Rating of the best biometric access control systems for 2022

One of the most important tasks of the head of any enterprise is to ensure security at the facilities entrusted to him, as well as control of internal discipline. Access control and management systems (ACS) can help in this task. We will talk about the best biometric access control systems for 2022 below.

About access control systems

ACS is a system of software and hardware, control and management devices, the purpose of which is to limit and register the entry and exit of objects in a controlled area through certain passage points.

The main tasks of the ACS are to restrict access to the territory and identify incoming ones. Related tasks are control and accounting:

• movement of persons inside and outside the control zone;
• working time.

ACS can be integrated with video surveillance systems, security and/or fire alarm systems.

ACS includes mandatory equipment. It:

1. Identifiers are the basic element of the system that allows you to define an object. It can be a card, keychain, label containing an identification code. Also, a combination of numbers can be directly entered on the keyboard. And in biometric access control systems, an identifier is nothing more than certain biometric features of a person - a fingerprint, a pattern of the retina or “irises”, or a three-dimensional image of a face.
2. The reader is a device that directly “receives the entered / presented identification code and transmits it further to the controller. The device and the complete set of the reader can be different, depending on what acts as an identifier. If the identifier is a key fob or tag, then the reader is a pocket with two electrical contacts, and to obtain biometric data, the reader must be equipped with a camera.
3. The controller is essentially the brain of the system, it is here that the received code is analyzed with what is stored in the database, and a decision is made on admitting / not admitting a person to the territory. However, this principle is used if the controller is autonomous. If the controller is network and is part of an enlarged system, then the comparison of the code with the reference can be carried out not only by this device, but also by the host computer.
4. Blocking devices, the final link in the chain. These can be electric latches, electromagnetic or electromechanical locks on doors, turnstiles, gates or barriers. The access decision received from the controller will automatically open the blocking device.Denying access will make further movement impossible.

If necessary, various auxiliary equipment can be connected to the basic devices as part of the ACS, as well as software can be installed.

It has long been known that it is impossible to be the best in everything. The same happens with the ACS components. One company makes excellent fingerprint scanning terminals, but retinal scanning is always a problem with their equipment. And another developer interestingly implemented an innovative approach to the analysis of human behavioral characteristics, but the processing of the received data takes too much time. World-famous manufacturers of ACS equipment develop their software for access control systems in such a way that their software interacts ONLY with their devices. Companies are not interested in making platforms that can be used for their intended purpose by competitors.

TOP 7 best biometric access control systems for 2022

1st place: Controlgate

The domestic manufacturer Controlgate LLC has created a cross-platform access control system that works equally well on Windows, Linux, and MacOS. At the same time, the software is not tied to any one vendor. Successful integration is possible with equipment from manufacturers such as Hikvision, ZkTeco, Dahua, Anviz, Ironogic, as well as other companies that create equipment for biometric access control systems.

 

By the way, precisely because this access control system, the only one of all presented in the review, can combine equipment from other manufacturers noted in this TOP, it occupies a leading position in the rating.

ACS from ControlGate provides up-to-date information about the operation and status changes of the devices included in the system, occurring events without the need to update the data by the operator. At the same time, the ACS interface is intuitive, all elements are in the expected places.

This biometric ACS allows you to set up the process of object recognition through the use of various identifiers. This can be a 3D face, a fingerprint, an RFID card, or just a password.

The ControlGate software package allows you to adapt the system to the specific tasks of each facility. There is an editor for plans of the controlled area, an editor for the automated workplace of guard posts, a report designer, etc. These components are already included in the delivery of the basic module and will not require additional licensing. By the way, taking into account the noted functions and other features, the price of the base module is lower than analogues from competitors.

I would also like to note that the software was created by a domestic manufacturer, which makes the product attractive in terms of import substitution.

• Cross-platform ACS;
• Modularity;
• No restrictions in the choice of ACS equipment;
• Support for devices from various manufacturers;
• Intuitive interface;
• Functional basic module, including a video system and other useful features;
• For the duration of the license agreement, all upgrades to a higher version of the software are absolutely free;
• Ease of software setup due to the presence of video instructions on YouTube and Yandex Zen;
• Free technical support.

• There are no significant ones.

2nd place: Hikvision

The company is one of the leading suppliers of security systems and has been present on the market for more than 20 years.The head office is located in China.

The Hikvision ACS has a familiar device configuration, the base unit controller is local, that is, all data is stored directly on the devices. But if necessary, the controller can also be used as part of a network access control system.

The line of equipment includes everything you need to build a complete access control system. Therefore, you can choose a complete set and software for an object of any level of complexity. To do this, the company currently offers two versions of controllers, simple (DS-K2800) and professional (DS-K2600).

Readers are able to work with cards, fingerprints, it is also possible to work with a set of PINs on the keyboard. Access terminals from Hikvision are also equipped with the functionality of face detection, recognition and saving a picture.

For example, the DS-K1T331W face recognition terminal is capable of recognizing at a distance of 0.3 to 1.5 m, while demonstrating high identification accuracy (more than 99%) and a speed of 0.2 seconds. There are models of terminals that are able to recognize an incoming person at a distance of up to 3 meters from the device. An example of such a terminal is model DS-K1T672.

• The possibility of complex integration with video surveillance and intercom systems based on a single software;
• Integration with elevator control modules is provided;
• Easy to set up;
• Large selection of readers;
• Stylish design of readers;
• The presence of a fire relay to unlock the doors in case of fire.

• Imperfect Russian speech when voiced by bots;
• Inability to connect third-party equipment

3rd place: ZKTeco

Another Chinese brand, which, first of all, specializes in the creation of equipment for biometric access control systems, however, the possibility of identification by RFID card or PIN is also provided. The platform for ACS from ZKTeco is Windows, there is also equipment running on Linux OS.

Access control involves not just prohibition / permission of entry, but also the ability to control the further movement of a particular object. ACS allows you to track up to 30 thousand events.

Noteworthy, for example, are the terminals of this brand, which are able to recognize a face at a distance of up to 3 meters from the reader, which makes them effective in situations and places with a fast-moving human flow. Some models are able to recognize at an angle of up to 30 degrees (SpeedFace-V5), while most devices identify at an angle of no more than 15 degrees.

In a difficult epidemiological situation, biometric terminals with face recognition equipped with a thermal imaging camera are becoming relevant. So the RevFace10[TI] model will help in monitoring and identifying people with viral diseases, accurately measure the temperature, and also determine the presence of a mask.

The ZKBioTime software package used allows you to keep track of working hours, monitor and manage visits. The received data is automatically entered into the ZKBioCloud cloud storage.

• Biometrics is the main direction of the brand when creating ACS, there are patents for recognition technologies by face, palms, etc.;
• The function of face recognition in the stream is provided;
• Availability of convenient equipment, such as a remote scanner for fingerprinting employees without having to go to a stationary reader;
• Ability to customize the operation of equipment for a specific object.

• You cannot add equipment from another manufacturer.

4th place: Dahua

Another manufacturer from the Middle Kingdom, one of the world's leading suppliers of intelligent video surveillance systems. ACS from Dahua is a complete set for creating a system: controllers, readers, corresponding software. ACS supports up to 100,000 users. Scanners with a biometric recognition function are able to identify an object by face or fingerprint. There is equipment for reading the code from plastic cards. Consider some models that deserve attention:

• ASI3213G-MW is a face recognition access controller capable of recognizing a face at a distance of 0.3 to 1.5 meters from a video camera, while being able to distinguish a real face from its image, characterized by a low level of false recognition, good speed: 0.3 sec /face. Recognition accuracy - 99.5%.
• ASI8223Y-A-V3 is a controller with a longer recognition range, up to 2 m, capable of working autonomously and saving up to 100,000 faces, featuring high recognition accuracy (99.5%) and a speed of 0.2 sec/face.

The company offers to assemble its own access control system by selecting the appropriate equipment, and also offers ready-made solutions for the hotel business, retail, private residential sector and others.

Controllers from the brand allow you to create both a stand-alone access control system and a network one. In the latter case, several controllers will be connected to one main one.

• Durable equipment;
• Compatibility with equipment from other manufacturers;
• Easy to set up;
• Possibility of selecting equipment for a specific object;
• Easy to replace components.

• Only works with Dahua equipment.

5th place: Anviz

Biometric ACS Anviz, the country of the brand is the USA, is the integration of an access control system and a time tracking system. In addition to solving the problem of monitoring the movement of employees and visitors, this solution will allow you to build convenient reports on an employee in particular or on the company as a whole.

Brand biometric scanners allow identification of:

• by means of a fingerprint;
• By employee ID and fingerprint;
• by ID and typed password;
• by proxy card;
• by ID and card;
• by fingerprint and card.

There are also equipment with the possibility of FACE-identification.

Like most of the access control systems in this review, the Anviz software package can function locally, as well as within the network, connecting to the server via the Etherent network or via the Internet.

• A wide range of reader options by type of identifier;
• Stylish hardware design;
• Ability to operate the system locally or on a network;
• Functional block of accounting of working hours with the possibility of control and reporting;
• Among the equipment there are biometric systems for monitoring temperature and the presence of a mask;
• Wide support functionality.

• All accompaniment is paid.

6th place: Smartec

The line of the Russian brand includes biometric readers for access control and management systems, which allow identifying a person by fingerprint, by the pattern of veins on the finger, or by the geometry of the face. The latter method is especially attractive because it is non-contact.You can also use the classic version of control by means of a card or by entering a code. The equipment allows you to use each identification option separately or create combinations (for example, code + fingerprint).

It is possible to supplement the ACS with terminals for recording working hours.

The controller can be selected standalone or networked.

Operating system - Windows

The Timex software, on which the system is based, has a modular structure. That is, it is assumed that there is a basic kernel to which the necessary modules are connected. For example, an access control or time tracking module, video surveillance, etc. It is worth noting that in the absence of the need for complex settings for the implementation of an integrated system, the manufacturer offers a free version of the Timex Free software, which allows you not to make unnecessary expenses.

• A wide range of basic and additional equipment for ACS;
• Modularity of the software package;
• Possibility of network and local work;
• Availability of a free version of Timex Free software;
• One-year licensed support allows you to upgrade to a higher version of the software at no additional cost;
• Flexible licensing system.

• Not marked by users.

7th place: Suprema

The South Korean manufacturer produces devices that allow access control and accounting through biometric data, RFID cards, code entry or a smartphone.

The range of equipment for ACS includes scanners and terminals for recognition, embedded modules and software for managing identifiers, control and accounting modules.The Suprema ACS is distinguished by configuration flexibility, i.e. the ability to configure everything for a specific control object, as well as the ability to expand the base system.

• There are solutions for mobile identification;
• A smartphone can also be used for control, remote administration;
• A wide range of equipment for ACS;
• Reliable recognition scheme;
• Attractive device design;
• Ergonomics of ACS.

• The final cost is quite high.

conclusions

Biometric identification is an advanced direction that excludes illegal entry into the territory of an object using a found card or key fob.

The wide range of hardware and software available makes choosing the right access control system quite difficult. Our advice is to clearly understand what needs to be controlled and to what extent, it is only necessary to organize simple closing (that is, entry-identification, exit-button) or, for example, a two-way turnstile system is assumed. Whether it is necessary to control working hours and generate reports. Is further expansion planned? After answering these questions, you can proceed to the choice of equipment.

Given the similarity of access control systems from different brands, it is worth paying attention to the completeness of the basic module, the cost of licensing and maintenance. The best choice would be an access control system that can work on various platforms, as well as be modular.