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MQTT vs August Smart Lock

MQTT logo

MQTT

Software

Lightweight messaging protocol for IoT devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
August Smart Lock logo

August Smart Lock

Software

Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only MQTT has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: MQTT mQTT is an OASIS standard messaging protocol maintained by a standards committee, not sold by a vendor; there is no company-controlled price list, subscription, or edition to compare because implementations are independent open source or commercial products built on the spec; 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
  • They diverge on capability: MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where MQTT and August Smart Lock differ
AttributeMQTTAugust Smart Lock
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourceone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsAny platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computingIOS, Android, Web
Founded19992012

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 MQTT

  • Publish-Subscribe
  • Lightweight
  • QoS Levels
  • Retained Messages
  • IoT platforms
  • Home automation
  • Cloud services
  • Edge devices

Only in August Smart Lock

  • Retrofit Design
  • Auto-Unlock
  • Guest Access
  • Activity Log
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • HomeKit
  • SmartThings

What people use each for

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

MQTT

  • IoT messagingnot August Smart Lock
  • Sensor datanot August Smart Lock
  • Real-time updatesnot August Smart Lock
  • Device telemetrynot August Smart Lock

August Smart Lock

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

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

MQTT

  • MQTT is an OASIS standard messaging protocol maintained by a standards committee, not sold by a vendor; there is no company-controlled price list, subscription, or edition to compare because implementations are independent open source or commercial products built on the spec

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

Pricing, plan by plan

MQTT

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Publish-subscribe
    • Lightweight
    • QoS levels

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

Which should you pick?

Choose MQTT if

  • You need publish-subscribe.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing.
  • You also want lightweight.
MQTT review

Choose August Smart Lock if

  • You need retrofit design.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want auto-unlock.
August Smart Lock review

Questions people ask

Is MQTT or August Smart Lock better?
Neither clearly leads. MQTT starts at Free and August Smart Lock at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MQTT or August Smart Lock?
MQTT has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MQTT and On request for August Smart Lock.
Does MQTT or August Smart Lock run on more platforms?
MQTT runs on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing. August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web.
Can I use MQTT for free?
Yes. MQTT has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. August Smart Lock starts at On request.
What is MQTT best used for?
MQTT is most often used for iot messaging, sensor data, real-time updates, device telemetry. Of those, iot messaging and sensor data are not what August Smart Lock is typically brought in for.
What can MQTT do that August Smart Lock cannot?
MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, Lightweight, QoS Levels, Retained Messages. August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log.
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