Best Smartphone Intercom Systems for Homes

A smartphone intercom system lets you see, speak to and manage visitors from your mobile phone, giving you more control over your front door, gate or entry point. Instead of only answering from an indoor monitor, selected systems allow you to receive visitor calls through an app, view live video and unlock a compatible door or gate remotely where supported.

For busy families, gated homes, townhouses, small businesses and anyone who receives deliveries, a smartphone intercom can make daily access easier and more secure.

CTC Communications supplies a wide range of smartphone intercom systems from leading brands including Dahua, Hikvision, Aiphone, Kocom and Akuvox. This guide explains how smartphone intercoms work, which brands to compare, and what to check before choosing a system for your home.

What Is a Smartphone Intercom?

A smartphone intercom is an intercom system that can send visitor calls to a mobile app. When someone presses the door station, the system can notify your phone so you can speak to the visitor, view video and release a compatible door or gate where supported.

Depending on the brand and model, a smartphone intercom may allow you to:

• Answer the front door from your phone
• See visitors before unlocking
• Speak to visitors using two-way audio
• Unlock a compatible door strike or gate release
• Receive visitor call notifications
• View live door station video
• Review selected event history where supported
• Use an indoor monitor as well as the app

Why Choose a Smartphone Intercom for Your Home?

A smartphone intercom gives you more flexibility than a traditional intercom system. You are not limited to answering from the hallway, kitchen or fixed indoor monitor. If supported by the system, you can respond from your phone while you are in another room, at work, away from home or expecting a delivery.

Key benefits include:

• Convenience: Answer visitor calls from your smartphone where supported.
• Better security: See and speak to visitors before opening the door or gate.
• Remote access: Unlock a compatible entry point when suitable and safely configured.
• Delivery management: Speak to couriers or trades when you are not at the door.
• Family flexibility: Allow authorised users to answer intercom calls from their phones.
• Modern entry control: Combine video, audio, app alerts and door release in one system.

Best Smartphone Intercom Brands to Compare

Dahua Smartphone Intercom Systems

Dahua smartphone intercom systems are a popular choice for homes and small businesses wanting video entry, mobile app access and compatibility with broader Dahua security products.

Dahua may be a good fit if you want:

• Video door station and indoor monitor options
• Smartphone app access where supported
• Door or gate release options where configured
• 2-wire and IP-style options depending on the kit
• Compatibility with Dahua CCTV and security products
• A practical option for homes, townhouses and small businesses

Best for: Homeowners who want a practical smartphone intercom with video entry and strong security-system compatibility.

Hikvision Smartphone Intercom Systems

Hikvision intercom systems are well suited to customers who want video entry, app access and flexible installation options. Hikvision is commonly considered for homes, townhouses, front gates and properties already using Hikvision security equipment.

Hikvision may be a good fit if you want:

• Video intercom kits for homes and businesses
• IP and 2-wire intercom options
• Hik-Connect app support where configured
• Remote answering and unlocking where supported
• Door station and indoor monitor combinations
• Integration with Hikvision CCTV and security ecosystems

Best for: Customers wanting a smart video intercom that can fit into a broader Hikvision security setup.

Aiphone Smartphone Intercom Systems

Aiphone smartphone intercom systems are a strong option for customers who want a premium intercom brand with reliable visitor communication and selected mobile app features.

Aiphone may be a good fit if you want:

• A premium intercom brand
• Reliable video entry for homes or businesses
• Indoor monitor and door station options
• Smartphone intercom features on selected systems
• Long-term reliability and professional installation
• A trusted solution for homes, villas and commercial entry points

Best for: Customers who value reliability, premium build quality and a trusted intercom brand.

Kocom Smartphone Intercom Systems

Kocom smartphone intercom kits can suit homes wanting a practical video intercom with flexible call handling from both an indoor monitor and a mobile app where supported.

Kocom may be a good fit if you want:

• A practical home intercom kit
• Video entry with indoor monitor communication
• Smartphone call handling where supported
• Convenient visitor screening
• Door release options where correctly installed
• A straightforward option for residential entry points

Best for: Homes wanting a practical intercom kit with monitor and mobile app functionality.

Akuvox Smartphone Intercom Systems

Akuvox intercom systems are a strong option for smart homes, apartments and modern IP entry systems. Akuvox is often considered when customers want advanced app features, smart access and a future-focused intercom platform.

Akuvox may be a good fit if you want:

• Smart IP intercom features
• App-based visitor management where supported
• Modern indoor monitors and door stations
• Access control-style features
• Options for homes, apartments and offices
• A smart entry solution with future expansion potential

Best for: Smart homes, apartments, offices and customers wanting more advanced IP intercom functionality.

Smartphone Intercoms vs Traditional Intercoms

A traditional intercom usually requires you to answer calls from a fixed indoor monitor. A smartphone intercom gives you more flexibility by allowing visitor calls to reach your phone where supported.

Best Smartphone Intercom by Property Type

What Features Should You Look For?

Not all smartphone intercom systems offer the same features. Before choosing a kit, check the app, wiring, monitor, door station and unlock requirements carefully.

Important features include:

• Video door station: Lets you see who is at the entry point.
• Two-way audio: Allows you to speak with visitors before granting access.
• Smartphone app: Sends calls or notifications to your phone where supported.
• Indoor monitor: Useful for answering calls inside the home without needing your phone.
• Door or gate release: Allows unlocking of compatible electric strikes or gate controllers.
• Wiring type: Check whether the system uses 2-wire, IP/CAT6, 4-wire or wireless-style connectivity.
• Network requirements: App features usually require reliable internet or network access.
• Multiple users: Some systems allow more than one authorised phone or app user.
• Night vision: Useful for front doors, driveways and gates after dark.
• Weather rating: Outdoor door stations should suit external conditions.

2-Wire, IP or Wireless: Which Smartphone Intercom Is Best?

The best smartphone intercom depends heavily on your wiring. A new build may suit an IP intercom, while an older home may need a 2-wire option that can use existing cabling where compatible.

• 2-wire smartphone intercoms: Often useful for upgrading older intercoms where existing wiring may be reused.
• IP smartphone intercoms: Best for new builds, renovations, smart homes and commercial systems using network cabling.
• Wireless or Wi-Fi intercoms: Can be useful where cabling is difficult, but reliability depends on signal strength and network conditions.

If you are unsure which option suits your property, view our broader Intercom Systems for Home guide.

Can a Smartphone Intercom Unlock My Door or Gate?

Yes, many smartphone intercom systems can unlock a compatible door or gate where the correct release hardware is installed and configured. This may include an electric door strike, magnetic lock, gate relay or access control device.

Door or gate release may require:

• A compatible electric door strike or gate release
• Correct power supply
• Relay wiring from the intercom system
• Professional installation and testing
• Safe exit hardware where required
• Reliable app and network setup where remote release is required

Browse CTC Communications’ electric door strikes if you want your intercom system to release a compatible door or gate.

Smartphone Intercoms and Deliveries

One of the biggest advantages of a smartphone intercom is delivery management. If a courier arrives while you are away from the front door, selected systems can notify your phone so you can speak to the visitor.

This can help with:

• Confirming who is at the door
• Giving delivery instructions
• Allowing access through a compatible gate where appropriate
• Reducing missed deliveries
• Helping family members manage visitors more easily

For security, remote unlocking should only be used when you can confirm the visitor and it is safe to release the door or gate.

Smartphone Intercoms and CCTV Integration

Some intercom systems can work alongside CCTV or security camera systems. This can allow you to view door station video, check external camera views or integrate your entry system into a broader security setup where supported.

CCTV integration may be useful for:

• Front doors
• Driveways
• Gates
• Side access paths
• Shopfronts
• Office entries
• Warehouse entries
• Properties with multiple access points

If you already use Dahua or Hikvision CCTV, choosing a smartphone intercom from the same ecosystem may make the system easier to manage, depending on compatibility and app setup.

Questions to Ask Before Buying

Before choosing a smartphone intercom, consider how the system will be used every day.

• Is the intercom for a front door, gate, garage, apartment entry or business entrance?
• Do you need one indoor monitor or multiple monitors?
• Do you need app access for one user or several users?
• Is the property already wired for an intercom?
• Do you need 2-wire, IP/CAT6 or wireless-style installation?
• Will the intercom release a door strike or gate?
• Do you want CCTV or alarm integration?
• Is the internet connection reliable near the monitor or network equipment?
• Does the outdoor door station need weather protection?
• Do you need professional installation?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Smartphone intercoms work best when the wiring, app, door release and network requirements are planned properly. Avoid these common mistakes:

• Buying a kit without checking wiring compatibility
• Assuming every intercom supports smartphone app access
• Forgetting to allow for an electric door strike or gate release
• Choosing Wi-Fi where a wired connection would be more reliable
• Installing the door station in poor lighting
• Mounting the door station too high or too low
• Not checking weather exposure
• Not testing push notifications after setup
• Not setting up secure passwords and app access
• Not considering future CCTV or access control needs

Professional Installation Is Recommended

Smartphone intercom systems involve more than a door station and monitor. The system may also need network configuration, app setup, door release wiring, power supply checks and testing across multiple phones or users.

Professional installation can help with:

• Choosing the right brand and kit
• Checking existing intercom wiring
• Running new cable where required
• Installing the door station and indoor monitor
• Connecting an electric door strike or gate release
• Setting up the mobile app
• Testing video, audio and notifications
• Checking remote access and network reliability
• Explaining how to use the system day to day

Why Choose CTC Communications?

CTC Communications supplies smartphone intercom systems for homes, townhouses, gates, apartments and businesses. Our team can help you compare Dahua, Hikvision, Aiphone, Kocom and Akuvox intercom options based on your property, wiring and app requirements.

Reasons to choose CTC Communications:

• Over 30 years of security industry experience
• Smartphone intercom systems from leading brands
• Options for homes, gates, units and businesses
• 2-wire, IP, wired and wireless-style intercom options
• Door station, monitor station and electric strike options
• Professional installation available across Sydney
• Australia-wide product supply
• Advice on app setup, wiring and door release compatibility

Our Recommendation

If you want a practical smartphone intercom for a home or small business, compare Dahua and Hikvision. If you want a premium brand with strong reliability, consider Aiphone. For straightforward home kits, compare Kocom. For smart IP entry and advanced access features, consider Akuvox.

The best smartphone intercom depends on your wiring, door or gate release requirements, app expectations and whether you want future CCTV or access control integration.

Frequently Asked Questions