The real cost of a security guard in the US (2025)
When a building or company manager evaluates access security, a guard seems like the simplest option. But the total monthly cost of a guard ranges from $1,800 to $2,500 USD, and that's just the start.
Let's break down the numbers:
And that assumes a single shift. If the building or company needs 24/7 coverage, the cost multiplies across 3 or 4 shifts, plus replacements for sick leave and vacations.
📌 Important: These costs do not include uniforms, training, or the administrative overhead of managing the employment relationship. Companies that contract through a security agency may pay over $4,000/month per guard.
What does Porteria® replace — and what doesn't it replace?
Porteria® does not replace a physical security guard in high-risk situations. What it does replace is the routine access control function: verifying who enters, opening the door, logging the entry and authorizing visitors.
That function accounts for more than 80% of a guard's working hours in a standard residential or office building.
The cost of Porteria® Empresas
The Porteria® Empresas plan starts at $120 USD/month. It includes up to 3 access points, a web admin panel, an app for employees and residents, access history and technical support.
Adding modules such as kiosks, license plate readers or relays for multiple access points raises the cost moderately. But even in the most complete configuration, it rarely exceeds $400 USD/month.
💡 Direct comparison: Full Porteria® Empresas ≈ $400/month vs. a day-shift guard ≈ $3,000/month. The potential savings exceed $2,600/month, or over $31,000/year.
What about security?
The question that always comes up is: isn't it less secure without a physical guard? It depends on the context, but in many cases the answer is no. Here's why:
- 100% digital log: Every access event is recorded with timestamp, identity and method. A guard can forget or log incorrectly.
- No shift blind spots: The system works identically at 3 AM and 3 PM. A tired guard at the end of a shift can make mistakes.
- Automatic alerts: If someone attempts unauthorized access, the system notifies the administrator in real time.
- Active blacklists: Blocked individuals cannot enter under any pretext, regardless of what they say.
When do you actually need a guard?
There are contexts where a physical guard is still necessary: high-security facilities, areas with high volumes of unknown visitors, or where a deterrent presence is part of the protocol. In those cases, Porteria® complements the guard: it removes routine work so they can focus on what matters.
Conclusion
If your building or company uses a guard primarily to open the door and log entries, you're paying between $2,600 and $4,000 a month for a function that an automated system can do faster, with better records and at a fraction of the cost.
The return on investment of Porteria® is achieved in the first month in most cases.
