Key takeaways:
- Gatewise is a mobile-first access control platform for multifamily properties that covers gates, amenity doors, visitor access, and, in its top tier, apartment unit locks.
- Its biggest differentiators are cellular-based receivers, flexible mobile entry options, and PMS integrations that can automate access changes during move-ins and move-outs.
- Before you shortlist Gatewise, pay close attention to quote-based pricing, separate hardware and installation costs, and features that only come with higher tiers.
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.
Gatewise is built for multifamily properties that want to replace clickers, shared gate codes, and older call box workflows with mobile-first access.
If you’re considering Gatewise or any cloud based access control system, the big questions are simple: What does it actually cover, how do residents and visitors use it, what comes with each tier, and what will the full cost look like?
This Gatewise review walks through the platform’s features, pricing structure, installation model, pros and cons, and how it compares with alternatives such as ButterflyMX so you can decide whether it belongs on your shortlist.
This guide will answer:
- Gatewise review: What is Gatewise and who is it for?
- How does Gatewise work?
- What features does Gatewise include?
- Gatewise tiers: Essential vs. Advanced vs. Complete
- How much does Gatewise cost?
- What installation and connectivity requirements should buyers know?
- Gatewise pros and cons
- What do customers say about Gatewise?
- Gatewise alternatives to consider
- Gatewise vs. ButterflyMX
- Frequently asked questions
More than 100K, 5-star ratings!
Video Intercoms
Open doors, gates & garages from anywhere.
QR Code Intercom
Smartphone-based visitor access.
Access Control
Fob, key cards, PINs, and mobile apps.
Security Cameras
Visibility throughout your property.
Vehicle Access
Hands-free access for gates & garages.
Package Room
Receive, store, and manage deliveries.
Smart Locks
Connect to all major brands and models.
Elevator Controls
Unlock key-fobbed elevators for anyone.
Front Desk Station
See all your doors and cameras in one place.
Gatewise review: What is Gatewise and who is it for?
Gatewise is a cloud-based, smartphone-first access control platform for multifamily communities.
It focuses on gate access, amenity access, visitor entry, and, in the Complete tier, apartment unit locks. Property teams manage the system in a cloud portal, while residents use mobile credentials and temporary access tools to enter and share access.
About Gatewise
Gatewise was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Allegion plc acquired Gatewise Incorporated in July 2025, and the company now operates as an Allegion brand.
That background may matter if you’re comparing vendors for long-term fit, but the bigger story is the product itself. Gatewise is positioned as a retrofit-friendly way to modernize gates and shared entrances without rebuilding an entire access system from scratch.
Who should consider Gatewise?
Gatewise is mainly built for multifamily owners, operators, regional managers, community managers, student housing operators, and self-storage operators.
It may be a strong fit if your property needs to manage gate entry, amenity access, visitors, staff credentials, and resident turnover across one or more communities.
Common fit areas include:
- Garden-style apartment communities
- Mid-rise and high-rise multifamily buildings
- HOA and mixed-use communities
- Student housing
- Self-storage facilities
- Properties replacing shared gate codes, fobs, or clickers
How does Gatewise work?
Gatewise works by combining mobile credentials, visitor access tools, cloud-based management, and cellular receivers at access points.
Residents can use the Gatewise mobile app for one-tap entry. Depending on the tier, they may also use Apple or Google Wallet credentials. Gatewise also supports PIN keypads, voice assistant commands, and temporary web links for guest or non-app access.
For property teams, the main workflow lives in the cloud portal. Staff can manage residents, vendors, permissions, entry activity, reporting, and access changes tied to supported PMS integrations.
If you’re comparing broader property access platforms, ButterflyMX may also be part of the conversation because it supports access control, mobile access, visitor access, and vehicle access control. Gatewise stays more focused on mobile-first gate, amenity, visitor, touring, and unit-lock workflows within its own product family.
Access methods and credentials
Gatewise starts with smartphone entry, but it doesn’t stop there.
Supported access methods include:
- Smartphone app entry
- Apple and Google Wallet credentials in Advanced and Complete
- PIN keypads
- Siri and Google Assistant voice commands
- Temporary web links that don’t always require a guest to download an app
That flexibility matters if residents, staff, vendors, and guests don’t all enter the same way. Instead of forcing every user into one credential type, Gatewise gives properties several ways to handle access.
Cloud management and monitoring
Gatewise gives property teams one cloud-based system for access management.
The portal includes real-time entry monitoring, role-based staff permissions, reporting, credential-sharing detection, and vendor compliance tracking. For portfolio teams, that can make it easier to manage multiple properties from one place instead of treating each entrance as a separate system.
What features does Gatewise include?
Gatewise includes mobile entry, guest access, a Virtual Call Box workflow, cloud management, PMS integrations, and tier-based features such as wallet credentials, self-guided tours, and Unit Locks.
The key buying point is that Gatewise isn’t one flat feature bundle. Some of its most important capabilities depend on which tier you choose.
Mobile access and resident entry
Gatewise centers the resident experience around mobile access.
Residents can open supported gates, doors, and amenities from the app. The platform also supports voice-based access through Siri and Google Assistant, which gives residents another way to enter without relying on remotes or shared codes.
Digital Wallet Access adds tap-to-enter credentials through Apple and Google Wallet, but it’s only available in the Advanced and Complete tiers.
Visitor access and call flows
Gatewise handles visitor access through temporary digital keys and its Virtual Call Box workflow.
With Smart Guest Access, residents can send a temporary key by SMS, email, or app. The credential can expire automatically, which helps properties give access without turning every guest into a long-term user.
The Virtual Call Box works differently from a traditional video intercom. Visitors scan a QR code at the entrance and start a video call from their phone to the resident’s phone.
That difference matters if you’re choosing between a phone-based visitor flow and an entrance experience built around dedicated intercom hardware. ButterflyMX, by comparison, offers video intercoms that let residents receive visitor calls through the ButterflyMX mobile app, see and speak with visitors, and grant access remotely.
Touring and unit-level access
Gatewise supports self-guided tours in the Advanced and Complete tiers.
That gives prospects time-limited access to model units and amenities, along with a visit trail for property teams. If leasing teams want more control over unattended tours, this feature may carry real weight in the buying decision.
Gatewise Unit Locks are available in the Complete tier. These locks extend Gatewise from gates and common areas to apartment front doors, and Gatewise describes them as offline-capable fingerprint smart locks that don’t require in-unit WiFi.
If unit access is part of your evaluation, ButterflyMX also belongs in the discussion because it supports smart lock integrations. That gives buyers another way to think about unit entry within a broader property access system.
Integrations and automation
Gatewise supports PMS integrations that can automate access changes during move-ins and move-outs.
The platform lists integrations with Yardi, RealPage, Entrata, and ResMan for automated resident sync and access management. Rent Manager and ParkingBoss also appear as listed partners.
This matters because access mistakes often happen during resident turnover. When staff don’t have to update credentials by hand, it’s easier to keep access aligned with lease status.
Gatewise tiers: Essential vs. Advanced vs. Complete
Gatewise has three tiers: Essential, Advanced, and Complete.
That matters because major features such as Digital Wallet Access, Self-Guided Tours, and Unit Locks aren’t included across every plan.
Essential
Essential is Gatewise’s base tier for gate and amenity access.
It includes the resident app, cloud portal, PMS integrations, Guest Access, and standard support. It’s positioned for garden-style properties that want core access control without the added scope of higher tiers.
Advanced
Advanced adds Digital Wallet Access and Self-Guided Tours to the Essential feature set.
This tier may fit properties that want Apple or Google Wallet credentials and controlled prospect access for self-guided leasing tours.
Complete
Complete adds Gatewise Unit Locks.
This tier expands the platform from gates, amenities, and visitor workflows to individual apartment front doors. If you’re considering Complete, include unit-lock hardware, installation needs, and unit-level access policies in your planning.
How much does Gatewise cost?
Gatewise uses quote-based pricing and doesn’t publish a standard public price list for its tiers.
That means you’ll likely need a custom quote based on your property, access-point count, hardware needs, installation scope, and selected tier.
Gatewise pricing should be reviewed in a few parts:
What buyers should ask about pricing
If you’re comparing Gatewise with other platforms, ask clear questions early.
- How does pricing change between Essential, Advanced, and Complete?
- Are Unit Locks priced separately from the main subscription?
- Are hardware and installation separate line items?
- How does the number of gates, amenity doors, and other access points affect total cost?
- Are PMS integrations included or billed separately?
- Are clickers, keypads, or other accessories included in the quote?
- What happens to pricing if the property adds more access points later?
The real comparison isn’t just monthly software cost. It’s total cost across subscription, hardware, installation, credentials, integrations, and future expansion.
What installation and connectivity requirements should buyers know?
Gatewise uses professional installation and cellular receivers instead of requiring hardwired internet at each access point.
Gatewise says certified local installers handle deployment. Smaller properties may be installed in hours, while larger ones may take one to two days with phased migration to reduce disruption.
Why Gatewise’s cellular approach stands out
Gatewise’s cellular-first design is one of its clearest differentiators.
Instead of relying on hardwired internet or ethernet at each gate, Gatewise uses cellular receivers at access points. Bluetooth and NFC also support access workflows, and receiver battery backup is part of the platform’s outage-resilience approach.
For buyers, that can matter in practical ways. Cellular receivers may reduce the need to run internet wiring to each gate, which can be helpful for spread-out communities or retrofit projects. At the same time, properties should still evaluate cellular coverage before choosing a cellular-first system.
Required and optional hardware
Gatewise requires cellular access-point receivers at supported gates and doors.
Unit Lock hardware is optional and tied to the Complete tier. Buyers considering Complete should plan for the added door hardware, unit-access policies, and the day-to-day change of managing apartment-level access within the same system.
Public product details don’t go deep into wiring diagrams or hardware specifications, so technical teams should ask for site-specific installation documentation during the buying process.
Gatewise pros and cons
Gatewise’s biggest strengths are its cellular-based setup, mobile credential options, PMS automation, and tiered product structure.
Its main tradeoffs are quote-based pricing, tier-dependent features, separate hardware and installation planning, cellular coverage considerations, and limited public customer commentary.
What do customers say about Gatewise?
Public customer commentary on Gatewise is limited, but the available reviews and testimonials are positive.
Common themes include automated move-out deactivation, fewer physical remotes or access cards, the ability to manage multiple sites from one app, eliminating shared gate codes, and responsive support.
One property manager review mentioned that a ResMan integration helped automatically remove access after move-out. Another operations-focused review praised PMS integration for assigning gate access without physical cards or remotes.
This is helpful directional feedback, but it’s still a small sample. Even so, the comments line up with Gatewise’s core pitch: mobile access paired with automated access management for multifamily operations.
Gatewise alternatives to consider
Gatewise alternatives include ButterflyMX, Latch, PointCentral, and Rently.
Each one lines up with a slightly different buying need, so the right shortlist depends on whether your main priority is gate access, video intercoms, smart locks, self-guided tours, smart-property features, or a broader access and security platform.
- ButterflyMX: A property access and security platform for multifamily, commercial, gated communities, student housing, and other properties. ButterflyMX brings together video intercoms, access control, mobile access, visitor access, vehicle access control, elevator controls, security cameras, package rooms, smart lock integrations, and wallet-based credentials.
- Latch: A smart access platform for multifamily buyers comparing Gatewise with a product more associated with smart locks and building-wide access.
- PointCentral: A smart-home and access platform that may interest buyers comparing Gatewise with a broader smart-property approach.
- Rently: A self-guided touring and remote leasing access platform that may fit buyers focused on tour access and leasing workflows.
Gatewise vs. ButterflyMX
Gatewise and ButterflyMX both help properties modernize access, but they solve slightly different buying problems.
Gatewise is strongest for buyers focused on mobile-first gate, amenity, guest, touring, and Complete-tier unit-lock workflows with cellular-based deployment. ButterflyMX may be a stronger fit for properties that want a broader property access and security platform with more adjacent capabilities in the same system.
Where Gatewise may fit better
Gatewise may fit properties that want a mobile-first access system with a strong focus on gates, amenities, visitor credentials, PMS automation, and cellular-based access-point receivers.
It may also be worth a closer look if your property wants self-guided tours in the same product family or wants Gatewise Unit Locks through the Complete tier.
Watch how ButterflyMX works at gated communities:
Where ButterflyMX may offer broader property-access context
ButterflyMX may fit buyers who want to compare Gatewise against a broader property access and security platform.
ButterflyMX supports video intercoms, access control, mobile access, visitor access, vehicle access control, elevator controls, security cameras, package rooms, smart lock integrations, and wallet-based credentials. That broader scope can matter when a property is evaluating not just gate access, but also how entrances, visitors, vehicles, packages, smart locks, and other access points should work together.
Frequently asked questions
What is Gatewise?
Gatewise is a cloud-based, smartphone-first access control platform for multifamily communities.
It covers gates, amenity doors, visitor entry, and, in the Complete tier, apartment unit locks.
How does Gatewise work?
Gatewise works through mobile credentials, cellular access-point receivers, cloud-based management, and temporary access tools.
Residents can use the mobile app, supported wallet credentials, voice commands, PIN keypads, or temporary links depending on the workflow and tier.
How much does Gatewise cost?
Gatewise uses quote-based pricing and doesn’t publish a standard public price list.
Buyers should ask about software subscription costs, hardware, installation, tier differences, Unit Locks, PMS-related fees, accessories, and pricing by access point.
Does Gatewise require internet at each gate?
Gatewise says it uses cellular receivers instead of requiring hardwired internet at each access point.
This cellular-first design is one of Gatewise’s main differentiators, though buyers should still evaluate cellular coverage at the property.
Does Gatewise have a mobile app?
Yes, Gatewise has a mobile app for resident access.
The app supports one-tap entry, guest-key sharing, and voice-command workflows. Digital Wallet Access is available in the Advanced and Complete tiers.
What integrations does Gatewise support?
Gatewise supports PMS integrations with Yardi, RealPage, Entrata, and ResMan.
These integrations can automate resident access changes during move-ins and move-outs. Rent Manager and ParkingBoss also appear as listed partners.
Does Gatewise support visitor access?
Yes, Gatewise supports visitor access through temporary guest keys, temporary links, and a Virtual Call Box workflow.
Residents can send time-limited credentials, and visitors can scan a QR code to video call residents from their own phones.
Can Gatewise support self-guided tours?
Yes, Gatewise supports Self-Guided Tours in the Advanced and Complete tiers.
This feature gives prospects time-limited access to supported spaces for unattended tours, with a visit trail for property teams.
Does Gatewise offer smart locks for apartment units?
Yes, Gatewise offers Unit Locks in the Complete tier.
Unit Locks are described as offline-capable fingerprint smart locks that extend the platform to apartment front doors and don’t require in-unit WiFi.
What are the main alternatives to Gatewise?
The main alternatives in this review are ButterflyMX, Latch, PointCentral, and Rently.
ButterflyMX is especially relevant for buyers comparing Gatewise with a broader property access and security platform that includes video intercoms, access control, mobile access, visitor access, vehicle access control, elevator controls, security cameras, package rooms, smart lock integrations, and wallet-based credentials.
Gatewise may be a strong fit for multifamily properties that want mobile-first gate and amenity access, visitor credentials, PMS automation, and a cellular-based deployment model.
The biggest buying question is scope. Features vary by tier, pricing is quote-based, and the full cost conversation should include software, hardware, installation, integrations, and add-ons.
That’s why comparing alternatives matters. If your property is focused mainly on gates, amenities, guest access, touring workflows, and Gatewise’s Complete-tier Unit Locks, Gatewise may deserve a place on your shortlist. If you’re also looking for a broader property access and security platform, ButterflyMX is worth evaluating alongside it.
To see how ButterflyMX could support your property’s access needs, request pricing or speak with the ButterflyMX team.
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