DoorVi vs ButterflyMX: which video intercom fits your building?
Quick answer: ButterflyMX is a panel-based smart intercom: a mounted touchscreen at the entrance, bought as hardware plus a per-unit software subscription. DoorVi is a QR-code video intercom: a QR code at the entrance, where visitors video-call residents from their own phone and residents unlock through a relay or existing access control. ButterflyMX suits buildings that want a physical panel. DoorVi suits retrofits, lobby doors and buildings avoiding new entrance hardware.
At a glance
| ButterflyMX | DoorVi | |
|---|---|---|
| What's at the door | Touchscreen intercom panel (8" or 12", surface or recessed) | Weatherproof QR code; optional tablet "digital concierge" |
| Setup cost | $3,995–$6,495 per panel (current sale prices) + installation (source) | Zero setup cost: no proprietary panel to buy |
| Software | $30–$42 per unit per year (source) | Resident app, guard app and property dashboard |
| Installation | Professional install | Stick-on QR code; relay wired to the existing lock by an electrician or integrator |
| Visitor experience | Uses the panel | Scans with their own phone camera, no app |
| Resident experience | Mobile app | Mobile app (video call, unlock) |
| Unlock method | Panel wired to the door | Relay (ESP32, Sonoff, Tasmota, Waveshare) or PDK, Brivo, Mobgate, Intelbras |
| Guest access | Virtual keys / delivery PINs | Six-digit guest codes, pre-approved and temporary passes |
| Guard / front desk | Front desk options | Guard/Doorman app, resident-to-guard calling, announcements |
| Best fit | New or renovated multifamily wanting a panel | Retrofits, lobby doors, gated communities, cost-sensitive sites |
Note: ButterflyMX also markets a QR Code Intercom product. Check its current requirements with ButterflyMX before comparing QR to QR. For a wider comparison, see ButterflyMX alternatives.
The user journey, side by side
Visitor arrives
- ButterflyMX: the visitor finds the resident on the panel directory and calls from the panel.
- DoorVi: the visitor scans the QR code at the gate and a video call starts on their phone.
Resident answers
Both: the resident sees the visitor on video in the app and taps to unlock.
Door opens
- ButterflyMX: through its panel's connection to the door hardware.
- DoorVi: the unlock command reaches a relay wired to the existing strike, maglock or gate motor, or goes through the building's PDK/Brivo system.
Property manager
Both offer app-based resident management and entry logs. DoorVi adds a multi-property admin dashboard and guard tools.
Where DoorVi fits best
- You don't want to buy or mount a panel: the entrance needs only a QR code, with zero setup cost.
- Older buildings: no cabling to units; the existing lock stays in place (relay retrofit guide).
- Many lobby doors: put a QR code on each lobby instead of a panel per lobby.
- Already on PDK or Brivo: DoorVi plugs into what's there (integrations).
Where ButterflyMX may fit better
- You want a visible touchscreen directory at the entrance.
- Visitors may not have smartphones. (DoorVi's tablet concierge covers some of this, but a dedicated panel is simpler.)
- You prefer one vendor for panel + install + support under a single contract.
FAQ
Is DoorVi cheaper than ButterflyMX upfront?
DoorVi has zero setup cost and no proprietary entrance panel, so the upfront cost is usually much lower. ButterflyMX publishes $3,995–$6,495 per panel plus $30–$42 per unit per year.
Can DoorVi open the same doors ButterflyMX does?
Yes, if the door has an electric strike, maglock or gate motor. DoorVi triggers it via a relay or through PDK, Brivo, Mobgate or Intelbras.
Do DoorVi visitors need an app?
No. They scan the QR code with their phone camera.
Can I use both?
Yes. Some buildings keep a panel at the main entrance and use DoorVi QR codes at secondary doors, lobbies or gates.
Does DoorVi work in Brazil and India?
Yes. Most DoorVi users are in Brazil, and it's also used in India, the US and the UAE, with an Intelbras integration for Brazilian sites.
By Sachin Gupta, DoorVi. Last updated: 23 Sep 2026. ButterflyMX figures are from butterflymx.com/cost on that date.
Compare it at your own entrance
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