Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

HID Mobile Access vs Kisi

HID Mobile Access 4.7★ · Free to download 60
Winner Kisi
Kisi 4.8★ · Free to download 65

Kisi has a slight edge over HID Mobile Access due to its slightly better reliability and user experience, despite both apps facing similar challenges with inconsistent performance and privacy concerns.

Full reviews: HID Mobile Access · Kisi

Both HID Mobile Access and Kisi are mobile access apps that struggle with consistent performance, especially on iOS devices, and draw user concern over always-on location permissions. Kisi appears to be marginally more reliable and offers a slightly smoother user experience when it works, though neither app is free from significant user complaints.

Head to head

Features tieR9R11R18R21
HID Mobile Access HID Mobile Access offers features like mobile entry for various secure locations, including buildings, gyms, and elevators . However, users desire Apple Wallet integration for their access cards R9 and improved Apple Watch functionality, noting the current Watch app is often pointless or requires the phone to be present R6R11R21. Some users appreciate the 'Twist and Go' feature, but report it often stops working unless the app is open R18.
Kisi Kisi also provides digital key access for gyms and other spaces R83. Users appreciate the flexibility of using it on iPhone and Apple Watch, but some report the Watch app doesn't always work alone . There's a desire for NFC support to unlock doors by holding the phone close, rather than clicking a button . Recent updates have removed features like groups, making navigation more cumbersome for users with multiple locks . iPad support is also requested .
Ease of Use tieR1R6R9R12
HID Mobile Access Many HID Mobile Access users find the app inconvenient and not user-friendly, especially on iPhones, where it often triggers Apple Pay instead of unlocking doors R1R19. Users frequently report needing to open the app, unlock the phone, or even restart the app multiple times for it to work R1R6R9R12. The 'shake to activate' feature is also frustrating for some .
Kisi Kisi users also report issues with ease of use, including the app triggering Apple Wallet instead of unlocking doors . Many wish they could simply hold their phone to the reader instead of having to open the app and click a button . Recent updates have added extra steps, like selecting a location even for users with only one . Some find the interface smooth, but others complain about lag and too many clicks .
Reliability edge: KisiR4R6R7R12
HID Mobile Access HID Mobile Access is frequently described as inconsistent, erratic, and not working well R4R6R7. Users report slow detection, poor connectivity, and the app failing to work 90% of the time when the phone is locked R4R6R7R12. Android users seem to have fewer issues than iPhone users R1. Some users report it works 9/10 times or is reliable .
Kisi Kisi also suffers from significant reliability issues, with many users calling it glitchy, unreliable, and stating it 'never works' or only works 'half the time' R64. Users report the door readers working only 50% of the time, or even 5% for first attempts . However, a notable number of users find it works great, flawlessly, or is super fast and easy R62.
Privacy and Permissions tieR2R3R57R59
HID Mobile Access A significant concern for HID Mobile Access users is the requirement for 'Always On' location services, which many find unnecessary and a privacy risk R3R57R59. Users believe location access should be limited to 'While Using the App' R57R59. Some also report battery drain after updates R2.
Kisi Kisi also faces strong criticism for forcing users to grant 'Always Allow' location access, with many users refusing due to privacy concerns R66. Users report the app will not work or allow login without this permission . The app also pauses audio when opened, which users find creepy and unnecessary .
Price/Value edge: HID Mobile AccessR8R62R77R83
HID Mobile Access HID Mobile Access is described as 'priceless' by some users for its security and features R8. While the app is free to download, there are no specific complaints about its cost or value in the provided reviews.
Kisi Kisi is criticized by some users for price gouging, with reports of 900% price increases without notice after one year . The system is also described as bare bones and cloud-hosted for no other reason than to charge exorbitant subscription fees . However, many users appreciate the convenience and ease of access it provides R62R77R83.
Support edge: HID Mobile AccessR27R61R64R88
HID Mobile Access There are no direct mentions of user support experiences for HID Mobile Access in the provided reviews. One user asks where to find a welcome email for a sign-in code R27.
Kisi Some Kisi users report having to contact their coach due to the app logging them out R64 or needing to go into the gym to have staff 'mess with the app' R88. One user had a horrible experience with Kisi over three years, citing issues that were not fixed . Another user mentioned contacting support regarding price increases, but was told to 'contact support' again, indicating a lack of resolution . There are also reports of verification emails not being sent during signup R61.
Pick HID Mobile Access if

you prioritize a potentially lower cost for the overall system, as Kisi has faced significant price increase complaints .

Pick Kisi if

you value a slightly more reliable experience, as Kisi has a higher number of positive reviews praising its functionality despite common issues R62.

Evidence note: Both apps have a high lifetime rating, but a significant portion of recent reviews for both are negative, highlighting common frustrations with mobile access technology, particularly on iOS. The free-to-download model for both means many negative reviews come from users experiencing friction with core functionality rather than specific paid features.

Frequently asked

Do these apps work reliably with Apple Wallet or Apple Watch?
Neither HID Mobile Access nor Kisi consistently integrate well with Apple Wallet or Apple Watch, with users frequently reporting that the apps trigger Apple Pay instead of unlocking doors R1R19 and that Apple Watch functionality is limited or requires the phone to be present R6R11R21.
Do these apps require 'Always On' location services?
Yes, both HID Mobile Access and Kisi are reported by users to require 'Always On' location services to function properly, which many find unnecessary and a privacy concern R3R57R59R66.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R9] HID Mobile Access 3/5 · US It is difficult to run: I does not always open the door I have to stop open the app then the door opens I would like to be able to add the card to my Apple wallet but the app does not have that option. It should.
  2. [R11] HID Mobile Access 5/5 · US Apple Watch: Make easier to use on Apple Watch
  3. [R18] HID Mobile Access 3/5 · US Cannot twist and go without opening the app: Twist and go stopped working unless I have the app open about 3 weeks ago. Please fix
  4. [R21] HID Mobile Access 3/5 · US Apple Watch: Needs stand alone Apple Watch functionality. What’s the point of including Apple Watch functionality if you still need to have your phone as well.
  5. [R1] HID Mobile Access 1/5 · US Inconvenient: I agree with other reviewers. Switched from android to iPhone and now it wants to do Apple Pay every time I use it. With android I did not have to open the app but with iPhone the app has to be open. Just not convenient. This needs to be fixed and I can certainly revise my review then.
  6. [R6] HID Mobile Access 3/5 · US Not User Friendly: It works, inconsistently. If the phone is *unlocked* with the app open, it generally works 90% of the time. If the phone is *locked*, it either takes a while or doesn’t work at all about 90% of the time. My usage is for my residential building, elevators and exterior access inside the garage. Whether it has a good internet signal or not seems to affect performance. The Appl
  7. [R12] HID Mobile Access 3/5 · US Has problems operating when my screen is closed: Doesn’t usually work when my screen is closed
  8. [R4] HID Mobile Access 1/5 · US Generally doesn't work well: Slow to detect and give access
  9. [R7] HID Mobile Access 1/5 · US Doesn’t work so well: Often has poor connectivity to unlock doors
  10. [R2] HID Mobile Access 4/5 · US New Update Drains Battery: The update launched 6/29/26 is causing the app to use 24% of my battery. Please investigate and fix this issue.
  11. [R3] HID Mobile Access 3/5 · US No need for always on location: Should be no need for the app to always have location services on.
  12. [R57] HID Mobile Access 2/5 · US Remove requirement to Always access location: The app does its work, but its a privacy risk as it only works when its given permission to always have your location data, not limited to while its being used. Which should be the correct way as this app is only needed twice a day when coming and leaving from office. Why does it need all day location data? Its either the dev team is lethargic or the m
  13. [R59] HID Mobile Access 1/5 · US Requires Location ALWAYS ON!: I don’t understand why this app requires my Location setting to be ALWAYS ON. This is unacceptable and seems unnecessary. Please change the app to accept the Location information to WHILE USING the app.
  14. [R8] HID Mobile Access 5/5 · US Game Changer!: This app is priceless! Secure, friendly and full of features! Kudos for modernizing the way we work
  15. [R62] Kisi 5/5 · US Love It: Easy in access and not a whole lot of people here around noon which is great 1,000/10
  16. [R77] Kisi 5/5 · US Awesome: Absolutely fantastic. Makes it all so easy to gain access to the space. Thanks Kisi
  17. [R83] Kisi 5/5 · US Gym: Totally love the ease to get into gym without a card
  18. [R27] HID Mobile Access 3/5 · US Welcome email?: Where do I find the welcome email for the code to sign in?
  19. [R61] Kisi 1/5 · US Verification email never sent: The verification email was not sent during signup and the resend button doesn’t work. Couldn’t sign up and use the key.
  20. [R64] Kisi 2/5 · US CrossFit: I’m a member of my CF and I only go to open gym due to my schedule. We can use Kisi to let us inside. Kisi is very glitchy and not reliable. I have been notified by the app countless times now to contact my Coach due to it logging me out (I didn’t do it) from the app. It worked like wonders at first now it’s just so annoying. My CF had no control over this app. This app needs an update
  21. [R88] Kisi 1/5 · US Bugged out: Worst appoints kind and have to go into the gym to have them mess with the app. They say it’s definitely the app causing issues and have to restart my account religiously. Please Kisi jump off a bridge
  22. [R19] HID Mobile Access 1/5 · US Inconvenient: My work requires me to use this and I don’t see the convenience in it. Because of whatever Bluetooth functionality it works through, iPhones assume you are trying to use Apple Pay unless you have the app open and ready. It’s necessary to have the app open in order for it to work, and even then it sometimes takes several tries. Going through multiple locked doors on the way to my work
  23. [R66] Kisi 3/5 · US Permission mad: It says permissions are required to monitor your location at all times, etc. But it works regardless, just shows your this banner at the top of the screen. Suspicious!

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store