Compare
Cloud access control without starting over.
Cloud access-control platforms like Kisi, Verkada, Brivo and Openpath are good products — but adopting one usually means replacing your doors’ controllers and readers, re-certifying, and paying a per-door subscription from then on. If your access control already works, that’s a lot of cost and disruption for two features. GateStride takes the other path: it overlays what you already run.
| GateStride overlay |
Cloud platforms Kisi / Verkada / Brivo / Openpath |
Your current card system alone |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep your existing panels, locks & certifications | Yes | No — replaced by their hardware | Yes |
| New controllers / readers to install | Just a small door node | Yes — their controllers & readers | Already installed |
| Hands-free phone unlock (no card) | Yes, built in | Often a paid add-on | No |
| Exit tracking, live occupancy & fire muster | Yes | Varies / limited | No — entries only |
| Per-user / per-credential fees | Eliminated — connects as one integration user | Typically per user and/or per door | Per-credential / module fees |
| Effect on your monthly bill | Can lower it — drops paid mobile-credential & card fees | Adds a per-door subscription | Vendor add-on module fees |
| Works at the door when the internet is down | Yes | Depends on the cloud | Yes |
| Rip-and-replace project | None | Yes | — |
| Face recognition | None — by design | Some offer it | — |
Comparison reflects the typical deployment model of each category; specific products vary. Brivo and similar REST platforms can also be an integration — GateStride adds exit tracking and muster on top of them too.
When GateStride is the right call
- Your access control already works and is certified — you just want no-card entry and to know who left.
- You’d rather lower what you pay each month than add another per-door subscription.
- You can’t afford downtime or re-certification to rip out working life-safety hardware.