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SmartThings vs Yale Smart Locks

SmartThings logo

SmartThings

Smart Home

Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Yale Smart Locks logo

Yale Smart Locks

Smart Home

Trusted smart lock security for your home

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SmartThings has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: SmartThings cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control; Yale Smart Locks the Internet Archive's capture of Yale's US homepage on 22 December 2020 named six distinct smart lock and security product lines, Assure Lock, Assure Lever, Smart Delivery Box, Smart Cabinet Lock, Pro SL, and the Pivot Collection, each with a 'Buy Now' link but no price figure present on the page.
  • They diverge on capability: SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Yale Smart Locks covers Keypad entry.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SmartThings and Yale Smart Locks actually diverge.

Attributes where SmartThings and Yale Smart Locks differ
AttributeSmartThingsYale Smart Locks
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, SmartThings HubIOS, Android
Founded19381840

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 SmartThings

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

Only in Yale Smart Locks

  • Keypad entry
  • App control
  • Guest codes
  • Auto-lock
  • Tamper alerts
  • Activity log
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Amazon Alexa

Both cover

  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

SmartThings

  • Smart home controlnot Yale Smart Locks
  • Automation routinesnot Yale Smart Locks
  • Device integrationnot Yale Smart Locks
  • Remote monitoringnot Yale Smart Locks

Yale Smart Locks

  • Keyless entrynot SmartThings
  • Guest accessnot SmartThings
  • Security monitoringnot SmartThings
  • Rental managementnot SmartThings

Where each one falls short

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

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

Yale Smart Locks

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Yale's US homepage on 22 December 2020 named six distinct smart lock and security product lines, Assure Lock, Assure Lever, Smart Delivery Box, Smart Cabinet Lock, Pro SL, and the Pivot Collection, each with a 'Buy Now' link but no price figure present on the page.

Pricing, plan by plan

SmartThings

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

Yale Smart Locks

On request
  • Assure Lock 2$190/month
    • Keypad
    • Auto-lock
    • DoorSense
  • Assure Lock SL$260/month
    • Touchscreen
    • No key
    • Modern design

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Yale Smart Locks if

  • You need keypad entry.
  • You work on IOS, Android.
  • You also want app control.
Yale Smart Locks review

Questions people ask

Is SmartThings or Yale Smart Locks better?
Neither clearly leads. SmartThings starts at Free and Yale Smart Locks at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SmartThings or Yale Smart Locks?
SmartThings has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for SmartThings and On request for Yale Smart Locks.
Does SmartThings or Yale Smart Locks run on more platforms?
SmartThings runs on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub. Yale Smart Locks runs on IOS, Android.
Can I use SmartThings for free?
Yes. SmartThings has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Yale Smart Locks starts at On request.
What is SmartThings best used for?
SmartThings is most often used for smart home control, automation routines, device integration, remote monitoring. Of those, smart home control and automation routines are not what Yale Smart Locks is typically brought in for.
What can SmartThings do that Yale Smart Locks cannot?
SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Device Control, Automations, Cloud Backup. Yale Smart Locks covers Keypad entry, App control, Guest codes, Auto-lock. Both handle IOS support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Yale Smart Locks: Where can I find Yale smart lock pricing on their website?

Yale does not publish pricing information on their main website or dedicated pricing page. Pricing details are not publicly listed online.

Source
SmartThings: Which communication protocols does SmartThings support?

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

Source
Yale Smart Locks: How do I get pricing for Yale smart locks?

Yale does not disclose standard pricing on their website. Customers must contact Yale directly through their support system to request pricing and product information.

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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