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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

August Smart Lock vs Philips Hue

August Smart Lock logo

August Smart Lock

IoT & Smart Home

Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Philips Hue logo

Philips Hue

IoT & Smart Home

Smart lighting system with millions of colors

From
$119.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Philips Hue bridge requirement adds $100+ to initial cost and requires Ethernet connection despite marketing some wireless features
  • They diverge on capability: August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Philips Hue covers 16 Million Colors.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where August Smart Lock and Philips Hue differ
AttributeAugust Smart LockPhilips Hue
Starting priceOn request$119.99/one-time
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Founded20122018

Identical on both: free tier (No), platforms (IOS, Android, Web), 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

Only in Philips Hue

  • 16 Million Colors
  • White Ambiance
  • Schedules
  • Geofencing
  • Physical switches 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 Philips Hue
  • Guest accessnot Philips Hue
  • Remote unlocknot Philips Hue
  • Activity monitoringnot Philips Hue

Philips Hue

  • Smart lighting control and automationnot August Smart Lock
  • Ambient and mood lighting scenesnot August Smart Lock
  • Motion-triggered security lightingnot August Smart Lock
  • Camera and contact-sensor monitoring via Hue Securenot August Smart Lock
  • Syncing lights to TV or gaming (entertainment sync)not 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

Philips Hue

  • Bridge requirement adds $100+ to initial cost and requires Ethernet connection despite marketing some wireless features
  • Shift toward walled garden model with restricted third-party compatibility after previously supporting open ecosystem
  • Automations advertised as automatic require manual per-day setup despite bridge ownership

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

Philips Hue

$119.99/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the Philips Hue review.

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 Philips Hue if

  • You need 16 million colors.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want white ambiance.
Philips Hue review

Questions people ask

Is August Smart Lock or Philips Hue better?
Neither clearly leads. August Smart Lock starts at On request and Philips Hue at $119.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, August Smart Lock or Philips Hue?
August Smart Lock starts at On request and Philips Hue at $119.99/one-time.
Does August Smart Lock or Philips Hue run on more platforms?
August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web. Philips Hue runs on iOS, Android, Web.
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 Philips Hue is typically brought in for.
What can August Smart Lock do that Philips Hue cannot?
August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. Philips Hue covers 16 Million Colors, White Ambiance, Schedules, Geofencing. Both handle Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, SmartThings.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Philips Hue: Does Philips Hue require a bridge to operate?

A Hue Bridge is required for full functionality including automations, remote access, and multi-room setup. While some basic features may work without a bridge, advanced automations and remote control require the Bridge to be connected via Ethernet.

Source
Philips Hue: What platforms and voice assistants does Philips Hue support?

Philips Hue supports Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Matter protocol for cross-platform compatibility. The Hue Bridge acts as a gateway for these integrations.

Source
Philips Hue: What is the price of a Philips Hue starter kit?

A typical starter kit including the Hue Bridge and 4 color bulbs costs $119.99 USD and provides access to all four major smart home ecosystems plus Matter compatibility. Individual bulbs start from approximately $23.99.

Source
Philips Hue: Can Philips Hue bulbs be paired directly without a Bridge?

Yes. Philips Hue bulbs can connect directly via Bluetooth for basic lighting control without requiring a Bridge. However, using the Hue Bridge provides full feature access including advanced automations, remote access, and support for Matter and other smart home integrations.

Source
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