Brivo Review: Cloud Access Software for Secure Smart Space Management

Still managing access with outdated, clunky systems?

If you’re researching Brivo, you’re likely tired of constant badge replacements, messy sign-in sheets, and managing physical keys spread all over your property.

Let’s face it—dealing with fragmented security tools every day means you’re always a step behind on building security and spend hours on avoidable admin work.

That’s exactly what Brivo set out to fix. Their cloud-based access control platform puts remote management, real-time monitoring, visitor automation, and integrated video at your fingertips—so you’re not tied to the front desk or server closet. I’ve dug deep into their latest features and integrations to see what really makes them stand out.

Throughout this review, I’ll show you how Brivo can free you from manual access headaches, so security doesn’t eat up your day.

In this Brivo review, you’ll discover their key features, transparent pricing, the real pros and cons, and how they stack up side-by-side with top alternatives—so you can make the best call for your situation.

You’ll walk away with the features you need to finally take control of your building’s security—without the usual daily struggles.

Let’s get started.

Brivo Overview

From their headquarters in Bethesda, Brivo has been a key player in cloud-based access control since 1999. Their mission is straightforward: securing your facilities with reliable and scalable technology.

They work with all business sizes, but I find their real strength is for commercial and residential properties. You can tell they deeply understand this specific market, having pioneered the SaaS access control model for buildings way back in 2002.

The 2015 acquisition by the founder of Eagle Eye Networks was a very smart strategic move. Through this Brivo review, you’ll notice how it greatly accelerated their unified cloud security offerings.

Unlike competitors that often try to bolt cloud features onto older, legacy on-premise systems, Brivo was built for the cloud from day one. What really sets them apart for me is their powerful and open API platform, allowing for truly deep integrations.

I’ve seen them used by a huge range of organizations. This includes single-site businesses, growing enterprises, and property managers responsible for overseeing vast commercial and multi-family residential portfolios with complex access needs.

Their current strategy clearly centers on creating one unified security experience, blending access control with video, identity, and visitor management. This directly addresses your need for a comprehensive view of your entire property’s security posture.

Now let’s examine their core capabilities.

Brivo Features

Security management feeling scattered and complex?

Brivo features focus on providing an integrated, cloud-based security solution that simplifies access control and smart space management. Here are the five main Brivo features that make a real difference.

1. Brivo Access

Is managing who enters your building a constant headache?

Traditional access systems often mean cumbersome keycard management and limited oversight. This leads to security gaps and wasted administrative time.

Brivo Access provides a centralized, cloud-based dashboard where you can easily manage credentials, set schedules, and monitor activity in real-time. What I found particularly useful is the ability to remotely grant or revoke access from anywhere. This feature streamlines user management for any size business.

This means you get robust, scalable access control that helps you secure your facilities efficiently and gain valuable insights into traffic patterns.

2. Brivo Mobile Pass

Tired of distributing and tracking physical keycards?

Lost or duplicated physical keys create security risks and logistical nightmares. This can be a huge drain on your resources.

Brivo Mobile Pass turns smartphones into secure credentials, letting users unlock doors via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. From my testing, the “shake to open” feature is incredibly convenient, allowing entry even without taking out your phone. This eliminates the need for physical credentials entirely.

So, your team gets a more convenient and hygienic entry method, while you maintain strict control over who can access your premises.

3. Brivo Visitor

Is your guest sign-in process slow and insecure?

Manual visitor logs are time-consuming, prone to errors, and lack proper security. This can leave your front desk overwhelmed and your facility vulnerable.

Brivo Visitor acts as a digital concierge, allowing guests to sign in via a tablet kiosk, capture photos, and print badges. This is where Brivo shines, as hosts receive immediate arrival notifications directly to their mobile phones. This feature ensures a secure and streamlined visitor experience.

This means you can efficiently manage guests and deliveries, enhancing both security and the professional image of your facility.

4. Video Surveillance Integration

Struggling to connect access events with actual footage?

Disparate security systems make investigating incidents a frustrating and lengthy process. This can delay critical security responses.

Brivo unifies access control with remote video surveillance, allowing you to view live or recorded clips linked to specific access events. What I love about this approach is how it simplifies incident investigations by syncing video with access logs. This feature provides a comprehensive view of any security situation.

You can instantly review associated video when an unauthorized attempt occurs, leading to faster, more informed security decisions.

5. Identity Management & Integrations

Is combining your security systems a complex puzzle?

Managing multiple user identities and integrating different platforms can be a significant technical challenge. This often leads to fragmented security.

Brivo offers multi-factor authentication (MFA) and an open API for integrating with HR, alarm, and property management systems. This feature allows you to automate access provision for new tenants, something I found incredibly practical. It creates a truly customized and comprehensive security ecosystem.

This means you can streamline operations and enhance overall security by linking your access control with critical business systems.

You’ll actually appreciate how these Brivo features work together, creating an integrated and cohesive security platform rather than a collection of separate tools.

Brivo Pricing

What will Brivo pricing cost your business?

Brivo pricing typically involves custom quotes, though there are publicly available starting points based on the edition and scale of your deployment.

1. Pricing Model & Cost Factors

Understanding their cost structure is key.

Brivo’s pricing is primarily subscription-based, with costs varying significantly based on your chosen edition and scale. What I found regarding pricing is that costs are driven by the number of doors, mobile credentials, and specific integrations your business requires. Entry-level Standard Edition pricing is clearer, while Professional and Enterprise tiers require custom quotes combining base fees with per-door charges.

This means your budget will need to factor in not just the core access control but also all associated hardware and service costs.

2. Value Assessment & ROI

Is this pricing worth it?

Brivo’s cloud-based model helps you avoid the massive upfront capital expenditures of traditional on-premise systems, leading to a more predictable operational expense model. From my cost analysis, this offers strong ROI through reduced complexity and enhanced security management, which can prevent costly breaches or operational inefficiencies compared to manual systems.

The result is your budget gets better long-term predictability, making it easier for your finance team to plan.

3. Budget Planning & Implementation

Consider total cost of ownership.

Beyond the monthly subscription, anticipate additional costs for hardware installation, mobile credentials, and any third-party integrations like HR systems or video surveillance. Budget-wise, what stood out is how Brivo Complete bundles hardware and services, simplifying your initial investment and ongoing support, though it comes at a higher per-door monthly rate.

So for your business, you can expect a comprehensive solution that may require a significant upfront allocation for setup and integration.

My Take: Brivo’s pricing structure is tailored for scalability, making it ideal for businesses seeking a flexible, cloud-based access control solution that can grow with their needs, albeit with a need for a detailed custom quote.

The overall Brivo pricing reflects scalable cloud-based security value with tailored solutions.

Brivo Reviews

What do Brivo customers really think?

To give you an honest perspective, I analyzed numerous Brivo reviews across various platforms, sifting through real user feedback to understand common experiences with the software.

1. Overall User Satisfaction

Users are generally very pleased.

From my review analysis, Brivo Access consistently receives high ratings, averaging 4.5 out of 5 stars on G2, Capterra, and Software Advice. What stood out is how users often praise its intuitive interface, emphasizing its ease of use compared to traditional systems they’ve encountered.

This suggests you can expect a reliable and user-friendly experience from the outset.

2. Common Praise Points

Ease of use is a recurring theme.

Users frequently highlight Brivo’s straightforward interface for managing access control, as well as its excellent tech support. What impressed me in the reviews is how often remote management and mobile access capabilities are cited as major benefits, streamlining daily operations.

This means you’ll likely find it simple to manage access and benefit from mobile convenience.

3. Frequent Complaints

App sprawl causes minor friction.

While largely positive, some users mention that distributing Brivo’s features across different apps (e.g., Mobile Pass for users and Brivo Access for admins) can complicate onboarding. What stands out in user feedback is how this slight fragmentation adds a layer of complexity during initial setup for new employees or visitors.

These issues appear to be minor inconveniences rather than deal-breakers for overall functionality.

The overall Brivo reviews suggest high user satisfaction with practical usability perks that outweigh minor onboarding complexities.

Best Brivo Alternatives

Navigating Brivo’s competitive landscape?

The best Brivo alternatives include several strong options, each better suited for different business situations and priorities regarding physical access control.

1. Kisi

Want a highly streamlined, single-app experience?

Kisi excels when a unified mobile app for both users and administrators is your top priority, especially in coworking or fitness environments. From my competitive analysis, Kisi offers a more user-friendly unified app experience than Brivo’s separate applications, though pricing may require a tailored quote.

Choose Kisi if a highly intuitive, consolidated mobile experience is more important than specialized property integrations.

2. Verkada

Need integrated security with advanced video analytics?

Verkada provides a comprehensive security platform that unifies access control with cutting-edge video surveillance and AI analytics. What I found comparing options is that Verkada offers superior integrated video and analytics, although its integrated hardware and software approach generally comes at a higher price point.

Consider this alternative when you need a premium, highly integrated security solution with advanced video capabilities.

3. Genetec

Managing very large, complex enterprise deployments?

Genetec offers unified security platforms for enterprise-level access control, video, and license plate recognition in highly demanding environments. From my analysis, Genetec provides more comprehensive solutions for large deployments compared to Brivo’s streamlined cloud-native approach, though its complexity and pricing are higher.

Choose Genetec when your organization requires highly specialized integrations for a very large, intricate security setup.

4. Open Options (DNA Fusion)

Prefer a robust, traditional on-premise system?

Open Options’ DNA Fusion software delivers a solid, reliable, and cost-effective access control system for various deployments. Alternative-wise, your situation calls for Open Options if you prefer a more traditional, robust system with a proven on-premise track record, although they are adapting to cloud trends.

Choose Open Options if you value a straightforward, established access control system with competitive pricing, particularly for larger door counts.

The best Brivo alternatives depend on your specific security priorities and operational scale rather than features alone.

Brivo Setup

How complex is your security system implementation?

From my Brivo review, the deployment approach balances user-friendly software setup with the practicalities of hardware installation. Expect a relatively straightforward software setup, but plan for professional hardware installation.

1. Setup Complexity & Timeline

This isn’t a purely DIY software installation.

While Brivo’s cloud dashboard is intuitive, physical hardware like door locks and readers require professional installation and new wiring. From my implementation analysis, physical installation can incur significant costs, typically $1,500-$2,000 per door, impacting your overall timeline and budget.

You’ll need to coordinate with professional installers for the physical security infrastructure, not just activate software.

2. Technical Requirements & Integration

Consider your existing network infrastructure.

Brivo’s cloud platform requires stable internet connectivity, and its IP door controllers utilize standard network cabling with Power over Ethernet (PoE). What I found about deployment is that integrations with other security systems or APIs might require additional technical expertise.

Plan for adequate internet bandwidth and ensure your IT team can support network requirements and any desired system integrations.

3. Training & Change Management

User adoption is generally smooth with Brivo.

The interface is intuitive, minimizing extensive training for basic use; however, understanding advanced features might require deeper dives. From my analysis, the primary challenge might be onboarding users across different apps (e.g., Mobile Pass, Brivo Access) rather than feature complexity.

Focus on clear communication regarding which app serves which purpose to streamline employee and visitor onboarding processes.

4. Support & Success Factors

Vendor support can be a key differentiator.

Users frequently praise Brivo’s responsive customer support and excellent technical assistance during both implementation and ongoing use. From my implementation analysis, access to quality support significantly reduces friction and helps resolve unexpected issues efficiently, especially for integrations.

Leverage Brivo’s support resources and documentation to navigate any challenges and ensure a successful, stable security system.

Overall, your Brivo setup is straightforward on the software side, but successful deployment hinges on professional hardware installation and robust network planning.

Bottom Line

Brivo: Your next access control system?

My Brivo review shows a cloud-based access control solution ideal for organizations prioritizing remote management, scalability, and seamless integration with existing systems.

1. Who This Works Best For

Businesses seeking modern, cloud-first access control.

Brivo is an excellent fit for commercial real estate, multifamily residential, and enterprises of all sizes needing flexible, secure, and remotely manageable access. From my user analysis, organizations modernizing physical security infrastructure will find Brivo’s cloud-native platform particularly beneficial for centralizing control and gaining visibility across multiple locations.

You’ll succeed if you need a reliable system that reduces reliance on traditional hardware and enhances operational efficiency through remote capabilities.

2. Overall Strengths

Cloud-native architecture delivers unparalleled remote control.

The software succeeds by offering a robust cloud-based platform for managing access permissions, monitoring activities, and integrating with other security systems from anywhere. From my comprehensive analysis, its pioneering SaaS access control approach eliminates the need for complex on-premise infrastructure while ensuring real-time insights and data.

These strengths translate into significant gains in operational flexibility, improved security posture, and a streamlined management experience for your team.

3. Key Limitations

Pricing complexity can escalate with added features.

While powerful, the cost can increase notably with additional doors, mobile passes, and extensive third-party integrations, requiring careful budget planning. Based on this review, managing different apps for user and admin functions can sometimes complicate the onboarding process for new employees or visitors, potentially adding an extra step.

I find these limitations are typically manageable trade-offs for the comprehensive cloud capabilities you receive, rather than being insurmountable obstacles.

4. Final Recommendation

Brivo earns a strong recommendation.

You should choose this software if your business requires a scalable, modern, and cloud-based access control system with robust mobile capabilities and strong integration support. From my analysis, this solution shines for multi-site organizations looking to centralize physical security management with remote oversight and real-time data.

My confidence level is high for businesses seeking to modernize their access control and streamline security operations efficiently.

This Brivo review shows strong value for businesses prioritizing cloud flexibility and remote access control, offering a modern solution for diverse security needs.