Brivo vs Avigilon: Which Access Control System Is Better? (2026)

Choosing between Brivo and Avigilon access control means evaluating two cloud-capable platforms with distinctly different strengths. Brivo pioneered cloud-based access control over 20 years ago and serves more than 20 million users across 60 countries through its pure SaaS model. Avigilon, a Motorola Solutions company, offers both cloud-native (Alta) and on-premise (Unity Access/ACM) access control solutions designed for organizations seeking deployment flexibility. This comparison breaks down the key differences to help facility managers, IT directors, and security professionals make an informed decision when comparing top features of each security system.

Key Takeaways

• Brivo excels at cloud-first multi-site management with a mature SaaS platform, 80+ API integrations, and over 15 years of third-party cybersecurity audits, including SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certification.
• Avigilon offers deployment flexibility through cloud-native Alta and on-premise Unity Access options, plus native integration with Avigilon video surveillance for a unified security solution.
• Mobile credentials favor Brivo with over 4 million Brivo Mobile Pass credentials issued, Apple Wallet and Google Wallet support, and industry-leading touchless entry features.
• Video surveillance integration differs significantly—Brivo integrates with Eagle Eye Networks, Milestone, and Verkada, while Avigilon provides native unification with its own ACC video management software.
• Pricing structures vary—Brivo uses transparent subscription tiers starting at $13.50/door/month, while Avigilon typically requires custom quotes based on deployment size and configuration.
• Both platforms support HIPAA compliance with audit trails, role-based access, and encryption, though Brivo’s 15+ years of documented compliance audits provide established healthcare credentials.

Brivo vs Avigilon: Key Features Explained

This overview compares Avigilon access control and Brivo using detailed feature ratings to help businesses evaluate which access control software best meets their needs.

Which System Offers Better Mobile Credentials and Touchless Access?

Both platforms support smartphone-based credentials, but their approaches differ in meaningful ways for day-to-day operations and user experience.

Brivo Mobile Pass

Brivo launched mobile credentials in 2015 and has issued over 4 million mobile passes to date. The Brivo Access mobile app supports multiple credential delivery methods, including Bluetooth-based Brivo Mobile Pass, Apple Wallet integration for tap-to-unlock access without opening an app, Google Wallet support for Android users, and voice command access through Siri integration.

Brivo’s approach emphasizes administrative flexibility. Security teams can issue or revoke credentials remotely through the cloud-based management dashboard, send digital passes via email, and manage temporary access for contractors or visitors. The platform also supports automatic door detection based on proximity, reducing the friction of manually selecting doors in a web browser or mobile app.

Avigilon Alta Open App

Avigilon Alta offers patented Triple Unlock technology that delivers 99.9% unlock reliability by using three simultaneous signals to ensure consistent door access. The Wave to Unlock feature allows touchless entry by detecting hand gestures near the reader—users don’t need to open an app or unlock their smartphone.

Alta also supports Apple Watch credentials, Cloud Key for temporary digital guest passes sent via text or email, and encrypted keycards and fobs for organizations that prefer physical credentials. This range of common features ensures the security system adapts to different user preferences.

Which Is Better for Mobile Access?

For organizations prioritizing credential flexibility and wallet integration, Brivo offers broader native support for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. For those needing maximum unlock reliability and truly touchless entry in high-traffic environments, Avigilon’s Triple Unlock and Wave-to-Unlock features provide a more frictionless experience. Both access control systems eliminate the security risks associated with lost or cloned physical cards.

How Does Video Surveillance Integration Compare?

The approach to video integration with other security systems represents one of the most significant differences between these platforms.

Brivo Video Integration

Brivo takes an open integration approach through partnerships with leading video management providers. The platform seamlessly integrates with Eagle Eye Networks for cloud video surveillance, with clips viewable directly in the Brivo dashboard; Milestone XProtect for enterprise VMS environments; Verkada cameras; and Salient CompleteView.

Access events can be correlated with video footage for investigations, and the Brivo Snapshot feature uses AI-powered machine learning to capture and display the most relevant image of each access event. This approach gives organizations flexibility to choose video hardware that matches their existing systems or preferences.

Avigilon Video Integration

Avigilon’s strength lies in native unification between access control and its own video surveillance products. The Access Control Manager (ACM) integrates seamlessly with Avigilon Control Center (ACC) video management software, enabling search by cardholder information to find related video clips, Appearance Search technology that locates people based on identity data, video verification of door events within a combined dashboard, and alarm correlation across both systems for enhanced security.

For organizations already using Avigilon cameras or planning a unified security deployment, this tight integration streamlines operations and investigations.

Which Approach Works Better?

Brivo is the better choice if you have existing video infrastructure from multiple vendors or want flexibility in camera selection. Avigilon excels when you’re building a unified security ecosystem from scratch or already have Avigilon cameras deployed. Organizations with mixed environments may find Brivo’s open platform approach more adaptable for integration with other security devices.

Which Platform Scales Better for Multi-Site Management?

Managing access across distributed locations requires platforms built for geographic scale and centralized administration. Scalability determines which access control solution delivers business value for growing organizations.

Brivo Enterprise Capabilities

Brivo’s cloud architecture was designed from inception for multi-site deployment. The Enterprise Edition includes Global View dashboards for managing thousands of locations from a single interface, site-by-site or portfolio-wide credential management with real-time synchronization, anomaly detection using advanced AI to identify unusual access patterns, Data Explorer for custom data analytics and compliance reporting, and Single Sign-On (SSO) integration with enterprise identity providers like Okta and Azure AD.

Brivo serves over 70,000 locations across 42 countries, with case studies showing organizations managing 400+ doors across distribution facilities and retail locations. One global retailer reportedly saved $1.8 million in one year through centralized security management, helping businesses reduce their operational footprint.

Avigilon Multi-Site Options

Avigilon offers two paths for multi-site organizations. Avigilon Alta offers 100% serverless remote management through a cloud-based system, the Alta Control Center dashboard for all locations, automatic synchronization across sites, and remote door-access credential management, facilitating security lockdown.

Unity Access/ACM (on-premise) supports up to 4,000 doors per appliance in Enterprise Plus configurations, replication across multiple appliances for large systems, hot-standby auto-failover for operational continuity during an outage, and up to 100 servers in an Enterprise site configuration.

Which Scales More Effectively?

Brivo offers simpler scaling for organizations comfortable with cloud-only deployment—adding new sites requires no additional infrastructure. Avigilon provides more options for organizations requiring on-premise control or hybrid deployments, though this flexibility adds complexity. For pure multi-site commercial real estate environments, such as retail chains or distributed offices, Brivo’s cloud-native approach typically delivers faster deployment and full functionality from day one.

How Do the Integration Ecosystems Compare?

Modern access control systems must connect with broader business and security tools. Both platforms offer extensive integrations through open APIs, but their ecosystems differ in scope and interoperability.

Brivo Integration Ecosystem

Brivo offers 80+ integrations through its open API and Integration Marketplace. Key categories include identity management with Okta, Azure AD, G Suite, and Active Directory for automated user data focused on features like provisioning; property management systems like Entrata, RealPage, and Yardi for multi-family applications; video surveillance through Eagle Eye Networks, Milestone, and Verkada; elevator control for destination dispatch functionality; visitor management via Envoy integration for tracking of entry; and smart locks from Allegion (Schlage), ASSA ABLOY, Salto, and Z-Wave providers.

The open RESTful API enables developers to build custom integrations, and Brivo’s platform supports mobile SDKs for embedding access-control functionality in third-party applications.

Avigilon Integration Ecosystem

Avigilon’s App Marketplace features 40+ integrations with leading technology providers. Categories include HR and identity management for automated onboarding and offboarding, building automation and smart sensors, wireless locks from Allegion, Assa Abloy, and other providers, video analytics through native Avigilon solutions or third-party providers, intrusion alarm integration, and intercom systems.

The Alta platform supports cloud-to-cloud integrations, as demonstrated by the recent partnership with Allegion for Schlage XE360 wireless locks, using real user data focused on building Wi-Fi infrastructure for customization.

Which Ecosystem Fits Better?

Brivo has a larger integration library and a longer track record of enterprise API implementations. Organizations with complex proptech stacks or those requiring deep HR system automation may find Brivo’s ecosystem more mature. Avigilon’s ecosystem is growing rapidly and offers strong integrations within the Motorola Solutions portfolio. Healthcare, education, and government organizations may benefit from Avigilon’s focus on compliance-oriented integrations, including which vendors meet NDAA requirements.

What Does Each System Cost?

Cost structures differ significantly between these platforms, affecting both upfront investment and total cost of ownership. Understanding access control pricing helps organizations budget effectively.

Brivo Pricing

Brivo publishes transparent subscription tiers. Standard Edition starts at $13.50/month for the first two doors, decreasing to $7.50 for doors 3-10 and $3.50 for additional doors beyond that. This tier supports up to 10 administrators with basic event tracking and video integration.

Professional Edition starts at approximately $250/month base platform fee plus $9-11/door/month. It includes 30 administrators, 500 mobile passes, occupancy tracking, API access, and Brivo Snapshot for using real user data-focused photo verification.

Enterprise Edition begins at $580/month base, plus $11-16/door/month, with unlimited administrators, Global View, anomaly detection, SSO, and priority support, and includes overall user satisfaction ratings.

Hardware costs for new installations typically run $1,500-2,000 per door for wiring and controller hardware, though existing infrastructure can significantly reduce this. A keypad reader adds minimal additional cost.

Avigilon Pricing

Avigilon pricing varies by deployment model. ACM on-premise systems start around $1,600 for an appliance supporting 32 card readers plus software licensing. Larger deployments scale with appliance capacity and the number of door access points.

Alta cloud subscriptions follow a SaaS model with pricing based on features and scale, though per-door rates are available upon request. One installer reported that Alta deployments achieved approximately 20% cost savings compared to Unity on-premises for comparable feature sets, delivering future-proof value.

Both platforms benefit from mobile credentials, reducing ongoing costs—there’s no expense to issue or replace smartphone-based credentials compared to physical cards and fobs.

Cost Considerations

Brivo’s predictable subscription model simplifies budgeting, while Avigilon’s flexibility may benefit organizations preferring CapEx hardware investments over OpEx subscriptions. For multi-site deployments, Brivo’s cloud-based access control model typically reduces total cost of ownership by eliminating per-site server requirements and offering permission-based access at scale.

How To Pick the Ideal Access Control System for Your Business?

Selecting between Brivo and Avigilon depends on your organization’s priorities, existing infrastructure, and operational requirements.

Choose Brivo If You Need:

• Pure cloud deployment with no on-premise servers required
• Extensive third-party integrations for video, HR, or property management systems that seamlessly integrate
• Transparent, predictable pricing with published subscription rates
• Proven multi-site management for distributed retail, offices, or commercial real estate
• Established compliance documentation for industries requiring audit trails and scheduled access times

Choose Avigilon If You Need:

• Deployment flexibility between cloud and on-premise options
• Native video integration with existing Avigilon camera infrastructure for access control and security
• Maximum mobile unlock reliability for high-traffic entry points
• On-premise data control for organizations with strict data sovereignty requirements or manual key override backup
• Unified Motorola Solutions ecosystem integration

Questions to Ask Before Deciding

Consider your video surveillance strategy—are you committed to specific camera vendors or open to change? Evaluate your IT infrastructure preferences—is your organization cloud-first or does on-premise control matter? Assess your integration requirements—which HR, property management, or business systems must connect to access control? Finally, consider your growth trajectory—how many locations and doors do you anticipate managing in 3-5 years?

Also read:

• Brivo and Salto Comparison
• Brivo vs Pro DataKey

FAQs

End Note

Brivo and Avigilon both deliver enterprise-capable access control, but they serve different organizational priorities. Brivo’s cloud-native platform, extensive integration ecosystem, and transparent pricing make it an excellent fit for organizations managing distributed locations who want simplified administration and proven multi-site capabilities. Avigilon’s deployment flexibility, native video integration, and Motorola Solutions backing appeal to organizations requiring on-premise options or already invested in Avigilon surveillance infrastructure.

At Safe and Sound Security, we’ve installed and supported both platforms across healthcare facilities, commercial buildings, and multi-site enterprises for over 19 years. As a Brivo authorized dealer, we help organizations compare Avigilon and Brivo to evaluate their specific requirements—from mobile credential preferences to integration needs—and design access control systems that align with their operational reality.

Ready to determine which platform fits your facility? Contact our team for a consultation that evaluates your current infrastructure, security requirements, and growth plans.

Citations:

[1] https://www.brivo.com/about/security-and-compliance/

[2] https://www.avigilon.com/compliance-and-certifications