Access methods compared
A means of access is what a vehicle or a person uses to identify itself at the barrier: a key, a card, a license plate, a phone call or an app. Which access method fits depends on the use case.
The table rates fourteen means of access by fifteen criteria on a scale from 1 (very poor) to 5 (very good). It is the expert assessment of BarrierSystems as of 2026. The overview is also available as a PDF download.
Rating matrix
Scale: 1 very poor, 2 disadvantageous, 3 neutral, 4 advantageous, 5 very good. Expert assessment of BarrierSystems, as of 2026.
| Access method | Copy/forgery protection | Can be blocked if lost | Reliable recognition | Logging | Data protection (GDPR) | Sensor cost | Cost per user | Low installation effort | Easy configuration | Network-independent | Convenience / hands-free | Opening speed | Remote-capable | Digital delivery | Individual / scalable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key switch | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Keypad (PIN) | 1 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| RFID card | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| RFID chip (transponder) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| RFID sticker | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| App (web/mobile) | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Phone call (GSM) | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| SMS | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| QR code | 1 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| ANPR (license plate) | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Radio, identified | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Radio, not identified | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| AI vehicle recognition | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Public safety radio (BOS) | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
Decision guide by use case
- City center
- Hardware: SmartKit. License plate recognition, phone and key switch; permanent users via RFID, emergency vehicles via public safety radio.
- Plant premises: staff, guests, suppliers
- Hardware: SmartKit. RFID chip for staff, license plate recognition for suppliers and guests.
- Emergency and rescue access
- Hardware: BaseLink. Public safety radio, possibly AI vehicle type recognition; license plate recognition, RFID stickers and key switches are also possible.
- Single entrances and parking
- Hardware: BaseLink. Phone call and license plate recognition for convenience.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I read the table?
- Each row is a means of access, each column a criterion. The number rates the means of access on that criterion: 1 very poor, 2 disadvantageous, 3 neutral, 4 advantageous, 5 very good.
- Where do the ratings come from?
- From the expert assessment of BarrierSystems as of 2026; the rating is updated over time.
- Can access methods be combined?
- Yes. The decision guide names several means of access per use case, such as RFID for permanent users and public safety radio for emergency vehicles at the same installation. The controller handles several means of access at one installation.
Choose the access methods for your installation
We will show you which combination fits your use case.