Key takeaways:
- Six 2N intercom models range from 640×480 to 2560×1920 cameras and from IP54/IK8 to IP69/IK10 protection, so the right choice depends on visibility needs and entrance exposure.
- 2N does not publish official prices; third-party hardware estimates run from about $1,000 to $4,150+, before modules, mounting equipment, installation, and recurring My2N fees.
- 2N offers modular credentials, direct SIP calling, retrofit options, broad integrations, and long support, but most models require wired Ethernet and cloud calling adds an ongoing fee.
Disclaimer: ButterflyMX provides these blog posts to help our customers and potential customers make the right business decisions. Our blog posts are based on the information available to us at the time of writing.
This 2N intercom review covers a family of IP and cellular video intercom systems for apartment buildings, offices, campuses, and demanding outdoor entrances.
The key question is which model fits your entrance. Camera quality, weather protection, credentials, connectivity, and cost vary widely across the lineup. This guide compares all six models, estimated pricing, My2N fees, installation needs, strengths, limitations, and alternatives.
This guide will answer:
- What are 2N IP intercoms?
- Which 2N intercom model is right for your property?
- What features and access methods does 2N offer?
- How much does a 2N intercom cost?
- How are 2N intercoms installed and connected?
- What are the pros and cons of 2N intercoms?
- Is 2N a good fit for your property?
- 2N vs. ButterflyMX
- Alternatives to 2N intercoms
- Frequently asked questions
- 2N intercom review verdict
Watch how ButterflyMX works:
What are 2N IP intercoms?
2N IP intercoms are network-connected entry panels that let visitors call residents or staff and support model-dependent access by PIN, RFID, Bluetooth, QR code, or fingerprint. The 2N intercom lineup includes compact single-button units, modular panels, a touchscreen model, a rugged outdoor model, and an LTE option.
2N was founded in Prague in 1991, introduced its first IP intercom in 2008, and joined Axis Communications in 2016, according to 2N’s company history. That Axis connection may matter to buyers who already use Axis cameras or video management tools.
How do 2N intercoms work?
A visitor uses a button, directory, keypad, or touchscreen to call a resident, staff member, answering unit, or compatible communications system. An authorized person can speak with the visitor and release the door.
2N devices can make direct peer-to-peer SIP calls without a separate SIP server or PBX. That can simplify a smaller installation, while larger sites can connect 2N hardware to compatible PBX, access-control, or video management systems.
Configuration options include a local device interface, the My2N cloud platform, and 2N Access Commander. My2N functions need internet access, while direct SIP calls do not have to pass through the cloud.
Which 2N intercom model is right for your property?
There is no single best 2N model. IP Verso 2.0 emphasizes modularity, IP Style centers on touchscreen interaction, IP Force 2.0 prioritizes durability, IP Solo and IP One suit smaller entrances, and LTE Verso is built for sites without wired network infrastructure.
The 2N comparison table lists cameras from VGA to 2560×1920 and environmental ratings from IP54/IK8 to IP69/IK10. IP ratings describe protection from dust and water; IK ratings describe impact resistance.
2N IP Verso 2.0, IP Style, and IP Force 2.0
IP Verso 2.0 is the most configurable model. It can combine up to 20 modules and support as many as 146 buttons, allowing buyers to add the directory, keypad, RFID, Bluetooth, QR, or fingerprint components their entrance needs. The tradeoff: the central unit is only part of the purchase.
IP Style has a 10.1-inch touchscreen, a directory for up to 10,000 users, a 2560×1920 camera, and bidirectional video. Current manufacturer specifications list IP Style at IP65/IK08, including support for two-way video.
IP Force 2.0 is the line’s most rugged option. Its IP69/IK10 rating makes it the strongest choice of these models for exposed or high-abuse locations. It also combines a camera up to 2560×1920 with a 94dB speaker and noise cancellation.
2N IP Solo, IP One, and LTE Verso
IP Solo is a simpler single-button unit. Its VGA camera and limited credentials may suit a small, sheltered entrance, but buyers who need Bluetooth, QR, keypads, or biometrics should look higher in the range.
IP One targets single-family homes. It raises camera resolution to 1920×1440 and supports QR and My2N app access, but it does not offer the credential flexibility of Verso 2.0.
LTE Verso uses cellular service through a SIM card instead of the usual Ethernet connection. It can solve a difficult network problem, but buyers give up QR access and WDR and get a 640×480 camera.
What features and access methods does 2N offer?
2N supports PIN, RFID, Bluetooth, QR, fingerprint, and third-party credentials across its product family, but the mix depends on the chosen model and modules. Build a credential checklist before requesting a quote rather than assuming every panel offers every method.
Credentials and visitor access
- PIN: Available through supported keypad configurations.
- RFID: Supports low- and high-frequency cards or fobs, including encrypted credential technologies.
- WaveKey Bluetooth: Supported models can unlock when an authorized phone is nearby.
- QR codes: Select products, including Verso 2.0 and Force 2.0, can use QR codes for temporary or visitor entry.
- Fingerprint: Available as an optional IP Verso 2.0 module.
- Third-party readers: Wiegand and OSDP support can connect compatible credential hardware.
2N reports that WaveKey completed 98% of 15,000 test unlocks across 100 phones in under one second. Actual results will still depend on the phone, configuration, and entrance environment.
ButterflyMX supports smartphone access, temporary visitor access, and wallet-based credentials. Buyers comparing the platforms should consider whether needed credentials depend on a specific intercom model or module and whether the property wants those workflows in a broader access platform.
Video, audio, and mobile access
Video quality varies sharply across the 2N lineup. IP Solo and LTE Verso use 640×480 cameras, while IP Style and IP Force 2.0 reach 2560×1920. Higher resolution can provide more detail for visitor identification, so camera selection should match the entrance’s security role, not price alone.
Other model-specific features include night vision, WDR, adaptive face zooming, bidirectional video on IP Style, and noise cancellation on IP Force 2.0. LTE Verso does not include WDR.
The My2N app supports remote call answering and door release. WaveKey adds proximity-based Bluetooth unlocking on supported models, while snapshots and push notifications can help users understand activity at the entrance.
My2N, Access Commander, and integrations
My2N is the cloud option for remote configuration and mobile call routing. Access Commander offers another path for centralized access management, and a local web interface is available for device-level configuration.
Third-party reporting says My2N supports up to 500 devices per installation. Portfolio operators should compare that limit with the number of intercoms and buildings they expect to manage together.
2N advertises compatibility with more than 300 integration brands, about 60 PBX manufacturers, and more than 40 VMS brands. Examples include Axis, Genetec, Milestone, CCURE 9000, Symmetry by AMAG, OnGuard by LenelS2, Control4, Crestron, Cisco, Avaya, and Microsoft Teams.
This ecosystem can matter when a property already has a VMS, PBX, or enterprise access platform. It may reduce the need to replace the whole security stack to upgrade the entrance intercom.
How much does a 2N intercom cost?
2N does not publish official retail pricing. Third-party estimates place selected hardware between about $1,000 and $4,150+, before many modules, mounting parts, power equipment, subscriptions, and installation.
These estimates appear in a detailed 2N pricing review, a published 2N cost overview, and additional model estimates. Configuration and reseller quotes vary, so a central-unit figure is not a complete installed price.
What affects the total installed cost?
Total cost depends on the model, credential modules, number of buttons, surface or flush mounting, power source, relays, network cabling, retrofit accessories, labor, and cloud service. Verso-style modularity is useful, but a low starting price can understate the cost of a finished entrance.
Ask for an itemized quote that separates the central unit, each module, frame or mounting box, PoE equipment or power supply, door-release hardware, network work, installation, software, cellular service, and recurring My2N charges.
When comparing 2N with ButterflyMX or another access platform, use the same total-cost method for every option. Compare the access workflows and recurring costs you need, not just one central-unit estimate beside a full platform quote.
How are 2N intercoms installed and connected?
Most 2N intercoms need professional installation because they use wired Ethernet, PoE or 12V power, door-release hardware, mounting components, and network configuration. LTE Verso is the main exception because it uses a cellular SIM instead of a wired data connection.
The 2N intercom documentation describes wired network and retrofit options. Product pages for IP Verso 2.0, IP Style, and IP Force 2.0 show why buyers should check PoE class and DC power requirements by model.
What should retrofit buyers plan for?
Retrofit buyers should inspect existing wiring, wall depth, the old panel footprint, network access, door hardware, and power before selecting modules. A 2-wire converter or cover plate may reduce demolition and full rewiring in some older buildings.
Surface mounting can help when a wall cannot accept the required cavity. Flush mounting needs an opening that matches the selected module count. Glass mounting needs special accessories and is limited to supported Verso, LTE Verso, and Solo configurations.
Ask the installer to document which existing wires and door components can stay, which parts need replacement, and how residents will receive calls during and after the transition.
What are the pros and cons of 2N intercoms?
2N’s main advantages are flexible configuration, rugged hardware choices, direct SIP calling, retrofit support, broad integrations, and long product support. Its main drawbacks are opaque pricing, modular assembly costs, recurring cloud fees, wired-network requirements, and major capability differences between models.
2N intercom advantages
- Highly configurable hardware: IP Verso 2.0 supports up to 20 modules, letting buyers match credentials and interface components to an entrance.
- Rugged options: IP Force 2.0 reaches IP69/IK10 for demanding outdoor or high-abuse settings.
- Broad compatibility: The integration ecosystem covers major access-control, VMS, PBX, home-automation, and communications platforms.
- Direct SIP operation: Peer-to-peer calling can reduce infrastructure needs for smaller deployments.
- Retrofit paths: Cover plates, 2-wire converters, and multiple mounting approaches may help older properties adopt IP intercoms.
- Long lifecycle support: 2N states that its portfolio has a five-year hardware warranty and at least eight years of firmware support.
2N intercom limitations
- No public manufacturer price list: Buyers must request quotes and compare configurations carefully.
- Modular costs can add up: The central unit may need separately purchased credential modules, frames, relays, power equipment, and mounting parts.
- My2N adds recurring cost: Cloud calling and mobile functions carry a reported fee after the initial free period.
- Capabilities vary by model: Do not assume Bluetooth, QR, fingerprint, WDR, or bidirectional video applies across the whole line.
- Most models need Ethernet: Properties without suitable cabling may need network work, retrofit hardware, or LTE Verso.
- Entry camera quality is lower: IP Solo and LTE Verso use 640×480 cameras, far below the resolution of IP Style and IP Force 2.0.
What do customers and integrators say about 2N?
Independent integrator comments collected by IPVM are generally positive about reliability, configuration, integrations, and audio or video quality on mid- and high-tier models. Some participants described slower support after the Axis acquisition, while later comments suggested improvement.
Other third-party reports mention dim or low-detail images from some entry-level cameras and occasional software or display issues. These reports are not universal product specifications, but they reinforce the value of testing the exact model in the lighting and network conditions at your entrance.
Is 2N a good fit for your property?
2N is a strong candidate for properties that value modular credentials, rugged outdoor hardware, established VMS or PBX integrations, retrofit options, or direct SIP calling. Cost-sensitive buyers and cloud-dependent portfolios should closely examine the full hardware configuration, installation scope, My2N fees, and the 500-device installation limit.
Consider 2N if your priorities include:
- Choosing different intercom designs for homes, apartments, offices, campuses, or industrial entrances.
- Adding a supported mix of PIN, RFID, Bluetooth, QR, or fingerprint access.
- Connecting an intercom to an existing Axis, Genetec, Milestone, CCURE, AMAG, OnGuard, or PBX environment.
- Using IP Force 2.0 at an exposed or vandal-prone entrance.
- Using LTE Verso where running Ethernet is impractical.
- Retrofitting an older entrance with cover plates or 2-wire converters.
Look closely at other options if you need predictable public pricing, an all-in-one purchase with fewer separate components, consistently high-resolution video at every entrance, or a broader property platform.
ButterflyMX combines video intercoms with access control, mobile and visitor access, vehicle access, elevator controls, security cameras, package rooms, smart lock integrations, and wallet-based credentials. Properties evaluating several access and security workflows can compare that broader platform approach with 2N’s model-driven intercom ecosystem.
2N vs. ButterflyMX
2N and ButterflyMX both address video intercom and property-access needs, but they organize their offerings differently. 2N offers several intercom models and deep compatibility with established security systems, while ButterflyMX brings intercoms and multiple property-access products into one platform.
Neither approach is right for every property. Compare the entrances you must control, current security systems, resident workflows, credential preferences, retrofit conditions, management tools, and full recurring cost.
Alternatives to 2N intercoms
Swiftlane, Aiphone, and Stentofon by Zenitel are alternatives identified in the reviewed comparisons and integrator discussions. Each may belong on a shortlist for a different reason.
Swiftlane Video Intercom
Swiftlane presents its product as a cloud-native alternative with ready-to-use hardware and facial recognition. That positioning comes from Swiftlane’s vendor-authored comparison, so buyers should also assess product documentation and a complete quote.
Aiphone IS series
Aiphone is an established intercom brand that integrators have discussed as an incumbent option when considering 2N. It may be relevant to properties that already use Aiphone equipment or want to compare a familiar intercom manufacturer with 2N’s IP-focused lineup.
Stentofon by Zenitel
Stentofon systems from Zenitel may fit sites where audio quality and noise cancellation are top priorities. In the same independent integrator discussion, one participant favored Stentofon audio for demanding environments.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 2N intercom cost?
2N does not publish official retail prices, but third-party estimates place selected hardware between about $1,000 and $4,150+. Modules, mounting parts, power equipment, installation, cellular service, and My2N fees can raise the complete project cost.
Does 2N charge a subscription fee?
Yes. My2N cloud calling and mobile access reportedly carry a recurring fee after an initial free period: about $26.47 per device per year or $39.71 per apartment per year. Request current terms for your configuration.
Which 2N intercom is best for outdoor or high-abuse entrances?
2N IP Force 2.0 is the most rugged reviewed model, with an IP69/IK10 rating. IP Style is rated IP65/IK08, while several other models are rated IP54/IK8.
Do 2N intercoms require internet or Wi-Fi?
Most 2N intercoms use wired Ethernet and do not offer native Wi-Fi. Internet access is required for My2N cloud functions, while LTE Verso uses a cellular SIM instead of a wired data connection.
Can 2N intercoms be installed in an older building?
Yes. Supported 2N installations can use 2-wire converters, cover plates, and surface or flush mounting options. An installer should still assess existing wiring, wall openings, power, network access, and door-release hardware.
What credentials do 2N intercoms support?
The 2N family supports PINs, RFID cards and fobs, WaveKey Bluetooth, QR codes, an optional Verso 2.0 fingerprint reader, and Wiegand or OSDP readers. Availability depends on the selected model and modules.
Does 2N integrate with existing security systems?
Yes. 2N advertises integrations with more than 300 brands, including Axis, Genetec, Milestone, CCURE 9000, Symmetry, and OnGuard, plus about 60 PBX manufacturers.
What warranty and firmware support does 2N provide?
2N states that its current IP intercom portfolio includes a five-year hardware warranty and at least eight years of firmware support. That period can help buyers plan a longer hardware lifecycle.
2N intercom review verdict
2N is worth considering when a property needs modular credentials, a rugged outdoor option, cellular connectivity, retrofit flexibility, or integration with an established VMS, PBX, or access-control system.
The main tradeoff is complexity. Capabilities vary widely by model, public pricing is unavailable, and a complete system may require separate modules, mounting parts, network equipment, professional installation, and recurring My2N service.
Build a shortlist around your entrance, resident, visitor, and management workflows. Compare itemized project and recurring costs, then assess 2N alongside broader platforms such as ButterflyMX.
To explore video intercom, mobile access, visitor access, access control, and other property-entry tools in one platform, schedule a ButterflyMX demo.
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