IoT & Smart Home · head to head
August Smart Lock vs SmartThings
August Smart Lock
IoT & Smart Home
Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
SmartThings
IoT & Smart Home
Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only SmartThings 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; SmartThings cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
- They diverge on capability: August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which August Smart Lock and SmartThings actually diverge.
| Attribute | August Smart Lock | SmartThings |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | one-time | Unknown |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | IOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub |
| Founded | 2012 | 1938 |
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 SmartThings
- Multi-Brand Support
- Device Control
- Automations
- Cloud Backup
- 500+ device types
- Voice Control
- Routines
- IFTTT integration
Both cover
- 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 SmartThings
- Guest accessnot SmartThings
- Remote unlocknot SmartThings
- Activity monitoringnot SmartThings
SmartThings
- Smart home controlnot August Smart Lock
- Automation routinesnot August Smart Lock
- Device integrationnot August Smart Lock
- Remote monitoringnot 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
SmartThings
- Cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
- Cloud communication adds latency compared to local hubs; device response delays up to one second
- Confusing app transition between SmartThings Classic and SmartThings Connect with certain automations only working in one app
- API changes requiring paid subscriptions starting October 2026 break third-party integrations like Home Assistant
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
SmartThings
Free- Basic (SmartThings app)Free
- Device control and automation
- Support for Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Matter
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 SmartThings if
- You need multi-brand support.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub.
- You also want device control.
Questions people ask
- Is August Smart Lock or SmartThings better?
- Neither clearly leads. August Smart Lock starts at On request and SmartThings at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, August Smart Lock or SmartThings?
- SmartThings has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for August Smart Lock and Free for SmartThings.
- Does August Smart Lock or SmartThings run on more platforms?
- August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web. SmartThings runs on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub.
- Can I use SmartThings for free?
- Yes. SmartThings 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 SmartThings is typically brought in for.
- What can August Smart Lock do that SmartThings cannot?
- August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Device Control, Automations, Cloud Backup. Both handle IOS support, Android support, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
SmartThings: Does SmartThings work offline?
No, SmartThings requires internet and Samsung servers to function. It cannot operate offline; all device control depends on cloud connectivity.
SourceSmartThings: Which communication protocols does SmartThings support?
SmartThings natively handles Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Matter protocols simultaneously through mesh networking.
SourceSmartThings: What is the cost of SmartThings API access for developers?
Starting October 2026, non-commercial developers using SmartThings API for third-party integrations like Home Assistant must pay $4.99/month. Free access continues through Q3 2026.
SourceSmartThings: Does SmartThings support voice assistants?
Yes, SmartThings is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.
Source