{"id":4630,"date":"2022-11-16T12:09:32","date_gmt":"2022-11-16T11:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.digitalid.co.uk\/blog\/?p=4630"},"modified":"2025-06-10T11:20:44","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T10:20:44","slug":"signo-or-architect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.digitalid.co.uk\/blog\/signo-or-architect\/","title":{"rendered":"Signo or Architect: Which Reader\u2019s Right for Your Access Control Needs?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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When you think of access control, two brands that instantly spring to mind are HID Global<\/a> and STid Security<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both have an impressive array of products in the access control space and are renowned for innovation and quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve decided to take a deeper dive into their card reader offerings and why they are in high demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re going to be focusing solely on HID and STid\u2019s most popular reader ranges: the HID Signo and the STid Architect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll discuss how they size up in terms of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Operating frequency<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Compatibility<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Design<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Security<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Reliability<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Durability<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Who better to conduct the review than our very own access control specialist, Peter Walsh<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A quick intro<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

HID and STid are two leading access control brands globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both companies sell a range of access card readers, but they\u2019re far from identical twins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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HID holds the throne<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hard to find someone who hasn\u2019t heard of HID in the access control space. Founded in 1991 and now part of the Assa Abloy family, HID access control card readers<\/a> have continually developed, with the new Signo™ models the latest to hit the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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STid is gaining traction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Founded in 1996, STid is growing fast and becoming a favourite in the access control space. STid access card readers<\/a> include a variety of different models, with the Architect\u00ae range taking centre stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Variety<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Both check the essential boxes\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Usability \u2013 Users tap their cards against readers to gain access to the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Durability \u2013 Readers are IP65 rated and can work in the harshest of environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Versatility \u2013 Both readers support a range of different credential technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Future-Proof \u2013 Both offer mobile access capabilities for the modern workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026but take different approaches.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

HID Signo and STid Architect readers have similar functionality but have minor differences that need to be taken into consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The differences may be subtle but are worth noting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s dive right into the readers\u2019 features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Quote<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Operating frequency: Higher or lower?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both the HID Signo and the STid Architect offer users a choice of frequency and credentials every time. Compatible with low-frequency 125 kHz prox cards and high-frequency 13.56 MHz access cards, both deliver a winning solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst on topic, it\u2019s important to note that HID offers a high-frequency reader only in the form of the Signo 20 T2 High-Frequency reader<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of chip-compatible technologies, HID Signo readers support the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n