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

HID Mobile Access vs Gate Sentry

HID Mobile Access 4.7★ · Free to download 65
Winner Tie
Gate Sentry 4.8★ · Free to download 60

HID Mobile Access is better for personal access control, despite its inconsistencies, while Gate Sentry is better for managing guest access in gated communities, though it also suffers from reliability issues.

Full reviews: HID Mobile Access · Gate Sentry

HID Mobile Access offers convenient mobile entry but struggles with inconsistent performance, especially on iPhones, and battery drain. Gate Sentry excels at managing guest and vendor access for gated communities, though recent updates have introduced significant login and crashing issues.

Head to head

Features tieR6R8R9R11
HID Mobile Access HID Mobile Access offers mobile entry for buildings, gyms, and elevators, with some users appreciating its convenience R8. However, many users desire Apple Wallet integration for their access cards R9R30R37R39 and improved Apple Watch functionality, as the current watch app is often described as pointless or requiring the phone to be present R6R11.
Gate Sentry Gate Sentry is designed for managing guest and vendor access in gated communities, allowing users to easily add visitors and receive notifications upon their arrival . However, users frequently request features like recurring guest scheduling R72, the ability to add people from phone contacts , more flexible fields for guest and vendor names , and a history of past entries . Some users also note that the app's features are limited compared to the web browser version .
Ease of Use edge: Gate SentryR1R6R18R19
HID Mobile Access Many users find HID Mobile Access inconvenient, particularly with iPhones, where it often triggers Apple Pay R1R19R34R37 and requires the app to be open for functionality R1R6R18R19. The 'twist and go' feature is reported to be inconsistent or non-functional without the app open R18. Some also find the 'shake to activate' UI frustrating .
Gate Sentry Gate Sentry is generally considered easy and simple to use for adding guests and vendors . However, some users report difficulties with initial setup , hidden buttons , and the app not retaining login information .
Reliability edge: HID Mobile AccessR4R6R7R10
HID Mobile Access HID Mobile Access is frequently criticized for its inconsistent performance, with users reporting it often doesn't work R4R6R7. It may require multiple attempts, force quitting, or reinstalling the app R10. Some users experience issues after updates, such as the app not working unless open R34 or widgets failing .
Gate Sentry Gate Sentry has significant reliability issues, particularly after recent updates. Many users report the app crashing R92, not opening R73R94, or being unable to log in R96. Some users also note slow response times or the app dropping passwords .
Privacy and Permissions edge: Gate SentryR3R57R59
HID Mobile Access HID Mobile Access draws criticism for requiring 'Always On' location services, which users consider a privacy risk and unnecessary for an app used only a few times a day R3R57R59.
Gate Sentry Gate Sentry reviews do not mention specific privacy or permission concerns.
Performance tieR2R4R7R15
HID Mobile Access HID Mobile Access users report slow detection and access R4 and battery drain after updates R2. Connectivity issues, especially with Bluetooth, are also noted R7R15.
Gate Sentry Gate Sentry users mention slow response times and general sluggishness, with calls for a smoother, more responsive app .
Support edge: HID Mobile AccessR70R92
HID Mobile Access There are no direct mentions of customer support for HID Mobile Access in the provided reviews.
Gate Sentry Gate Sentry's customer service is described as 'rude' and 'worthless,' with users reporting unreturned calls R70. Some users also struggle to find ways to contact the app makers for issues R92.
Pick HID Mobile Access if

You need a mobile access solution for personal entry to various secure locations like offices, gyms, or elevators, and are willing to tolerate occasional inconsistencies and potential battery drain R8.

Pick Gate Sentry if

You manage guest and vendor access for a gated community and prioritize an app that simplifies this process, despite its current technical issues and limited features .

Evidence note: Both apps are free to download, so there is no free-vs-paid asymmetry. Reviews for both apps indicate significant issues, with recent negative reviews for Gate Sentry highlighting severe functionality problems after updates.

Frequently asked

Does HID Mobile Access work well with iPhones?
HID Mobile Access has significant issues with iPhones, often triggering Apple Pay, requiring the app to be open to function, and being less reliable on indoor readers compared to Android devices R1R19R34R37.
Can I add my access card to Apple Wallet with HID Mobile Access?
No, HID Mobile Access does not currently offer direct integration with Apple Wallet for access cards, which is a frequently requested feature by users R9R30R37R39.
What are the main issues with Gate Sentry's recent updates?
Recent updates to Gate Sentry have caused the app to crash, not open, or prevent users from logging in, rendering it unusable for many R73R92R94R96.
Does Gate Sentry allow for recurring guest scheduling?
No, Gate Sentry currently lacks the capability to schedule guests on a recurring weekly, daily, or monthly basis, which users find inconvenient R72.

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. [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
  2. [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
  3. [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.
  4. [R11] HID Mobile Access 5/5 · US Apple Watch: Make easier to use on Apple Watch
  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. [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
  7. [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
  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. [R10] HID Mobile Access 1/5 · US Get anything else: This is the worst app. Constantly having to log out, log back in, delete app and re-download and re-login, and then it only lasts for a month or 2 until you have to do it all over again. You can literally get anything else that works better than this.
  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. [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.
  15. [R15] HID Mobile Access 3/5 · US Most of the time it works: Most of time the scanner works but some times it don’t pick up when I’m close to the gate even though Bluetooth is on. Also it buzzes off every time I pass a scanner within the gym area or just any scanner I would like if I had more control like I do when near a gate.
  16. [R70] Gate Sentry 1/5 · US Worthless App: I had to use this cruddy app to get into my neighborhood while I was driving a loaner car. It was fine until they must have done some update. Now I have to put the text size on my phone to a very low minimum to make the app appear. I tried for three days to get their rude, worthless, customer service to return my call. This company needs someone to teach their employees how to en
  17. [R92] Gate Sentry 1/5 · US App update again: I updated the new version and now it’s crashing. It won’t open. It was fine before. Sending this again, new update yesterday and now it’s crashing again. I can’t find any other way to contact the makers of the app.
  18. [R34] HID Mobile Access 1/5 · US Most recent update nerfs functionality: Used to work fine. After the most recent update, app doesn’t work unless you open the app. It triggers Apple Pay and won’t work unless you dismiss that. Used to be seamless now is a nuisance
  19. [R37] HID Mobile Access 1/5 · US Needs Apple wallet card: This app would be great if they let you add your access card to Apple wallet. When the tech gurus of HID add this feature, 5 stars. As of now, you have to bypass Apple Pay every time you want to enter a building and it can be quite the pain :/
  20. [R30] HID Mobile Access 3/5 · US Apple Wallet Integration: Instead of forcing us into third-party vendors to integrate into Apple wallet, this should be done by HID.
  21. [R39] HID Mobile Access 3/5 · US Lot of room for Improvement !: It’s unstable. Sometimes it automatically recognizes the access point other times there’s a wait. Advice: can you make the card accessible via Apple wallet.
  22. [R73] Gate Sentry 1/5 · US It is gone. Just went away: I had it on my phone. Today I get a blank page when I try to open it. It just disappeared for some very strange reason. This is sooooo unreliable. Help
  23. [R94] Gate Sentry 1/5 · US Unable to load app after update: Unable to open the app to add guests
  24. [R96] Gate Sentry 2/5 · US App issues: App stopped working even after deleting and reinstalling! Won’t let me log in with username and password
  25. [R72] Gate Sentry 3/5 · US Guest Scheduling: The App should have the capability to schedule persons weekly, daily, monthly on a recurring basis. For example, I have someone who should have access on Mondays and Thursdays but there is no way to schedule that. I do not want the person to have permanent access so I have to try to remember each time. Very inconvenient and limiting.

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