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Smart Home · head to head

August Smart Lock vs SmartThings

August Smart Lock logo

August Smart Lock

Smart Home

Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt

From
$29.99/mo
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SmartThings logo

SmartThings

Smart Home

Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SmartThings 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; SmartThings cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
  • They diverge on capability: August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where August Smart Lock and SmartThings differ
AttributeAugust Smart LockSmartThings
Starting price$29.99/moFree
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, Android, WebiOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub
Founded20121938

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 SmartThings

  • Multi-Brand Support
  • Device Control
  • Automations
  • Cloud Backup
  • 500+ device types
  • Voice Control
  • Routines
  • IFTTT integration

Both cover

  • 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 SmartThings
  • Guest accessnot SmartThings
  • Remote unlocknot SmartThings
  • Activity monitoringnot SmartThings

SmartThings

  • Smart home controlnot August Smart Lock
  • Automation routinesnot August Smart Lock
  • Device integrationnot August Smart Lock
  • Remote monitoringnot 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

SmartThings

  • Cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
  • Cloud communication adds latency compared to local hubs; device response delays up to one second
  • Confusing app transition between SmartThings Classic and SmartThings Connect with certain automations only working in one app
  • API changes requiring paid subscriptions starting October 2026 break third-party integrations like Home Assistant

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

SmartThings

Free
  • Basic (SmartThings app)Free
    • Device control and automation
    • Support for Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Matter

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 SmartThings if

  • You need multi-brand support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub.
  • You also want device control.
SmartThings review

Questions people ask

Is August Smart Lock or SmartThings better?
Neither clearly leads. August Smart Lock starts at $29.99/mo and SmartThings at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, August Smart Lock or SmartThings?
SmartThings has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29.99/mo for August Smart Lock and Free for SmartThings.
Does August Smart Lock or SmartThings run on more platforms?
August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web. SmartThings runs on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub.
Can I use SmartThings for free?
Yes. SmartThings 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 SmartThings is typically brought in for.
What can August Smart Lock do that SmartThings cannot?
August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Device Control, Automations, Cloud Backup. Both handle IOS support, Android support, Web 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
SmartThings: Does SmartThings work offline?

No, SmartThings requires internet and Samsung servers to function. It cannot operate offline; all device control depends on cloud connectivity.

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
SmartThings: Which communication protocols does SmartThings support?

SmartThings natively handles Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Matter protocols simultaneously through mesh networking.

Source
SmartThings: What is the cost of SmartThings API access for developers?

Starting October 2026, non-commercial developers using SmartThings API for third-party integrations like Home Assistant must pay $4.99/month. Free access continues through Q3 2026.

Source
SmartThings: Does SmartThings support voice assistants?

Yes, SmartThings is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.

Source
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