Choosing the right visitor management system can feel like picking between two great restaurants: both look good on paper, but the best choice depends on what you need. SwipedOn and Envoy are two of the most popular options, and each fits different workplaces.
This comparison breaks down how these platforms stack up in 2026, covering everything from key features and pricing to real user feedback. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of which solution fits your workplace, and we’ll introduce you to a few Envoy vs SwipedOn alternatives worth considering, including Archie.
SwipedOn vs Envoy comparison guide
What is SwipedOn?
SwipedOn is a cloud-based visitor management system that’s built its reputation on simplicity and value. Founded in New Zealand, the SwipedOn team has grown to serve over 9,000 workplaces worldwide, from small business operations to large enterprises with multiple locations. In 2025, SwipedOn merged with Sign In Solutions, the company behind Sign In App.
The platform handles visitor sign-in, employee management, and resource booking through an intuitive interface that works on both iOS and Android devices. What sets SwipedOn apart is its focus on genuine user-friendliness; most teams can set up and start using it within a day.
SwipedOn enables organizations to manage visitors, employees, contractors, and deliveries from a single web dashboard. The SwipedOn app runs on tablets positioned at your front desk, turning reception into a smooth, self-service visitor experience.
SwipedOn core features
The SwipedOn visitor management system comes with key visitor check-in features designed to cover most workplace needs:
Visitor registration and sign-in: Visitors check in via iPad or Android tablet, entering their details and selecting their host. Photo capture adds security, and the process takes seconds. When a guest arrives, the system logs all visitor arrivals automatically.
Contactless sign-in: QR codes allow returning visitors and employees to check in without touching shared devices.
Badge printing: SwipedOn offers photo ID badges printed instantly via a badge printer when a guest arrives, helping staff identify visitors at a glance. The location-verified sign feature confirms that visitors are actually at your location.
Instant notifications: When visitors arrive, hosts receive automated notifications via SMS notifications, email, push notifications, Slack, or Microsoft Teams. You can set custom status messages to let people know your availability.
Digital agreements: Need visitors to sign an NDA or safety document? SwipedOn handles digital agreements during check-in, supporting record-keeping and compliance. Organizations should also consider their visitor management policy requirements.
Employee sign-in and time tracking: The SwipedOn Pocket app lets employees clock in and sign out, track their hours, and set custom status messages. Remote working employee tracking is built right in, giving you more control over employee data across time zones.
Contractor management: Create separate sign-in flows for contractors with specific safety regulations and compliance requirements.
Evacuation mode: In emergencies, SwipedOn delivers a real-time list of everyone on-site (think visitors, employees, and contractors), supporting workplace safety with accurate roll calls.
Delivery management: An add-on feature that helps manage incoming packages with instant notifications to recipients.
Multi-location management: The SwipedOn web dashboard gives admins control over multiple locations from a single login, with real-time analytics across all sites and support for different time zones.
Pre-registration: An add-on feature that lets hosts pre-register visitors before their arrival, streamlining the visitor experience when guests check in.
SwipedOn also includes GDPR compliance tools, offline mode capability, and customizable branding to match your company identity. For organizations needing a live display of who’s on-site, the platform provides a digital visitor log that shows all visitors and employees in real time.
Who SwipedOn is best for
SwipedOn tends to work well for:
- Small business operations seeking an affordable solution,
- Budget-conscious organizations that want solid features without enterprise pricing,
- Companies needing a combined visitor and employee sign-in,
- Non-profits and educational institutions with limited tech budgets,
- Manufacturing and logistics companies that require visitor management for CT-PAT compliance.
What is Envoy Visitors?
Envoy is a San Francisco-based workplace platform that started with visitor management and expanded into hot desk booking, room scheduling, and delivery management. Nowadays, the company serves thousands of organizations globally.
Envoy Visitors creates a polished, brand-focused check-in experience. The platform puts heavy emphasis on customizable branding and security, offering more features like ID scanning, watchlist screening, and background checks that appeal to enterprises with complex compliance needs.
Envoy Visitors core features
Envoy Visitors brings enterprise-grade capabilities to visitor management:
Contactless sign-in options: QR codes and facial recognition for touchless entry experiences.
Virtual Front Desk: Remote staffing capability that lets security teams monitor and assist visitors even when no one is physically at the front desk. Think of it as a digital receptionist.
Visitor registration and sign-in: iPad kiosk-based check-in with a clean, customizable interface that matches your brand aesthetic. Custom fields let you capture specific visitor data. Setting up a visitor management kiosk properly improves the check-in experience.
Badge printing system: Photo ID badges with customizable templates, available on standard and premium plan tiers.
Host notifications: Automated notifications via SMS, email, Slack, and Microsoft Teams when guests arrive.
ID scanning and verification: Scan driver’s licenses and IDs to verify visitor identity; a feature SwipedOn doesn’t include.
Blocklist and watchlist screening: Flag unwanted visitors before they enter your building, with visitor approvals for sensitive areas.
Third-party background checks: Integration with screening services for enhanced security.
Access control integrations: Connect with physical access control systems like Kisi, Brivo, and Salto to automate door unlocks for authorized visitors.
Custom sign-in flows: Different visitor types can have entirely different registration processes, allowing you to optimize your visitor management process.
Who Envoy Visitors is best for
Envoy tends to shine for:
- Larger/enterprise companies with bigger budgets,
- Organizations with complex security and compliance requirements,
- Multi-location enterprises needing centralized management,
- High-traffic offices that need to manage visitors with advanced screening,
- Organizations already using Envoy’s broader workplace platform for desks and rooms.
SwipedOn vs Envoy: Feature-by-feature comparison
Both platforms deliver solid visitor management with tools to manage guests, protect your premises, and simplify the check-in process. The difference lies in how they approach each capability: SwipedOn prioritizes simplicity and value, while Envoy focuses on enterprise-grade customization and security.
Visitor check-in experience
SwipedOn: ★★★★★ — Clean, intuitive interface that prioritizes speed. Most visitors complete registration in under 30 seconds, and the system supports both iPad and Android tablets with QR codes for contactless sign-in.
Envoy: ★★★★☆ — Polished, brand-focused design with extensive customization options. The check-in flow can be tailored to match your brand aesthetic, creating a premium visitor experience at the front desk. The kiosk app works only on iPads, though.
Badge printing
SwipedOn: ★★★★★ — Photo ID badges printed instantly via badge printer with customizable branding. The location-verified sign feature confirms that visitors are actually at your location, enhancing security.
Envoy: ★★★★☆ — Professional badges available on Premium plan and above with photo capture and customizable templates for visitor ID verification.
Host notifications
SwipedOn: ★★★★★ — Instant notifications via SMS notifications, email, push notifications, Slack, or Microsoft Teams. Hosts can set custom status messages to manage their availability when a guest arrives.
Envoy: ★★★★★ — Native Slack and Microsoft Teams integration adds workplace convenience. Automated notifications alert hosts immediately, and the platform supports direct communication with visitors.
Security and compliance
SwipedOn: ★★★★☆ — SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certified with GDPR compliance tools, visitor screening questions, and visitor approvals. SwipedOn delivers solid record-keeping for safety regulations and CT-PAT compliance requirements.
Envoy: ★★★★★ — Advanced security with ID scanning, blocklists, watchlists, and third-party background checks.
Employee management
SwipedOn: ★★★★★ — Dedicated employee management with the SwipedOn Pocket app for sign-in and sign out, time tracking, and custom status messages. Plans with unlimited employees help larger organizations avoid per-user fees.
Envoy: ★★★★☆ — Basic employee sign-in included with visitor plans, but less robust as a standalone feature compared to dedicated employee management tools.
Integrations
SwipedOn: ★★★☆☆ — SwipedOn integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, Active Directory, and webhook support. Smaller ecosystem, but covers core workplace tools.
Envoy: ★★★★★ — Extensive ecosystem with 100+ integrations, including access control systems, HR tools, calendar apps, and Wi-Fi provisioning.
Analytics and reporting
SwipedOn: ★★★★☆ — Solid reporting tools with export capabilities via the SwipedOn web dashboard. Some users note that the analytics could offer more flexible options for custom reports. For deeper insights, workplace analytics tools can supplement these capabilities.
Envoy: ★★★★★ — Advanced reporting tools on Premium and Enterprise tiers with detailed dashboards, compliance reporting, and real-time analytics on visitor trends and occupancy.
Ease of setup
SwipedOn: ★★★★★ — Quick setup is a hallmark; most teams get running in less than a day without IT support. The user-friendly interface requires minimal training for admins and front desk staff.
Envoy: ★★★★☆ — Straightforward setup for basic features, though extensive customization options mean more time configuring workflows for complex deployments across multiple locations.
SwipedOn vs Envoy: Pricing comparison
Understanding visitor management system price ranges helps you budget appropriately.
SwipedOn pricing
SwipedOn offers straightforward pricing based on features and location count. One thing to keep in mind is that while prices are shown as monthly, SwipedOn bills annually:
- The Standard plan costs $55 per location per month. It covers the basics for visitor check-in, but it is limited to one resource and one device or one QR code per location.
- The Premium plan costs $109 per location per month. It adds more flexibility, including unlimited devices or QR codes, location-verified sign-in and sign-out, a live in/out board, and features that support roaming employees and remote work.
- The Enterprise plan costs $169 per location per month. It builds on Premium with custom visitor flows, employee directory integrations, visitor data anonymization, and priority support, including a dedicated account manager.
Envoy Visitors pricing
Envoy Visitors has three main pricing tiers, and pricing is charged per location:
- Basic (Free): A starter plan for small teams with simple visitor needs. It includes unlimited visitors and host notifications, but comes with limited features and a smaller employee directory (up to 50 employees) and 1 location.
- Premium ($4,345 per location/year, billed annually): This is Envoy’s main paid plan for workplaces that want a more polished visitor experience. It adds custom branding, Virtual Front Desk, badge printing, visitor photos, legal documents, and analytics. At roughly $362 per location/month when you spread the annual cost across the year, it is a meaningful step up from Basic.
- Enterprise (Custom pricing): Built for companies with more complex security, safety, and compliance needs. It includes everything in Premium, plus extras like blocklist scanning, access control integrations, guest Wi-Fi integrations, scheduled email reports, more customizable analytics, and multi-channel emergency notifications for visitors.
SwipedOn vs Envoy: User reviews and ratings
What users say about SwipedOn
SwipedOn earns strong marks: 4.7 stars on G2. Users frequently mention genuine ease of use: visitors figure it out without help, and admins configure everything without IT assistance. Customer success onboarding gets high marks, with multiple support options including phone support and response times averaging under 3 minutes. Value for money comes up often from small business users.
Common complaints include wanting deeper analytics and more flexible reporting tools, plus some concern about multi-location pricing.
What users say about Envoy Visitors
Envoy also reviews well: 4.7 on G2. Users love professional appearance and customizable branding. The integration ecosystem wins praise from IT teams. Advanced security features satisfy compliance-focused organizations.
Pricing comes up frequently as a concern, particularly for smaller companies. Some feel the free plan is too limited and the setup can have occasional friction.
SwipedOn vs Envoy: Pros and cons
SwipedOn pros and cons
🟢 Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Simple user-friendly interface
- Strong employee sign-in and time tracking
- Award-winning customer support with multiple support options (under 3-minute response time)
- Combined visitor and employee management plus contractor tracking
- Offline mode capability
- SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certified
- Quick setup
🔴 Cons:
- Fewer advanced security features (no ID scanning, background checks)
- Analytics not as deep as enterprise competitors
- Smaller native integrations ecosystem
Envoy Visitors pros and cons
🟢 Pros:
- Advanced security features (ID scanning, blocklists, watchlists)
- Virtual Front Desk for unstaffed front desk areas
- Extensive integration ecosystem (100+ apps)
- Strong reporting tools on Premium/Enterprise plans
🔴 Cons:
- Higher price point, especially for multiple locations
- Advanced features locked behind the Premium/Enterprise plans
- iPad-only for visitor kiosks (no Android)
- Some setup friction reported
Best alternatives to SwipedOn vs Envoy
When comparing the best visitor management software options, several platforms stand out beyond SwipedOn vs Envoy:
Archie
If you’re exploring SwipedOn alternatives and looking beyond Envoy, Archie deserves serious consideration, especially for organizations wanting visitor management bundled with broader workspace tools.
Archie is a modern workspace management platform combining visitor management with desk booking, room scheduling, and workplace analytics. It’s designed for mid-sized offices and larger companies wanting one powerful space & visitor management system.
Key features for visitor management include kiosk check-in with customizable registration flows, host notifications via email/Slack/Microsoft Teams, badge printing with photo capture, digital agreements for NDA signing, evacuation lists with real-time tracking of visitors and employees, pre-registration for expected guests, and compliance reporting for record keeping.
Starting at $109/month per location for visitor management, Archie costs less than comparable tiers while delivering the visitor management features most organizations need. Archie consistently ranks as a category leader on G2 for ease of use, with reviewers rating it the #1 easiest-to-use visitor management system.
Other visitor management alternatives
- Proxyclick/Eptura Visitor: Enterprise-focused visitor management with strong compliance features. In case you’re curious, here’s Proxyclick vs Envoy compared side-by-side.
- The Receptionist for iPad: SMB-focused, user-friendly, but priced per employee count.
- iLobby/VisitorOS: Enterprise-grade for high-security environments that require visitor management with advanced screening.
Archie vs SwipedOn vs Envoy: which should you choose?
Choose Archie if...
You want visitor management that works alongside desk and room booking, without the heavy enterprise setup. Archie is a great fit if you care about ease of use, quick rollout, and clear pricing that is easier to budget for. It also works well if you need a live view of who’s on site, flexible check-in flows, and strong admin controls for security. Overall, Archie is best for mid-sized and growing teams that want the features that matter most, without paying for a long list of extras they will not use.
Choose SwipedOn if...
You want a reliable visitor management system that stays pretty affordable as you grow. SwipedOn is a great fit if budget matters, setup needs to be quick, and you want visitor sign-in and employee sign-in in one place, including time tracking. It is also a good option if you manage contractors, need practical safety and compliance tools, or operate in environments where requirements like CT-PAT matter. Many teams also pick SwipedOn for its responsive support, including phone support when you need help fast.
Choose Envoy Visitors if...
You need advanced security features and tighter controls, like ID scanning and background checks. Envoy is also a strong pick if the look and feel of your front desk matters, and you want a polished, branded check-in experience. It makes sense for teams that need deeper reporting and compliance analytics, especially across multiple locations. And if you already use Envoy for desks and rooms, or you need Virtual Front Desk for unstaffed lobbies, Envoy can be a natural fit.
Archie vs SwipedOn vs Envoy: Comparison table
Feature | Archie | SwipedOn | Envoy |
|---|---|---|---|
Best for | Mid-size to large offices | Budget-conscious SMBs | Enterprises |
G2 rating | 4.9/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.7/5 |
Free plan | Free trial | Free trial | Yes (Basic) |
Starting price | From $1308/location/year | From $660/location/year | From $4,345/location/year |
Contactless sign-in | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Pre-registration | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Badge printing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Door access control integration | Included in all plans | No native integration | Custom pricing |
Emergency management | Included in Pro plan | Included | Custom pricing |
Visitor kiosk compatibility | iPad & Android | iPad & Android | iPad only |
Final verdict
SwipedOn is the smart choice for organizations wanting straightforward visitor and employee management without enterprise complexity or pricing. It delivers excellent value with smooth check-ins, reliable instant notifications, and solid compliance tools; all backed by responsive support with multiple support options.
Envoy Visitors makes sense where advanced security, customizable branding, and deep integrations justify higher costs. ID scanning, background checks, and extensive access control connections deliver capabilities simpler platforms can’t match.
Archie offers a compelling middle ground for mid-sized and larger companies wanting advanced visitor management features, preferably as part of a complete workspace solution. Similar to Envoy, it combines visitor features, desk booking, and meeting room booking software in one platform, but at a lower price point.
Book a free demo and see how Archie can help with visitor management in your workplace.
SwipedOn vs Envoy FAQs
SwipedOn focuses on simplicity, affordability, and combined visitor and employee management with features like the SwipedOn Pocket app for time tracking. Envoy emphasizes advanced security features like ID scanning, customizable branding, and enterprise-grade capabilities. SwipedOn typically costs less; Envoy offers more features for high-security environments.
It depends on priorities. SwipedOn is better for budget-conscious organizations wanting ease of use and solid fundamentals like contactless sign-in, badge printing, and instant notifications. Envoy is better for enterprises needing ID scanning, watchlist screening, and extensive integrations. Archie is a solid alternative to both, especially for mid-sized and larger companies.
Yes. Envoy integrates with Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Teams. Pre-registration invitations sync with calendar events automatically, notifying hosts when visitors arrive.
Yes. SwipedOn offers visitor screening questions, health check capabilities during sign-in, digital agreements for compliance documents, and tools for GDPR, CT-PAT compliance, and other safety regulations requirements. Evacuation management provides real-time tracking of all visitors and employees for workplace safety compliance.
Sources
- Competitor websites
- G2 & Capterra reviews
- Product research
Berenika Teter
Archie's Content Manager, fueled by filter coffee and a love for remote work. When she’s not writing about coworking spaces and hybrid workplaces, you can probably find her exploring one.
