Platform vs passenger lifts

Selecting the appropriate vertical transportation system requires careful consideration of space and building use.

This guide compares platform vs passenger lift, examining their design and installation requirements to support informed specification decisions in architectural projects.

What is a passenger lift?

A passenger lift is a fully enclosed vertical transportation system designed to move people efficiently between floors.

Generally installed within a dedicated lift shaft, these systems are built to handle higher traffic volumes, making them suitable for environments such as offices, apartment blocks, hotels, and retail spaces.

Passenger lifts are typically designed with larger car sizes to accommodate multiple users and are capable of higher travel speeds, generally 1 m/s.

Systems are engineered to provide controlled acceleration and deceleration, supporting consistent operation across different building types.

In terms of specification, a range of drive systems can be used, most commonly traction or hydraulic, with selection influenced by factors such as building height, expected usage, and available space.

Compliance and safety form a core part of passenger lift design. In the UK, these systems fall under the Lifts Regulations 2016 and are designed in accordance with BS EN 81-20 and BS EN 81-50. To learn more about the lift standards, read our guide to EN 81-20 and EN 81-50.

What is a platform lift?

A platform lift is a vertical lifting solution primarily designed to improve accessibility within buildings, especially for wheelchair users and individuals with reduced mobility.

Unlike passenger lifts, platform lifts typically operate without a fully enclosed cabin, instead using a travelling platform with hold-to-run controls.

From a design perspective, platform lifts are often specified where space is limited or where full lift installation is not feasible. They require minimal structural intervention, with pit depths as shallow as 50mm or the option to add a ramp, reducing the extent of building works.

These systems operate at lower speeds (up to 0.15 m/s) and are intended for short travel distances and lower usage volumes. A range of drive systems can be specified, including screw and nut, hydraulic, and traction belt, depending on the application requirements.

Platform lifts fall under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, Directive 2006/42 and are designed in accordance with BS EN 81-41. These standards ensure safe and reliable operation while supporting accessibility requirements across public and private buildings.

Suitable for internal or external installation, platform lifts help improve access in educational, office, and public settings.

What is a cabin lift?

A cabin lift, sometimes referred to as a hybrid lift, is a vertical transportation system that combines features of both platform lifts and passenger lifts. It provides a fully enclosed lift car with automatic or semi-automatic doors, offering a similar user experience to a traditional passenger lift while operating with reduced structural requirements.

These systems are typically installed in low-rise buildings where a full passenger lift may not be necessary or feasible. Cabin lifts are often specified in projects where space is limited, but a more enclosed and user-friendly alternative to a platform lift is required.

From a design perspective, cabin lifts are supplied as complete lift cars with integrated controls and door systems, and can include swing or automatic landing doors depending on the configuration. They are generally suitable for shorter travel heights and moderate usage levels, making them a practical solution for schools, small commercial buildings, and retrofit environments.

Platform vs passenger lift: key differences at a glance

A direct comparison can help clarify how platform and passenger lifts differ in terms of design and application. The table below outlines the key distinctions to consider.

Feature	Passenger lift	Platform lift	Cabin lift
Design	Fully enclosed car within a lift shaft	Open or partially enclosed platform, usually without a full cabin	Fully enclosed lift car with integrated doors, offering a passenger lift-like experience
Cost	From £40,000+, with costs increasing based on size, travel distance, and specification	From £15,000+, with variations depending on configuration and site conditions	Typically mid-range; higher than platform lifts but generally lower than full passenger lift installations
Speed	Generally 1 m/s	Up to 0.15 m/s	Up to 0.15 m/s
Capacity	Higher capacity, suitable for multiple occupants	Lower capacity, typically designed for one wheelchair user and an attendant	Moderate capacity, suitable for wheelchair users and passengers in low-rise applications
Usage levels	Suitable for frequent and high-volume use	Intended for low-frequency use	Suitable for moderate usage in low-rise buildings
Travel distance	Capable of serving multiple floors and greater heights	Typically used for level changes or up to 4 floors	Designed for low-rise buildings up to 6 floors
Space requirements	Requires a full lift shaft and more structural provision	Minimal structural requirements; shallow pit or ramp options available	Reduced structural requirements compared to passenger lifts; minimal pit and headroom requirements
Installation context	New-builds or major refurbishments	Often specified for new builds, retrofit projects or constrained spaces	Common in retrofit and low-rise projects where a full passenger lift is not feasible
Drive types	Traction or hydraulic	Screw and nut, hydraulic, or traction belt	Typically hydraulic or traction-based systems, depending on the specification
Design standards	BS EN 81-20 and BS EN 81-50	Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2006/42 — BS EN 81-41	Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2006/42 — BS EN 81-41
Typical settings	Offices, residential buildings, hotels, retail	Schools, public buildings, offices, accessibility-focused environments	Residential, schools, commercial buildings, retrofit projects, and low-rise developments

Platform vs passenger lift: key differences explained

The differences between platform and passenger lifts largely come down to intended use and the level of structural integration required.

Passenger lifts are designed for higher traffic environments, with greater capacity and faster speeds. As a result, they are typically specified in new-build or large-scale developments where vertical transportation demand is higher.

Platform lifts, by contrast, are primarily used to address accessibility requirements. They operate at lower speeds, support fewer users, and require significantly less structural work.

This makes them more suitable for 1 to 4 floor levels where demand is low, retrofit projects, or buildings where space constraints limit the feasibility of a full passenger lift installation.

Installation and space requirements

The requirements for fitting passenger and platform lifts will be different due to their needs. Passenger lifts require a dedicated lift shaft, along with defined pit depth and headroom.

This makes them more suited to new-build developments or projects where vertical transportation has been incorporated into the design from an early stage. The level of structural work involved is higher, and coordination with other building systems is often required.

Platform lifts, on the other hand, are designed to minimise structural impact. With shallow pit requirements, sometimes as little as 50mm, or the option for ramped access, they can often be installed with limited alterations to the existing building fabric.

When specifying a lift, it is also important to consider long-term maintenance needs, which can vary between lift types. For more details, see our guide on maintenance requirements for different types of lifts.

This makes them suitable for retrofit projects or buildings with spatial constraints.

From a planning perspective, platform lifts also offer greater flexibility in terms of placement, as they do not always require a full shaft enclosure. However, this comes with limitations in terms of travel distance, speed, and overall capacity when compared to passenger lifts.

If you need more help choosing a lift, explore our guide on different lift types.

Platform vs passenger lift: which should you choose?

The following checklist summarises the key factors to consider when deciding between a platform lift and a passenger lift.

Traffic and capacity

Use a passenger lift for higher traffic or multi-storey buildings; a platform lift works for low-volume, single-floor access.

Speed

Passenger lifts move faster and are better for longer travel distances; platform lifts are slower and suited to shorter journeys.

Space and structure

Platform lifts are ideal for retrofit projects or tight spaces; passenger lifts need a dedicated shaft and more structural work.

Accessibility

Platform lifts are designed for wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility.

Project type

New-build or large refurbishments call for passenger lifts; platform lifts are easier to install in existing buildings.

For advice on your project or to find out more about Acute Elevators, contact our team.