Ron
Avoid! No indoor unit to let you know someone's at the door
Avoid at all costs. They insist on removing the intercom system, so there's no way for residents to know if a visitor is at the door unless they check a cell phone or tablet app. Our apartment complex was looking to install additional CCTV security cameras. We already have a recently-installed two-way audio/video intercom system with in-apartment units that all have a buzzer, speaker, and high quality video screen. When someone outside rings the bell the indoor unit buzzes and the screen lights up showing a video feed of the visitor outside. The resident and visitor can speak to one another and the resident can unlock the door from the wall-mounted in-apartment unit. The system works perfectly with no drawbacks. It's always-on, doesn't require any subscription, cell phone app, or anything like that at all. It just works 24/7. Our management were mainly interested in security cameras. But the people at Butterfly MX said they'd provide a discount on the security cameras if our management removes our current, far superior, professionally-installed intercom system and replaces it with a Butterfly MX unit. But the Butterfly MX system only consists of an outdoor unit. There's no in-apartment hardware. Not even a buzzer. The only way to know if someone is at the door outside is for residents to check a cell phone/tablet app or have the system wired to a landline (which obviously wouldn't have any video). Not only that, but the Butterfly MX unit requires a subscription and Internet connection. With our current system I could be in the bedroom, not expecting any visitors. But let's say there's an unexpected delivery for me. The delivery person can press the button on the outdoor unit and my indoor unit buzzes and lights up, letting me know someone needs to get in. I'm immediately alerted to this and can let them in before they get sick of waiting and leave a "Sorry we missed you" notice. Now imagine the same delivery scenario with Butterfly MX. I would have no idea someone was outside unless I had already turned on my mobile device, opened the Butterfly MX app, and diligently paid attention to it all day until the person eventually arrived. But without any indoor buzzer, even if I knew they were coming there's a good chance I would miss them anyway since by the time I check the app they may have already gotten tired of waiting and left. Now imagine this for every single delivery and visitor. Just think of all the times somebody rang your doorbell without you knowing in advance it was about to happen. With a normal intercom or even just a doorbell, it's no problem because there's sound/audio/video to let you know someone's there. But if you had Butterfly MX instead you would have missed every single one of those visitors because you had no way of knowing they were there unless you just so happened to have the app opened at the time. Yes, they do offer the option to have your landline phone ring when someone is at the door instead. But this is a huge downgrade compared to what we already have. One of the main reasons we upgraded from an audio-only intercom system to our current audio/video system is for additional security. With audio-only intercoms there's the possibility for an impostor with bad intentions to ring the bell and when the resident answers and says, "Who is it?" the impostor lies and says, "UPS" or "Fedex" as a ploy to get inside. With video you can actually see the person so you can tell if they have a uniform, if they're holding a package, etc... You can make a better judgment about whether to let them in or not when you're able to see them. Finally, not everybody has a landline phone or cell phone. But even for those who do and don't mind the jerry-rigged solution of having to use a cellphone app to open the door, you can bet the app won't be supported indefinitely. These types of devices that rely on an app to work are notorious for having app support discontinued, leaving the hardware useless. Then you're left completely in the lurch because the intercom system that worked perfectly without the need for any app was needlessly removed by Butterfly MX. Butterfly MX are highly unethical for pressuring our management -- who only wanted CCTV security cameras in the first place -- to remove our 24/7, always-on, audio/video intercom system with something more expensive, less secure, and far less functional. Shame on Butterfly MX. UPDATE: I just got this email. They're trying mark negative reviews as non-genuine: Hi Ron, You’ve written a review for ButterflyMX, and they’ve asked for more details to better understand your experience. If you provide some extra information within 3 days, it’ll help them recognize your experience and respond. If we don’t hear from you, the company may not be able to recognize your review as genuine.
Response from ButterflyMXMay 5, 2026
Thanks for your review, Ron. We’re sorry to hear about your experience. We understand your concerns and would appreciate the opportunity to help improve your experience with ButterflyMX. We offer several in-unit options for situations where a smartphone may not be available. You can learn more here: https://butterflymx.com/blog/in-unit-options/ There are also multiple smartphone notification options available to help ensure you do not miss a visitor. You can learn more here: https://butterflymx.com/blog/manage-app-notifications/ Please email [email protected] or call 1 (800) 398-4416 so our team can assist you directly.



