Video Intercom Buyer's Guide for NYC Multifamily Buildings
How to choose between ButterflyMX, Aiphone, 2N, and Comelit for your apartment building intercom system.
For most NYC multifamily buildings, ButterflyMX is the easiest smartphone-based solution and Aiphone is the best option when residents prefer a dedicated in-unit station. If you need the intercom to integrate with access control readers, 2N is the commercial-grade choice. Comelit is a strong mid-market option for traditional video intercom needs without the enterprise price.
Key Takeaways
- 1ButterflyMX is smartphone-first -- residents answer calls and open doors from an app. Best for tech-forward buildings.
- 2Aiphone pairs a lobby panel with a dedicated handset or video station in each unit. Best when residents prefer a physical device.
- 32N integrates with access control platforms and functions as both an intercom and a card reader. Best for commercial and mixed-use.
- 4Comelit offers solid video intercom functionality at mid-market pricing without enterprise complexity.
- 5Existing wiring type -- 2-wire or IP -- significantly affects which system you can retrofit.
Choosing a video intercom system for a New York City apartment building involves more than picking a brand. Retrofit constraints, existing wiring, resident demographics, and building management workflows all factor in. Here is what we tell our clients after installing all of these systems across the five boroughs.
ButterflyMX
Best for: modern multifamily buildings where residents are comfortable with smartphone apps. ButterflyMX is designed around the resident's phone. Visitors ring from the building panel and residents answer, see video, and unlock the door from the ButterflyMX app. Property managers get a web dashboard with a complete visitor video log.
The panel mounts at the building entrance and connects over IP. If existing Cat5 or ethernet runs to the panel location, installation is relatively straightforward. ButterflyMX also supports package room access, which is increasingly important in NYC buildings where delivery theft is a problem.
Aiphone
Best for: buildings where residents want a dedicated in-unit device rather than relying on a smartphone. Aiphone systems pair a lobby video panel with a handset or color video station installed in each unit. For older residents or buildings where smartphone-only access is a concern, Aiphone is the more accessible option.
Aiphone runs on 2-wire infrastructure in many configurations, which means many buildings can reuse existing intercom wiring. This significantly reduces retrofit cost in pre-war and older buildings where running new cable is expensive.
2N (Now Part of Axis Communications)
Best for: commercial buildings, office buildings, and mixed-use properties where the intercom also needs to function as an access control reader. 2N panels support both video intercom and card or fob reading from the same unit. This makes them the preferred choice when you want a unified system that handles both visitor management and daily tenant access.
2N integrates with most major access control platforms including Brivo, Genetec, and Lenel. The hardware and software are more complex than ButterflyMX or Aiphone, but the integration depth is unmatched.
Comelit
Best for: traditional video intercom needs at mid-market pricing. Comelit offers reliable video intercom systems with in-unit monitors and building lobby panels. It is a strong option when the primary goal is simple video intercom without enterprise access control integration or smartphone-first workflows. Good fit for smaller buildings and co-ops looking to modernize without over-investing.
The Wiring Question
Before choosing a system, assess your existing wiring. If your building has Cat5 or Cat6 runs, any IP-based system works. If you have legacy 2-wire or 4-wire intercom wiring, Aiphone and Comelit both offer 2-wire compatible models that reuse it. If you have to run new cable regardless, the choice opens up. Your installer should assess the wiring before you commit to a system.
Your Checklist
- Assess existing wiring type at the building entrance and in each unit
- Determine whether residents will use smartphones, dedicated devices, or both
- Decide whether the intercom also needs to serve as an access control reader
- Check whether the system integrates with your existing access control platform if applicable
- Confirm the system supports package room or secondary entrance management if needed
- Ask the vendor or installer about ongoing software support and licensing costs
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing a system before assessing existing wiring
An IP-based system in a building with no Cat5 or ethernet to the lobby panel requires running new cable. That cost can easily exceed the cost of the system itself. Know what you have before choosing what to buy.
Assuming smartphone-only systems work for all resident demographics
In a building with elderly residents or residents without reliable smartphone access, a smartphone-only intercom creates real access problems. Aiphone or Comelit with dedicated in-unit stations is safer for mixed demographics.
Not asking about the ongoing software subscription cost
ButterflyMX and similar cloud systems charge a monthly or annual subscription per building or per unit. This is a real ongoing cost that should be included in your total cost of ownership calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a video intercom replace my access control system?
For a simple building entrance where residents buzz in visitors, yes -- a video intercom with door release covers that use case. If you need controlled access for daily tenant traffic (residents entering without ringing, audit logs, credential management), you need access control separate from or integrated with the intercom.
How long does a video intercom installation take?
For a single entrance in a building with existing infrastructure, a basic installation takes one to two days. For a full building with multiple entrances, in-unit stations, and new cabling, plan for two to five days depending on building size.
Can residents in different units have different access levels?
Yes, in most systems. Residents can typically open the building entrance but not access utility or amenity spaces unless specifically granted. Property managers and super units get broader access. This is controlled through the system's admin dashboard.
What happens to my intercom if the internet goes down?
IP-based systems like ButterflyMX depend on internet connectivity for the smartphone app to work. Most systems include a fallback -- residents can still open the door using a code or fob, and the panel itself continues to ring the unit. Confirm the specific offline behavior with your installer before choosing a system.
Related Services
Upgrading the intercom in your NYC building?
PAX Security installs video intercom systems for apartment buildings, co-ops, and mixed-use properties across all five boroughs and New Jersey. We assess your existing wiring and recommend the right system for your building and residents.