In the competitive market for multitenant housing and the challenged market for office space, it’s essential for your building to stand out. One way building owners and property managers upgrade their buildings, improve their occupancy, or command higher rents is by installing a smart intercom system. These Internet-enabled high-tech intercoms enhance building security, provide tenant convenience, and help buildings enhance net operating income.
In this article, we explore smart intercoms and their key features. We also review several top smart intercom models to help you select one that will be right for your building.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Smart Intercom?
- Key Features of a Smart Intercom System
- Benefits of Smart Intercoms
- Best Smart Intercoms
What Is a Smart Intercom?
A smart intercom system for apartments or office spaces is the hardware and software that connects visitors at the entrance of a building with the building tenants to access the building. A smart intercom is “smart” because it integrates modern technology, usually through Internet connectivity, AI, and automation, to enhance communication, security, and convenience. Smart intercoms typically have many features first popularized by smartphones, including touchscreens, intuitive user interfaces, and even facial recognition.
Smart Intercom Vs. IP Intercom: What’s the Difference?
The term smart intercom is sometimes casually used interchangeably with IP Intercom – a shorthand for Internet protocol intercom – but the two terms mean slightly different things. An IP intercom is any intercom that uses Internet connectivity (such as Ethernet cables, cellular data, or Wi-Fi) for communications. It’s an upgrade from older technology that uses landline telephone connections or analog wiring.
Smart intercoms are almost all IP intercoms, but have certain key features that make them “smart”. These usually include remote access via smartphone apps, cloud-based management, and touchscreen interfaces (like smartphones and smart watches). Some models also integrate with smart home devices and AI assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Home, etc.
Key Features of a Smart Intercom System
Today, properties increasingly turn to smart intercoms for building upgrades and new construction. Here are ten key features common among smart intercoms that have driven demand:
- Internet Connectivity (IoT)
- The intercom connects to Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular networks to enable remote access and cloud-based features. This makes installation easier than older systems because no dedicated wiring is needed between tenants and the front door intercom.
- Mobile App Integration
- It allows users such as building tenants or property staff to receive calls, unlock doors, and monitor video feeds from a smartphone or tablet, wherever they are located, not just when they are in the building.
- Two-Way Audio & Video Communication
- The intercom provides live video streaming and audio communication with visitors at the door. Much like video calls on a smartphone, these intercoms can often offer two-way video, not just the one-way video common in older video intercom systems.
- Facial Recognition
- Some systems use biometric facial recognition to identify known individuals and grant access automatically without having to touch a thing or carry a key, fob, or ID badge. It’s the same technology seen in face ID for iPhone, but for multiple users.
- Remote Access & Control
- Users can unlock doors or gates from anywhere in the world via an app or web interface. Tenants without a smartphone can usually still answer audio calls on a cellphone or landline phone and press “9” to unlock the door.
- Integration with Smart Home & Security Systems
- Many smart intercoms work with various “smart home” technologies including smart locks, cameras, alarms, and voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant, etc.).
- Cloud Storage & Recording
- Many smart intercoms include subscription services delivered from a remote server. These store visitor logs, recordings, and access history for review and security purposes. The cloud also provides a convenient way for property managers to add and remove users from the system.
- Multi-User Access & Permissions
- It can be configured to grant different access levels for tenants/residents, employees, or guests. The system can often manage many entryways, including distinct zones like in-building gyms, mail rooms, storage/supply areas, and maintenance facilities, and admit only the proper users to each location.
- Touchless & Keyless Entry
- Smart intercoms usually go way beyond ordinary metal keys or typed PIN codes. They often support RFID, Bluetooth, NFC, QR codes, or biometric authentication for keyless entry.
- Voice Control & AI Assistants
- Some models integrate with AI assistants, enabling voice commands for unlocking or checking visitor logs.
Benefits of Smart Intercoms
Smart intercoms significantly enhance security by preventing unauthorized access and reducing package theft. With visual verification, tenants can see and confirm a visitor’s identity before granting entry—ensuring that someone claiming to be an Amazon driver is actually a uniformed delivery worker. These systems integrate with security cameras and motion detectors, providing real-time monitoring and alerts.
Today’s smart intercoms also help prevent package theft by allowing tenants to remotely unlock secure delivery areas for couriers instead of leaving packages in open lobbies. Additionally, digital access logs record every entry attempt, giving both tenants and property managers a clear record of building activity.
Convenience for Tenants
For residents, a smart intercom system streamlines the process of managing deliveries, guests, and service workers. Instead of relying on outdated buzzer systems or physical keys, tenants can provide temporary digital access codes to visitors, whether for family members, friends, or service providers like cleaners, nannies, dog walkers, or maintenance workers. These digital keys can be time-restricted, ensuring access is granted only during pre-approved hours. This eliminates the need to wait at home for a delivery or coordinate physical key exchanges, which is particularly useful for people with busy schedules.
Cost Savings & Increased NOI for Property Owners
From a property management perspective, smart intercoms can reduce operating expenses and improve net operating income (NOI) by lowering staffing costs and minimizing security risks. With remote access management, there’s less need for on-site security or front desk personnel, as tenants can handle their own visitor access and property managers can oversee entry logs digitally. This automation reduces the need for costly security staff while increasing efficiency.
Additionally, by reducing unauthorized access and preventing property damage or theft, buildings with smart intercoms can lower insurance premiums. Over time, these savings contribute to a higher NOI, making the property more attractive to investors and increasing its overall value.
By combining security, convenience, and cost savings, smart intercoms are not just an upgrade—they are an essential investment for modern residential and commercial buildings.
Streamlined Property Operations for Management
There’s a lot for property owners and managers to love about smart intercoms – it’s not just about operating income but also about convenience. With legacy systems, someone from building staff or an outside contractor must go to the intercom and program it to add and remove each tenant. Staff may also have to meet with incoming or outgoing tenants to hand them new credentials. Older systems come with rekeying costs.
With a smart intercom, pretty much everything happens over the cloud. Typically, new tenants are sent a link to download the smart intercom user app and add themselves to the system. Old tenants are easily removed via the management platform online. What’s best, property managers servicing multiple buildings can manage all of their building intercoms – provided they come from the same manufacturer – on a common platform from a central office, without visiting each building.
Best Smart Intercoms
Here, we focus on four smart intercom modules that can serve multitenant buildings, including apartment complexes, condos, co-ops, and office buildings. For an apples-to-apples comparison, we looked at four models offering video connectivity, full-color touchscreens (7”-8”), and a tenant app available for Apple and Android devices.
Best for Small Residential: Akuvox R29C
Manufacturer: Akuvox (China)
Screen Size: 7-inch touchscreen
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, SIP-based VoIP
Mobile App: Akuvox SmartPlus App (iOS 3.0 star & Android 3.6 star)
The Akuvox R29C is a premium video intercom with a large touchscreen and AI-powered facial recognition, making it a high-tech solution for smart access control. It supports multiple authentication methods, including facial recognition, RFID cards, PIN codes, and QR codes, offering a flexible and secure entry experience.
The video quality is crisp, thanks to its 2MP HD camera with wide-angle viewing and IR night vision for visibility in low-light conditions. Integration with SIP-based VoIP phone systems allows seamless communication with office or residential security networks.
The Akuvox SmartPlus App allows remote door unlocking, video calling, and visitor logs, making it a great choice for property managers or homeowners who want cloud-based access control. However note that reviews of the app are not as high as some competitors. At the time of our research, pricing was around $2,200 from multiple vendors.
Pros
- AI-powered facial recognition for touchless access
- Multiple authentication methods (mobile, RFID, PIN, QR)
- Wide-angle HD camera with night vision
- Strong security encryption and SIP-based VoIP integration
Cons
- Reviewers do not love the user app
- Facial recognition setup requires initial configuration
Best For: Luxury apartments, offices, and gated communities looking for high-end smart security.
Beset Value Pricing: Aiphone IXG-DM7-HIDA
Manufacturer: Aiphone (Japan)
Screen Size: 7-inch touchscreen
Connectivity: Ethernet (PoE), SIP-based VoIP
Mobile App: Aiphone IXG App (iOS 4.0 stars & Android 3.5 stars)
The Aiphone IXG-DM7 is a high-quality smart video intercom designed for multi-tenant buildings, offices, and commercial properties. It features a 7-inch LCD touchscreen with a durable, weather-resistant (IP65-rated) and vandal-resistant (IK08) build.
This model is part of Aiphone’s IXG Series, which integrates with IP phone systems and video surveillance platforms for comprehensive security. It allows cloud-based mobile access via the Aiphone IXG app, where users can answer video calls, unlock doors remotely, and monitor visitor logs.
The video quality is sharp, featuring a wide-angle HD camera with low-light enhancement, ensuring clear visuals even at night. The built-in microphone and speaker provide crystal-clear audio with echo and noise cancellation.
At the time of our research, pricing was around $1,700 from multiple vendors.
Pros
- Enterprise-grade durability (IK08 & IP65-rated)
- Seamless integration with IP phone systems and security cameras
- 7-inch touchscreen for intuitive visitor management
- Aiphone IXG mobile app for remote access & intercom calls
Cons
- Requires wired Ethernet (no Wi-Fi option)
Best For: Apartment buildings and commercial offices with built in ethernet connectivity
Best for Offices: Alpha AT700AS
Manufacturer: Alpha Communications (United States)
Screen Size: 7-inch touchscreen
Connectivity: Ethernet (PoE), Wi-Fi
Mobile App: AlphaTouch App (iOS 4.5 star & Android 1.8 star)
The Alpha AT700AS is a versatile smart intercom system designed for residential and commercial buildings. It features a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen with an intuitive interface, making it easy for users to manage visitor access, view security camera feeds, and communicate via video intercom.
This system integrates with the AlphaTouch cloud platform, allowing remote access and control via the AlphaTouch app. While the app is beloved among Apple users, in reviews it does not function well for Android users and we cannot recommend it for them. Users can answer intercom calls, unlock doors, and review visitor logs from anywhere. It also supports SIP-based VoIP communication, ensuring seamless integration with other security and communication systems.
The Alpha AT700AS provides clear video and audio quality, along with PoE support for streamlined installation. It’s a solid choice for multi-tenant buildings, offices, and gated communities looking for a cost-effective, cloud-connected video intercom. At the time of our research, pricing was around $2,300.
Pros
- 7-inch touchscreen with a clean UI
- Cloud-based access via AlphaTouch App
- SIP-based VoIP for seamless communication
- PoE and Wi-Fi options for flexible installation
Cons
- App does not function well on Android Devices
- Lacks advanced biometric authentication (no facial recognition)
Best For: Multi-tenant buildings, offices, and gated communities looking for an affordable, cloud-connected video intercom system.
Best for Medium and Large Buildings: Swiftlane SwiftReader X
Manufacturer: Swiftlane (United States)
Screen Size: 7-inch touchscreen
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Cloud-based
Mobile App: Swiftlane App (iOS 4.8 stars & Android 4.7 stars)
The Swiftlane SwiftReader X is a top-tier smart intercom that prioritizes touchless, AI-driven access control. The 8-inch touchscreen is bright, responsive, and easy to navigate.
This intercom uses AI-enhanced facial recognition, allowing hands-free entry for authorized users. It also supports mobile-based access (Bluetooth & QR codes), PINs, and RFID keycards.
Unlike traditional intercoms, Swiftlane is fully cloud-managed, meaning admins can remotely update permissions, monitor visitor logs, and unlock doors from anywhere. The Swiftlane mobile app allows two-way video calls, remote door unlocking, and guest access management.
The system scales to up to 10,000 users with facial recognition, meaning the Swiftlane Swiftreader X will work for even the largest residential buildings and class-A offices.
Watch customer reviews:
Pros
- Facial recognition for hands-free access
- Remote access and cloud-based management
- Highly-rated Mobile app for two-way video
- Sleek design with enterprise-grade security
Cons
- Subscription required for cloud features
Best For: Modern retail centers, offices, and apartment complexes looking for a sleek system with a high-speed facial recognition.
