Article Overview
Practical guidance for real-world site decisions.
Paxton makes two main access control platforms. Both are reliable and widely used, but they suit different buildings and ways of working. Here is how to choose.
At a Glance
- Net2 is Paxton’s long-established access control system, managed through dedicated software.
- Paxton10 combines access control and video management in one browser- and app-based system.
- Both use the same kinds of credentials: cards, fobs and smartphone credentials.
- The right choice depends on your building, your IT setup and whether you want video in the same system.
Section 01
Two Paxton platforms
Paxton is one of the most widely installed access control brands in the UK, and it offers two main systems. Net2 has been the workhorse for many years in schools, offices and commercial buildings. Paxton10 is the newer platform, designed to bring access control and video together in one place.
Both control who can open which doors and when, both keep a record of every door event, and both let you add or remove users in seconds when someone joins or leaves.
Section 02
Paxton Net2
Net2 is managed through dedicated software. Door controllers connect back to that software, and administrators use it to set up users, access levels and schedules, run reports and respond to events.
Its strengths are maturity and flexibility. It suits single buildings and larger estates alike, works with a wide range of readers, keypads and door hardware, and is the natural choice when you are extending a site that already runs Net2.
Section 03
Paxton10
Paxton10 combines access control and video management in a single system that is managed through a web browser or app. Instead of running separate access control and CCTV software, you see door events and the matching camera footage together.
That makes it attractive for organisations that want simpler day-to-day management, remote administration, and video linked directly to who went where.
Section 04
How to choose
In practice the decision usually comes down to a few questions.
- Do you already have Net2 on site, and do you want to extend it?
- Do you want access control and CCTV in one system?
- Will the system be managed on site, remotely, or across several sites?
- How many doors and users are involved, now and in the next few years?
- Are there doors where wireless locks would avoid disruptive cabling?
Net2 vs Paxton10
| Option | Net2 | Paxton10 |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Access control | Access control and video in one |
| Management | Dedicated software | Web browser and app |
| Best for | Proven deployments and extending existing Net2 sites | Sites wanting doors and cameras managed together |
| Credentials | Cards, fobs, keypads, smartphone | Cards, fobs, keypads, smartphone |
Frequently Asked
Questions we get asked about this
Can Net2 and Paxton10 be mixed on the same site?
They are separate platforms, so most sites standardise on one. If you already run Net2, extending it is usually simplest; a move to Paxton10 is best planned as a deliberate upgrade.
Can Paxton access control work with existing doors?
Usually, yes. Readers and locks are fitted to existing doors, and wireless door handles can be used where running cables would be difficult or disruptive.
Is Paxton suitable for schools?
Yes. Schools commonly use Paxton to control reception, staff areas and external gates, and to remove a lost card or a leaver’s access instantly.
Need help applying this to your site?
We can turn the principles in this article into a practical recommendation based on your building, procedures, and response priorities.