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Smart Home · head to head

Arduino Cloud vs August Smart Lock

Arduino Cloud logo

Arduino Cloud

Smart Home

Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
August Smart Lock logo

August Smart Lock

Smart Home

Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt

From
$29.99/mo
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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 one-time purchase model with no recurring subscription fees
  • They diverge on capability: Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Arduino Cloud and August Smart Lock actually diverge.

Attributes where Arduino Cloud and August Smart Lock differ
AttributeArduino CloudAugust Smart Lock
Starting priceFree$29.99/mo
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsArduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboardIOS, Android, Web
Founded20052012

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Smart Home).

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

  • One-time purchase model with no recurring subscription fees
  • Smart locks range from $129.99 to $229.99 depending on model and features

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

$29.99/mo
  • Smart Lock$149.99/mo
    • Standard smart lock
  • Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi$129.99/mo
    • Wi-Fi enabled
  • Wi-Fi Smart Lock$229.99/mo
    • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Smart Lock + Connect$210.99/mo
    • Lock plus connectivity module

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.
Arduino Cloud review

Choose August Smart Lock if

  • You need retrofit design.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want auto-unlock.
August Smart Lock review

Questions people ask

Is Arduino Cloud or August Smart Lock better?
Neither clearly leads. Arduino Cloud starts at Free and August Smart Lock at $29.99/mo, 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 $29.99/mo 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 $29.99/mo.
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.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

August Smart Lock: How much do August smart locks cost?

August smart locks are one-time purchases. Prices range from $129.99 for the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi to $229.99 for the Wi-Fi Smart Lock. Standard Smart Lock is $149.99. Bundles like Wi-Fi Smart Lock + Keypad Touch are $249.99.

Source
August Smart Lock: Does August offer a money-back guarantee?

Yes. August offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on purchases. Additionally, shipping is free in the United States.

Source
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