Our honest verdict
For a single site or a handful of doors, UniFi Access gives you badge, mobile and face unlock with no per-door license, managed alongside your network and cameras. Verkada is the better fit for organizations with many locations that want every door in one cloud dashboard and are prepared to license each door, as Verkada's licensing guide requires.
How do UniFi and Verkada Access Control compare side by side?
| Factor | Ubiquiti UniFi | Verkada Access Control |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing model | No per-door license. The cost of a door is the hub, reader and lock hardware; Apple Wallet Touch Pass credentials beyond the included passes are billed per user. | One door license per door on specified controllers, plus access IO controller licenses. |
| When a license lapses | No door license to lapse. | After a 30-day grace period for an expired organization you lose access to devices and settings in Command. |
| Offline operation | Access rights sync to the Access Hub, so if the UniFi console goes down, door access remains. | The controller runs its last known configuration; users added during an outage do not work until it reconnects. |
| Controller hardware | Door Hub: one door, up to 6,000 users, 12V powered and dry lock relays, PoE out for readers. | AC42: four doors, wet or dry relay (12V or 24V wet), cloud-managed with no on-prem server. |
| Credentials | G3 Reader Pro: NFC card or fob, Apple/Google Wallet, face unlock, PIN and QR code. | Verkada readers, and the AC42 works with existing cards and readers, per Verkada. |
| Multi-site | Users can open doors across sites through UniFi Identity; cards and fobs are assigned to one site, per Ubiquiti. | All sites in one Verkada Command dashboard. |
| Support model | No vendor support bundled; your installer supports the system. | 24/7 technical support included with every purchase, per Verkada. |
| Hardware warranty | Two years from the Ubiquiti store; one year through distributors or resellers. | Up to 10 years, depending on the model. |
| Best-fit buyer | Offices, plants and showrooms that want door access on the same console as network and cameras, with no door license. | Multi-location organizations that want cloud-only access control with vendor support included. |
Which one fits your business?
Choose UniFi when
- You want no recurring per-door license.
- You already run UniFi and want doors, cameras and network under one login.
- You want phone wallet, face or PIN entry from a single reader at the front door.
- You want doors to keep working if the console or Internet goes down.
Choose Verkada Access Control when
- You manage many locations and want all doors in one cloud dashboard with no on-site console.
- You already use Verkada cameras and want access events tied to that platform.
- You want vendor 24/7 support and long warranties included, and accept per-door licensing.
Does Verkada access control require a license per door?
Yes. Verkada's licensing guide calls for one door license per door on specified controller models and one license per access IO controller. If an organization's licenses expire, it has a 30-day grace period before losing access to its devices and settings in Command.
UniFi Access has no per-door license; the cost of adding a door is the hub, reader and lock hardware. Some credential features are paid, such as Apple Wallet Touch Pass credentials beyond the passes Ubiquiti includes, and PDC lists any paid items in the written quote.
Key takeaway: Every door you add to Verkada adds a license for the life of the system. Every door you add to UniFi Access adds hardware only.
What happens to the doors if the Internet goes down?
Both keep working for existing users. Ubiquiti says access rights are synchronized to the UniFi Access Hub, so doors keep working if the console goes down, and Verkada says its controller runs the last configuration it received from the cloud.
With Verkada, users added during an outage cannot get in until the controller reconnects (Verkada offline operation). For power outages, Ubiquiti recommends battery backup such as a UPS on your PoE switches, and locks can be set fail-safe or fail-secure (Ubiquiti door access).
What hardware does a UniFi Access door need?
A typical door needs a UniFi console, a Door Hub, a reader and a compatible lock. The Door Hub supports one door and up to 6,000 users, provides 12V powered and dry relays for locks, and powers readers over PoE.
- Door Hub: door position, request-to-exit, remote release and emergency inputs.
- G3 Reader Pro: 4.7 inch touchscreen, 2MP camera, two-way audio, IP55 for indoor or outdoor use.
- Readers support 13.56 MHz NFC cards and fobs, including ISO 14443A, 14443B and 15693, per Ubiquiti.
- Lock hardware is matched to the door, frame and fire code; PDC coordinates with your locksmith or door contractor where needed.
Where does Verkada Access genuinely win?
Verkada wins on a fully cloud-managed design, included support and warranty length. Its AC42 controller handles four doors, has a wet or dry relay per door (12V or 24V when wet), and needs no on-premises server, and Verkada lists 24/7 technical support with every purchase and warranties of up to 10 years depending on model.
How do five-year door access costs compare?
Verkada's five-year cost is controllers, readers and locks plus a door license for every door for the full term. UniFi Access's five-year cost is the hub, reader and lock hardware plus the support you choose, with no door licensing.
For a Charlotte or Raleigh office with a few doors the gap is modest; for a plant with gates, server rooms and dock doors it grows with every opening. We do not publish list prices because they change. Call (336) 886-3282 or schedule a meeting.
Frequently asked questions
Is UniFi Access really license-free?
There is no per-door or per-reader license for UniFi Access; the cost of a door is the hub, reader and lock hardware. Some credential features are paid: Apple Wallet Touch Pass credentials beyond the passes Ubiquiti includes are billed per user, and UniFi Identity Enterprise has paid tiers. PDC lists any paid items in the written quote.
What does a Verkada door license cover?
Verkada requires one door license per door on specified controllers, and lists AI analytics, unlimited users, automatic updates and 24/7 technical support as included with every purchase. Verkada licensing, Verkada pricing.
Can UniFi Access use phones instead of badges?
Yes. The G3 Reader Pro supports Apple and Google Wallet mobile unlock, plus NFC cards and fobs, face unlock, PIN and QR codes. Apple Wallet passes beyond Ubiquiti's included allotment are a paid per-user item.
Will UniFi Access doors open if the network is down?
Ubiquiti says access rights are synchronized to the Access Hub, so door access remains if the console goes down. For power outages you need battery backup on the PoE switches. Ubiquiti door access.
Does PDC install locks and door hardware?
PDC designs and configures the access system, runs the network and PoE, and sets up users and schedules. Door hardware such as strikes and maglocks is matched to your doors, and we coordinate with a locksmith or door contractor when the opening requires it.