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Smart Home · head to head

August Smart Lock vs ESPHome

August Smart Lock logo

August Smart Lock

Smart Home

Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt

From
$29.99/mo
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ESPHome logo

ESPHome

Smart Home

Custom firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ESPHome has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: August Smart Lock one-time purchase model with no recurring subscription fees; ESPHome eSPHome runs only on supported microcontrollers; the project recommends ESP32, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3 and ESP32-C6 and advises against ESP8266 for new projects
  • They diverge on capability: August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, ESPHome covers YAML Configuration.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where August Smart Lock and ESPHome differ
AttributeAugust Smart LockESPHome
Starting price$29.99/moFree
Pricing modelone-timeopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, Android, WebESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi
Founded20122018

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (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 ESPHome

  • YAML Configuration
  • OTA Updates
  • Home Assistant Native
  • Custom Components
  • Home Assistant
  • MQTT
  • API
  • Native integration

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

August Smart Lock

  • Keyless entrynot ESPHome
  • Guest accessnot ESPHome
  • Remote unlocknot ESPHome
  • Activity monitoringnot ESPHome

ESPHome

  • Building custom smart home sensors and switches on ESP32 hardwarenot August Smart Lock
  • Replacing vendor cloud firmware on ESP based devices with locally controlled firmwarenot August Smart Lock
  • Integrating DIY devices into Home Assistant over a native API or MQTTnot 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

  • One-time purchase model with no recurring subscription fees
  • Smart locks range from $129.99 to $229.99 depending on model and features

ESPHome

  • ESPHome runs only on supported microcontrollers; the project recommends ESP32, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3 and ESP32-C6 and advises against ESP8266 for new projects
  • Support for ESP32-H2, RP2040 and other newer chips is documented as less mature
  • Large displays and some sensors do not work well on ESP8266 because of its limited RAM, which is roughly a fifth of an ESP32

Pricing, plan by plan

August Smart Lock

$29.99/mo
  • Smart Lock$149.99/mo
    • Standard smart lock
  • Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi$129.99/mo
    • Wi-Fi enabled
  • Wi-Fi Smart Lock$229.99/mo
    • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Smart Lock + Connect$210.99/mo
    • Lock plus connectivity module

ESPHome

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Full firmware
    • Home Assistant integration
    • Custom sensors

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 ESPHome if

  • You need yaml configuration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
  • You also want ota updates.
ESPHome review

Questions people ask

Is August Smart Lock or ESPHome better?
Neither clearly leads. August Smart Lock starts at $29.99/mo and ESPHome at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, August Smart Lock or ESPHome?
ESPHome has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29.99/mo for August Smart Lock and Free for ESPHome.
Does August Smart Lock or ESPHome run on more platforms?
August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web. ESPHome runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
Can I use ESPHome for free?
Yes. ESPHome has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. August Smart Lock starts at $29.99/mo.
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 ESPHome is typically brought in for.
What can August Smart Lock do that ESPHome cannot?
August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, OTA Updates, Home Assistant Native, Custom Components.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

August Smart Lock: How much do August smart locks cost?

August smart locks are one-time purchases. Prices range from $129.99 for the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi to $229.99 for the Wi-Fi Smart Lock. Standard Smart Lock is $149.99. Bundles like Wi-Fi Smart Lock + Keypad Touch are $249.99.

Source
ESPHome: Is ESPHome free to use?

Yes. ESPHome is free and open-source software. The Desktop App, Device Builder, components, and recipe tools are all available at no cost.

Source
August Smart Lock: Does August offer a money-back guarantee?

Yes. August offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on purchases. Additionally, shipping is free in the United States.

Source
ESPHome: What is the cost to run ESPHome?

ESPHome software itself is completely free. Hardware devices and components used with ESPHome vary in cost depending on which microcontrollers and IoT devices you choose.

Source
ESPHome: Does ESPHome require a subscription or license fee?

No. ESPHome is open-source software with no subscription fees, license costs, or commercial restrictions associated with its use.

Source
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