ecobee SmartBuildings vs UniFi Access
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ecobee SmartBuildings
Manage multiple thermostats across various business locations remotely. Receive alerts for temperature and HVAC equipment, and adjust settings on the go. This app provides centralized control for multi-site businesses.
- View all building thermostats in one place
- Remote thermostat control
- Temperature and HVAC equipment alerts
- Modify comfort settings on the go
- Switch HVAC system modes remotely
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ecobee SmartBuildings is a thermostat management software for multi-site businesses. The SmartBuildings mobile app gives you access and control over each thermostat, no matter where you are. With the ecobee SmartBuildings mobile app you can: • View all your buildings’ thermostats in one place • Control each thermostat no matter where you are • Stay one step ahead with temperature and HVAC equipment alerts • Modify comfort settings on the go • Easily switch HVAC system modes from anywhere Because we never take our users’ feedback for granted, we want more of your thoughts. smartbuildings@ecobee.com
UniFi Access
Manage your entire access control system remotely. Oversee doors, users, readers, and security policies. View real-time activity logs and receive doorbell notifications.
- Manage connected doors and security policies
- Oversee user rosters and access methods
- Configure reader devices and greeting messages
- View real-time access event logs
- Receive doorbell notifications
- Grant remote access to visitors
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The UniFi Access mobile app is a convenient, comprehensive management tool that allows you and other administrators to oversee every aspect of your Access system, including connected doors, user rosters, reader devices, access cards, and security policies. With the app, you can also view real-time access event logs to maintain full vantage of visitor and employee traffic throughout your workspace. [Doorbell] Receive a push notification when someone rings a connected doorbell. [Remote View] Greet visitors remotely with the UA Pro, then grant them access remotely. [Devices] Add new Access devices and configure a variety of settings, including greeting messages, broadcast names, digital keypad layout, volume, and display brightness. [Doors] Manage individual doors or group them to instantly make sweeping security alterations on the fly. You can also apply door and floor-specific access policies for enhanced building security. [Users] Add, edit, and remove users with ease. You can also assign individual and group-level access methods, such as PIN codes or UA Cards. [Activities] Review detailed access logs and card reader video captures to track on-premises activity anywhere, anytime. [Cards] Utilize existing NFC cards or assign new UA Cards to system users.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: UniFi Access at 60% against ecobee SmartBuildings's 16%. UniFi Access also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.1) and ratings volume (5.2K vs 30). ecobee SmartBuildings's advantage is iOS requirement (13.4 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
UniFi Access holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: UniFi Access has 5.2K ratings behind it against 30, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 16% of ecobee SmartBuildings's written reviews are positive against 60% of UniFi Access's.
ecobee SmartBuildings ships an update every 5 weeks, UniFi Access every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ecobee SmartBuildings | UniFi Access |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.1 (30 ratings) | 4.9 (5.2K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 15.8% of reviews | 59.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 30 | 5.2K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.4 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 25 MB | 280 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ecobee Ltd. | Ubiquiti Inc. |
Customer experience
ecobee SmartBuildings
UniFi Access
Bugs and requests
ecobee SmartBuildings
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
UniFi Access
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes on launch
- Notifications not working
- Remote login issues
- Outdated information in app
Requested features
4 requests- Integrate with Unifi Protect
- Add schedule management in app
- Allow door hold open/timer controls
- Improve camera/intercom integration
In-app purchases
ecobee SmartBuildings
No in-app purchases
UniFi Access
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is ecobee SmartBuildings free?
Is UniFi Access free?
Which has better reviews, ecobee SmartBuildings or UniFi Access?
Do ecobee SmartBuildings or UniFi Access have ads?
Which is updated more often, ecobee SmartBuildings or UniFi Access?
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