ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM COMPARISON
THREE-WAY COMPARISON: UNIFI VS SWIFTLANE VS AMAZON KEY
There was a fourth proposal from Teleco featuring a Paxton system. This was removed from consideration due to the cost. You can review the Teleco proposal here .
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
📱 YOUR REQUIREMENTS
- • Mobile app for tenants
- • Facial recognition access (Swiftlane offers per-user)
- • Cloud management for admins
- • Video intercom functionality
✅ KEY FINDINGS
- • Swiftlane offers facial recognition via per-user model
- • Amazon Key relies on Linear panel for other access control features
- • UniFi most cost-effective with no monthly fees
- • UniFi & Swiftlane save $40/month - no phone line required
⚠️ CONSIDERATIONS
- • UniFi & Amazon: No facial recognition available
- • Amazon can grant 3rd-party access
- • Amazon Key owns user data
- • Amazon retains 100% ownership of all equipment
REQUIREMENTS COMPLIANCE
| REQUIREMENT | UNIFI G3 | SWIFTLANE | AMAZON KEY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile App for Tenants | Basic UniFi Identity | Comprehensive | Ring App Only |
| Facial Recognition | None | Available - $21.99/year per user | None |
| Cloud Management | Professional | Enterprise | Ring Dashboard |
| Security Concerns | Enterprise Grade | Enterprise Grade | Documented Vulnerabilities |
COST BREAKDOWN ANALYSIS
5-Year CUMULATIVE COST COMPARISON
Key Insights: Swiftlane saves $1,690 vs Amazon Key over 5-year(s) Annual recurring cost: Swiftlane $312 vs. Amazon Key $960
UNIFI SYSTEM
ONE-TIME ONLYONE-TIME COSTS:
Hardware + Installation:$4,875
ONGOING COSTS:
Monthly fees:$0
Annual recurring:$0
Phone line required:No
Monthly savings: $40 (no phone line)
60-MONTH TOTAL:$4,875
Note: No ongoing costs, but system may become outdated and require updates in 1-2 years
SWIFTLANE
FACIAL RECOGNITION AVAILABLEONE-TIME COSTS:
Hardware:$2,350
Installation:$1,500
ONGOING COSTS:
Base monthly cost: $30
With 15% discount: $26
Phone line required:No
Monthly savings: $40 (no phone line)
Facial Recognition: $21.99/year per resident
60-MONTH TOTAL:$5,410
Annual recurring cost: $312
5-Year total recurring: $1,560
5-Year savings vs Amazon Key:$1,690
AMAZON KEY
LINEAR INTEGRATIONONE-TIME COSTS:
Activation Fees:$800
Installation + New Linear Panel:$1,500
ONGOING COSTS:
Monthly subscription:$40
Phone line monthly:$40
Total monthly:$80
60-MONTH TOTAL:$7,100
Annual recurring cost: $960
5-Year total recurring: $4,800
| FEATURE | UNIFI G3 | SWIFTLANE | AMAZON KEY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real-Time Monitoring | Basic activity logs | Full real-time monitoring & alerts | Ring app notifications only |
| Delivery Management | Manual access only | UPS/FedEx/Amazon PIN generation + photo logging | Amazon deliveries only |
| Facial Recognition | Not available | $21.99/year per user | Not available |
| Security Features | Standard security | IK10 vandal resistance + insurance, cellular fallback + loiter monitoring | Known vulnerabilities |
| Access Methods | Mobile app, cards | Face, Mobile, PIN, Voice, Landline | Ring app, codes |
| Installation Type | Wired (PoE) | Wireless/Wired + cellular backup | Relies on Linear |
| Monthly Costs | No ongoing fees | $26/month (with discount) | $120/month (includes phone line) |
| Equipment | 100% Ownership | 100% Ownership | Amazon retains owndership |
| Data Safety | Encrypted transmission | Enterprise-grade security | Amazon owns all user data |
| 3rd Party Access | Control all access | Control all access | Amazon can authorize access [we are responsible for 3rd-party actions] |
SWIFTLANE: FACIAL RECOGNITION & SECURITY LEADER
Swiftlane's innovative per-user facial recognition model allows residents to opt-in individually, plus offers the highest security features including IK10 vandal resistance and loiter monitoring.
SWIFTLANE ADVANTAGES
- • Only facial recognition option
- • IK10 vandal-resistant rating
- • Loiter monitoring with AI alerts
- • Unlimited cloud video storage
- • No phone line required (saves $40/month)
- • 15% discount for 5-year commitment
💰 COST COMPARISON (5-YEAR)
- • Amazon Key: $7,100 (includes phone line)
- • UniFi: $4,875 one-time
- • Swiftlane: $5,410 (no phone line)
- • Phone line savings: $2,400 over 5 years
🛡️ SECURITY FEATURES
- • IK10 vandal-resistant housing
- • Real-time loiter detection
- • Continuous video capture
- • Unlimited cloud storage
- • Encrypted data transmission
RECOMMENDATION MATRIX:
CHOOSE SWIFTLANE IF:
- • Facial recognition is important to you
- • You want the highest security features
- • You want the lowest subscription plan
- • You want to eliminate phone line costs
- • Advanced video monitoring is needed
CHOOSE UNIFI IF:
- • Budget is the primary concern
- • You prefer one-time payment
- • Basic intercom features are sufficient
- • You want enterprise-grade security
- • No ongoing monthly fees preferred
CHOOSE AMAZON KEY IF:
- • You want to keep anitquated Linear system
- • Budget allows for higher monthly costs
- • Ring app convenience appeals to residents
- • You can accept ongoing phone line costs
- • Security/privacy trade-offs are acceptable
AMAZON KEY SECURITY CONCERNS
DOCUMENTED VULNERABILITIES
- • AWS Cloud Service Exploits: Multiple CVE reports in 2024-2025
- • Buffer Overflow Issues: Client VPN vulnerabilities allowing elevated privileges
- • Data Privacy Concerns: All resident data stored within Amazon ecosystem
- • Limited Control: Property managers have minimal data visibility
SERVICE LIMITATIONS
- • Amazon-Centric Design: Optimized primarily for Amazon deliveries
- • Ring App Dependency: Requires residents to use Amazon's Ring app
- • Limited Integration: Poor compatibility with third-party property management systems
- • Ongoing Costs: Subscription + phone line = $80/month total