Switch™ Mobile Access vs PennWest Shield
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Switch™ Mobile Access
This application enables Bluetooth-based access control for commercial locks and hardware. It transforms doors and cabinets into smart locks, allowing users to request access keys from system administrators. The app supports multi-site access and adapts its interface based on user roles.
- Bluetooth access control
- Smart lock functionality
- Background access mode
- Touch ID and Face ID support
- Multi-site access
- Role-adaptive interface
Read full descriptionHide full description
Switch™ Mobile Access brings access control to commercial locks and hardware, transforming doors, cabinets, and more into Bluetooth enabled smart locks. If your building or security system has installed Switch™ Tech, then download this app and request a registration key from the system administrator to receive your access. Simply tap the activate button, touch the Switch™ Core to wake, and twist just like you would a mechanical key once you see a green light. Features: • Background mode to allow access even while your phone is in your pocket • Works with Touch ID and Face ID • Multi-site support with the same app – access your work, gym, or other facilities equipped with Switch™ Tech • Synchronize Switch™ Fob access rights for yourself, your team, or other Switch users • Single application for normal and administrative users – user interface adapts to your role
PennWest Shield
Enhance organizational security with tools like a panic slider, tip submission, and a safety timer. This app provides an extra layer of protection for your community.
- Panic Slider
- Submit Tips
- Safety Timer
- Organizational Protection
- Additional Security Layer
Read full descriptionHide full description
Use PennWest Shield to add an additional layer of protection to your organization by utilizing tools such as: Panic Slider, Submit Tips and Safety Timer.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: PennWest Shield at 5.0 against Switch™ Mobile Access's 2.7. Switch™ Mobile Access's advantage is ratings volume (36 vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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.
PennWest Shield holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Switch™ Mobile Access has 36 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Switch™ Mobile Access ships an update every 7 months, PennWest Shield every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Switch™ Mobile Access | PennWest Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.7 (36 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 30.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 36 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 4 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 43 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | dormakaba USA Inc | Pennsylvania Western University |
Customer experience
Switch™ Mobile Access
PennWest Shield
In-app purchases
Switch™ Mobile Access
No in-app purchases
PennWest Shield
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Switch™ Mobile Access free?
Is PennWest Shield free?
Which has better reviews, Switch™ Mobile Access or PennWest Shield?
Do Switch™ Mobile Access or PennWest Shield have ads?
Which is updated more often, Switch™ Mobile Access or PennWest Shield?
Other comparisons
