Softwr

IoT & Smart Home · head to head

August Smart Lock vs ESPHome

August Smart Lock logo

August Smart Lock

IoT & Smart Home

Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ESPHome logo

ESPHome

IoT & Smart Home

Custom firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ESPHome 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; ESPHome eSPHome runs only on supported microcontrollers; the project recommends ESP32, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3 and ESP32-C6 and advises against ESP8266 for new projects
  • They diverge on capability: August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, ESPHome covers YAML Configuration.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where August Smart Lock and ESPHome differ
AttributeAugust Smart LockESPHome
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timeopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, Android, WebESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi
Founded20122018

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & 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 August Smart Lock

  • Retrofit Design
  • Auto-Unlock
  • Guest Access
  • Activity Log
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • HomeKit
  • SmartThings

Only in ESPHome

  • YAML Configuration
  • OTA Updates
  • Home Assistant Native
  • Custom Components
  • Home Assistant
  • MQTT
  • API
  • Native integration

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

August Smart Lock

  • Keyless entrynot ESPHome
  • Guest accessnot ESPHome
  • Remote unlocknot ESPHome
  • Activity monitoringnot ESPHome

ESPHome

  • Building custom smart home sensors and switches on ESP32 hardwarenot August Smart Lock
  • Replacing vendor cloud firmware on ESP based devices with locally controlled firmwarenot August Smart Lock
  • Integrating DIY devices into Home Assistant over a native API or MQTTnot 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

ESPHome

  • ESPHome runs only on supported microcontrollers; the project recommends ESP32, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3 and ESP32-C6 and advises against ESP8266 for new projects
  • Support for ESP32-H2, RP2040 and other newer chips is documented as less mature
  • Large displays and some sensors do not work well on ESP8266 because of its limited RAM, which is roughly a fifth of an ESP32

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

ESPHome

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Full firmware
    • Home Assistant integration
    • Custom sensors

Which should you pick?

Choose August Smart Lock if

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

Choose ESPHome if

  • You need yaml configuration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
  • You also want ota updates.
ESPHome review

Questions people ask

Is August Smart Lock or ESPHome better?
Neither clearly leads. August Smart Lock starts at On request and ESPHome at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, August Smart Lock or ESPHome?
ESPHome has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for August Smart Lock and Free for ESPHome.
Does August Smart Lock or ESPHome run on more platforms?
August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web. ESPHome runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
Can I use ESPHome for free?
Yes. ESPHome 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 ESPHome is typically brought in for.
What can August Smart Lock do that ESPHome cannot?
August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, OTA Updates, Home Assistant Native, Custom Components.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on August Smart Lock

More on ESPHome

Keep looking

Other head to heads