2026-01-21
Access Control Technology Trends 2025: What’s Gaining Momentum and What’s Ready for Deployment
Towards the end of 2025, ASMAG released its latest survey on access control technologies, evaluating both market suitability and technical maturity to highlight what is gaining traction in the market and what is truly ready for real-world deployment.
At the top of the list, mobile credentials clearly stand out, achieving the highest scores at 4.24 for market suitability and 3.92 for technical maturity. This reflects growing market acceptance, driven by a simple reality: people carry their smartphones far more consistently than physical cards. On the technology side, mobile credentials have matured significantly, with broad support for BLE and NFC, and early adoption of UWB. Secure credential storage through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet has further strengthened trust, delivering a user experience that is both convenient and reliable.
Another technology category drawing strong interest is multimodal biometrics, which scored 4.17/3.87. By combining more than one biometric factor—such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning—these systems improve accuracy while making spoofing considerably more difficult. Closely related is the rise of AI-accelerated biometrics, rated at 4.14/3.59. With AI in the mix, access control systems move beyond simple identity verification to detecting anomalies and distinguishing normal behavior from potential risk. This marks a broader shift in security thinking, from reactive incident response toward a more proactive and preventive approach.
From a system architecture perspective, Access Control as a Service (ACaaS) received solid mid-range scores of 3.94/3.63. While not the highest-rated category, ACaaS remains an attractive option, particularly for organizations looking to reduce on-premise server costs, scale systems more easily, manage sites remotely, and update access policies in real time. This makes it well suited for both SMBs and multi-site enterprises. Meanwhile, wireless locks continue to perform strongly, scoring 4.19/3.92. Their appeal lies in simple installation without the need for extensive cabling, making them ideal for locations where wiring is difficult. Improvements in reliability and battery efficiency now allow typical operating lifespans of one to three years, depending on usage patterns.
If you would like to see a live demonstration or receive guidance on selecting the right access control solution for your organization, feel free to contact us.