IoT & Smart Home · head to head
August Smart Lock vs Thread
August Smart Lock
IoT & Smart Home
Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Thread
IoT & Smart Home
IPv6-based mesh networking for smart home devices
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Thread 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; Thread thread Group publishes six membership levels with annual fees of $750, $7,500, $15,000 and $65,000, and a one-time initiation fee of $35,000 for the top tier
- They diverge on capability: August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Thread covers IPv6 Mesh.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which August Smart Lock and Thread actually diverge.
| Attribute | August Smart Lock | Thread |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | one-time | open-source |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | IOS, Android, Web | Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs |
| Founded | 2012 | 2014 |
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
- SmartThings
- IOS support
Only in Thread
- IPv6 Mesh
- Self-Healing
- Secure
- Low Power
- Matter
- Smart devices
- Smart home hubs
- Thread devices support
Both cover
- HomeKit
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
August Smart Lock
- Keyless entrynot Thread
- Guest accessnot Thread
- Remote unlocknot Thread
- Activity monitoringnot Thread
Thread
- Low power IPv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devicesnot August Smart Lock
- Interoperable device networking underneath Matternot August Smart Lock
- Certifying wireless products for network interoperabilitynot 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
Thread
- Thread Group publishes six membership levels with annual fees of $750, $7,500, $15,000 and $65,000, and a one-time initiation fee of $35,000 for the top tier
- Certifying a product and using the Thread certification logo requires Thread Group membership
- Free access to the Thread Test Harness is restricted to higher membership levels; lower levels only get the option to purchase it
- Voting in work groups, chairing committees and a board seat are reserved for the paid upper membership levels
- The Implementer level is described as being for white-label or rebranded certified products only
- Academic membership is open only to organizations with fewer than 50 employees
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
Thread
Free- Open ProtocolFree
- IPv6 mesh
- Secure
- Self-healing
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 Thread if
- You need ipv6 mesh.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs.
- You also want self-healing.
Questions people ask
- Is August Smart Lock or Thread better?
- Neither clearly leads. August Smart Lock starts at On request and Thread at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, August Smart Lock or Thread?
- Thread has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for August Smart Lock and Free for Thread.
- Does August Smart Lock or Thread run on more platforms?
- August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web. Thread runs on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs.
- Can I use Thread for free?
- Yes. Thread 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 Thread is typically brought in for.
- What can August Smart Lock do that Thread cannot?
- August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, Self-Healing, Secure, Low Power. Both handle HomeKit.