Software · head to head
August Smart Lock vs Arlo
August Smart Lock
Software
Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Arlo
Software
Wire-free security cameras with cloud intelligence
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- 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; Arlo without an Arlo Secure subscription the cameras are limited to live streaming and two-way audio, with no cloud video history
- They diverge on capability: August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Arlo covers Wire-Free.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which August Smart Lock and Arlo actually diverge.
| Attribute | August Smart Lock | Arlo |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | one-time | subscription |
| Platforms | IOS, Android, Web | IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays |
| Founded | 2012 | 2018 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), 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
Only in Arlo
- Wire-Free
- 4K Video
- AI Detection
- Color Night Vision
- Smart Displays support
Both cover
- Alexa
- Google Home
- HomeKit
- SmartThings
- IOS support
- Android support
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
August Smart Lock
- Keyless entrynot Arlo
- Guest accessnot Arlo
- Remote unlocknot Arlo
- Activity monitoringnot Arlo
Arlo
- Wire-free home security cameras, video doorbells and floodlight camerasnot August Smart Lock
- Cloud recorded video history with person, vehicle and package detectionnot August Smart Lock
- Professionally monitored home security through the Arlo appnot 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
Arlo
- Without an Arlo Secure subscription the cameras are limited to live streaming and two-way audio, with no cloud video history
- Video history, Activity Zones and Advanced Detection require the paid Arlo Plus plan
- 24/7 Professional Monitoring and 24/7 Emergency Response are only on the Premium plan
- 24/7 continuous recording is an add-on to Premium and covers up to three cameras only
- Unlimited camera plans apply only to Arlo cameras at a single residential location on the same account
- Cameras must be bought as hardware before any plan applies, and the included plan is a trial that ends
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
Arlo
On request- Arlo Secure$2.99/month
- 30-day cloud
- AI detection
- 1 camera
- Arlo Secure Plus$14.99/month
- Unlimited cameras
- 24/7 recording
- E911
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 Arlo if
- You need wire-free.
- You work on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays.
- You also want 4k video.
Questions people ask
- Is August Smart Lock or Arlo better?
- Neither clearly leads. August Smart Lock starts at On request and Arlo at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, August Smart Lock or Arlo?
- August Smart Lock starts at On request and Arlo at On request.
- Does August Smart Lock or Arlo run on more platforms?
- August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web. Arlo runs on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays.
- 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 Arlo is typically brought in for.
- What can August Smart Lock do that Arlo cannot?
- August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. Arlo covers Wire-Free, 4K Video, AI Detection, Color Night Vision. Both handle Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, SmartThings.