Ekey Biometric Systems
Ekey Biometric Systems GmbH is an Austrian, family-owned manufacturer of fingerprint-based access control systems serving residential and commercial customers in 70+ countries via dealer and OEM door-manufacturer channels.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersLinz, Austria
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ekey Biometric Systems does
Ekey Biometric Systems GmbH is a privately-held, family-owned Austrian manufacturer of fingerprint-based access control systems, headquartered in Linz. Founded in 2002 by Leopold Gallner and now managed together with his children Raphaela Gallner and Michael Gallner-Holzmann, the company designs and produces biometric fingerprint scanners across five product lines (xLine for wall mounting, sLine for door stations, dLine integrated into door leaves and handles, uno for retrofitting, and the networked ekey net for commercial deployments), supported by the ekey bionyx mobile app and cloud platform.
The technology stack is built on a proprietary patented fingerprint recognition algorithm consisting of a Feature Extractor and Matcher components, an area sensor, and anti-manipulation protections including liveness/conductivity checks. Data is transmitted end-to-end encrypted via Transport Layer Security and the bionyx cloud runs on Microsoft Azure; the company reports a 1-in-10-million false acceptance rate, claimed to be 1,000x more secure than a 4-digit ATM code.
Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales distributed via an authorized dealer and OEM door-manufacturer channel (Gira, Siedle, DoorBird, TRENDTÜREN, BAYERWALD), supplemented by direct e-commerce via the ekey online shop and a growing recurring software component through the bionyx app (freemium tier of 20 users, paid tier up to 100 users) and Plus Mode firmware features. Customers span residential, multi-dwelling units, commercial offices, healthcare, aviation, emergency services and luxury real estate; named references include Aston Martin Switzerland, SONNENTOR, ista Vienna, Protectas, the German Red Cross (Waldshut) and Avangard Aviation. Ekey exports to 70+ countries with roughly 80% export share and maintains regional offices in Germany, Switzerland/Liechtenstein, Italy and Slovenia, holding TÜV ISO 9001:2015 certification.
Ekey Biometric Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ekey Biometric Systems
- Legal name
- ekey biometric systems GmbH
- Website
- https://ekey.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Ekey Biometric Systems GmbH is an Austrian, family-owned manufacturer of fingerprint-based access control systems serving residential and commercial customers in 70+ countries via dealer and OEM door-manufacturer channels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ekey Biometric Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biometric Access Control
- NAICS
- Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)
- SIC
- Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Home Security & Access Control (Cameras, Alarms, Smart Locks) (HSAPAQAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Integration Services (Smart Home Hubs, Voice Assistants, Alarm & Video) (HSAHAEAH), Access Control & Smart Locks (Managed/Monitored) (HSAHAAAG)
Keywords
Where Ekey Biometric Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Linz
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Ekey Biometric Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales - Fingerprint Scanners: Sale of fingerprint scanner hardware including xLine (wall mounting), sLine (door stations), dLine (door leaf/handle integration), uno (retrofitting), keypad, and network access solutions. Products sold through dealers, online shop, and system integrators.
- Software/App Subscriptions: ekey bionyx app provides user management with 20 users free, up to 100 users with paid extension. Additional smart functions available in Plus Mode including remote opening, push notifications, and time-based access control.
- Professional Services: ekey Academy provides training for partners, dealers and professionals. System integration and installation services through certified business partners.
- Enterprise Network Solutions: ekey net network access solution for commercial applications with centralized administration, multiple fingerprint scanners, and integration with building automation systems.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | ekey bionyx app - Standard (20 users free) |
| Subscription | Annual | ekey bionyx app - Extended (up to 100 users) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Hardware Products |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Ekey Biometric Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ekey designs, manufactures, and sells biometric fingerprint scanner access control systems for residential and commercial doors, including wall-mounted (xLine), door-station-integrated (sLine), in-door-handle (dLine), battery-powered retrofit (uno), and networked multi-point (ekey net) variants. The hardware is complemented by the ekey bionyx mobile app, cloud platform on Microsoft Azure, and APIs for smart home/building automation integration. Offerings are sold through an authorized dealer network, an OEM partner program for door manufacturers, and the ekey online shop.
Product overview
Ekey Biometric Systems offers a comprehensive portfolio of fingerprint scanner access solutions positioned as Europe's market leader. The product portfolio consists of multiple scanner lines (xLine for wall mounting, sLine for door stations, dLine for integrated door handles/leaves, uno for retrofitting) that share a common technology platform. All scanners are managed through the ekey bionyx app ecosystem, which provides Local Mode (basic offline functionality) and Plus Mode (cloud-connected smart features). For commercial/enterprise deployments, the ekey net system enables networked multi-scanner administration. The ecosystem includes supporting products (dLine Gateway, keypad, UPS), integration APIs for smart home platforms (Alexa, Home Assistant, Control4, URC), and the recently launched HELLO Letterbox complete solution combining fingerprint access with video intercom. The core differentiation is the proprietary patented fingerprint recognition algorithm with 1:10 million false acceptance rate.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ekey bionyx: Cloud-based smart home access control platform and mobile app for managing fingerprint scanner systems, featuring user administration, remote opening, push notifications, and integration with smart home systems including Amazon Alexa.
- ekey xLine
- ekey sLine
- ekey dLine
- ekey uno
- ekey net
- ekey keypad
Products and services
- ekey xLine Fingerprint Scanner Wall-mounted fingerprint scanner available in surface-mounted and flush-mounted variants, designed for keyless access to home entrances or garages. Supports Local Mode (offline) and Plus Mode (cloud) operation.
- ekey sLine Fingerprint Scanner Fingerprint scanner engineered for integration into door stations and mailboxes, compatible with Gira, Siedle, and DoorBird door stations. Available as factory-integrated or retrofit module.
- ekey dLine Fingerprint Scanner Fingerprint scanner integrated directly into the door leaf and handle, providing keyless access without visible external hardware. Distributed through a partnership network of door manufacturers and adapted for motorhome/caravan use.
- ekey dLine Gateway Gateway device that enables smartphone-based remote opening and administration functionality for ekey dLine fingerprint scanner systems.
- ekey keypad (Code Pad Integra) Keypad-based access control device (ekey keypad integra) available in surface and flush-mount variants; offered as an alternative to fingerprint authentication within the ekey access system.
- ekey net Network Access Solution Networked access solution for commercial and enterprise deployments, enabling centralized administration of multiple fingerprint scanners across buildings, server rooms, and multi-tenant sites.
- ekey uno Retrofitting Set Battery-powered retrofitting set that adds fingerprint access to existing doors without drilling, chiseling, or wiring; designed for easy self-installation on residential doors.
- ekey bionyx App Smartphone and tablet application for administering ekey fingerprint scanner systems; includes user administration, remote opening, push notifications, access log (7–30 days), time-based access control, Amazon Alexa integration, and smart home connectivity via HTTPS requests.
- HELLO Letterbox Weatherproof smart letterbox with integrated DoorBird video intercom and ekey sLine fingerprint scanner that opens both the front door and letterbox with a finger; available in surface-mount and flush-mount anthracite gray (RAL 7016) variants.
Quantifiable outcome
- False Acceptance Rate (FAR) of 1 in 10 million - 1000x more secure than 4-digit ATM code
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Ekey Biometric Systems
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ekey Biometric Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration19 records
AI capability2 records
Feature7 records
Ekey Biometric Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- URC (Universal Remote Control)coreIntegration of ekey bionyx system into URC's Total Control System for smart building automation. Biometric access becomes part of smart building control for residential and commercial properties. Available free in URC Dealer Portal.
- DoorBirdcoreIntegration partnership for door stations with IP video intercom. ekey sLine fingerprint scanners integrated with DoorBird door stations for complete smart access and communication solution.
- Microsoft AzurecoreCloud computing partnership where Microsoft Azure provides the infrastructure for ekey bionyx cloud services. Data encrypted and stored on Azure servers.
- AIT Austrian Institute of TechnologystrategicAustria's largest non-university research institution collaborated on development of ekey bionyx app. AIT accompanied ekey in development providing expertise in infrastructure and software development.
- Amazon AlexacoreVoice assistant integration allowing users to open doors with voice commands. Set up custom Alexa routines triggered by fingerprint scanner.
- GiracoreDoor station integration partner. ekey fingerprint scanner modules available for Gira door stations, integrated at factory or for retrofitting.
- SiedlecoreDoor station integration partner. ekey fingerprint scanner modules available for Siedle door stations.
- Home AssistantcoreOpen source home automation platform integration. Documentation and step-by-step guides available for integrating ekey fingerprint scanners with Home Assistant.
- Control4strategicProfessional smart home automation platform. Control4 driver and integration for Notification API available for seamless integration into Control4 systems.
- LoxonecoreSmart home automation system integration. Example documentation available for triggering inputs on Loxone Miniserver via HTTPS requests.
- BeckhoffcoreBuilding automation integration. ekey finger scanners combined with Beckhoff control devices for access, presence scenes, and lift control.
- Software Quality Lab GmbHstrategicQuality management partnership providing software development expertise including agile methods, requirements engineering, and software architecture.
- Andreas HappestrategicSecurity expert and founder providing IT security and privacy consulting. Appreciates ekey's implementation of Secure Software Development Lifecycle.
- BDF (Bund Deutscher Fertigbau)strategicGerman prefab housing association partnership for residential construction market.
- CEDIAstrategicInternational trade association for home automation companies. Partnership for industry networking and channel development.
- SSG SchweizstrategicSwiss security industry partner for Switzerland market.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ekey Biometric Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Suprema: Global provider of biometric access control solutions (fingerprint, face, mobile credentials) for enterprise and SMB. Comparable fingerprint product line and similar smart building integration story, but operating at much larger scale across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
- IDEMIA: Global leader in biometric identity and access control, with a deep portfolio in fingerprint, facial, and iris recognition across government, enterprise, and consumer markets. A direct technology peer to ekey at the algorithm/hardware level, with vastly greater scale and enterprise reach.
- Assa Abloy (Yale / August): Global access solutions leader whose Yale and August brands dominate the residential and commercial smart lock category. Competes with ekey in residential biometric and smart access, with vastly greater distribution and brand presence.
- Salto Systems: European leader in electronic access control, offering networked locks, mobile credentials, and integrated access management. Direct peer in the commercial access control segment where ekey net competes; larger scale and broader product portfolio.
- Allegion (Schlage): Major global access control company (Schlage, Von Duprin, ISONAS) with broad residential and commercial lock portfolios. Direct overlap with ekey in residential biometric/smart lock categories through Schlage's Encode and biometric-enabled product lines.
- ZKTeco: Worldwide manufacturer of biometric and RFID access control products (fingerprint, facial, palm) at competitive price points. Overlaps with ekey in fingerprint-based access, but operates at much larger scale and with a broader enterprise portfolio.
Emerging players
- igloohome: Smart lock company focused on keyless access for residential and short-term rental markets. Comparable in offering smart lock / mobile credential access, though mostly PIN/credential-based rather than fingerprint; operates at smaller scale than ekey.
Direct peers
- Nuki Home Solutions: Austrian smart lock company (Graz-based) that is a near-twin to ekey in geography and target customer. Like ekey, Nuki offers retrofit and integrated smart lock solutions with broad smart home integrations; both serve the same European residential and commercial access control market.
- Tedee: Smart lock company offering retrofit and integrated smart lock products with cloud-based smartphone control. Direct integration partner with ekey (per HTTPS API examples), serving the same European residential and small commercial market with similar channel model.
Regional players
- Kaadas (KÄDAS): Smart lock specialist (Asia-Pacific focus) with biometric fingerprint smart locks for residential and hospitality markets. Comparable product category and biometric technology; primarily serves China and APAC while ekey is Europe-led, making it a regional rather than direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ekey Biometric Systems social profiles
Digital presenceEkey Biometric Systems compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Ekey Biometric Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ekey Biometric Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Ekey Biometric Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ekey Biometric Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ekey Biometric Systems
What does Ekey Biometric Systems do?
Ekey designs, manufactures, and sells biometric fingerprint scanner access control systems for residential and commercial doors, including wall-mounted (xLine), door-station-integrated (sLine), in-door-handle (dLine), battery-powered retrofit (uno), and networked multi-point (ekey net) variants. The hardware is complemented by the ekey bionyx mobile app, cloud platform on Microsoft Azure, and APIs for smart home/building automation integration. Offerings are sold through an authorized dealer network, an OEM partner program for door manufacturers, and the ekey online shop.
Is Ekey Biometric Systems a public or private company?
Ekey Biometric Systems is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Ekey Biometric Systems founded?
Ekey Biometric Systems was founded in 2002. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Ekey Biometric Systems based?
Ekey Biometric Systems is headquartered in Linz, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does Ekey Biometric Systems make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales - Fingerprint Scanners are the primary driver. The others are software/App Subscriptions, professional Services and enterprise Network Solutions.
Who are Ekey Biometric Systems's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Suprema, IDEMIA, Assa Abloy (Yale / August), Salto Systems, Allegion (Schlage) and ZKTeco. igloohome is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Nuki Home Solutions and Tedee. Kaadas (KÄDAS) is listed as a regional player.
Does Ekey Biometric Systems have an API?
Yes. ekey bionyx API enables developers to integrate with ekey fingerprint scanner systems. Includes REST API for authenticating and configuring functions, Notification API for real-time access event notifications (outputs time, date, device, user, finger used, or digital input), and HTTPS requests for smart home integrations. The API supports Home Assistant, Control4, and custom integrations. Developer portal available at developer.ekey.net. Developer documentation is at developer.ekey.net/t/overview-ekey-bionyx-api/1.
What industry is Ekey Biometric Systems in?
Ekey Biometric Systems's product category is Biometric Access Control. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAPAQAB, Home Security & Access Control (Cameras, Alarms, Smart Locks), with a secondary code of HSAHAEAH, Integration Services (Smart Home Hubs, Voice Assistants, Alarm & Video). Its NAICS code is 334512 and its SIC code is 3600.