and an interface that ties it all together. Review Honeywell's plans and pricing for more details. 

The non-proprietary nature of Honeywell's system makes it versatile, and you can mix and match with compatible hardware from other companies. This breaks down to four main access control solutions: WIN-PAK, WIN-PAK CS 4.7, NetAXS-4 and NetAXS-123. 

Read Honeywell Review

Johnson Controls: Best Managed Access Control

Johnson Controls offers a managed access service that eliminates day-to-day management, so you don't need to closely manage your system.
The system integrates with many other emergency alarms and systems, such as surveillance, fire and intrusion.
Johnson Controls' packages do not include extras such as credentials, integrated locks or stand-alone control points.

Johnson Controls offers a well-rounded security system with multiple emergency, surveillance and management integrations. Its systems are easily scalable to suit any number of buildings and doors, and it also has one of the biggest catalogs of security products so you can craft the ideal system to cover any location. Options include electronic, hosted, physical, managed and biometric access control systems.

Its electronic access control plan is great for single-site use, just as its hosted access control plan is ideal for multisite administration. However, the brand's real standout quality is its suite of physical, managed and biometric access control add-ons.

Read Johnson Controls Review

IDenticard Systems: Best Role-Based Access Control

IDenticard stands out among competitors when it comes to role-based permissions
IDenticard offers a 30 day full-refund
There is no trial or demo for PremiSys setups

IDenticard offers the latest hardware with its PremiSys access control system, and the wide range of customization options means you can create the system you need. Read more about Identicard plans and package costs.

IDenticard was founded in 1970 as a photo ID company. Since then, it has grown into a lauded identification and access control company owned by the workplace safety behemoth Brady Corporation. Because Brady Corporation owns IDenticard, all IDenticard hardware and software are produced in-house rather than by a third party.

Read IDenticard Systems Review

Pricing

Pricing for access control systems varies greatly depending on the specific hardware you want, the number of access points you have, and whether you choose a traditional or IP system. Prices also fluctuate depending on whether you have the system professionally installed rather than doing it yourself.

We recommend that you speak with a company representative about your specific needs to receive an accurate estimate of what your access control system will cost. Most companies will provide you with a free quote.

Buying Guide

What Features Do You Need?

We evaluated more than three dozen access control companies, checking if each provider's system offered the features we believe are the most important for a small business's security. We gathered this data by browsing these companies' websites and contacting them anonymously to gather information and gauge the level of customer service we received. 

Security: Keep Your Employees and Your Business Safe

Security should be the most important factor in your choice of an access control system. Services that offer outdated technology, cut corners or are missing key safety features, such as lockdown modes and alarms, did not score well in our evaluation.

Door readers and physical credentials come in many varieties, but the best services offer readers with their own memory and processors, as well as credentials that incorporate encryption. Proprietary technology, rather than open source, is more secure and less likely to be taken advantage of.

The door access readers themselves should be physically secured with specialty screws, and the wiring tucked away and protected. Some readers have tamper alarms that go off if they are physically altered or removed. Door-hold alarms can alert you when select doors are open for too long. Options for different types of credentials, as well as for multiple-credential authentication, are a must.

Not all systems offer emergency alarms, so you must decide if these are necessary for your business. Important safety protocols include fire, carbon monoxide and break-in alarms. In case of emergencies, you should be able to customize lockdown scenarios, programming the system to automatically open and lock selected doors on such occasions.

Reporting and Administration: Manage Your System the Way You Want

A detailed reporting interface allows you to observe employees' movements throughout the building, keeping tabs on who enters when and at which door. The best access control software integrates with surveillance cameras, recording anytime an employee uses a credential to open a door.

The best systems can store these records indefinitely, so you can go back to any date and examine the history. This is extremely useful if you must perform a security audit or are investigating an event at your business.

If you're away from your business a lot, opt for a service that allows you to manage the system from mobile devices. If your company regularly receives visitors, your system should have options for allowing temporary access to such guests.

Consider whether you want your access control system to tie into your time and attendance system, as some services do. Also, if you're concerned about spending too much time monitoring your system, some companies manage the monitoring and security so you can focus on running your business.

Installation

Nearly all the companies we evaluated provide professional installation, either by their own professionals or through third-party installers or dealers. The number of doors that an access control system can cover varies by company. Some companies cover as many doors as you need, but are limited with the number of door readers each control panel supports. You may have to install multiple control panels if you need to cover more than just a few doors, and that can be costly and take up space. Other services can host unlimited doors.

In most cases, systems can accommodate an unlimited number of employees.

Working With Credentials

There are four main forms of authentication: a physical credential like an RFID card or key fob, a password or PIN, a mobile app, and biometric ID, like your fingerprint. Biometric credentials are becoming more popular, and many of the companies we reviewed offer biometric devices.

For optimal security, you should use at least two of the above authentication methods. This practice is known as layered security, which requires employees to go through multiple safeguards before entering your business.

If an employee leaves the company, whether they resign or are terminated, their credentials should be voided immediately. Most control systems can instantly revoke an employee's access, and some can automatically suspend credentials if the system detects suspicious behavior.

Types of Access Control Systems

There are four main types of access control systems to choose from:

  1. Locally hosted (on-site): Hosted access control is software that is loaded onto a local server, which is managed by your business's IT team. With hosted access control, your service provider sends a security integration vendor on-site (or they connect remotely to the server) to perform regular maintenance and software updates.

  2. Cloud-based: A cloud-based access control system has centralized management, visibility, and control, all hosted in the cloud, which means there are no hardware, server, or physical maintenance costs.

  3. Mobile or smartphone-based: Mobile access control enables mobile devices – smartphones, wearables, etc. – to be used as credentials to grant access.

  4. IoT-based: An internet of things access control system includes intelligent machines connected via a wireless network that open and secure doors.

Each type of access control system has its benefits and drawbacks, and should be considered based on the unique needs of your business. For example, cloud-based systems are flexible and can be easily scaled as your business grows, and mobile systems are easy to use and require little physical hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Access Control Work?

An access control system works by providing flexible security options to enter your business premises. You can use key cards, biometrics, mobile apps and other forms of credentials to open or lock doors.

Why Use an Access Control System Instead of Keys?

An access control system can provide additional, more stringent security than a traditional set of keys. These systems require multiple credentials.

If you are only using keys and those keys get lost, you'll need to get another set of keys made. Additionally, you'll need to have the locks changed on all of your main doors to prevent someone from using them to enter your business.

With an access control system in place, however, if an unauthorized individual uses a key to enter your business, by having another type of credential in place, they are limited as to where they can go and what they can do inside your building.

What Is an Access Card?

An access card is a plastic card with a microchip or magnetic strip that makes it recognizable by a card reader, which then opens a door for the user.

Should Different Employees Have Access Privileges Based on Certain Days and Times?

Many access control systems restrict access for employees depending on their shifts or which doors they need to access and when. For example, you can give a manager access to every door on your premises throughout the day, while a shift employee may only have access during their shift.

Can Access Control Systems Help Your Business Save Money?

Yes, because you don't have to pay for expensive locks and security personnel. Additionally, lost keys or physical credentials can be costly to replace. Implementing an access control system with mobile app access or keycodes can help you avoid those unnecessary costs.

What Is Physical Access Control?

Physical access control is any mechanism that a user interacts with to gain access to a building, such as a door lock, keypad or card reader. Physical access control can also include biometric readers, RFID scanners or fob controls. Your physical access control systems should be secure and adaptable to your business's changing needs.

Help and Support

We tested each company's customer support thoroughly, contacting their customer support department and asking them questions about the systems they offered and their company. We also considered the timeliness of each company's response, as well as whether it has 24/7 support available or offers live chat on its website.

State of the Industry

Access Control: Traditional vs. IP Systems

There are two main types of access control systems. The first is the traditional method in which control panels act as hubs for door readers, door locks, cameras and the system's interface, usually a PC. The door readers and control panels connect with proprietary power and communication wiring.

The second type of access control is an IP system. It's a cloud-based system in which the door readers connect directly to a network, usually through Ethernet or wireless signals. Instead of control panels, these systems operate using a less bulky and easier-to-install network hub.

IP systems have become more popular as cloud storage becomes more commonplace in both business and personal realms. Many businesses choose IP systems for their ease of use, accessibility and reliability, though there is still contention in the security market over which method is better.

IP systems are easier to set up, usually just needing Ethernet connections to your company's network rather than serial connections to multiple control panels. There is no limit to how many door readers can connect to an IP system, while with a traditional system, control panels can only be connected to a handful of doors, so you'd need several panels to secure a building with many access points.

Critics say IP systems are less secure than traditional proprietary access control setups because network outages can affect performance, and they are more susceptible to hackers. Some access control services offer both options, and representatives will work with you to determine which type would work best.

Additional Tips

Security professionals recommend that businesses do a yearly review of their security and access control. Consider your security needs and how your current system has served you. If there have been security incidents over the past year, is your current system at fault, and could it be more secure?

As part of your annual security inspection, examine the hardware involved with the access control system and check door readers, along with the wiring that connects them to the system, for signs of tampering. If the system is connected to a control panel, be sure it is installed in a secure location that remains locked at all times.

You can enhance your security by setting up an anti-passback system. This means setting up a reader on both sides of a door, requiring employees to use their credentials to exit the building as well as to enter. An anti-passback system prevents credentials from being used to enter a door twice, because it detects that the user is already in the building and knows they haven't left until they've used the exit reader. This can protect against cases of copied cards, employees or guests passing cards to others after opening the door, or passcodes falling into the wrong hands.

What to Expect in 2022

Last year marked the official tipping point where the use of mobile credentials with access control systems became commonplace. Industry experts have anticipated this shift for years, with continued widespread adoption of mobile phones for more varied uses, such as Apple launching contactless student IDs to over 100,000 students across the United States.

Because the use of mobile and other contactless credentials has proven successful, consumers are more comfortable with the idea and more willing to use it at home and work.

Access control is more sophisticated than ever, with existing technologies like artificial intelligence acquiring increased capabilities, and newer technologies, like biometrics, becoming more mainstream and accessible to small businesses.

AI is already at work in access control systems and is used to detect unusual or suspicious activity and send alerts, recognize faces, and gather pertinent data. In 2022, advances in AI will continue to identify vulnerabilities, actively monitor facilities and perimeters, diagnose problems, and protect data. It may also be used to alert human employees to security issues in real time, allowing faster responses.

One new technology, ultra-wideband (UWB), is a wireless, short-range communication protocol that allows devices to "talk" to each other. UWB is expected to be utilized in access control systems by allowing hands-free access to entry and exit points.

Access control has shifted from being strictly a security function to having a more comprehensive, user experience-based focus, taking into account the different ways security affects people's daily lives, from leaving their homes to entering and exiting their workplaces.

According to the International Card Manufacturers Association, access control systems, which have traditionally relied on one form of authentication, are adopting two-factor authentication, which provides greater security and requires two separate credentials for entry, such as an access card and mobile device or a password and a biometric scan.

Combining multiple security features is a great way to ensure security if one access control measure fails.

Data shows the access control market is projected to grow significantly in the coming years. In 2019, the market was valued at $10.31 billion. That number is projected to grow to just over $20 billion by 2027. The research suggests that reliance on cloud-based solutions, the growing proliferation of multifactor and multimodal authentication and increased demand for mobile access control systems will be the leading drivers of the industry's growth in the coming years.

Kiely Kuligowski
business.com Staff
Kiely Kuligowski is a business.com and Business News Daily writer and has written more than 200 B2B-related articles on topics designed to help small businesses market and grow their companies. Kiely spent hundreds of hours researching, analyzing and writing about the best marketing services for small businesses, including email marketing and text message marketing software. Additionally, Kiely writes on topics that help small business owners and entrepreneurs boost their social media engagement on platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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