Software · head to head
August Smart Lock vs Ecobee

August Smart Lock
Software
Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -

Ecobee
Software
Smart thermostats with room sensors for whole-home comfort
- From
- $139.99/one-time
- 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; Ecobee installation requires a C-wire in most cases, necessitating professional installation for some users unfamiliar with HVAC wiring
- They diverge on capability: August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Ecobee covers Room Sensors.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which August Smart Lock and Ecobee actually diverge.
| Attribute | August Smart Lock | Ecobee |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $139.99/one-time |
| Pricing model | one-time | Unknown |
| Platforms | IOS, Android, Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2012 | 2007 |
Identical on both: 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
- Alexa
Only in Ecobee
- Room Sensors
- Built-in Alexa
- Energy Reports
- Smart Recovery
- IFTTT
- Alexa built-in support
Both cover
- 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 Ecobee
- Guest accessnot Ecobee
- Remote unlocknot Ecobee
- Activity monitoringnot Ecobee
Ecobee
- Energy savingsnot August Smart Lock
- Multi-room comfortnot August Smart Lock
- HVAC optimizationnot August Smart Lock
- Remote climate controlnot 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
Ecobee
- Installation requires a C-wire in most cases, necessitating professional installation for some users unfamiliar with HVAC wiring
- Not compatible with line-voltage baseboard heating systems without additional specialized controllers
- Touchscreen display is prone to fingerprints and cannot be adjusted from the mobile app
- Advanced settings interface can feel complex and technical for non-technical users
- Display settings and customization options are limited to on-device configuration only
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
Ecobee
$139.99/one-time- Smart Thermostat Essential$139.99/one-time
- Up to 23% energy savings
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Remote app control
- Smart Thermostat Enhanced$199.99/one-time
- Up to 26% energy savings
- Built-in Alexa voice control
- HomeKit compatible
- Smart Thermostat Premium$259.99/one-time
- Up to 26% energy savings
- Built-in radar occupancy sensor
- Indoor air quality monitoring
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 Ecobee if
- You need room sensors.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want built-in alexa.
Questions people ask
- Is August Smart Lock or Ecobee better?
- Neither clearly leads. August Smart Lock starts at On request and Ecobee at $139.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, August Smart Lock or Ecobee?
- August Smart Lock starts at On request and Ecobee at $139.99/one-time.
- Does August Smart Lock or Ecobee run on more platforms?
- August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web. Ecobee runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- 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 Ecobee is typically brought in for.
- What can August Smart Lock do that Ecobee cannot?
- August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. Ecobee covers Room Sensors, Built-in Alexa, Energy Reports, Smart Recovery. Both handle Google Home, HomeKit, SmartThings, IOS support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Ecobee: How much can I save with an Ecobee thermostat?
Ecobee thermostats can save up to 26% on annual heating and cooling costs according to manufacturer claims. However, independent ENERGY STAR data shows average savings of around 8%, equating to $50-$100 annually for typical U.S. homes.
SourceEcobee: Does Ecobee work with HomeKit?
Yes, Ecobee is HomeKit-enabled and was the first to introduce a HomeKit-compatible smart thermostat. The Premium and Enhanced models support Apple HomeKit and allow control via Siri from any Apple device.
SourceEcobee: What is a SmartSensor and what does it do?
Ecobee SmartSensors are wireless remote temperature and occupancy sensors that detect which rooms are occupied. They allow the thermostat to balance heating and cooling to occupied rooms and ignore empty spaces, improving both comfort and efficiency.
SourceEcobee: Do I need a C-wire to install Ecobee?
Most installations require a C-wire for reliable operation. Ecobee includes a Power Extender Kit to help with installations lacking a C-wire, but some DIYers may still need professional installation assistance.
SourceEcobee: What voice assistants does Ecobee support?
Ecobee supports Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings for voice control. The Premium model has built-in Alexa and Siri, while Enhanced and Essential models support all platforms via integration.
SourceRelated pages
More on August Smart Lock
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