Ubiquiti UA-G3-INTERCOM vs ACTi Q950: Specification Comparison
Both the Ubiquiti UA-G3-INTERCOM and the ACTi Q950 are PoE-powered outdoor door stations designed for building entry control — a class where buyers weigh audio/video capability, environmental durability, access-control integration, and ecosystem lock-in. The UA-G3-INTERCOM is a full intercom terminal managed through the UniFi platform with NFC, PIN, and mobile credentials. The Q950 is a 6MP video door station with IR night vision and ONVIF compliance. This comparison covers power and physical installation, video and audio capability, and access-control and platform integration.
In This Guide
- How do the two units compare on power requirements, physical installation, and environmental ratings?
- Which unit delivers stronger video and audio performance at the door?
- How do the two products differ in access-control credential support and platform integration?
- Which should you choose: the UA-G3-INTERCOM or the Q950?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
How do the two units compare on power requirements, physical installation, and environmental ratings?
Both units are powered by PoE 802.3af and draw approximately 13W, so neither requires a dedicated power run beyond a standard PoE switch port — installers can treat them identically at the panel.
Environmental ratings differ by one IP grade: the UA-G3-INTERCOM is rated IP65 (dust-tight, protected against low-pressure water jets), while the Q950 carries an IP66 rating (dust-tight, protected against powerful water jets). For exposed or rain-prone entrances, the Q950's IP66 offers marginally greater water ingress protection.
The UA-G3-INTERCOM publishes a wide operating temperature range of −30°C to 60°C (−22°F to 140°F), with the display sub-rated to −25°C to 60°C. ACTi does not specify an operating temperature range for the Q950 in the provided data. The UA-G3-INTERCOM's enclosure uses aluminum alloy, UV-stabilized polycarbonate, and glass; the Q950's housing color is listed as white but enclosure material is not specified. The UA-G3-INTERCOM dimensions are 324.8 × 113.7 × 28.3 mm at 965 g; Q950 dimensions and weight are not provided.
Which unit delivers stronger video and audio performance at the door?
The ACTi Q950 holds a clear advantage in video capability. It specifies 6MP resolution with a 1.65mm wide-angle lens — providing broad facial-detail coverage at the entry point — along with H.264 compression, IR night vision, and WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) for high-contrast lighting conditions such as a bright exterior against a dark interior. ONVIF Profile S/T compliance means video feeds can be pulled into any compatible VMS.
The UA-G3-INTERCOM does not specify a camera resolution, lens focal length, video compression format, or night-vision capability in the provided specifications. Its audio capability is noted as 'microphone supported,' but no loudspeaker or full-duplex two-way audio specification is given.
The Q950 explicitly lists two-way audio. For deployments where 24/7 video surveillance quality, night vision, and VMS recording are primary requirements, the Q950's documented video and audio specifications are materially more complete.
How do the two products differ in access-control credential support and platform integration?
The UA-G3-INTERCOM is purpose-built for access control within the UniFi ecosystem. It supports NFC credentials (Forum tags T1T, T2T, T3T, T4T, and T5T), PIN code entry, and mobile app unlock — three distinct credential modalities managed centrally through the UniFi platform. Certifications include UL 294 and CAN/ULC-60839-11-1, both specific to access-control equipment standards.
The Q950 is ONVIF Profile S/T compliant, making it compatible with a broad range of third-party VMS and access platforms. However, no native credential reader (NFC, card, PIN keypad) is specified in the provided data. Its integration path assumes a separate access controller or VMS handling door-release logic.
The UA-G3-INTERCOM carries NDAA compliance; the Q950 does not specify NDAA status. The Q950 carries a stated 3-year manufacturer warranty; the UA-G3-INTERCOM lists 'Manufacturer Warranty' without a duration. Platform choice is therefore decisive: UniFi-only ecosystems favor the Ubiquiti unit; open/ONVIF environments favor the ACTi.
Which should you choose: the UA-G3-INTERCOM or the Q950?
Our take: The UA-G3-INTERCOM is the stronger choice when the deployment is built on the UniFi ecosystem and multi-modal credential management — NFC (T1T–T5T), PIN, and mobile unlock — is a priority alongside UL 294 / NDAA compliance. The Q950 is the stronger choice when video performance and open-platform integration are paramount: it specifies 6MP resolution, a 1.65mm wide-angle lens, IR night vision, WDR, and ONVIF Profile S/T, none of which the UA-G3-INTERCOM documents. On environmental protection, the Q950's IP66 exceeds the UA-G3-INTERCOM's IP65 for high-pressure water exposure. The UA-G3-INTERCOM counters with a published −30°C to 60°C operating range (Q950 operating temperature is unspecified) and a documented 3-axis credential stack. Choose the UA-G3-INTERCOM for UniFi-managed access control with NDAA requirements; choose the Q950 for ONVIF VMS environments requiring high-resolution, night-capable video at the door.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Ubiquiti UA-G3-INTERCOM | ACTi Q950 |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Intercom Terminal | Door Station |
| Resolution | — (not specified) | 6MP |
| Lens | — (not specified) | 1.65mm wide-angle |
| Video Compression | — (not specified) | H.264 |
| Night Vision | — (not specified) | IR |
| WDR | — (not specified) | Yes |
| Audio | Microphone supported | Two-way |
| Power | PoE 802.3af, 48V DC, 13W | PoE 802.3af, ~13W |
| IP Rating | IP65 | IP66 |
| Operating Temperature | −30°C to 60°C | — (not specified) |
| Credential Types | NFC (T1T–T5T), PIN, mobile app | — (not specified) |
| Platform / Integration | UniFi only | ONVIF Profile S/T |
| NDAA Compliant | Yes | — (not specified) |
| Certifications | CE, FCC, IC, UL 294, CAN/ULC-60839-11-1 | — (not specified) |
| Enclosure Material | Aluminum alloy, polycarbonate, glass / stainless steel mount | — (not specified); white housing |
| Warranty | Manufacturer warranty (duration not specified) | 3-year manufacturer warranty |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the UA-G3-INTERCOM or the Q950?
The UA-G3-INTERCOM is the stronger choice when the deployment is built on the UniFi ecosystem and multi-modal credential management — NFC (T1T–T5T), PIN, and mobile unlock — is a priority alongside UL 294 / NDAA compliance. The Q950 is the stronger choice when video performance and open-platform integration are paramount: it specifies 6MP resolution, a 1.65mm wide-angle lens, IR night vision, WDR, and ONVIF Profile S/T, none of which the UA-G3-INTERCOM documents. On environmental protection, the Q950's IP66 exceeds the UA-G3-INTERCOM's IP65 for high-pressure water exposure. The UA-G3-INTERCOM counters with a published −30°C to 60°C operating range (Q950 operating temperature is unspecified) and a documented 3-axis credential stack. Choose the UA-G3-INTERCOM for UniFi-managed access control with NDAA requirements; choose the Q950 for ONVIF VMS environments requiring high-resolution, night-capable video at the door.
Can I use the UA-G3-INTERCOM or Q950 with my existing third-party VMS?
The Q950 is ONVIF Profile S/T compliant, so it integrates with any ONVIF-compatible VMS for live view and recording. The UA-G3-INTERCOM is managed exclusively through the UniFi platform; ONVIF or third-party VMS compatibility is not specified in the provided data, making it a poor fit for open-platform NVR environments.
Which unit is better suited for extreme cold or outdoor climates?
The UA-G3-INTERCOM is rated to −30°C (−22°F), a spec that covers harsh cold-climate deployments. ACTi does not publish an operating temperature range for the Q950 in the available specifications, so cold-weather suitability cannot be confirmed for that unit. The Q950's IP66 rating does offer superior resistance to water ingress compared to the UA-G3-INTERCOM's IP65.
Does either intercom support keycard or fob credentials without a separate reader?
Yes — the UA-G3-INTERCOM has a built-in NFC reader supporting Forum tag types T1T through T5T, enabling standard NFC cards and mobile credentials natively, alongside PIN and mobile-app unlock. The Q950 does not specify an integrated card reader or NFC capability; credential presentation would require a separate reader wired to an access controller.
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