Apartment Intercom With Door Release: Buying Guide + Top Options

Buying an apartment intercom with door release is a crucial decision for property owners because these systems play a direct role in resident safety and building security. Common resident concerns involve package theft or unauthorized entry. So, if residents feel more confident in their apartment building’s security, they’re likely to stay for a longer time.

According to the 2025 Resident Experience Management Report by Zego, security concerns rank among the top three reasons why renters reject lease renewals. This statistic reflects how access control systems can support both resident experience and occupant retention. 

Based on many years of firsthand experience supporting thousands of multifamily projects, we’ve seen that upgrading to a modern intercom system with door release significantly increases security, improves resident satisfaction, and supports long-term occupancy.

Our curated guide below explains how door release intercoms work, the types of door locks they integrate with, and the main categories of apartment intercom systems available in the market. We’ll then outline the most important features of each intercom type and offer a high-level overview of four leading apartment intercom systems with door release to help you evaluate what might fit your building’s operations.

Key Takeaways

• An apartment intercom with door release facilitates the locking and unlocking mechanism of building entry doors, allowing building owners and residents to remotely grant entry to visitors and delivery drivers.

• Modern intercom systems often integrate with electronic door lock systems, adding an extra layer of security to building entryways.

• Based on 10 hours of rigorous market research, our top picks for apartment intercoms with door release include the Bticino Linea 5000, AIPHONE IX / IXG Series, Swiftlane SwiftReader X, and Nice/Linear EP-736.

• Installation and prices of apartment intercoms with door release vary depending on building size, existing access infrastructure, wiring conditions, and the number of access points.

Quick Navigation

1. What is an Apartment Intercom with Door Release?
2. Types of Apartment Intercom Systems
3. Top Picks for Apartment Intercom Systems with Door Release
4. Installation of Door Release Intercom Systems for Apartments
5. Selecting the Right Intercom with Door Release for Your Apartment Building

Suggested Posts:

• Guide to Apartment Intercom System
• How to Buy a Wireless Intercom System
• Video Intercom Systems with Door Release
• Video Intercom System – A Complete Guide

What is an Apartment Intercom with Door Release?

An apartment intercom with a door release mechanism lets residents and staff communicate with visitors at building entrances. After verifying who is at the door, residents can then remotely unlock the entrance using an in-unit device or mobile app. 

With this visitor management system, residents gain more control over who enters the building. They can control access for delivery drivers, childcare workers, maintenance staff, cleaners, friends, and family.

How It Works:

1. The apartment intercom system connects to an electronic relay that controls the door lock, which can be a maglock, electric strike, or electronic deadbolt.

2. The intercom, relay, and door-release system operate on a dedicated 12-24V DC power supply.

3. A visitor uses the building’s entrance intercom to search for a resident in the directory and initiate an audio or video call.

4. Through an in-unit device or mobile app, the resident speaks to the visitor and verifies the visitor’s identity.

5. If access is approved, the resident presses an unlock button, sending a secure signal to the electronic relay.

6. The relay releases the lock, allowing entry. The door automatically relocks after the visitor enters.

Door Release Mechanisms

• Maglocks. Maglocks use an electromagnet mounted in the door frame to adhere to a metal plate on the door when activated, securely locking the door. When building owners or apartment residents remotely grant access to the building, the intercom cuts power to the magnet through the relay, and the door unlocks to permit entry to the building.

• Electric Strikes. Electric strikes use a metal strike plate installed in the door frame that holds a latch in place. When activated, a solenoid releases the latch, unlocking the door for access.

• Electronic Deadbolts. An electronic deadbolt uses a motor or solenoid to lock and unlock the bolt electronically.

Types of Apartment Intercom Systems

1. Video Intercom Systems. A video intercom system with door release allows residents to verify visitors via a video call before granting entry to the apartment building.

Key Benefits:

• Enhanced security and peace of mind through visual verification
• Integration with key fobs or key cards
• Audit trails for access events 
• Recognized as a modern building amenity 

Drawbacks:

• Performance depends on reliable network connectivity 
• Intercom placement affects camera visibility

2. Wireless Intercom Systems. Wireless intercoms don’t require hardwiring intercom lines to each apartment unit. Instead, residents receive calls and grant building entry through a mobile app or wireless in-unit devices. However, intercom devices still require power and network connectivity via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or cellular wiring. 

Key Benefits:

• Easier installation and scalability for larger multifamily apartment buildings
• Reduced maintenance associated with physical wiring
• Strong alignment with modern resident expectations

Drawbacks:

• Upfront prices vary by vendor
• Dependent on network stability
• Often includes recurring software fees

3. Wired Intercom Systems. Traditional wired intercom systems connect each apartment unit to the central intercom panel using physical wiring.

Key Benefits:

• Consistent and reliable connection 
• Less dependent on network performance

Drawbacks:

• Higher upfront installation prices
• Limited remote access functionality
• More complex to retrofit 

4. Audio Buzzer Intercom Systems. Audio-only buzzer systems allow residents to communicate with visitors via voice calls without video verification.

Key Benefits:

• Straightforward solution for smaller apartment buildings
• Lower upfront costs when wiring is already in place
• Easier for residents of all technical comfort levels to use

Drawbacks:

• No video verification of visitors
• Lesser control compared to modern intercom systems
• Maintenance requirements increase over time

Each type of apartment intercom with door release offers distinct advantages. Selecting the right option depends on your building’s infrastructure, layout, wiring, and overall access control and security goals.

Top Picks for Apartment Intercom Systems with Door Release

Apartment intercom systems with door release come with a wide range of features and configurations. To simplify your selection process, we’ve highlighted four systems that cover each intercom type. After eight hours of rigorous evaluation through dozens of customer feedback threads and manufacturer sites here are four top picks for every intercom type.

Video Intercom Pick: Swiftlane SwiftReader X

Swiftlane’s SwiftReader X is an IP-based wireless video intercom system with door release. Residents can remotely unlock apartment building doors for visitors through a mobile application after visual verification via video call.

The video intercom system also supports multiple credentials, which include face recognition, mobile access, PIN codes, key fobs, and voice commands.

Other Features:

• Cloud-based platform: Access management is centralized across multiple intercom devices in one or several apartment buildings.
• Full-color two-way HD video: Full-color video calling helps residents visually verify visitors and deter package theft.
• Simplified installation: Professionals can quickly install the SwiftReader X due to its Power over Ethernet (POE) requirement, which does not need additional wiring. This feature makes the SwiftReader X highly applicable for small and medium to large-sized apartment buildings.
• IP65 and IK10 ratings: The SwiftReader X is highly durable because of its high weatherproof rating and top anti-vandalism rating of 10/10.
• Highly rated mobile app: High app store ratings make access control easy for residents and staff. (4.8 stars Apple App Store, 4.7 stars Google Play Store).

Price: To get instant custom pricing, calculate your costs here instantly.

Wireless Intercom Pick: Aiphone IX / IXG Series

The Aiphone IX or IXG series is a wireless apartment intercom line that supports access through PIN, QR code, and keycard credentials.

Other Features:

• Remote or in-unit door release: Door release may be activated through in-unit answering stations or a mobile app.
• Video feedback: Residents can see on video who is at the building entrance.
• IP65 and IK08 ratings. The IX / IXG intercoms can sufficiently withstand most weather elements and vandals on a scale of 8/10.

Price: Price is not publicly listed on the manufacturer’s website, but you can contact Aiphone for pricing information.

Find out more about Aiphone through our complete review.

Wired Intercom Pick: Bticino Linea 5000

The Bticino Linea 5000 is a wired intercom system that connects the main entry panel to in-unit substations in each apartment unit. Residents unlock doors using PINs, RFID keycards, or mobile access.

Other Features:

• Remote door control: Even with the Linea 5000’s wired configuration, the mobile application makes it easier for residents to open apartment building doors remotely for visitors.
• Modular options: The base panel device can be integrated with additional modules for added functionality, such as an inductive loop module with audio door entry for people using hearing aids.
• IP65 and IK08 ratings. Its 7-inch touch display can withstand most harsh weather and vandals on a scale of 8/10.

Price: Price is not directly available through the manufacturer’s website, but some dealers start at the thousand-dollar price range.

Audio Buzzer Intercom Pick: Nice/Linear EP-736

The Nice/Linear EP-736 is an audio-only apartment intercom that supports standard telephone lines or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). VoIP allows visitors to call residents directly on their mobile phones through the entry intercom panel

Other Features:

• Expandable coverage: The EP-736 can support 36 doors with 72 readers, expandable up to 64 doors and 128 readers. 
• VoIP compatibility: The Nice/Linear EP-736 is compatible with most third-party VoIP adaptors.
• Optional RFID Reader. The EP-736 can be internally mounted with an RFID reader for added credential functionality.

Price: Price is not listed directly on the manufacturer’s website, but vendors such as “Protec Controls” retail the EP-736 at around $3,000 to $5,000.

Learn more about Nice/Linear and its intercom systems in a detailed review.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Door Release Apartment Intercoms

For more help, you can download a guide to multifamily intercom systems.

Installation of Door Release Intercom Systems for Apartments

All apartment intercom systems with door release require some level of wiring. Regardless of intercom type, wiring is needed between the intercom device, the electronic relay, and the door locks.

When replacing an older intercom, the existing intercom panel is typically removed and replaced with a smaller, modern device. Masonry work may occasionally be required to fill any gaps left by old intercom panels.

Installation costs vary based on building size, number of entry points, existing wiring, and labor requirements. In most cases, property owners may expect installation costs to range from the high hundreds to several thousand dollars.

For concrete pricing information, you can calculate instant pricing here or call us to get a quote on the spot at 833-607-9438. 

Selecting the Right Intercom with Door Release for Your Apartment Building

A 2025 survey made by Apartments.com reported that 66% of renters consider security as a key factor when choosing where to live. Apartment intercoms with door release help address security priorities by improving visitor screening and access control at building entry points.

When evaluating systems, look for intercoms that support multiple access credentials, audio or video verification, strong durability ratings, and door release integration. Choosing the right apartment intercom system protects your bottom line and delivers real value for your money for many years to come. 

To better understand how a system might fit your property’s needs, requesting a live product demo can be a helpful next step.