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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

August Smart Lock vs HOMER Energy

August Smart Lock logo

August Smart Lock

IoT & Smart Home

Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HOMER Energy logo

HOMER Energy

Energy & Utilities

Microgrid and distributed energy optimization software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only HOMER Energy 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; HOMER Energy now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent
  • They diverge on capability: August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where August Smart Lock and HOMER Energy differ
AttributeAugust Smart LockHOMER Energy
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, Android, WebWindows, Web
CategoryIoT & Smart HomeEnergy & Utilities
Founded20122009

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 HOMER Energy

  • Microgrid optimization
  • Techno-economic analysis
  • Component library
  • Sensitivity analysis
  • Energy storage sizing
  • Renewable integration
  • Load profile analysis
  • Financial modeling

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 HOMER Energy
  • Guest accessnot HOMER Energy
  • Remote unlocknot HOMER Energy
  • Activity monitoringnot HOMER Energy

HOMER Energy

  • Sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systemsnot August Smart Lock
  • Modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinationsnot August Smart Lock
  • Electric bill optimisation for grid-connected sites and EV chargingnot August Smart Lock
  • Utility-scale storage investment analysisnot August Smart Lock
  • Comparing least-cost configurations against load and resource datanot 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

HOMER Energy

  • Now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent
  • Split into three separate products, HOMER Pro for off-grid and microgrids, HOMER Grid for bill optimisation and HOMER Front for utility-scale, so the right one depends on project type
  • Pricing is not shown on the product pages

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

HOMER Energy

Free
  • HOMER GridFree
    • Grid-connected optimization
    • Basic components
    • Limited simulations
  • HOMER Pro$1500/year
    • Advanced optimization
    • All components
    • Unlimited simulations
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Multi-user licenses
    • API access
    • Custom modules

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 HOMER Energy if

  • You need microgrid optimization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want techno-economic analysis.
HOMER Energy review

Questions people ask

Is August Smart Lock or HOMER Energy better?
Neither clearly leads. August Smart Lock starts at On request and HOMER Energy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, August Smart Lock or HOMER Energy?
HOMER Energy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for August Smart Lock and Free for HOMER Energy.
Does August Smart Lock or HOMER Energy run on more platforms?
August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web. HOMER Energy runs on Windows, Web.
Can I use HOMER Energy for free?
Yes. HOMER Energy 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 HOMER Energy is typically brought in for.
What can August Smart Lock do that HOMER Energy cannot?
August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, Techno-economic analysis, Component library, Sensitivity analysis. Both handle Web support.
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