{"id":93335,"date":"2025-02-06T10:18:19","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T16:18:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.andersonlock.com\/?p=93335"},"modified":"2025-06-18T13:34:59","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T18:34:59","slug":"smart-lock-system-costs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.andersonlock.com\/blog\/smart-lock-system-costs\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart Lock System Costs"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it’s time to upgrade your entryways with new hardware and perhaps an all-new smart lock access control system, cost will be a major factor.\u00a0<\/span>And we\u2019re not going to lie to you: It can get pricey quickly. <\/span>Of course, you\u2019re talking about securing your people and property. You don\u2019t want to skimp, but you also have to be realistic about your budget. <\/span>Without knowing the specifics of your project, it’s not possible to lead you to an exact-dollar amount for your building. Nonetheless, we can still help you get a realistic picture of the cost of a new access control system.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Quick Preview<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is a lot to understand about what goes into any given door as part of a total access control system strategy, which makes it difficult to give you hard numbers up front. Without adequate context, you won\u2019t understand where the figures come from.<\/span><\/p>\n

We also know how irritating it is to read 1,000-plus words before someone finally answers your question in an article.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, the following chart gives you a ballpark average cost, per door, for different lock types.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Type<\/b><\/td>\nAverage cost per door<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mechanical lock & key\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n250<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Key pad<\/span><\/td>\n950<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Intercom\/buzzer<\/span><\/td>\n5,225<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Key card or fob reader<\/span><\/td>\n3,500<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Biometrics<\/span><\/td>\n6,250<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Smartphone app<\/span><\/td>\n900<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

In what follows, we will unpack where those costs come from.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Brief Overview of Access Control Systems<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"Let’s make sure we are talking about the same things, here. Simply put, an\u00a0<\/span>access control system<\/b>\u00a0is the strategy you use to secure your entryways. This term would be overkill if we were still in the days of deadbolts and barrier arms. But in today’s high-tech era of electronic locks and integrated digital networks, we really do think in terms of a larger system.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding the Types of Access Control System<\/span><\/h3>\n

We can broadly classify access control systems as either <\/span>mechanical<\/b>\u00a0or <\/span>electronic<\/b>. An <\/span>electronic system<\/span><\/a> still has mechanical parts, but the key differentiator is that they use an energy source for some part of their operation.<\/span><\/p>\n

But we can also break down these systems further:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Mechanical Lock & Key<\/b>\u00a0 Your traditional physical lockset apparatus operated with a key.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Keypads<\/b>\u00a0 The user enters a code to gain entry.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Intercoms or Buzzers\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>The user rings a buzzer or bell and is allowed in when an operator verifies them visually or verbally.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Key Cards or Key Fobs\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>The lock detects a user’s card or fob to grant access.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Biometrics\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>The user achieves verification by presenting some part of themselves for identification, e.g., their fingerprint, palm, face, or iris.<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Smartphone App\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>Each user’s smartphone becomes their access key.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Comparison of Different Access Control Types<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Type<\/b><\/td>\nPros<\/b><\/td>\nCons<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Mechanical Lock & Key<\/b><\/td>\nThe simplest and lowest-cost system to use<\/span><\/td>\nThe least secure among modern options. Relatively easy to crack, and keys get lost or stolen.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Keypads<\/b><\/td>\nMore secure than a key lock, and there are no keys to lose<\/span><\/td>\nUsers can share or forget codes.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Intercoms or Buzzers<\/b><\/td>\nRequires a human operator to ensure only authorized people may enter<\/span><\/td>\nRequires the human operator to be present for a user to gain entry<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Key Cards or Key Fobs<\/b><\/td>\nEach key card or fob can be programmed for the individual user, and they are often faster than keys or buzzers.<\/span><\/td>\nLike physical keys, a card or fob can be lost or stolen<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Biometrics<\/b><\/td>\nVery difficult to hack and thus very secure<\/span><\/td>\nThe most expensive option requiring the most technical knowledge and\/or support<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Smartphone App<\/b><\/td>\nUsers are highly motivated not to lose their phones and thus their access keys, and you do not need to buy equipment beyond the lock system itself.<\/span><\/td>\nUsers do still lose their phones, not all phones have the same capabilities, and users must keep their phones charged.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

     <\/p>\n

    We can also distinguish access control systems by connectivity:<\/span><\/p>\n

    Standalone systems<\/b>\u00a0operate at the physical location of the entryway or door. Think keys, fobs, and keypads.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Integrated systems<\/b>\u00a0are linked to a centralized or cloud-based software that allows for remote administration as well as data collection and reporting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    While standalone systems are cheaper than integrated systems, the latter offer far greater convenience and have features that can aid in investigating a security breach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Components of an Access Control System<\/span><\/h2>\n

    The cost of an access control system will obviously depend on how complex the parts are. Most access control systems today consist of most of the following:\"card<\/span><\/p>\n