Pick your access method badly and one of two things happens: you annoy your residents with friction, or you leave a gap a stranger can stroll through. There are four real options on the table today — access card, QR code, ANPR (number plate), and facial recognition. None of them is “best.” The trick is matching the method to the user.
The four, head to head
The mistake: choosing just one
The best-run communities don't pick a single method — they layer them. ANPR waves residents' cars through the gate. QR codes handle visitors without a logbook. Facial recognition covers the busy lobby door. Cards remain the simple fallback. Different users, different doors, different tools — all under one list.
The real question isn't “which one?” It's “does my system let me run all of them from one place?” Because a resident who moves out should vanish from the gate, the lobby, and the visitor system in a single click — not four.
Frequently asked questions
Which access method is most secure?
Facial recognition is hardest to fake or share, but security comes from the whole system — layering methods and keeping your resident list current matters more than any single technology.
Which is cheapest to start with?
Access cards and QR codes have the lowest hardware cost. ANPR and facial recognition need cameras but remove ongoing card and guard overhead.
Can we run more than one method at once?
Yes — and you should. JaGaCard runs cards, QR, ANPR, and facial recognition from a single resident and visitor list.
Get an access-control mix tailored to your site:
Sales: hello@jagaapp.com
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