Key takeaways
- The ButterflyMX gate video intercom is the quintessential gate opening system that allows your tenants, employees, and even guests to access the property.
- Gate openers work by using a power source to automatically unlock and open a gate, eliminating the need for someone to manually open the gate themselves.
- The different types of gate openers include swing gates, dual swing gates, slide gates, and barrier arms.
- Three things to consider when choosing a gate opener system are gate type, power source, and frequency of use.
ButterflyMX offers a robust access control system for multifamily, commercial, senior housing, and student housing properties.
A gate opener is one of the most important components of a secure and convenient property entrance. From residential driveways to multifamily communities and commercial buildings, gate openers automate entry and eliminate the need for manual operation.
But today, a gate opener is only one part of a much larger gate intercom system.
Modern properties don’t just need a motor that opens a gate. They need a way to control who enters, how access is granted, and how that access is managed over time. That’s where gate access control systems come into play.
In this guide, you’ll learn how gate openers work, the different types available, and how to choose a complete gate entry system that fits your property.
This guide covers:
- Which gate opener is best?
- What is a gate opener?
- How does a gate opener work?
- What are the different types of gate openers and systems?
- Gate opener vs. gate access control system
- How do I choose an automatic gate opener and system?
- Gate opener FAQs
Which gate opener is the best?
The best commercial gate openers include:
1. ButterflyMX
The ButterflyMX vehicle access control system is the best gate-opening system on the market. It allows your tenants, employees, and even guests to access the property. Tenants and employees can easily grant themselves access to the property at the gate using their smartphones or a unique PIN code.
On the other hand, visitors can use the built-in directory on the LED screen to request access from the person they’re visiting. Then, the authorized user will receive a video call on their smartphone from the guest. From their phone, the user can see a wide-angle 156º video of and speak to the visitor before granting them access remotely. Once access is granted, the intercom signals the gate to unlock, allowing the visitor to enter.
The ButterflyMX gate opener is a robust gate opener system, but it’s only one product in an entire suite of access control solutions — the only comprehensive access control solution on the market. What’s more, it’s weatherproof and vandal-resistant thanks to cast aluminum.
ButterflyMX is also known for a wide range of other access control products, such as:
- Vehicle readers and windshield tags
- Apartment intercoms
- Elevator controls
- Keypads
- Fob and card readers
2. LiftMaster
Owned by the Chamberlain Group, LiftMaster is an access control solutions provider that has been serving homes and businesses for over 50 years. LiftMaster is perhaps best known for its line of garage door openers, but the company also sells WiFi gate operators and accessories for both residential and commercial properties.
There are two types of LiftMaster gate openers: swing gate operators and slide gate operators.
The company also sells various accessories, such as:
- Proximity remote controls
- Keyless entry devices
- MyQ control panels, which enable smartphone-based gate operation
Read the full LiftMaster review »
3. Mighty Mule
As part of the Nortek Security & Control (NSC) family, Mighty Mule is a professional-grade gate opener provider. Beyond gate openers, the company also offers driveway alarm systems.
Mighty Mule gate openers are a popular choice for both commercial and residential properties, though the company primarily serves homes, ranches, and industrial properties.
Mighty Mule offers both smart gate operators and remote-powered automatic gate operators. Their remote-controlled gate openers work for both swinging and sliding gates. However, Mighty Mule smart gate openers only work for swing gates. Their smart gate openers may also require the MMS100 Wireless Connectivity System, which enables communication up to ½ mile from the property’s wireless router.
Read the full Mighty Mule review »
4. Ghost Controls
Ghost Controls designs and manufactures a variety of products for the gate automation market in North America. Their gate openers and accessories are low voltage (DC power) and solar optimized for properties without access to AC power. They may require low maintenance and minimal installation knowledge.
Ghost Controls’ automatic gate openers are designed for swing gates and sold in kits, so you may purchase all the components you need in one kit. However, additional accessories are sold separately, including remotes, keypads, and solar panel kits.
Read the full Ghost Controls review »
5. ALEKO
ALEKO Products was established in 2005 as a small, family-owned business. Since then, the company has grown and now serves the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world.
ALEKO’s wide range of products includes:
- Driveway gates
- Pedestrian gates
- Fencing
- Gate openers for swing and sliding gates
- Solar panels
- Retractable awnings
- Drywall sanders
ALEKO offers openers for dual- and single-swing gates, as well as solar-powered swing gate openers. For sliding gates, you can purchase a basic or a heavy-duty gate opener. Additional accessories — such as key cards, remote controls, exit wand sensors, and keypads — are sold separately.
What is a gate opener?
A gate opener, also known as a gate operator, is a motorized device that automates the opening and closing of a gate. Instead of manually pushing or pulling a gate, the opener uses a power source and a control signal to move it automatically.
While the gate opener handles the physical movement of the gate, it typically relies on another system to determine when the gate should open.
Gate openers are used across a wide range of properties, including:
- Single-family homes
- Gated communities
- Multifamily apartment buildings
- Commercial and industrial properties
How does a gate opener work?
Gate openers work by using a power source to automatically unlock and open a gate, preventing the need for someone to manually open the gate themselves.
Automatic gate openers are usually powered by one of the following:
- Alternating current (AC) power
- Solar power
- Batteries
Gate openers depend on signals sent by a user’s access credential to determine when to open. When activated, the credential’s signal notifies the gate opening system to push or pull the gate open. Then, the gate closes after a vehicle passes through.
Can I use my phone as a gate opener?
Drivers can use their phones to open a gate when the gate opener is paired with a modern access control system like ButterflyMX.
- Fob or remote. Many gate opener systems come with small fobs or remotes. When you press a button on the remote, it sends a signal to the gate opener via Bluetooth to unlock.
- Keypad. Some systems unlock when a user enters an authorized PIN code into a keypad device.
- Smartphone app. Smart gate operators allow users to unlock and open the gate with their cell phones via a mobile app.
- Vehicle recognition tags. Some systems scan tags or stickers placed on or in a vehicle. When the system detects an authorized tag, it unlocks.
Watch how the ButterflyMX gate intercom works:
What are the different types of gate openers and systems?
Solar and electric are the two different types of gate systems.
A solar gate opener is powered by sunlight. It operates with a solar-powered battery that collects and stores energy from the sun to power the system. Conversely, commercial electronic gate systems are powered by electricity, usually AC power.
Solar and electric gates differ in many ways:
Types of gate openers
Gate openers are not one-size-fits-all. The type of gate opener you choose depends on several factors, including your property layout, available space, traffic volume, and the type of gate you’re automating.
Gate openers operate in many different ways, but the most common include:
- Swing gate openers. Swing gates open inward or outward like a door. These are common but require sufficient space for the gate to move freely.
- Dual swing gate openers. Dual swing gates have two panels that open from the center. They require less clearance than a single large swing gate.
- Sliding gate openers. Sliding gates move horizontally along a track. These are ideal for properties with limited space or sloped driveways.
- Barrier arm systems. Barrier arms lift vertically to allow vehicle access. While simpler than full gates, they are commonly used in parking garages and controlled entry points.
Gate opener vs. gate access control system
A gate opener is often confused with a complete entry system, but they serve different roles.
- A gate opener is the mechanical component that moves the gate
- A gate access control system determines who can enter and when
For example, a modern system may allow residents to open a gate using their smartphone, while property staff manages permissions remotely. This layered approach is especially important for multifamily and commercial properties, where access needs change frequently.
A complete gate access control setup typically includes:
- Gate operator (motor)
- Access control system (permissions and credentials)
- Entry device (intercom, keypad, or reader)
- Access management software
How do I choose an automatic gate opener and system?
Three things to consider when choosing a gate opener system are gate type, power source, and frequency of use:
- Gate type. Consider the size of the gate needed to control pedestrian access or vehicle access. Based on the type of access, you can figure out where you’ll need room for your gate to slide or swing open.
- Power source. If your installation location has access to AC power, you can choose an electronic gate system. However, an installation point without electricity available could require running wire to the entrance.
- Frequency of use. How often will people need to open the gate? High-traffic residential living properties require a heavier, more durable system than commercial properties.
Gate opener FAQs
- Can I use my phone as a gate opener?
- Can you add a smart access system to an existing gate opener?
- Do gate openers work during power outages?
Can I use my phone as a gate opener?
Yes. You can use their phones to open a gate when the gate opener is paired with a modern access control system like ButterflyMX.
Can you add a smart access system to an existing gate opener?
Yes, many existing gate openers can be upgraded with a smart access control system. Instead of replacing the gate operator, you can integrate it with a modern system that enables features like smartphone access, remote management, and activity tracking. This allows properties to improve security and convenience without a full hardware replacement.
Do gate openers work during power outages?
Gate openers can continue to function during power outages if they are equipped with a battery backup system or powered by solar energy. Standard AC-powered gate openers without backup will not operate when power is lost. For properties where consistent access is critical, choosing a system with a reliable backup power source is an important consideration.
