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Software · head to head

August Smart Lock vs Gather

August Smart Lock logo

August Smart Lock

Software

Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt

From
On request
Rated
-
Gather logo

Gather

Software

Virtual spaces for remote collaboration

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Gather 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; Gather no native desktop or mobile app; browser-based only
  • They diverge on capability: August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Gather covers Proximity video chat.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where August Smart Lock and Gather differ
AttributeAugust Smart LockGather
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, Android, WebWeb
Founded20122020

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 Gather

  • Proximity video chat
  • Customizable spaces
  • Interactive objects
  • Screen sharing
  • Calendar
  • Slack
  • Google Workspace
  • Desktop support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

August Smart Lock

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

Gather

  • VR Gamingnot August Smart Lock
  • AR Marketingnot August Smart Lock
  • Virtual Trainingnot August Smart Lock
  • 3D Visualizationnot August Smart Lock
  • Immersive Experiencesnot 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

Gather

  • No native desktop or mobile app; browser-based only
  • Limited API documentation compared to enterprise competitors
  • Scaling large virtual offices can impact performance

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

Gather

Free
  • 30-Day TrialFree
    • Up to 50 team members
    • All features included
    • Meetings and chat
  • Essential$12/month
    • All features
    • Meeting recordings starting at 20 hours
    • Meeting transcriptions starting at 30 hours

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 Gather if

  • You need proximity video chat.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want customizable spaces.

Questions people ask

Is August Smart Lock or Gather better?
Neither clearly leads. August Smart Lock starts at On request and Gather at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, August Smart Lock or Gather?
Gather has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for August Smart Lock and Free for Gather.
Does August Smart Lock or Gather run on more platforms?
August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web. Gather runs on Web.
Can I use Gather for free?
Yes. Gather 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 Gather is typically brought in for.
What can August Smart Lock do that Gather cannot?
August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. Gather covers Proximity video chat, Customizable spaces, Interactive objects, Screen sharing. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Gather: What is a free trial of Gather like?

Gather offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required that includes up to 50 team members and access to all features including meetings, chat, AI meeting notes, and full office customization.

Source
Gather: How does Gather reduce meeting load?

Gather recreates natural office dynamics through spatial audio and proximity-based interactions, allowing colleagues to bump into each other and have quick conversations without scheduled calls. Teams report shorter, more organic conversations that wrap up in under 10 minutes.

Source
Gather: What platforms and devices does Gather support?

Gather works on web browsers and integrates with Slack and Google Chat. The platform supports audio/video calls, screen sharing, and custom workspace design.

Source
Gather: Does Gather work offline?

Gather is a web-based platform that requires an internet connection to function, though it emphasizes quick connection and low bandwidth requirements compared to traditional video conferencing.

Source

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