Looking for a comprehensive review article to understand what Whoo Intercom is all about? You’ve come to the right one.
Convenience and security are the tipping factors in intercom selection for multifamily apartment buildings. With too many solutions on the market today, it is imperative to consider a list of key considerations before you opt for an intercom product.
This Whoo Intercom review is a valuable resource in your search for the perfect intercom. It is curated with 15+ hours of deep industry research into the evolving demands of the building entry solutions market, customer preferences, use cases, and more to provide a holistic overview of Whoo Video Intercom. Read on to determine if the product suits your residential or commercial requirements.
Table of Contents
- Whoo Intercom Review: Understanding the Offerings
- The Ecosystem: Software, Mobile Application, and more
- Whoo Mobile Application Experience
- Use-Cases for Whoo
- Pricing and Installation
- What Are Users Saying?
- Alternatives to Whoo
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Whoo Intercom Review: Understanding the Offerings
Whoo is an end-to-end security technology company that develops access control software for multi-tenant buildings. It combines Chinese hardware manufactured by Akuvox with its ingenious software technology for its video intercom offering. The Whoo Video Intercom system is engineered to provide convenient access control for multi-tenant buildings and integrates with multiple existing devices, offering a tailored solution that fits your needs.
While browsing the website, you might have confused Akuvox intercoms with Whoo Intercom. Yes, they look alike. That is because Akuvox supplies Whoo with the hardware (precisely the R29x model). While they may look the same, Whoo intercoms function differently and offer different functionalities because they are embedded with the company’s proprietary software. Learn more about the intercom’s software in the next section.
Key Features of Whoo Video Intercom
- Open doors remotely via a phone-based application, eliminating the “key” culture
- Ensure smooth and secure package deliveries, even when you’re out
- Be on top of things with a 24/7 live video feed of your door
- See who’s visiting while keeping your location confidential with the one-video feature
- There is no size limit to buildings. Whoo Intercoms are suitable for diverse properties
- Generate one-time access codes for expected guests or visitors
- Both flush and surface mount installations are available
- IP65 rated for water and dust resistance
- With automatic lighting and a viewing angle of 120°, the camera functions permanently, not just during calls.
For technical specifications, visit here.
The Ecosystem: Software, Mobile Application, and more
Whoo Doorphone
The entire Whoo Video Intercom ecosystem involves many components. The Whoo Doorphone is the software part of the intercom that visitors interact with. It consists of a touch-based directory of tenants that reside within an apartment or building. You can use the user-friendly interface to navigate to the person you wish to call. The Doorphone can function on 7” or 30” screens and is compatible with Android and Linux-based hardware.
Highlights
- The directory contains a list of a building’s active tenants. As a building manager, you may add or remove tenants at any time through the Whoo Console.
- It grants entry to visitors through a QR code, replacing a traditional key. This QR can be generated using the Whoo Mobile App.
- A unique PIN code mechanism has been devised and integrated for deliveries and other one-time visits.
Whoo Concierge
The Whoo Concierge functions like a virtual doorman, facilitating visitor communication at a building’s front door. This Concierge is embedded within the Doorphone and is a speech-enabled program that can guide or assist you in calling a tenant. The software mediates with the help of the Whoo Mobile App and can easily connect with an existing SIP or WebRTC system.
Whoo Mobile App
While the Whoo intercom system can also make audio-only calls to a programmed telephone number, today’s age calls for a more transparent and secure access control system. The Whoo Mobile App serves as the video-based connection between you and your visitors at the door. It helps residents observe and control entry to the building. In the mobile application, each tenant will have access to a unique 4-digit access code. By punching these digits into the intercom system at the door, they can quickly get touchless entry into the building.
Highlights
- The Whoo Mobile App primarily hosts two functionalities: viewing people at the door and relaying a door-unlocking mechanism.
- The app has iOS and Android versions.
- It can be connected to multiple doors to answer Doorphone calls.
- With the application, you can create a Visitor Guest Pass for anticipated guests or a QR code for one-time deliveries.
- The Whoo Mobile App can seamlessly integrate with Amazon Key for Business without overhead costs.
Whoo Console
The Whoo Console is a platform for property managers to organize and control security for their buildings and residents. It works on PoE and has multiple access control features. This console allows you to control multiple buildings and add/ remove specific residents. You can create recurring codes for delivery companies like FedEx or UPS through the Building Level in the Console. You can refer to this exhaustive guide if you have specific questions about the Whoo Console, such as setting up a call button or adding/removing tenants.
Whoo Mobile Application Experience
Whoo’s Mobile App provides the most convenient way to control gateway access with the simple tap of a finger. You can let your dog walker in straight from your bed or even when you’re taking a stroll at the park.
Multiple users have appreciated this unlocking capability embedded within the easy-to-use interface of the mobile application.
One user claimed that they found it convenient to answer their door calls directly from the pool. Another user stated that they have never missed a package since installing the Whoo Intercom system and that it has become easier to let their housekeeper in.
However, one user encountered difficulties with the mobile app and described the application’s poor functioning post-installation. The customer support system was also down, making it difficult for the user to escalate the issue.
Use-Cases for Whoo
As found in the current Whoo Intercom review, the product is mainly used by the following clientele.
Residents of small and large multi-family buildings/ garden-style apartments can conveniently unlock doors from anywhere, anytime, with a simple finger tap on their free-of-cost mobile application.
Property managers for student housing and commercial buildings find the intercom reliable and effective for capturing live feeds and surveilling visitors. Additionally, property managers view the technology as an investment that can help them subsequently raise rents due to the additional convenience offered to the tenants.
In the hospitality industry, intercoms can provide concierge services for guests, enabling them to communicate with staff quickly and easily. This streamlined communication enhances guest experience and allows staff to attend to their needs more efficiently.
Pricing and Installation
Whoo Intercoms’ hardware price starts at close to $3000. The company additionally charges a monthly subscription fee of $2.50 for each apartment where the system is installed.
If an apartment is not occupied, you will not be charged for it. There would also be no call button on the Doorphone’s tenant directory. If the apartment is occupied later, the tenant directory and your subscription price are updated accordingly.
However, it is subject to change as per individual clients. You can get a specific quote from the company by filling out the form here.
After purchase, the Whoo Intercom takes nearly 4-5 hours to install, although the process is relatively simple. Although a local handyman may install the system, the company recommends a certified installer.
The intercom is PoE-enabled (Power of Ethernet), requiring a single Ethernet cable to transmit data and receive power. Simply connect the intercom to a power source through the Ethernet cable and ensure an electric door strike is adjusted to your door. Your work is done.
The intercom can be installed flush-mounted or wall-mounted. The dimensions of the flush-mounted unit are 324x130x60mm, and those of the wall-mounted unit are 324x130x33mm.
Per the warranty clause, you can receive technical support remotely or through local installers for up to one year after installation.
Find the entire installation guide here.
What Are Users Saying?
Whoo Intercom has a 2.5-star rating and 1000+ downloads on the Google Play Store. Reddit users also recommend Whoo Intercom to people looking for an intercom replacement in their apartments, appreciating its remote access control and video capabilities.
Below are summarized pros and cons for you to evaluate the product. These reviews are excerpted from the Apple Store.
Pros
- Users have appreciated the convenience of remote access control, which helps them buzz visitors in and receive packages when they are away.
- Many users have commended the company for its efficient, round-the-clock customer support via phone or email. They mentioned how the company is responsive to feedback and integrates all suggestions into its intercoms.
- Keyless entry and easy-to-use interface have made lives more accessible for users.
- The hardware is IP65-rated, hence durable and weather-resistant
Cons
- The unlocking system involves virtual keys that are not customizable per individual needs. You must always provide a guest code to each unregistered user, as these codes are for single usage.
- The intercom’s hardware carries a third-party risk. It is unreliable as it isn’t manufactured by the company but by Akuvox.
- The mobile application functioned poorly for users post-installation and caused them trouble unlocking doors with a smartphone.
Alternatives to Whoo
To avoid missing out on desirable features, better pricing, or other product styles, you must always compare a product with its competitors to ensure you get the best deal for your residence or office.
Swiftlane
Swiftlane is a leading intercom manufacturer in the marketplace today. With all state-of-the-art features, Swiftlane has curated a video intercom that offers cloud-based configuration and management, facial recognition access for an added layer of security, vandalism replacement insurance, and much more.
Use the following chart to understand and compare the offerings of both Whoo and Swiftlane.
This Whoo Intercom review reveals that the device offers a range of features that cater to modern security needs, from remote access to visitor management. Its integration with Amazon Key and mobile-based access control provides convenience, but issues such as third-party hardware risks and limited app performance have left some users wanting more. While Whoo Intercom can meet the needs of many multifamily and commercial buildings, alternative solutions may better address your specific requirements. You’ll find this comprehensive buyer’s guide for apartment intercoms helpful.
If you’re looking for a more advanced and flexible solution, Swiftlane stands out as a superior option in this Whoo Intercom review. Whether it’s ensuring seamless deliveries, managing tenant access, or enhancing visitor communication, Swiftlane provides a comprehensive intercom system designed for today’s demands. Learn more about Swiftlane Video Intercom or get a customized quote that meets your unique requirements.
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