Best Commercial Intercom Systems for Chicago Buildings
Our 2026 picks for apartment buildings, offices, condos, and mixed-use properties across Chicago. Installed and serviced by Pro Lock.
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Top picks at a glance
1. ButterflyMX
Our pick for: multi-family & mixed-use buildings
The system Chicago property owners ask for by name when modernizing older buzzer panels. Residents answer video calls on their phone. Property managers add and remove residents through a web portal. Mature platform, polished hardware, the default across River North, West Loop, Lakeview, and beyond.
Strengths strong resident UX · proven property-manager portal · delivery PINs
Watch for smartphone-forward (fallback exists for non-smartphone residents)
2. Swiftlane
Our pick for: modern offices & Class A lobbies
Video intercom plus face unlock, mobile credentials, and PIN in one device. Hardware that looks like architectural furniture rather than security gear. The right choice for Class A Chicago offices and modern tenant build-outs.
Strengths sleek hardware · touchless · intercom + access in one platform
Watch for premium price · best fit for Class A and modern build-outs
3. Akuvox
Our pick for: best feature-to-cost balance
Facial recognition, mobile credentials, fob, and PIN at noticeably lower hardware cost than the premium options. The platform we recommend to value-conscious Chicago property managers and smaller commercial buildings.
Strengths strong feature set for the price · flexible integrations
Watch for brand recognition is lower than ButterflyMX and Swiftlane
4. Aiphone
Our pick for: retrofits over existing wiring
The dependable workhorse. The right answer for older Chicago buildings with existing intercom wire we can reuse and an owner who does not want a cloud subscription. The newer IX series supports video and access integration, so this is not a step backward.
Strengths on-premise · reuses existing wire · zero cloud lock-in
Watch for less elegant mobile experience than cloud platforms
5. Doorbird
Our pick for: boutique commercial & high-end small buildings
Premium IP video intercom with a strong app and clean industrial design. The right system when the front door is a brand statement. Solid integrations with smart home and access control platforms.
Strengths premium hardware feel · strong app · smart home integration
Watch for higher per-unit cost · best at smaller scale
6. Mircom
Our pick for: traditional telephone entry
The system to look at when a Chicago condo association still uses or prefers telephone entry. Residents receive calls on their existing phone line or cell. Rugged, well supported, and a familiar workflow for property managers.
Strengths simple workflow · proven reliability · works without smartphones
Watch for less modern resident experience than video platforms
Match the system to your property
For a deeper dive into apartment intercom selection, our Complete Guide to Intercom Systems for Chicago Apartment Buildings walks through every option in detail.
Who installs commercial intercom systems in Chicago
An intercom is only as good as the team that installs and supports it. Here are the Chicago providers we recommend for commercial intercom work, ordered by best fit for most buildings.
Not sure which fits? Pro Lock walks every building before quoting, so the recommendation is grounded in your actual wiring and tenant mix. Schedule a Site Walk
Why Pro Lock
15+ years installing commercial intercoms across Chicago. Licensed, bonded, insured (IL Lic. # 192.000311). We service every system on this page including systems we did not originally install. If your current intercom is failing, we can diagnose it before quoting a replacement.
Schedule a Site Walk · (312) 796-0901
Frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial intercom system cost in Chicago? Pricing depends on building size, wiring conditions, and platform. A site walk gives a precise quote for your property. Call (312) 796-0901 or book online.
Can we reuse our existing intercom wiring? Often, yes. Aiphone IX and some Mircom configurations can run on existing wiring. ButterflyMX, Swiftlane, Akuvox, and Doorbird typically need a network cable run to the door station.
Do residents need a smartphone to use a video intercom? Not always. ButterflyMX, Akuvox, and others support call-forwarding to a regular phone or non-smartphone.
Can the intercom unlock the front door? Yes. Most modern intercoms include access control credential support (mobile, fob, PIN) and release the door electrically from the call.
What if the internet goes down? Cloud intercoms keep releasing the door for users with active credentials thanks to local caching. Visitor video calls require internet. On-premise systems like Aiphone are unaffected.
Will Pro Lock service an intercom another company installed? Yes. We regularly take over service on ButterflyMX, Aiphone, Mircom, Akuvox, and other systems.
Modernize your Chicago building's intercom
Tell us what you have and what you need. We walk the building, review the wiring, recommend a system that fits.
Schedule a Site Walk · (312) 796-0901
Related: Intercom Installation · Intercom Repair · Access Control · Best Access Control Systems for Chicago Businesses