In today’s market for building access control, intercom systems manufacturers offer an endless array of bells and whistles, often resulting in high-priced equipment. What do you do if you’re seeking an intercom system on a budget? In this article, we help you find a cheap intercom system for homes or businesses.
We outline what features you probably need and which you can do without. At the end, we share a few manufacturers’ models that come in at a low price, most below $500 for the intercom itself, while offering the basics you need for your building. We also include one model that provides a good value for mid and large-sized buildings when its cost is spread across numerous tenants.
Table of Contents
- Intercom Prices Often Defy Logic
- How To Not Compromise on a Cheap Intercom System
- Key Questions to Consider When Buying a Cheap Intercom
- Cheap Intercom Systems to Suit All Buildings
Intercom Prices Often Defy Logic
The first thing to understand about intercom prices and getting a good value is that many intercom systems have prices that simply defy logic. Some intercom manufacturers put out dozens of models with confusing and obscure model numbers at various price points to capture different market segments with various budgets. The pricing of these models is often not directly linked to the quality of the device or what features it includes.
These days, smart Internet Protocol (IP) intercoms that connect to the Internet over your building’s preexisting Ethernet network, Wi-Fi, or a low-cost cellular data service can provide high-quality, crystal-clear, full-color video for less than the price of many audio-only systems! For instance, an outdated audio-only call box style intercom, which uses a landline telephone connection, can sometimes cost $3,000 or more. At the same time, finding a smart IP video intercom in the $300 price range is possible.
The trick is to find an all-in-one system, priced right, that includes key features that provide security and convenience to the building’s occupants without creating complicated maintenance needs for the building management.
Choosing the Right Intercom Type on a Budget
When selecting an intercom system, the key first decisions are between wired vs. wireless and audio vs. video. For most buildings—even those on a budget—a wireless video intercom is usually the best choice. Here’s why:
Wired vs. Wireless
Wired intercoms require physical connections from the entry panel to each unit (apartment, office, etc.), making them more expensive to install unless the building already has suitable wiring, such as copper (audio intercoms) or Ethernet cables (video intercoms).
Wireless systems, while still usually needing a wired power source, avoid extensive wiring by connecting the intercom directly to the Internet (Wi-Fi, cellular, or Ethernet connection). Calls are then routed over the Internet to tenants’ smartphones, where they can greet visitors and unlock the door using a tenant app. These are significantly cheaper and easier to install, especially in buildings without existing wiring behind the walls.
You can also find a cheap intercom system that has no wires at all because it is battery-powered. This type of wireless battery-powered intercom is best suited to single-family homes. We review one such model below, while focusing mainly on wireless intercoms that require a wired power source.
Audio vs. Video Intercoms
Video systems were once costly, which meant “cheap video intercom” was an oxymoron. Now, technological advances have lowered prices to the point where video intercoms often cost the same—or even less—than audio-only systems. Video intercoms also avoid monthly telephone line charges common to many audio-only intercoms known as “call boxes”.
Beyond cost, video intercoms add value: they improve security, reduce package theft, create entry logs, and can even replace reception staff. Today’s smart video intercoms offer a modern, app-based experience that today’s tenants expect. These investments often pay for themselves in the long run by reducing costs for rekeying, insurance, maintenance, and tenant move-ins or move-outs.
How To Not Compromise on a Cheap Intercom System
You can find an affordable intercom model that offers the key features that provide security and convenience to building occupants at an affordable price for building owners. Here are features we suggest you don’t want to forego:
- Door release – the intercom should be able to communicate with the door and electronically unlock it when the building occupant presses a button.
- Video – Tenants benefit when they can see who is really at the door. It prevents package theft and other trespassers from entering multi-unit buildings.
- Tenant Mobile App – A tenant mobile app lets the building occupants take calls from anywhere. As building traffic rises from visitors, nannies, pet care, building cleaners, food services, and package deliveries – a good app can replace staff for the building and provide resident convenience.
- Built-in Directory (for large buildings) – Ideally, the intercom has a built-in directory if your building has more than 10 units. This saves building management time and money spent updating a directory whenever a tenant moves in or out.
Great Additional Intercom Features
We think the following features can considerably increase tenant and building owner convenience and security, and we include them because it is possible to find models with these features at a good price.
Facial Recognition
Today, many video intercoms borrow from the world of smartphone technology and integrate the same facial recognition technology you may already use to unlock your phone. This provides a fast, efficient, and hands free way to unlock the door for all building occupants.
Multiple entry credentials (PIN, RFID key fob, mobile device)
Even low-cost intercoms can provide access via more than one type of credential. Typical access control formats include keyless entry, such as typing in a PIN code on the keypad or touchscreen, tapping a key fob, or tapping the mobile phone near a proximity reader for NFC or Bluetooth.
Online management platform
Many intercoms provide an online management platform for the building staff or owner for a nominal monthly fee. The platform lets you manage the intercom remotely, including adding and removing tenants without having to visit the building. You can also set up temporary codes for people like leasing agents and maintenance workers to access the building.
Key Questions to Consider When Buying a Cheap Intercom
Don’t be misled by the list price for a front door intercom. That is just one component of the overall project cost. Key questions to consider when trying to factor in whether an intercom is a good value for your building and whether costs will grow significantly beyond the list price.
Does the intercom system scale without adding to the cost?
You need to ask yourself if your intercom can add users if the building grows. Does it require additional hardware for each unit? For instance, a wired intercom system typically calls for an additional intercom viewer in each unit, adding considerably to the cost beyond the price of the front door intercom. Installing wiring can also be very costly after initial building construction.
Is installation expensive?
Some intercom systems are nearly plug-and-play, such as requiring a single Ethernet cable or power cord. Others may require an experienced security system integrator to install multiple pieces of hardware or complicated wiring, with labor costing over $1,000. Talk with the manufacturer or a security company about the total installation cost and factor that into the price, above and beyond the hardware cost.
Are there ongoing service fees?
Telephone call box intercoms that use ordinary landline telephones take on the expensive added cost of maintaining a dedicated phone line for the intercom, and prices for those are rising as companies sunset their landline services. Smart intercoms with tenant apps and online platforms usually have a nominal monthly cost, which pays for itself over time through reduced on-site maintenance and personnel.
Will installation improve building operating income?
In many cases, installing a functional intercom can replace on-site staff or help lower insurance costs due to improved security. Consider these factors when pricing your system.
Cheap Intercom Systems to Suit All Buildings
Cheap Intercom System – Home
Our Pick: Eufy FamiLock S3 Max
There is a wide array of cheap intercom system options for a single-family home, including video intercoms that do-it-yourselfers can install without any wiring. They run on standard rechargeable batteries that you can easily replace from inside the home.
In 2025, we are particularly impressed by the new (as of April) Eufy FamiLock S3 Max, which won the Consumer Electronics Show’s 2025 Innovation Award.
The FamiLock is relatively unique among video intercoms for its touchless palm vein recognition technology, a form of biometric access control. Users can unlock their door by waving their hand in front of the intercom camera, which recognizes every family member based on their palm print, all without touching the device. The device has a built-in 2K video doorbell for visitors or deliveries to contact the residents.
Key Features:
- Access methods: Keypad PIN, mobile app, physical keys, or hand wave.
- Smart home enabled: Apple Home and Amazon Alexa compatible
- Power source: rechargeable batteries
- Installation: can be installed directly into most front door deadbolt holes
Price: $399
Cheap Intercom System with Video – Multitenant Residential
Our Pick: Hikvision DS-V9503-WBE1 Video Intercom
Chinese manufacturer Hikvision is one of those companies that makes dozens of intercom models with confusing model numbers and a wide array of price points. This makes it confusing to know which are good values. We’ve combed through their products to identify the DS-V9503-WBE1 as a good deal for smaller-sized multi-tenant residential buildings.
By using a simple architecture with a smaller-than-average LCD screen and a single plug for data and power over Ethernet, Hikvision can sell this simplified system at a rock-bottom price for a multitenant intercom. It offers IP65 weather resistance, which is not always found on low-cost intercoms.
Users highly regard Hikvision’s mobile app, Hik-Connect. It has a 4.8-star user rating on the Google Play app store and a 4.7-star rating on the Apple app store. This system also pairs with the DS-KH9310-WTE1 Indoor Door Station, which can be found sold separately for around $300.
One limitation is that the device lacks night vision, which could make facial recognition less responsive in low-light situations.
Key features:
- One-way video intercom
- 4.3” LCD touchscreen
- Built-in facial recognition
- Works with PIN Codes, QR Codes, Bluetooth, and smart cards (13.56MHz)
- Two 2MP cameras with an 88-degree horizontal field of view
- IP65 weather resistance
- IK08 vandal resistance
- PoE connection (single cable for power + data)
Price: $379
Cheap Intercom System – Wired
Our Pick: UniFi Intercom
The UniFi Intercom by Ubiquiti is a solid, no-frills option for small buildings looking for a reliable, wired video intercom, particularly those already using Ubiquiti’s networking infrastructure.
At around $479 for the front-door unit and $199 per in-unit viewer, it’s among the cheapest professional-grade wired video intercoms on the market. It’s best suited for buildings with Ethernet (CAT 5e or better) wiring, making installation close to plug-and-play.
Though it lacks advanced features like mobile access for tenants or biometric unlock, the UniFi Intercom offers a clear, functional user experience. The 7” touchscreen, wide-angle 4K camera, and two-way audio are sufficient for most basic access needs. Property managers benefit from robust cloud-based control and system logging via the highly-rated UniFi Access app.
Where it shines is affordability for small buildings with four or fewer units and pre-installed LAN wiring. However, the cost rises significantly as you scale up due to the need for in-unit viewers. Larger buildings or those without wiring should look at wireless alternatives.
Key Features:
- 7” touchscreen with built-in directory
- 8MP 4K wide-angle camera
- One-way video, two-way audio
- PoE-powered (single cable for power + data)
- IP65 weatherproof rating
- Cloud-based admin portal
- NFC card or PIN code entry (G3 only)
- No mobile app for tenants
- Requires intercom viewers per unit
- Compatible with UniFi network hardware
Price: $479 (intercom only, viewer sold separately)
Cheap Intercom System – Commercial/ Office
Our Pick: Alpha Communications VK237WS 2-Wire Color Video Intercom System
The Alpha Communications VK237WS is an economical and straightforward 2-wire color video intercom system designed for commercial spaces with a single tenant seeking basic door entry functionality.
The outdoor unit includes a surface-mounted door camera station equipped with infrared illuminators for night vision—helpful for businesses that run night and day—and a single pushbutton to call the indoor unit. The interior unit includes a 7-inch color monitor. This setup ensures clear video and two-way half-duplex audio communication between the entry point and the interior station.
One of the VK237WS’s notable features is its expandability. It supports adding a second outdoor camera station and up to three indoor monitors. The system’s low-profile design, with monitors protruding less than an inch from the mounting surface, allows for unobtrusive installation.
In summary, the VK237WS offers a cost-effective solution for small-scale installations requiring essential video intercom capabilities without the complexity of extensive wiring or advanced features.
Key Features:
- 7-inch color display with soft-touch controls (interior monitor)
- Two-way half-duplex audio communication
- Infrared night vision for low-light conditions
- Expandable to two outdoor stations and up to four indoor monitors
- Surface-mounted design with less than 1-inch profile
- Requires only 2-wire connection for intercom and chime
- Electronic tone signaling
- Momentary door release function
- Front-mounted ‘ON’ button for manual monitor activation
- Aluminum entrance panel with built-in color camera
Price: $310
For a detailed guide, you can read our extensive review of Alpha Communications Intercoms
Affordable Multitenant Intercom System – Mid-to-Large Office, Residential, or Mixed-use Building
Our Pick: Swiftlane Swiftreader X
When buildings start to get large, such as 10 or more units, you can justify spending more on an intercom system because the cost is spread out over many tenants.
At that point, what matters is having a system that scales at minimal costs for larger buildings, provides security and logs for high volumes of foot traffic, and can integrate easily with other systems in buildings while providing tenant and visitor convenience.
Swiftlane keeps things simple with just two intercom models, the SwiftReader and SwiftReader X. We recommend our SwiftReader X for mid-to-large-size multi-tenant buildings because it can scale to 10,000 users at an affordable price. It can be part of a whole-building solution that includes access control for elevators, driveways, vehicle gates, and in-building facilities like gyms, storage areas, and equipment rooms.
The Swiftlane SwiftReader X is a comprehensive access control and video intercom system tailored for modern residential and commercial buildings. It offers multiple secure entry methods, including facial recognition, mobile app unlock, PIN codes, and key cards, ensuring flexibility for users. The device features an 8-inch touchscreen display, providing an intuitive interface for occupants and visitors.
Users have praised the system’s reliability and convenience. Swiftlane also has one of the most highly rated tenant apps on the Apple and Android app stores.
Overall, the SwiftReader X stands out for its blend of advanced security features and user-friendly design, making it a strong contender for buildings seeking a modern access solution.
Key Features:
- Facial recognition access
- Mobile app unlock
- Easy-to-use cloud-based management platform
- Two-way video intercom
- PIN code access
- Key card compatibility
- 8-inch touchscreen display
- Power over Ethernet (PoE) connectivity
- Cloud-based management
- IP65-rated weatherproof design
- IK10-rated vandal resistance
Discover Our Pricing
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