Software · head to head
August Smart Lock vs Arduino Cloud
August Smart Lock
Software
Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Arduino Cloud
Software
Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Arduino Cloud has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: 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; Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
- They diverge on capability: August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which August Smart Lock and Arduino Cloud actually diverge.
| Attribute | August Smart Lock | Arduino Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | one-time | subscription |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | IOS, Android, Web | Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard |
| Founded | 2012 | 2005 |
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 August Smart Lock
- Retrofit Design
- Auto-Unlock
- Guest Access
- Activity Log
- Alexa
- Google Home
- HomeKit
- SmartThings
Only in Arduino Cloud
- Device Connectivity
- Cloud Storage
- Real-Time Sync
- Security
- Arduino IDE
- Mobile app
- REST API
- Integration services
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
August Smart Lock
- Keyless entrynot Arduino Cloud
- Guest accessnot Arduino Cloud
- Remote unlocknot Arduino Cloud
- Activity monitoringnot Arduino Cloud
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
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
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
Arduino Cloud
Free- MakerFree
- 2 devices
- Basic features
- Cloud access
- Maker Plus$7/month
- Up to 10 devices
- Advanced features
- Better storage
Which should you pick?
Choose August Smart Lock if
- You need retrofit design.
- You work on IOS, Android, Web.
- You also want auto-unlock.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is August Smart Lock or Arduino Cloud better?
- Neither clearly leads. August Smart Lock starts at On request and Arduino Cloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, August Smart Lock or Arduino Cloud?
- Arduino Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for August Smart Lock and Free for Arduino Cloud.
- Does August Smart Lock or Arduino Cloud run on more platforms?
- August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web. Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
- 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 August Smart Lock best used for?
- August Smart Lock is most often used for keyless entry, guest access, remote unlock, activity monitoring. Of those, keyless entry and guest access are not what Arduino Cloud is typically brought in for.
- What can August Smart Lock do that Arduino Cloud cannot?
- August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security.