Alternatives to Rhombus
Cloud access control unified with video surveillance and visitor management
Rhombus ranks #6 of 12 in Physical access control, with an Alt Score of 93. It is proprietary, sold by subscription from $199/door/yr and available on iOS, Android and Web. 12 of 12 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
Rhombus is a cloud-managed physical security platform combining smart cameras, IoT sensors, and door access control in one console. Its DR20 door readers support card, mobile, remote unlock, and video-intercom-enabled access, with native visitor management (Rhombus Guest) and full audit trails, aimed at multi-site commercial and enterprise customers.
Rhombus targets organizations that need physical access control across one or more buildings — schools, cities, and mid-market to enterprise companies — typically managed by IT or security administrators rather than end users, and bought through Rhombus's authorized reseller network.
The platform provides door controllers (e.g. DC20), door readers and a video intercom (DR40) with mobile, keycard/fob, and touchless credentials, plus cloud console features for access schedules and lockdown plans, audit trails of entry events, and remote administration across multiple sites and doors.
Door hardware connects to Rhombus's cloud console (no on-site NVR/DVR server), so administrators unlock doors, set schedules, and review access logs remotely from a web dashboard or the mobile app; each device is activated with a per-device, multi-year license, and the same public REST API, CLI, and SDKs used internally are exposed for customer automation and third-party integrations, including native SCIM/SAML directory sync with providers like Okta and Microsoft Entra ID.
Why people leave Rhombus
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
Sign in to add a reason — new reasons go through moderation before appearing.
Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Avigilon Alta Access (formerly Openpath, acquired and rebranded by Motorola Solutions) is a serverless, cloud-managed access control platform used by offices, coworking spaces, and multi-site enterpri.
Gallagher Security is a New Zealand-based access control and perimeter security vendor used by government, critical infrastructure, and large enterprise sites that need high-assurance credentialing.
Genea (formerly Sequr, acquired 2020) is a cloud-native access control and workplace security platform that lets businesses reuse existing controllers and readers instead of forcing proprietary hardwa.
Kastle Systems is a managed security service provider offering cloud-based access control, video surveillance, and visitor management for commercial real estate and multi-site enterprises, historicall.
Kisi is a cloud-based physical access control system that lets people unlock doors with their smartphone or keycard, giving admins remote unlock, access schedules, audit logs, multi-site management, a.
Swiftlane combines a video intercom, mobile/facial-recognition door unlock, and access control management console into a single PoE device, targeted at multifamily and commercial properties.
Verkada is a cloud-managed physical security platform spanning access control, security cameras, sensors, and alarms, offering mobile and badge unlock, video intercom, visitor management, audit logs,.
Brivo is a cloud-based access control and smart-building platform providing mobile and card credentials, video integration, visitor management, access scheduling, audit reporting, and multi-site admin.
ProdataKey (PDK.io) is a cloud access control platform notable for wireless mesh-networked door controllers that avoid running new wiring, aimed at integrators serving commercial buildings and multi-s.
SALTO KS (Keys as a Service) is a cloud-based access control solution built on SALTO smart locks and readers, enabling mobile and card-based keyless entry, remote unlock, access schedules, audit trail.
ButterflyMX is a smart video intercom and property access control system for multifamily and commercial buildings, letting residents grant access and open doors from their phone, with video calling, v.
Feature comparison
Rows come from the Physical access control checklist (16 rows). Human-verified cells only. ? means the value has not been verified.
+ Add app
| Physical access control checklist | Rhombus | Avigilon Alta Access | Gallagher Security | Genea | Kastle Systems | Kisi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Mobile / smartphone unlock | ||||||
| Keycard / fob / badge | ||||||
| Cloud-managed | ||||||
| Video intercom | ||||||
| Visitor management | ||||||
| Remote unlock | ||||||
| Access schedules & rules | ||||||
| Audit logs & reporting | ||||||
| Multi-site management | ||||||
| Directory sync (Google / Azure / SCIM) | ||||||
| API & integrations | ||||||
| On-prem option |
Sources & verification
17
Every fact and feature listed for Rhombus is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
-
Starts at $199/door/yr verified 2026-07-30
Cheapest recurring line item is the 1-year door license ($199/door). A working deployment also needs controller/reader hardware (e.g. DC20 4-door controller, $1,399 MSRP). Sold via resellers; a custom
1 Door License License is per door $199 Years 1 3 5 10 Total Cost $1,598
https://rhombus.com/pricing/access-control/ -
Status active verified 2026-07-30
Dated July 21, 2026 — one of a recurring series of monthly product-update posts, indicating ongoing active development.
This month's Console updates are all about giving you more visibility and more control
https://rhombus.com/blog/console-updates-july-2026/ -
License Proprietary verified 2026-07-30
No open-source LICENSE file; product is sold as licensed hardware + cloud service under Rhombus's End User Licensing Agreement (EULA). Legal hub is a JS-rendered doc portal that lists this as one of s
End User Licensing Agreement
https://legal.rhombus.com/end-user-tos -
Pricing model Subscription verified 2026-07-30
Model is hardware purchased once plus a per-device, term-based license (1/3/5/10-year); closest fit to Subscription among the allowed vocabulary.
Number of Doors affects licensing cost, which is calculated per door.
https://rhombus.com/pricing/access-control/ -
Platforms iOS, Android, Web verified 2026-07-30
Native iOS and Android apps (per app-store links in the rhombus.com footer); desktop/browser access is via the Rhombus Console web app (console.rhombus.com). No Windows/macOS/Linux native desktop clie
remote access via desktop or mobile app
https://rhombus.com/console/ -
Mobile / smartphone unlock Yes verified 2026-07-30
Securely unlock doors straight from your smartphone.
https://www.rhombus.com/access-control/ -
Keycard / fob / badge Yes verified 2026-07-30
Rhombus also sells dedicated Secure Cards and Secure Fobs hardware.
Gain instant access to buildings with a wave of your hand, tap of your finger, or the touch of a keycard.
https://www.rhombus.com/access-control/ -
Cloud-managed Yes verified 2026-07-30
a unified, cloud-managed physical security system that evolves with your needs
https://www.rhombus.com/access-control/ -
Video intercom Yes verified 2026-07-30
DR40 Commercial Video Intercom product page.
Grant access, review entry events, and easily communicate with visitors on an integrated cloud platform.
https://rhombus.com/access-control/door-readers/dr40/ -
Visitor management Yes verified 2026-07-30
Visitor workflows lean on the DR40 video intercom plus integration partners (e.g. Envoy, OpenTech Alliance) rather than a standalone native visitor-management module.
Key features include mobile access, video intercom enabled readers, visitor management systems, audit trails, and integration with video surveillance.
https://www.rhombus.com/access-control/ -
Remote unlock Yes verified 2026-07-30
Confirmed at API level too: POST /api/accesscontrol/unlockAccessControlledDoor, described as 'Unlock an access controlled door'.
Administrators can control access, adjust permissions, and monitor entry points from anywhere with an internet connection.
https://www.rhombus.com/access-control/ -
Access schedules & rules Yes verified 2026-07-30
set access schedules, create customized lockdown plans, and automate workflows between access control, cameras, sensors, and alarms
https://www.rhombus.com/access-control/ -
Audit logs & reporting Yes verified 2026-07-30
tracking and logging all entry attempts for security purposes
https://www.rhombus.com/access-control/ -
Multi-site management Yes verified 2026-07-30
allows remote management of multiple locations
https://www.rhombus.com/access-control/ -
Directory sync (Google / Azure / SCIM) Yes verified 2026-07-30
Entra ID is Microsoft's current name for Azure AD. Also: 'Rhombus supports both natively, including SAML SSO for any SAML 2.0 provider.' Google Workspace not explicitly named, but SCIM/SAML are IdP-ag
Rhombus offers native SCIM 2.0 lifecycle automation with Okta and Entra ID, covering automated user creation, updates, and deactivation.
https://rhombus.com/blog/scim-sso-provisioning-access-control/ -
API & integrations Yes verified 2026-07-30
Developers and AI agents can automate the entire platform through a public REST API (~900 endpoints), an official CLI, SDKs, and a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server.
https://www.rhombus.com/llms.txt -
On-prem option No verified 2026-07-30
Rhombus's whole architecture is cloud-managed (cameras/controllers buffer footage locally but there is no on-premise server/VMS deployment option advertised anywhere on the site).
no NVR/DVR hardware is required
https://www.rhombus.com/pricing.md