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Smart Home · head to head

August Smart Lock vs Shelly

August Smart Lock logo

August Smart Lock

Smart Home

Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt

From
$29.99/mo
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shelly logo

Shelly

Smart Home

Powerful WiFi smart home devices with local control

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Shelly 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; 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.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where August Smart Lock and Shelly differ
AttributeAugust Smart LockShelly
Starting price$29.99/moFree
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, Android, WebWeb, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network
Founded20122016

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
  • 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

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

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

$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

Shelly

Free

No 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.
August Smart Lock review

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.
Shelly review

Questions people ask

Is August Smart Lock or Shelly better?
Neither clearly leads. August Smart Lock starts at $29.99/mo 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 $29.99/mo 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 $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 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.

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
Shelly: Does Shelly offer a free tier or paid premium service?

Shelly offers a free service with an option to upgrade. The site mentions Go Premium in the Shelly app, which provides more automation and control capabilities. A Shelly Cloud Premium Voucher is available for purchase.

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
Shelly: What is the difference between free Shelly and Shelly Cloud Premium?

The free version provides basic functionality, while Premium unlocks more automation options and additional control features. Specific pricing for Premium is not disclosed on the homepage.

Source
Shelly: Can I purchase Shelly Cloud Premium directly?

Yes. Shelly Cloud Premium Vouchers are available for purchase through the Shelly shop. Pricing details are available on the product shop page.

Source
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