Software · head to head
August Smart Lock vs Shelly

August Smart Lock
Software
Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Shelly 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; Shelly premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
- They diverge on capability: August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Shelly covers Local Control.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which August Smart Lock and Shelly actually diverge.
| Attribute | August Smart Lock | Shelly |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | one-time | Unknown |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | IOS, Android, Web | Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network |
| Founded | 2012 | 2016 |
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
- HomeKit
Only in Shelly
- Local Control
- Open API
- MQTT Support
- Energy Monitoring
- Home Assistant
- Local API support
Both cover
- Alexa
- Google Home
- 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 Shelly
- Guest accessnot Shelly
- Remote unlocknot Shelly
- Activity monitoringnot Shelly
Shelly
- Smart home automation and controlnot August Smart Lock
- Energy monitoring and managementnot August Smart Lock
- WiFi/Bluetooth/Matter device integrationnot 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
Shelly
- Premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
- Device-specific capabilities vary; not all features available across entire product range
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
Shelly
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Shelly 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.
Choose Shelly if
- You need local control.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network.
- You also want open api.
Questions people ask
- Is August Smart Lock or Shelly better?
- Neither clearly leads. August Smart Lock starts at On request and Shelly at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, August Smart Lock or Shelly?
- Shelly has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for August Smart Lock and Free for Shelly.
- Does August Smart Lock or Shelly run on more platforms?
- August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web. Shelly runs on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network.
- Can I use Shelly for free?
- Yes. Shelly 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 Shelly is typically brought in for.
- What can August Smart Lock do that Shelly cannot?
- August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. Shelly covers Local Control, Open API, MQTT Support, Energy Monitoring. Both handle Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, IOS support.
Related pages
More on August Smart Lock
Keep looking
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