Verkada Access Control Alternatives for Apartments and HOAs

What a Verkada door has today

Verkada sells three wired controllers: the AC12 for one door, the AC43 for four and the AC62 for sixteen. On the AC43, each door gets one reader port (Verkada/RS-485 or Wiegand), two REX dry inputs and one DPI dry input, and the AC62 lists the same REX and DPI inputs per door.

The AC12 is powered by a single PoE cable and has two reader ports that take any combination of Verkada and third-party readers. Verkada's readers are the AD34 and the AD64 keypad, and both use Secure Channel OSDP v2 over RS-485 to talk to the controller. Credentials are 125 kHz proximity cards, MIFARE DESFire EV3 cards and fobs, and mobile NFC or Bluetooth through the Verkada Pass app.

The cited Verkada AC43 datasheet lists a 1-Year Door License, Capacity Increase at $249 and a 10-Year Door License, Capacity Increase at $1,999. The pricing page says the AC43 price includes a one-year license, and that the AC12 and AC62 need an additional license.

Verkada's access control page says its access control devices come with a 10-year warranty. The AC43 and AC62 include a fire alarm interface (FAI) to cut power to fail-safe locks in an emergency.

Elwin installs, configures and supports access control for apartment communities and multifamily properties across the Bay Area, and works with these platforms.

What stays on the door when you leave Verkada, and what changes

The lock is the part that carries over. ButterflyMX's installation guide says its controller can only operate doors with electric locking hardware installed, and it specifies 18/2 cable from controller to lock. Avigilon, ButterflyMX and Paxton list relays on their controllers.

Avigilon's Single Door Controller datasheet lists 2 REX sensors and 2 contact sensors, and Paxton's Net2 plus page says exit buttons, door contacts, tamper switches and alarm devices may be connected.

The reader is where swaps diverge. Verkada's AD34 and AD64 readers use Secure Channel OSDP v2 over RS-485 to communicate with the controller. Plan on new readers unless the vendor you pick confirms yours in writing.

If the building still has Wiegand readers on its Verkada controller, they have a path. Kisi's Wiegand board supports legacy readers that use the Wiegand protocol and are compatible with 125 kHz credential technology, Avigilon's Single Door Controller lists up to 2 Wiegand readers, and Paxton's Net2 plus lists 26 bit Wiegand. ButterflyMX's 2-Door Access Controller does not support Wiegand and may support third-party OSDP readers depending on specific criteria; ButterflyMX asks you to reach out to your representative before connecting one.

Kisi says that as an internet protocol based access control system, it does not require controllers and readers to be directly wired to each other, and its Reader Pro 2 lists PoE or low voltage (12-24 volts of direct current) power connectivity. Kisi's two-wire switch and adapter page lists a transfer range of 300 m with Wiegand cables (unshielded and untwisted) and Kisi Reader Pro 2.1 as the supported reader type.

ButterflyMX's Wiegand installation guide lists using existing wiegand reader hardware in the building.

BeforeAfter

See all before and after photos

For what the door side of a swap costs, see access control cost per door. For how to decide whether a door is a retrofit or a replacement, see repair, retrofit or replace.

What the software costs each year

Verkada's AC43 datasheet lists door licenses with 1-year and 10-year terms.

Paxton's Net2 is licence-free with free upgrades, and Net2 Lite is free of charge.

See how we set upKisi and PDK for apartment and HOA doors.

What matters at an apartment building or HOA

Residents' fobs are the first thing to check. Verkada issues 125 kHz proximity cards and MIFARE DESFire EV3 cards and fobs. Brivo's Multitech readers support legacy 125 kHz proximity and 13.56 MHz smart cards, and Avigilon's Smart Reader v2 supports low (125 kHz) and high (13.56 MHz) RFID frequencies.

Ask the vendor, in writing, whether the fobs residents carry today will enroll on its readers before you count on reusing them.

Brivo describes time-bound guest entry that replaces static codes with expiring access, and Avigilon lists customizable guest passes sent to phones and a QR-code Virtual Directory. Verkada's AD64 reader has a keypad that offers PIN code entry as a standalone access method.

Verkada's video intercom has a built-in door controller and reader, Avigilon's smart video intercoms let residents visually verify guests before releasing the door remotely, and ButterflyMX's access control connects to its video intercoms, package room and elevator controls.

For pool gates, clubhouses and gyms, seeHOA clubhouse and amenity access control. For the entry panel itself, see ButterflyMX video intercom installation.

Exit doors, fire alarm and backup power

Verkada's AC43 and AC62 include a fire alarm interface that cuts power to fail-safe locks. ButterflyMX's controller has a fire relay input, and its installation guide says the door's exit hardware should allow for mechanical free egress. The cited PDK Red 1 datasheet says a backup battery must be installed to comply with UL 294.

Elwin plans, installs, repairs and replaces door hardware and locks for commercial, multifamily and mixed-use properties.

For the release side of a maglock door, see maglock release and egress requirements.

How to plan the swap

Bring these to the site walk, door by door:

Elwin installs, configures and supports Kisi, PDK, Brivo, Verkada and Paxton access control, and our ButterflyMX-certified technicians install ButterflyMX. Elwin is the single accountable point of contact from site walk through installation and support. Comparing installers? Readhow to choose an access control installer in the Bay Area.

• What is on the reader port today: a Verkada AD34 or AD64 on RS-485, or a Wiegand reader from an earlier system.
• Which fobs residents carry: 125 kHz proximity, DESFire EV3, or both.
• The lock on each door or gate, its voltage, and whether its cable tests good.
• Which controller model serves each group of doors (AC12, AC43 or AC62) and when the door licenses renew.
• Whether the entry intercom, the garage and the amenity gates should move to the same platform.

Questions about replacing Verkada access control