When it comes to visitor management systems, clients, managers, and visitors pose varying needs. Some visitors would drop by only once, while some would do periodically. Some hosts may have specific visitor lists, while some welcome even the plus ones of their guests. In turn, some managers would prefer an assisted sign-in of their building visitors while some lean towards automated systems.

Because the market is saturated with products, it could be difficult and time-consuming for clients to find the product that suits their needs. Of course, if there is one thing that anyone is not keen on, it is wasting time. It follows that clients are not too forthcoming with long training hours just to master the use of a new system. In turn, they would prefer a system that will not require the visitor to ask for any assistance from the front desk. Other factors that are critical when screening for the perfect visitor management software include remote accessibility, security, and price.

It is because of these factors that the following platforms are deemed to be today's best-performing systems:

1. SwipedOn

Features. SwipedOn is designed with versatile features that can be tailored to the needs of the business - big or small. Still, standard features are packed into the software. Automation makes it easy for visitors to log-in while the system lets their host know that they have a visitor. Importantly now, SwipedOn also doubles as a visitor screening and contact tracing tool in your workplace. 

Other standard features such as printing of an ID Badge for the visitor and storing signed digital agreements are included in the software. Subscribers will be able to use their unique business branding on the customizable home screen, letting their visitors know that the company or business welcomes their arrival. SwipedOn also features a multi-language app for visitors who prefer to use other languages and aids in evacuation management during emergencies.

AddOns. SwipedOn recently introduced AddOns which are additional modules that are essential in completing a highly impressive front desk solution. One example is SwipedOn Deliveries which manages deliveries to the reception desk, including parcels, food deliveries, and many others. Another AddOn is SwipedOn Catering. This feature is intended to let visitors feel a warm welcome through a surprise beverage or a platter of snacks. Now that's hosting with style!

For the Staff. Of course, as SwipedOn has features for the client and visitors, it also boasts features for the staff. SwipedOn is one of the very few software in the industry that offers an employee in-out function, and their Microsoft Azure Active Directory integration helps streamline employee management processes, allowing you to keep an accurate and true record of all your employee movements. Since SwipedOn is cloud-based, multi-location management is possible and effortless, yet being kept secure with tools that assist with data privacy. SwipedOn also focused on being a handy evacuation management assistant that can reassure the safety of both visitors and the staff.

For the Subscribers. SwipedOn has been cited by many leading review sites such as G2, and Capterra to be the most user-friendly software for visitor management. In fact, G2 reports SwipedOn as one of the best software companies in Australia and New Zealand. If there is a need to troubleshoot or if there are inquiries, SwipedOn's world-class customer service boasts a response time of 2 minutes or faster! If all these praises do not spell out "Best ROI" or "Best Value," what will?

Giving Back. SwipedOn is committed to the environment and their communities. To show appreciation, SwipedOn is planting a tree for every new customer that subscribes to their system.This is just one of the many charities that SwipedOn has under their belt. For more information you can visit their Giving Back page. 

To add to the candy coating, SwipedOn offers a 14-day free trial for those who would like to take the software for a spin. That's 14 days of free use, no strings attached!

2. iLobby

Basic Features. When it comes to enterprise visitor management, iLobby has notable features to brag about. Other than having its own kiosk, iLobby has features including automatic visitor notifications, generation of custom visitor badges, QR Code scanning for recurring guests, capture and store images, easy visitor check-In, and third-party watchlist integration. Other features include report generation on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. This will allow managers to track visitors, keeping their buildings safe and secure.

Automated Security. iLobby serves as an automated security checkpoint with a host-generated watchlist for unauthorized guests. This feature flags any unauthorized guests and denies entry. The third-party watchlist integration also checks with official security lists for those with criminal records or those with backgrounds that can be flagged for security threats.

Visitor Experience. Although security with iLobby is a tight seal, authorized visitors still experience ease when signing in. The kiosk offers a guided sign in, followed by a security check, host notification, and lastly, the visitor's ID badge is printed, ready to be used.

iLobby's price goes to $199/month and $275/month respectively for their Corporate and Enhanced plans. A free iPad is included and those who wish to test all the bells and whistles first before committing to subscribe, a free trial is also available.

3. Envoy

Basic Features. Envoy is a visitor management software that is made to be installed on iPads. The software has basic features such as guest or visitor sign-in/out, printing or ID badges, and notification of hosts upon their guest's arrival.

Special Sign Ins. Signing in is made easy with Envoy. Visitors will be able to pre-register as a guest, using Envoy's pre-registration feature. This feature makes signing in a hassle-free. Envoy offers various sign-in modes, depending on the visitor type. A visitor could be a recurring visitor or a one-time visitor. Envoy is also capable of listing an unlimited number of guests with Envoy's Plus One Sign in, whether the guests are specified in the host's dashboard or not. This is different from the Group Sign-In feature, which lets a group of visitors in with only a representative checking into the iPad, all the while, printing visitor ID badges for each member of the group, and at the same time, notifying the host of their visitors. This feature is made especially for hosting large groups. On the other hand, there is the VIP Check-In feature which lets visitors in without having to sign-in on the iPad. Of course, their entry will still be known to the host and visitor ID badges will also be issued. Envoy Standard and Premium Packages can be tried for free as well.

4. Traction Guest

Features. Traction Guest promises to be a check-in/out experience that visitors would consider to be memorable, secure, and effortless. Traction Guest offers a seamless sign-in process with visual identification and faster id verification. The software is also capable of generating, printing and issuing ID badges for verified visitors. Those who are not authorized visitors or pinged by a cross-check against security lists will be denied entry. Security lists are third-party based checklists including those issued by authorities. The hosts are notified via text message, email, and even via Slack, that their guest has arrived. Of course, Traction Guest has a mobile app too, making the whole process easier for both visitors and hosts. For visitors who are more comfortable with using other languages, there is no need to worry as Traction Guest is a multilingual platform.

Packages. Traction Guest offers packages namely, Essential, Plus, Enhanced, and Complete. Each package has specific numbers of features and limits built into the package, with the Essential package offering the most necessary features and integrations to manage visitors, and the Complete package offering the most comprehensive features and integrations. Each of these packages has demo versions for those who wish to sign up and try the software.

5. LobbyGuard

Features. Lobby Guard is a visitor management system that offers both self-service kiosk installments and software-only systems. LobbyGuard is used by many schools, hotels, hospitals, and government buildings because of its enhanced security features, efficiency, and automation. LobbyGuard does more than badging visitors, it also monitors and screens them against comprehensive security lists such as criminal databases. Still, the automation feature makes it easy for visitors with clean records to sign-in and out unassisted. Once the visitor has signed in, the system sends a message to the host through text messaging or via email. Visiting time is also tracked and stored by LobbyGuard. A mobile app is also available so that visitors won't have to ask for assistance or to wait when there's a long queue.

LobbyGuard Products. There are four LobbyGuard products, each with its list of advantages. Their products include LobbyGuard Versa, LobbyGuard Defender, LobbyGuard Go, and LobbyGuard SL. Versa and Defender are kiosk products where the software is already installed in the purchased kiosk. Go is a mobile application, made especially to assist in checking-in/out LobbyGuard users without using the kiosk. SL lets LobbyGuard users access data from their already existing units or computers.