Softwr

Software · head to head

Arduino Cloud vs August Smart Lock

Arduino Cloud logo

Arduino Cloud

Software

Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications

From
Free
Rated
-
August Smart Lock logo

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.

Attributes where Arduino Cloud and August Smart Lock differ
AttributeArduino CloudAugust Smart Lock
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsArduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboardIOS, Android, Web
Founded20052012

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

Other head to heads