UniFi Intercom and Access vs. ButterflyMX Cost Comparison
Hardware Pricing and Annual Fees
ButterflyMX charges for hardware once plus an annual per-apartment fee. According to their cost page read on October 26, 2026, the software is $30 to $42 per unit per year, and panels range from $3,995 for an 8-inch surface mount to $6,495 for a 12-inch recessed model.
In comparison, a UniFi G3 Intercom hardware unit costs about $486 from resellers based on unconfirmed pricing read on October 26, 2026. No licence fee for UniFi Access was found on Ubiquiti's page, though its 'No Licensing Fees' label is ambiguous.
Five-Year Expenses for HOAs and Developers
Licence fees alone for a 120-apartment building on ButterflyMX at $30 to $42 per unit per year reach $18,000 to $25,200 over 5 years, plus the $3,995 or higher panel. This compares against no recurring UniFi licence.
A 200-home community on ButterflyMX pays $6,000 to $8,400 per year, and HOA boards often look for a line to cut in the annual dues budget. A multifamily developer in a Reddit thread is trying to escape ButterflyMX and DoorKing fees by looking into alternatives.
Resident Access and Elevator Capabilities
Replies to the developer describe residents using the UniFi system to add guest passes, buzz visitors in from the app, and unlock remotely.
For taller buildings, an Elevator Hub controls up to 18 floors per hub with per-user floor permissions.
System Limitations and Planning
Installers note a few limits with the UniFi system: the intercom is large, and its call to a phone is slow to connect. Additionally, UniFi Access has no passive walk-up Bluetooth unlock.
A 250-unit developer was told to plan for redundant controllers and hire a professional to manage the scale, though the thread was a planning discussion and not a finished deployment.
Contact CloudCentric
CloudCentric is a managed IT provider in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, serving businesses across Charleston and the Lowcountry. Call us at (844) 422-7000 to discuss intercom and access control options for your property.