Raven CloudAccess

Raven CloudAccess is a cloud access control platform for managing doors at one site or across multiple locations. Administrators can use a browser or mobile device to create users, assign credentials, set schedules, and define access groups, including smartphone-based credentials. Push notifications cover access events, forced entry, and device health. The platform provides access logs, occupancy reports, and custom compliance dashboards, while a single command can lock doors across all sites. Controllers continue working offline and sync when reconnected. Raven lists cloud-hosted, on-premise appliance, and hybrid edge deployments; its on-premise option is described as supporting data residency and air-gapped sites. The company says communication among the cloud, controllers, and readers is encrypted with AES-256. A REST API reference and SDKs support custom integrations. The Free plan costs nothing and includes up to two doors, five users, seven days of event history, and community support. Starter costs $7.99 per door per month; Business costs $9.99 per door per month.

Raven CloudAccess combines remote door administration, access reporting, and lockdown controls. Its free tier has low door and user limits, while paid plans are priced per door.

Raven CloudAccess suits organizations managing door access at one or multiple locations. Its listed intended environments include offices, education, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, and multi-tenant settings.

Overview

Raven CloudAccess brings door administration, credentials, and access oversight into a browser or mobile app. It suits organizations that want one platform for multiple sites or need controllers to keep operating through a network outage. The free plan is a useful starting point for a very small installation; per-door pricing and low entry-level caps make growth a point to plan for.

Key features

Administrators can issue credentials, including smartphone credentials, assign users to access groups, and set schedules remotely. Push alerts cover access events, forced entry, and device health, while access logs, occupancy reports, and custom compliance dashboards help teams review activity. That mix suits operators who need both day-to-day access administration and reporting, rather than only remote door control.

Lockdown mode can lock doors across all sites with one command, which gives multi-site teams a direct response tool. Controllers continue working offline and sync automatically when reconnected, limiting the operational impact of a lost connection. Raven says communications between its cloud, controllers, and readers use AES-256 encryption.

Cloud-hosted, on-premise appliance, and hybrid edge deployments accommodate different operating requirements. Raven describes the on-premise option as supporting data residency and air-gapped sites. A REST API reference, SDKs, open protocols, and compatibility with major security ecosystems provide routes for custom integration. Technical support tickets receive a response within 24 hours; urgent issues can be raised at 1-800-555-0199.

Pricing

Raven uses freemium pricing, with paid plans charged per door per month. The Free plan costs nothing, billed Free for life, and includes up to 2 doors, 5 users, 7 days of event history, and community support. It is best for a small site or evaluation, but the short history window and strict door and user caps make it a poor fit for a growing operation.

Starter costs $7.99 a month, billed per door / month, and supports up to 16 doors and 50 users with 1 year of event history and email support. It is a reasonable step up for a small installation that needs longer records, though its user cap remains a constraint. Business costs $9.99 a month, billed per door / month, and raises the ceiling to 128 doors with unlimited users, 3 years of history, and priority support. That is the stronger fit for larger or more active sites, but the per-door charge means costs rise with deployment size.

Enterprise has custom pricing and includes unlimited doors and users, 5+ years of event history, and 24/7 dedicated support. It is the option for organizations that exceed Business limits or need its support coverage; the smaller plans trade away capacity, history, or support level.

Platforms

Raven supports Android, iOS, web, API, and self-hosted deployments. Browser and mobile access provide remote administration, while the API and self-hosted options give organizations additional integration and deployment paths.

Who it's for

Raven identifies corporate offices, education, healthcare, industrial and manufacturing, hospitality, and multi-tenant or co-working settings as intended environments. Its offline controllers and deployment choices are particularly relevant to organizations with connectivity, data-residency, or air-gap requirements. The free plan's two-door, five-user limit instead points to very small installations.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Offline-capable controllers sync after reconnection, helping doors remain operational during a network interruption.
• Pros: One-command lockdown, event alerts, and reporting combine response and oversight across locations.
• Pros: Cloud, on-premise, and hybrid edge options accommodate different deployment needs.
• Cons: Free is capped at 2 doors and 5 users, with only 7 days of event history.
• Cons: Starter caps users at 50, while per-door billing makes paid-plan cost scale with the installation.

Alternatives

Paxton10 is worth considering when a buyer prefers no software licence fees and can budget separately for hardware; its system supports up to 100 sites, 1,000 doors, 1,000 cameras, and 50,000 users. ButterflyMX is an alternative for buyers considering video intercom hardware, with its 8″ surface model priced at $3,995, paid once and its recessed model at $4,495, paid once. Honeywell Enterprise Buildings Integrator is another paid option for buyers comparing access software.

SmartRent Smart Access suits buyers seeking project-specific access control proposals. Gallagher Command Centre is another paid option for comparison. OpenVia is a freemium alternative with a subscription that requires a quote and generally has a one-year term unless a purchase agreement says otherwise. Swiftlane may suit buyers comparing intercom-device video clips: its Motion Detection Video Clips plan costs $30 a month per intercom device and includes up to 300 clips per day, 15 seconds per clip, and 30-day cloud retention. AXIS Camera Station Secure Entry is another paid option, with a free trial.

See Property Access Control Software for more options.

Verdict

Raven CloudAccess is a strong fit for organizations that need remote, multi-site door management with offline operation and flexible deployment choices. Its most compelling reason to choose it is the combination of lockdown, access reporting, and resilient controllers; the main reason to look elsewhere is per-door pricing coupled with limited capacity on the lower tiers. Choose Free for a tiny installation, Starter or Business as needs expand, and compare alternatives if scale or cost predictability matters more.