Software · head to head
Shelly vs August Smart Lock
August Smart Lock
Software
Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Shelly has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Shelly premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup; 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: Shelly covers Local Control, August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Shelly and August Smart Lock actually diverge.
| Attribute | Shelly | August Smart Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | Unknown | one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network | IOS, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2016 | 2012 |
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 Shelly
- Local Control
- Open API
- MQTT Support
- Energy Monitoring
- Home Assistant
- Local API support
Only in August Smart Lock
- Retrofit Design
- Auto-Unlock
- Guest Access
- Activity Log
- HomeKit
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.
Shelly
- Smart home automation and controlnot August Smart Lock
- Energy monitoring and managementnot August Smart Lock
- WiFi/Bluetooth/Matter device integrationnot August Smart Lock
August Smart Lock
- Keyless entrynot Shelly
- Guest accessnot Shelly
- Remote unlocknot Shelly
- Activity monitoringnot Shelly
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Shelly
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Shelly review.
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 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.
Choose August Smart Lock if
- You need retrofit design.
- You work on IOS, Android, Web.
- You also want auto-unlock.
Questions people ask
- Is Shelly or August Smart Lock better?
- Neither clearly leads. Shelly 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, Shelly or August Smart Lock?
- Shelly has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Shelly and On request for August Smart Lock.
- Does Shelly or August Smart Lock run on more platforms?
- Shelly runs on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network. August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web.
- Can I use Shelly for free?
- Yes. Shelly has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. August Smart Lock starts at On request.
- What is Shelly best used for?
- Shelly is most often used for smart home automation and control, energy monitoring and management, wifi/bluetooth/matter device integration. Of those, smart home automation and control and energy monitoring and management are not what August Smart Lock is typically brought in for.
- What can Shelly do that August Smart Lock cannot?
- Shelly covers Local Control, Open API, MQTT Support, Energy Monitoring. August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. Both handle Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, IOS support.