Software · head to head
Arduino Cloud vs August Smart Lock

Arduino Cloud
Software
Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -

August Smart Lock
Software
Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Arduino Cloud has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention; August Smart Lock entry-level August Smart Lock ($149.99) has no built-in Wi-Fi and requires a separate Connect Wi-Fi Bridge for remote functionality
- They diverge on capability: Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Arduino Cloud and August Smart Lock actually diverge.
| Attribute | Arduino Cloud | August Smart Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | subscription | one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard | IOS, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2005 | 2012 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Arduino Cloud
- Device Connectivity
- Cloud Storage
- Real-Time Sync
- Security
- Arduino IDE
- Mobile app
- REST API
- Integration services
Only in August Smart Lock
- Retrofit Design
- Auto-Unlock
- Guest Access
- Activity Log
- Alexa
- Google Home
- HomeKit
- SmartThings
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Arduino Cloud
- Connecting Arduino boards to a cloud dashboardnot August Smart Lock
- Over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devicesnot August Smart Lock
- Logging sensor data and charting it over timenot August Smart Lock
- Triggering notifications from device thresholdsnot August Smart Lock
- Classroom IoT projects on the School plannot August Smart Lock
August Smart Lock
- Keyless entrynot Arduino Cloud
- Guest accessnot Arduino Cloud
- Remote unlocknot Arduino Cloud
- Activity monitoringnot Arduino Cloud
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Arduino Cloud
- The free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
- Free accounts are limited to 25 compilations a day and 10 trigger notifications a day
- The Maker plan at $72 a year lifts devices to 25 and retention to 3 months, still for a single user
- Team pricing jumps to $1,000 a year
- Two years of data retention and unlimited ingestion require Enterprise
August Smart Lock
- Entry-level August Smart Lock ($149.99) has no built-in Wi-Fi and requires a separate Connect Wi-Fi Bridge for remote functionality
Pricing, plan by plan
Arduino Cloud
Free- MakerFree
- 2 devices
- Basic features
- Cloud access
- Maker Plus$7/month
- Up to 10 devices
- Advanced features
- Better storage
August Smart Lock
On request- Smart Lock$149/month
- Auto-lock
- Auto-unlock
- Guest access
- WiFi Smart Lock$249/month
- Built-in WiFi
- Remote access
- DoorSense
Which should you pick?
Choose Arduino Cloud if
- You need device connectivity.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
- You also want cloud storage.
Choose August Smart Lock if
- You need retrofit design.
- You work on IOS, Android, Web.
- You also want auto-unlock.
Questions people ask
- Is Arduino Cloud or August Smart Lock better?
- Neither clearly leads. Arduino Cloud starts at Free and August Smart Lock at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Arduino Cloud or August Smart Lock?
- Arduino Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Arduino Cloud and On request for August Smart Lock.
- Does Arduino Cloud or August Smart Lock run on more platforms?
- Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard. August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web.
- Can I use Arduino Cloud for free?
- Yes. Arduino Cloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. August Smart Lock starts at On request.
- What is Arduino Cloud best used for?
- Arduino Cloud is most often used for connecting arduino boards to a cloud dashboard, over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devices, logging sensor data and charting it over time, triggering notifications from device thresholds. Of those, connecting arduino boards to a cloud dashboard and over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devices are not what August Smart Lock is typically brought in for.
- What can Arduino Cloud do that August Smart Lock cannot?
- Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security. August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log.
Related pages
More on Arduino Cloud
More on August Smart Lock
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