Last Updated on July 22, 2024

Typical Cost | Types of Systems | Features Impact | Building Code Impact | Door Type Impact | FAQs | Get Estimate (Phoenix)
Are you considering installing key card access control on your business? What is the cost per door for an access control system? Let’s dive down into it.
Access Control System Cost Per Door
For small businesses, access control per door can cost as little as $600 for an isolated, standalone system allowing entry via pin code. Adding features such as key cards, Wi-Fi access and remote entry can increase the price of access control systems by 3-4X. Wired keyless entry systems can climb into several thousand per door.

Types of Access Control Systems
Wired System – The Most Expensive
In a wired system you have a power supply, a controller that triggers whatever releases the door, and a software program so that you can add codes, cards or FOBs to access doors. Everything is hardwired from door to door and to the controller.
Wired keyless entry systems are the most expensive because of the wiring. There are multiple electrical components and high labor/installation cost. They can cost up to several thousand dollars per door and need to be installed by a security professional such as a local locksmith company.
Wired systems are beneficial if you have a large number of doors and/or you want to hide the means of access to the door (meaning that the wired locking mechanism isn’t visible from the outside of the building such as magnetic locks or electric strikes).
For more details see Fundamentals of Access Control.

Standalone System – The Most Affordable
The second category, and very popular with small businesses, are standalone systems.
Usually, everything needed for the system is contained within one device, such as the lock installed on the door.
Though the keyless entry lock itself can be pretty expensive (ranging anywhere from approximately $500 to over $2000), the cost savings come from the fact that installation is much simpler.
Standalone systems can support key card entry, pin code, and built-in wi-fi. Wi-fi gives you the most features including changing user enrollment on the fly and remote access.
Standalone keyless entry systems are the systems we most often recommend for these reasons.
Some standalone products can be found on Amazon through the following links: Alarm Lock Trilogy (see on Amazon), Marks I-Qwik (see on Amazon,

Wired Keyless Systems for 1-2 Door
In recent years a third category has emerged. Especially effective for small businesses it is a hybrid of the above two categories. It is similar to the standalone door access category in that its primary use is for a single door but similar to wired systems in that there are multiple components on the door working together, as opposed to a single lock.
These systems really shine if there are only a few doors. One would choose these over the standalone systems because they are feature rich, offering capabilities not found in standalone keyless systems, such as the ability to remote buzz people in with remote release feature.
The price of these keyless systems is coming down and currently only marginally higher than standalone systems because while the individual components are less, the labor to install cost just a little more. Price will depend on whether it is a mag lock system or electronic strike and local city codes. Expect to pay around $1200-$2500 per door for an installed single door access control system.
You can buy a complete system as a kit through Amazon – a wide variety are available (see on Amazon).
How Features of Access Control Affect Price
There are several features available to choose from for each type of keyless entry we’ve discussed. The more features you add, the more expensive the system.
A base system allows entry by user PIN code. Pin codes are manually programmed at the lock that is securing the door. A pin-code-only system is the cheapest access control system. From here, these features typically add cost (in approximate order of increasing cost):
- Scheduling – the lock is open or closed during specific hours / days.
- Card or FOBs instead of PIN code (the card is the credential that allows access). Key card entry system cost is higher because the lock must be made to support the card swipe feature and the cards themselves will increase the price.
- Software programming – setting up a computer that interfaces to the lock for automatic uploads, downloads, and user code / credential changes.
- Audit trail – the ability to track who entered and when via a report.
- Wireless communication with the lock – codes, audit trails, etc… can be accessed from any browser.
How do City Building Codes Impact Price?
Building codes vary from town to town. You need to consult with your local fire marshal, locksmith company or building inspector to find out which codes need to be considered to install access control on a given door. Ignoring or installing a system incorrectly will result in your being liable should anything occur.
In general, everyone inside the building must have free egress (see our article What is Free Egress?) by a single motion in order to leave the building in case of an emergency. That is, it only takes one action by a person to exit the door.
For an Access Control door, this can either be through a manual action, such as pushing a panic bar or turning a lever to manually release the door, or an electronic action such as a “push to exit button” to release a magnetic lock. Every door must allow exit by every person without any key or special credential required.
If the exit is by an electrical means, such as the push to exit button found in many wired systems, many cities have code that requires a redundant system. This will increase the price of the system as it increases the number of components and labor cost in a wired keyless system.
Standalone access control systems have no such requirement as there will also be a mechanical exit available even if the lock fails.


How Door Type Affects Price
Until very recently, you could not get a wi-fi controlled keyless entry system on a glass aluminum storefront door. Only one vendor we are aware of makes them and they are expensive, nearly as much as a wired system.
Nearly all narrow-style locks (those made for these doors) must be programmed at the lock either using the keypad or a laptop for that purpose.
Affordable, low-price-point, standalone access-control systems support standard steel and wooden doors. These locks are available with all of the features you could ever need.
Can I Install My Own Keyless Entry to Save Money?
You can. Especially if the system is a standalone, very basic system where you may be using just one PIN code.
But electronic systems and even advanced standalone systems are typically not do-it-yourself projects for the inexperienced. Commercial systems are more complicated than residential and will require considerably more programming for the complex features. If all you want is a standalone keyless system with one user code that is accessible 24-7, then with the help of dealer installation videos or YouTube you should be able to handle the job.
Amazon sells standalone keyless entry systems and complete single-door access control systems. Our favorites are:
- Standalone: either Alarm Lock Trilogy (see on Amazon), Marks I-Qwik (see on Amazon).
- Wired single door: a wide variety are available (see on Amazon).
FAQ
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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