Do I need iPads to use WelcomeDesk?

No. WelcomeDesk runs in any modern browser, so an existing Android tablet, refurbished iPad or Windows kiosk works fine.

Can I migrate my iLobby visitor history to WelcomeDesk?

Yes. The $199 migration service moves your visitor log, hosts and pre-registrations across. Most migrations finish the same day.

WelcomeDesk vs iLobby: pricing & feature comparison

Q: Is WelcomeDesk really cheaper than iLobby?

At one office the prices are close. At five offices WelcomeDesk is typically 5 to 10 times cheaper because every office is covered under one $99/mo Business bill, while iLobby charges per location.

WelcomeDesk vs iLobby: the short version

iLobby (now part of Eptura) is built for regulated environments - manufacturing, pharma, defence, government. Powerful, modular, and priced accordingly. For most offices it is significant overkill at a significant price.

WelcomeDesk runs in any browser on the tablet you already own, charges one flat price per account (not per location), and includes every core visitor-management feature on day one. Most teams move across in an afternoon.

Pricing at a glance

iLobby starts at $199 - $500+ per location, per month (Annual enterprise contracts). WelcomeDesk is $49/mo Starter or $99/mo Business, covering every office under one bill.

If you have...	iLobby	WelcomeDesk
1 office	~$199 / mo	$49 / mo (Starter) save $150/mo
5 offices	~$995 / mo	$99 / mo (Business) save $896/mo
15 offices	~$2,985 / mo	$99 / mo (Business) save $2,886/mo

Feature-by-feature comparison

Honest comparison: most table-stakes features are checked off by both products. The differences sit at the bottom of the table - those are the ones that matter.

Feature	iLobby	WelcomeDesk
Self-service kiosk	!YesiPad app required	✓Yesany browser, any tablet
Pre-registration	✓Yes	✓Yes
Photo capture	✓Yes	✓Yes
Custom visitor types	✓Yes	✓Yes
Host email notifications	✓Yes	✓Yes
Host SMS / Slack / Teams notifications	!Yeshigher tiers only	✓YesBusiness or Communications add-on
NDA / legal capture	✓Yes	✓Yes
Watchlist screening	✓Yes	✓Yes
Evacuation / muster report	✓Yes	✓Yes
Multi-location	×Yesper-location billing	✓Yesone bill covers all
Audit log	✓Yes	✓Yestamper-evident hash chain
REST API + webhooks	!Yestop tiers only	✓YesBusiness, or Developer add-on
Virtual mailroom + package handling	×Limitedoften a paid module	✓Includedno extra cost
Team invites / multi-user admin	✓Yes	✓Yes
Google + Outlook calendar pre-reg	✓Yes	✓Yes
SAML SSO	!YesEnterprise tier only	✓Yesvia WorkOS, on Business
Browser-first kiosk (no iPad app)	×No	✓Yescore differentiator
Per-account pricing (not per-location)	×No	✓Yes~10x cheaper at 5 offices
Self-serve trial, no sales call	×Nosales call gated	✓Yes14 days, no credit card

Where each product is strong

What iLobby does well

Deep ID verification and watchlist screening modules
Strong compliance posture (ITAR, C-TPAT, FSMA)
Hardware bundles for industrial sites

Where iLobby gets criticised

Enterprise-only sales motion - no self-serve trial
Per-location pricing in the hundreds
Implementation projects measured in weeks, not afternoons

Why teams switch to WelcomeDesk

Browser-first kiosk. Works on any tablet you already own. No iPad app, no MDM headache.
One flat price. $49 or $99 a month covers every office. No per-location surprise.
Same-afternoon setup. Sign up, brand your kiosk, and check in your first visitor inside an hour.
Everything included. Watchlist, evacuation report, audit log, mailroom, calendar pre-reg and API are on every plan.
Real migration help. $199 one-time and our Support Lead moves your iLobby data across for you.

Moving from iLobby to WelcomeDesk

iLobby tenants often have years of audit data. Our Support Lead handles the export request with iLobby, scrubs the data, and stages it into WelcomeDesk so your audit trail is unbroken.

Migration service · $199 one-time
A dedicated Support Lead transfers your existing visitor records, hosts and settings into WelcomeDesk. Most migrations complete the same day.

Frequently asked

Is WelcomeDesk really cheaper than iLobby?

At one office, the prices are close. At three or more offices the gap widens fast because WelcomeDesk's $49 Starter and $99 Business plans cover multiple locations under one bill. By five offices WelcomeDesk is usually 5 to 10 times cheaper than iLobby at an equivalent feature set.

Do I need to buy iPads to use WelcomeDesk?

No. WelcomeDesk's kiosk runs in any modern browser, so the cheap Android tablet, refurbished iPad or even Windows kiosk you already own works. That's the main architectural difference between us and iLobby.

Can I keep my existing visitor history?

Yes. Our $199 migration service includes importing your iLobby visitor log, host directory and pre-registrations. Your audit trail stays unbroken.

How long does it take to switch?

Most teams are checking in their first visitor on WelcomeDesk within an hour of signup. If you opt in to the migration service, your historical data is staged that same day.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. 14 days on the full Business plan, no credit card required. No sales call, no demo gating, no per-feature unlocks.

Stop paying per location.

Try WelcomeDesk free for 14 days. If you decide to migrate, our Support Lead handles the transfer from iLobby for $199.

Start your free trial See the live demo

WelcomeDesk vs iLobby