Smart Intercom Systems for Modern Buildings: How to Choose the Right Solution

Smart intercom systems have become a core part of how modern buildings manage access. What started as simple buzzers and audio panels has evolved into modern access intercom systems with video, mobile credentials, and remote administration, supporting mobile entry, remote management, and better visibility into who’s coming and going.

If you manage or operate a building, the term “smart intercom” can mean many different things. Some systems focus on mobile access and cloud control, while others prioritize video verification or integration with access control platforms. This guide breaks down what a smart intercom system actually is, how it works at a high level, and how to evaluate the right system for your building, including a few top smart intercom options used in modern properties today.

Think of this as a one-stop guide to smart intercom systems. We’ll cover what they are, how they work, what to look for when comparing solutions, and a short list of top options to consider.

Key Takeaways

Smart intercoms go beyond audio buzzers by combining two-way video + audio with a modern mobile app experience for residents, tenants, and staff.
What makes them “smart” is the software layer: cloud management, remote updates, activity logs, and configurable visitor workflows.
Many systems also integrate with access control platforms, smart locks, cameras, and property management tools, reducing the need to manage entry across multiple systems.
The best option depends on your building type and operations, especially the number of entry points, staffing model, and how often access permissions change.
For modern multifamily, office, and mixed-use buildings, smart intercoms are increasingly used as part of an all-in-one access strategy that scales more easily than traditional systems.

Also, read:

What is a Smart Intercom System?

A smart intercom system combines two-way audio and video communication with internet connectivity, cloud-based management, and mobile app integration to give buildings a flexible, modern access control solution. These systems connect entry-point hardware to smartphones, tablets, or computers so residents and staff can see and speak with visitors, verify identities visually, and grant access from anywhere, not just when they’re onsite.

What makes an intercom “smart” is its suite of connected features: high-definition video streaming, real-time two-way audio, push notifications, centralized cloud dashboards for property teams, and integrations with other systems, such as access control or building automation. Many solutions also support touchscreen interfaces, guest passes, and integration with smart home or building management platforms.

In practice, this means a visitor’s call at the entrance panel can be answered on a mobile app, with live video and audio, and the resident or staff member can unlock doors remotely. Property teams can update user permissions, monitor activity logs, and manage access rules across multiple entry points without being tied to a physical front desk or on-site hardware.

The “smart” part is also about flexibility. Smart intercom systems are built to adapt to how buildings actually operate today: changing residents, multiple entrances, off-site management, and the need for better visibility into who’s entering the property.

That’s why smart intercoms are being adopted rapidly across apartments, offices, and mixed-use buildings where access needs to be secure, but also easy to manage at scale.

How Smart Access Systems Work

Smart intercom systems are designed to manage building entry without requiring in-unit intercom wiring or dedicated on-site staff. Instead of placing calls through a traditional audio-only intercom, smart intercoms support two-way audio and video calls that residents and staff can answer via a mobile app.

Entry panels and visitor interaction

When a visitor arrives, they use an intercom panel at the door, often with video and two-way audio, to contact a resident, tenant, or staff member. The panel acts as the starting point, capturing video or audio and sending it through the system.

Call routing to mobile and desktop devices

Instead of ringing a physical handset, smart intercom calls are delivered to a phone, tablet, or computer. This allows people inside the building to answer from wherever they are, see who’s at the door, and decide whether to grant access.

Access management and permissions

Behind the scenes, the administrative dashboard manages who can unlock doors, time-based access, and which entry points are available to different users. Property teams can update permissions remotely, add or remove users, and manage access without reprogramming hardware.

Cloud-based vs locally managed systems

Some smart intercom systems rely on cloud software, while others are managed on local servers. Cloud-based smart intercoms enable remote management, automatic updates, and easier scaling, while on-premise systems require local servers, manual updates, and more on-site maintenance.

Cloud features make access control more flexible by extending intercom management beyond fixed locations and into software built for modern buildings.

Key Features Overview

Smart intercom systems tend to share a core set of features, but how those features are implemented can vary from one system to another. The goal is to make access easier to manage and more reliable day to day.

Mobile access and remote entry

One of the biggest shifts with smart intercoms is mobile access. Instead of answering a call from an in-unit device, residents or staff can receive intercom calls on their smartphone and unlock doors remotely. This is especially useful for buildings without on-site teams or with multiple entry points.

Video and two-way communication

Most smart intercom systems include video and two-way audio, allowing users to see and speak with visitors before granting access. This adds a layer of clarity and security compared to audio-only systems, particularly in high-traffic buildings.

Cloud-based management

Many smart intercom systems use cloud software to manage users, access rules, and system settings. This allows property teams to make updates remotely, monitor activity across locations, and avoid manual reconfiguration when access needs change.

Activity logs and visibility

Smart intercoms often keep records of entry activity, showing when doors were unlocked and by whom. These logs help teams maintain oversight and quickly review access events without relying on guesswork.

Integration with access control systems

Rather than operating independently, smart intercoms are often designed to integrate with broader building systems, such as access control readers, smart locks, security cameras, and property management systems. This makes it easier to manage doors, credentials, and permissions from a single interface instead of juggling multiple tools.

These integrations play a major role in making smart intercom systems easier to manage at scale, especially in buildings where access needs change frequently.

Benefits of Smart Intercom Systems for Modern Buildings

Smart intercom systems tend to make the biggest difference in how access is handled day to day. Not in flashy features, but in small operational improvements that remove friction over time.

Less manual work for property teams

Managing access doesn’t have to mean being on-site or coordinating updates across multiple systems. With a smart intercom in place, property teams can adjust permissions remotely, respond to access issues faster, and avoid routine tasks that used to require physical intervention.

This is especially helpful in multifamily and mixed-use buildings, where move-ins, vendor access, and frequent credential changes create constant operational overhead.

More flexibility for residents and tenants

Instead of answering calls from a fixed device, residents and tenants can respond from their phone and decide how to handle visitors in real time. This makes it easier to manage deliveries, guests, and service providers without needing to be inside the building.

In office settings, this same flexibility helps employees or front desk teams manage visitors without being tied to a specific entry point.

Clearer visibility at entry points

Smart intercom systems provide a better view of what’s happening at the door. Activity records and access history make it easier to review entry events when questions come up, rather than relying on assumptions or incomplete information.

This is particularly valuable in gated communities and office buildings, where higher visitor volume makes it harder to resolve entry questions without a clear record.

Smoother experience for visitors

From fewer missed deliveries to quicker responses at the door, smart intercoms help reduce confusion for visitors. Clear communication and faster access decisions create a more predictable entry experience.

In residential buildings, this often means fewer missed deliveries, while in offices, it can mean faster check-ins and less confusion at the entrance.

Easier to adapt as buildings change

As buildings grow, turnover increases, or access needs shift, smart intercom systems are easier to adjust. New users and updated access rules can be handled without overhauling the entire setup.

This matters most in high-turnover residential properties and multi-tenant office buildings, where access rules and users change constantly.

Cost savings over time

Smart intercom systems can reduce short-term costs by reducing on-site troubleshooting, lockouts, and manual access updates. Over the long term, they can lower infrastructure and upgrade costs by reducing reliance on in-unit hardware and making system updates easier to deploy within a building or across an entire portfolio.

Top Smart Intercom Options

The best smart intercom system depends on your building type, how residents or tenants will answer calls, and what level of integration you need with access control and property operations.

Below are some of the top smart intercom options used in modern buildings, along with what each is best known for.

Standout: Unified Cloud-based intercom + access control provider built for scale

Swiftlane is a cloud-managed smart intercom system designed for multifamily, mixed-use, and commercial buildings. It combines video intercom functionality with mobile app calling, remote management tools, and integrations that help property teams manage access across multiple entry points more efficiently.

Swiftlane also offers access control on the same platform, combining intercom, mobile, and fob credentials, smart locks, and vehicle entry so property teams can manage everything in one system.

Best for: Multifamily and mixed-use buildings that need cloud management, mobile entry, and access control integrations at scale.

DoorBird

Standout: Versatile IP video intercom system used across residential, multi-family, and light commercial applications

DoorBird is a video intercom and door station solution commonly used in smaller multifamily properties, offices, and high-end residential settings. It’s often chosen for its hardware flexibility and compatibility with broader smart home and security ecosystems.

Best for: High-end residential, small multifamily, and boutique commercial properties that want flexible hardware options.

Aiphone

Standout: Established intercom brand with IP and video modernization options

Aiphone is a long-standing intercom manufacturer offering both traditional and IP-based systems. Many of its newer solutions support video, network connectivity, and integration, making it a common choice for buildings upgrading from legacy intercom systems.

Best for: Buildings upgrading from legacy intercom systems that want a well-established vendor with newer IP/video options.

Akuvox

Standout: Flexible IP intercom option with a wide range of devices

Akuvox offers IP-based intercom solutions used in multifamily and commercial properties. It’s often selected for buildings that want modern video intercom capabilities and a broad selection of hardware models and configurations.

Best for: Multifamily and commercial properties looking for a wide range of IP intercom devices and configuration flexibility.

How to Choose the Right Smart Intercom System

Factors to Consider	What to Evaluate	Why It Matters
Building size and entry points	Number of doors, gates, entrances, and shared access points	Impacts scalability and management needs
How access is managed day to day	Whether access is handled by on-site staff, remote teams, or a mix	Determines how responsive the system must be
Resident or tenant experience	How residents/tenants answer calls (mobile, tablet, desktop), plus video and call handling	Reduces missed calls and entry friction
Integration with other access systems	Compatibility with key fobs, mobile credentials, access control platforms, smart locks, etc.	Prevents tool sprawl and improves control
Flexibility over time	Ease of updating users, permissions, entry points, and policies	Makes updates easier without rework

If you’re evaluating smart intercom options and want to ensure it fits your broader access strategy, talk to our team. We can help you compare approaches, plan integrations, and choose a setup that works for your building long term.

Final Thoughts

Smart intercom systems have become a practical way for buildings to manage entry without relying on on-site staff or rigid hardware. By combining entry panels with software-driven access, these systems make it easier to handle visitors, adjust permissions, and maintain visibility across entry points.

Used as part of a broader access strategy, smart intercoms help simplify day-to-day operations while supporting changing access needs over time.

If you’re evaluating smart intercom systems as part of a broader access strategy, Swiftlane helps make the transition easier. Our platform combines modern video intercom, mobile entry, and cloud-based access control in one streamlined system, so teams can manage visitors, residents, and credentials without juggling multiple tools.

Want to see how Swiftlane can work for your building? Get a quote to explore the best setup for your property.

FAQs

What makes an intercom system “smart”?

A smart intercom system goes beyond basic audio communication. It combines video-enabled intercom hardware with advanced software, enabling mobile credentials, remote management, and better visibility into who’s entering a building.

Do smart intercom systems require cloud connectivity?

Not always. Some systems rely on cloud-based software for management and updates, while others use locally managed infrastructure. The difference is that cloud-managed systems can be updated and managed remotely across multiple entry points, while locally managed systems typically require on-site maintenance and manual updates.

Are smart intercom systems only used in apartments?

No. While apartments are a common use case, smart intercom systems are also used in offices, mixed-use buildings, and other properties with controlled entry points.

Are smart intercoms more expensive?

Smart intercoms usually cost more upfront than traditional systems, but they deliver significantly more value. With features like video, mobile access, remote management, and enhanced security, they’ve become the standard for modern buildings. In most cases, the added functionality and long-term benefits justify the investment.

Smart Intercom Systems for Modern Buildings: How to Choose the Right Solution

Key Takeaways