Buzzly Review: Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons

 

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.

 

Buzzly is a software service for apartments and condos with a phone-dial buzzer. It can forward one buzzer call to several phones, give guests browser-based entry links, and automate access at scheduled times—without adding hardware at the entrance.

This Buzzly review covers the two questions that matter most before you subscribe: whether your building is compatible and which plan provides the features you need. It also explains pricing, Buzztime overage charges, setup, public feedback, alternatives, and how Buzzly’s intercom-adjacent product compares with ButterflyMX.

This guide will answer:

• What is Buzzly?
• Buzzly features and access options
• Will Buzzly work with your building?
• How much does Buzzly cost?
• Buzzly review: pros and cons
• Buzzly alternatives
• Buzzly vs. ButterflyMX
• Frequently asked questions
• Is Buzzly right for you?

 

Watch how ButterflyMX works:

 

What is Buzzly?

Buzzly is a cloud-based service that routes calls from a compatible apartment or condo buzzer through a dedicated local phone number. That Buzzly Number replaces a resident’s personal number in the building directory and can ring several phones at once.

Buzzly does not replace an entrance panel or install a new intercom. It adds a software layer to the building’s existing phone-dial buzzer. That keeps setup simple, but it also means Buzzly cannot add video or work with every intercom type.

Buzzly is aimed at renters, condo owners, shared households, short-term-rental hosts, and small operators. One account can manage multiple units, although each unit has its own number, plan, and settings.

 

How does Buzzly work?

Buzzly reroutes the call that a compatible building buzzer already makes. You receive a Buzzly Number, ask management to put it in the directory, add the phones that should ring, and set the buzzer’s existing door-release key.

1. A visitor selects your directory entry at the building buzzer.
2. The buzzer calls your Buzzly Number.
3. Buzzly rings your configured phones or applies an access rule.
4. The existing unlock tone releases the door when a resident, Virtual Fob, or schedule sends it.

A DTMF unlock key is the phone-button tone—such as pressing 9—that the building buzzer already uses to open the door. Buzzly uses that existing action instead of connecting directly to the lock. Buzzly’s how-it-works guide explains the number-change and unlock-key setup.

Home and Social plans add Virtual Fobs and Scheduled Access. Lite only forwards calls.

 

Who is Buzzly best for?

Buzzly is best for people who already have a phone-dial buzzer and want more control without replacing building equipment.

• Roommates and families: Several phones can ring, so one person does not control every buzzer call.
• Residents expecting deliveries or visitors: Forwarding, guest links, and schedules can make planned entry easier to manage.
• Recurring service visits: Scheduled Access can automate entry for cleaners, dog walkers, or other repeat visitors.
• Short-term-rental hosts: Buzzly promotes Virtual Fobs and Scheduled Access for guest check-in.
• Small multi-unit operators: Multiple Buzzly Numbers can be managed in one account, though the service is not a full property access platform.

Buzzly is not a fit for a hardwired handset-only intercom, a building that will not change the directory number, or a buyer who needs video, vehicle access, elevator controls, or connected property-wide access management.

 

Buzzly features and access options

Buzzly offers three main access methods: forwarded phone calls, browser-based Virtual Fobs, and Scheduled Access. It also provides activity logs, mobile and web management, and multi-property support.

Feature	How it works	Why it matters
Call forwarding	All configured phones ring at once; the first person to answer connects.	More than one household member can handle a visitor or delivery.
Virtual Fobs	A guest receives a browser link that can have date or time limits. No app or account is required.	Residents can share temporary access with less friction.
Scheduled Access	Buzzly automatically answers and triggers the existing unlock action during a selected window.	It can automate planned visits and check-in periods.
Buzz Log	The log records calls, Virtual Fob activity, scheduled unlocks, and blocked spam calls.	Users can review buzzer activity.
Mobile and web management	Users manage phones, links, schedules, and settings through iOS, Android, or a browser.	Access rules can be changed remotely.

The Buzzly features page describes these tools. Plan differences matter: the lowest-priced plan does not include every access method.

 

Call forwarding and Buzz Log

All three Buzzly plans include call forwarding. When the entrance calls the Buzzly Number, every configured phone rings at the same time. The first person to answer can use the building’s normal phone-key command to release the door.

This helps solve a common limitation of older phone-based buzzers, which often store only one resident number. Buzzly supports three, five, or ten forwarding numbers, depending on the plan.

The Buzz Log records standard calls, Virtual Fob use, Scheduled Access triggers, and blocked spam calls. It is useful for household or host visibility, but it is not a property-wide access-control audit system.

 

Virtual Fobs and Scheduled Access

A Virtual Fob is a temporary browser link for a guest. You can restrict it by date or time and revoke it when it is no longer needed. Guests do not need the Buzzly app or an account.

Scheduled Access automatically answers and unlocks during a set window. Home supports one-time schedules, while Social adds recurring schedules. That makes Home better for occasional guest access and Social more useful for recurring service visits or repeat check-ins.

Lite includes neither Virtual Fobs nor Scheduled Access. Buyers who want guest automation must start with Home.

Buzzly remains an audio and phone-based service. Buyers who want to see a visitor before unlocking need a video-capable option. ButterflyMX video intercoms let residents see and speak with visitors in a mobile app before granting access, while Buzzly focuses on a no-hardware upgrade for an existing phone buzzer.

 

Mobile management, notifications, and multiple properties

Buzzly offers iOS and Android apps plus a browser dashboard. The app is optional for most account tasks, although push notifications are app-specific. The Apple App Store listing and Google Play listing describe the mobile app.

From one account, users can manage forwarding numbers, Virtual Fobs, schedules, and several properties. Each property has its own Buzzly Number, subscription, and settings. Buzzly does not publish integrations with property-management software, smart locks, or access-control platforms.

 

Will Buzzly work with your building?

Buzzly works only when the existing buzzer dials an external phone number. A hardwired intercom that rings only an in-unit handset is not compatible because there is no outbound call for Buzzly to route.

The Buzzly FAQ identifies phone dialing as the key compatibility requirement. A contributor to an Avail landlord forum discussion also described Buzzly as rerouting the existing outbound call rather than adding hardware. That comment supports the basic mechanism, but it does not establish broad customer sentiment or reliability.

Requirement	What to check	Why it matters
External phone dialing	Confirm that the building buzzer calls a mobile phone or landline.	Buzzly cannot route a call that the intercom never makes.
Management approval	Ask whether management will replace your directory number with a Buzzly Number.	The directory must be updated even though no hardware is installed.
Existing unlock key	Identify the phone key that currently releases the door.	Buzzly uses the existing DTMF tone for Virtual Fobs and Scheduled Access.
Service area	Confirm that the property is in a supported part of Canada or the United States.	Buzzly excludes Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Alaska.
Internet for management	Make sure you can access the app or web dashboard.	Internet is needed to manage settings, links, and schedules.

Buzzly does not publish a list of tested buzzer brands or models. Before subscribing, confirm that your directory entry makes an external phone call and that the building can change its destination number.

 

Buzzly setup steps

Buzzly requires no company-supplied hardware or professional physical installation. Still, setup depends on management because residents usually cannot edit the entrance directory themselves.

1. Choose a plan and receive a Buzzly Number.
2. Ask management to replace the existing directory number. Buzzly can draft the request.
3. Add the household’s forwarding numbers.
4. Enter the existing door-release key.
5. Create Virtual Fobs or Scheduled Access rules if your plan supports them.
6. Test the setup before relying on it for guest entry.

The process is simpler than an intercom retrofit, but it still requires coordination with a landlord, condo association, or property manager.

 

Connectivity and service dependencies

Buzzly does not require Wi-Fi, Ethernet, power, or another device at the entrance. Calls move through the phone network and Buzzly’s cloud routing, while the dashboard and apps need internet access for management.

This avoids an on-site network installation, but the routing workflow depends on cloud and phone services. Buzzly does not publish enough detail to compare failover behavior or uptime with other systems.

Properties that need coordinated elevator or vehicle-gate access require a broader scope than Buzzly offers. ButterflyMX supports elevator controls and vehicle access control as part of a wider property access platform.

 

How much does Buzzly cost?

Buzzly costs $4–$9 per month when billed annually or $6–$11 month to month. Buzzly’s published pricing includes Lite, Home, and Social plans.

Plan	Annual-billing price	Monthly-billing price	Buzztime units	Forwarding numbers	Virtual Fobs	Scheduled Access	Best fit
Lite	$4 per month equivalent, billed as $48 per year	$6 per month	50 per month	3	No	No	Forwarding-only households
Home	$6 per month equivalent, billed as $72 per year	$8 per month	100 per month	5	Yes	One-time schedules	Residents who need occasional guest automation
Social	$9 per month equivalent, billed as $108 per year	$11 per month	200 per month	10	Yes	One-time and recurring schedules	Busy households and hosts with repeat access needs

Buzzly lists no contract requirement. The first Buzzly Number has a 14-day refund promise. Usage above the included Buzztime allowance costs $0.05 per unit.

 

How Buzztime usage and overage work

Buzztime is Buzzly’s usage meter. One unit covers one Virtual Fob use, one Scheduled Access trigger, or up to one minute of a forwarded buzzer call.

After the included allowance is used, service continues and extra units cost $0.05 on the next invoice. A high-traffic rental, large household, or unit with frequent deliveries may use more units than an occasional user, so compare expected activity with the 50-, 100-, or 200-unit allowance before choosing a plan.

 

Which Buzzly plan fits each use case?

Choose Lite if you only need to forward buzzer calls to up to three phones. It is the lowest-cost option, but it does not include Virtual Fobs or Scheduled Access.

Choose Home if you need browser-based guest links or one-time automatic entry. It is the first plan with Buzzly’s main guest-access tools, five forwarding numbers, and 100 Buzztime units.

Choose Social if recurring access or higher limits are essential. Social supports ten forwarding numbers, 200 Buzztime units, and recurring schedules.

 

Buzzly review: pros and cons

Buzzly’s biggest advantage is simple: it can make a compatible phone-dial buzzer more useful without adding equipment. Its main tradeoffs are narrow compatibility, no video, variable usage costs, and a limited role in broader property operations.

 

Buzzly pros

• No on-site hardware: A directory phone-number change replaces wiring or mounting equipment at the entrance.
• Several phones can ring: Simultaneous forwarding reduces reliance on one resident’s phone.
• No-app guest entry: Virtual Fobs open in a browser and can be restricted or revoked.
• Scheduled entry: One-time and recurring windows can support planned visitors, service providers, and short-term-rental check-ins.
• Low published entry pricing: Annual-billing rates start at $4 per month, and Home adds the main guest tools for $6 per month with annual billing.
• Activity history: Buzz Log records calls and automated access events.

 

Buzzly cons

• Only phone-dial buzzers qualify: Hardwired handset-only intercoms cannot use the service.
• Management cooperation is required: An authorized building representative must change the directory number.
• No video verification: Buzzly does not add a camera, so residents cannot see visitors through the service before unlocking.
• Lite excludes the main automation tools: Virtual Fobs and Scheduled Access require Home or Social.
• Usage can increase the bill: Plan allowances and the $0.05 overage create a variable cost for busy units.
• No published property-system integrations: Buzzly does not list property-management, smart-lock, or access-control integrations.
• Public feedback is sparse: App-store activity and independent commentary offer little insight into day-to-day performance.

That integration gap is mainly a question of fit. A resident or small operator may prefer Buzzly’s focused workflow. A professionally managed property that needs video intercoms, access control, smart-lock integrations, and connected entry products may prefer a broader platform such as ButterflyMX.

 

What public user feedback is available?

Independent Buzzly feedback is limited. The Apple App Store does not show an average rating because it has too few ratings, and Google Play lists 10+ downloads. These figures reflect limited public feedback on the mobile apps; they do not measure the total customer base of the underlying call-forwarding service.

The available Avail forum comment says Buzzly reroutes an existing buzzer call, which matches the company’s documentation. One neutral description of the mechanism cannot establish typical customer satisfaction, service quality, or reliability.

For that reason, buyers should focus on compatibility, plan terms, and the 14-day refund promise rather than expect a large body of public reviews.

 

Buzzly alternatives

Buzzly alternatives include direct software services and hardware-based intercom upgrades. The best option depends on whether you want lower-cost call routing, more automation rules, voice screening, or visual visitor verification.

Alternative	Approach	Published pricing context	Notable distinction	Best reason to consider
Protobuzz	Software automation for an existing phone-dial buzzer	Free Community tier; Standard at CAD $49.99 per year; Premium at CAD $99.99 per year	Condition-based rules and Google Calendar sync on Premium	You want a free starting tier or calendar-based automation
Lowkey Smart Buzzer	Call forwarding and virtual-key workflows	Published entry price of $11.50 per month	Lowkey reports more than 650,000 guest entries since 2019	You want to evaluate a longer-established direct peer
Knockli	Automated voice screening and rule-based visitor handling	No pricing comparison included here	Focuses on an AI doorman workflow rather than basic forwarding	You prefer automated visitor screening
Buzr-type hardware retrofit	Physical equipment connected to an existing intercom	Varies by product and installation	Uses hardware to modernize an older intercom	You are willing to install equipment rather than use phone routing alone

 

Buzzly vs. ButterflyMX

Buzzly and ButterflyMX address different levels of the access problem. Buzzly routes calls from one compatible phone-dial buzzer. ButterflyMX is a broader property access and security platform that brings entrance, credential, vehicle, elevator, camera, and package workflows into one system.

Buzzly may suit an individual resident who wants a low-cost software overlay. ButterflyMX is more relevant when a property team needs to manage access across several entrances and workflows.

Feature	Buzzly	ButterflyMX	Why it matters
Core approach	Routes an existing buzzer call through a cloud-based Buzzly Number without on-site Buzzly hardware.	Combines multiple property access and security products in one platform.	Buyers should decide whether they need a resident-level utility or a property-wide system.
Video intercom	Audio and phone-call based; no video visitor verification.	Residents can see and speak with visitors in the mobile app before granting access through a video intercom.	Video helps residents confirm who is at the entrance before unlocking.
Resident mobile workflow	Residents receive forwarded calls and manage settings through iOS, Android, or the web.	Authorized users can access supported entrances with the mobile app, and compatible devices can use wallet-based credentials.	The best workflow depends on whether residents need call routing or mobile access credentials.
Visitor workflow	Visitors can call residents, use browser-based Virtual Fobs, or enter during Scheduled Access windows.	Residents can receive visitor calls, communicate with visitors, grant access remotely, and issue temporary visitor access.	Both support remote visitor entry, but the workflows and property scope differ.
Access scope	Limited to the existing buzzer call and its connected door-release action.	Supports access control, vehicle access control, and elevator controls alongside mobile and visitor access.	Multi-entry properties may need coordinated control beyond one buzzer path.
Security and package workflows	Provides a Buzz Log but does not publish security-camera or package-room capabilities.	Offers security cameras and package rooms as parts of the property platform.	Properties may prefer to manage entry visibility and package access in the same ecosystem.
Smart locks and integrations	Does not publish smart-lock or access-control integrations.	Supports smart-lock integrations and access control.	Connected locks matter more for whole-property access than for a single resident’s call-forwarding setup.

Neither approach is automatically right for every buyer. Buzzly improves one compatible buzzer workflow with little physical change. ButterflyMX supports a wider set of property access and security needs, including visual visitor calls and coordinated access across supported doors, gates, elevators, and other entry points.

 

Frequently asked questions

What is a Buzzly Number?

A Buzzly Number is a dedicated local phone number that replaces your personal number in the building buzzer directory. When the buzzer calls it, Buzzly forwards the call or applies the access rules in your account.

 

Will Buzzly work with any apartment buzzer?

No. Buzzly requires a buzzer that dials an external phone number, so it does not work with a hardwired handset-only intercom that never makes an outbound call.

 

How much does Buzzly cost?

Buzzly costs $4–$9 per month with annual billing or $6–$11 with monthly billing. Extra Buzztime usage costs $0.05 per unit after the included allowance is used.

 

Does Buzzly require hardware or installation?

No dedicated hardware or physical installation is required. However, building management must replace your personal directory number with your Buzzly Number.

 

Can guests use Buzzly without an app?

Yes. Virtual Fobs open in a browser without a Buzzly account, and Scheduled Access can answer and unlock automatically during an approved window.

 

Does Buzzly support video?

No. Buzzly is an audio and phone-call service, so it does not add a camera or let residents see visitors before unlocking.

 

What happens when Buzztime runs out?

Service continues, and Buzzly charges $0.05 for each extra unit on the next invoice. One unit covers a Virtual Fob use, a Scheduled Access trigger, or up to one minute of call time.

 

Is Buzzly suitable for short-term rentals?

Yes, Buzzly can support short-term-rental check-in through dated Virtual Fobs and Scheduled Access. Home provides one-time schedules, while Social adds recurring schedules and higher usage limits.

 

Where is Buzzly available?

Buzzly serves Canada and the United States except Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Alaska.

 

Is Buzzly right for you?

Buzzly can be a good fit if your building has a phone-dial buzzer, management will change the directory number, and you want multi-phone forwarding or guest automation without adding hardware. Home is the practical starting point for buyers who want Virtual Fobs or Scheduled Access rather than forwarding alone.

The key tradeoff is scope. Buzzly improves one compatible buzzer workflow, but it does not add video or provide the connected access capabilities a larger managed property may need. Its limited public feedback also makes compatibility testing and plan review especially important.

Compare Buzzly with Protobuzz and Lowkey if software call routing is your goal. If your property needs video intercoms, access control, mobile credentials, vehicle or elevator access, cameras, package rooms, or smart-lock integrations, consider ButterflyMX as a broader option.

Explore ButterflyMX to see how a unified property access and security platform could fit your building.

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