IoT & Smart Home · head to head
Thread vs August Smart Lock
Thread
IoT & Smart Home
IPv6-based mesh networking for smart home devices
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
August Smart Lock
IoT & Smart Home
Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Thread has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Thread thread Group publishes six membership levels with annual fees of $750, $7,500, $15,000 and $65,000, and a one-time initiation fee of $35,000 for the top tier; 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: Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Thread and August Smart Lock actually diverge.
| Attribute | Thread | August Smart Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | open-source | one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs | IOS, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2014 | 2012 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & 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 Thread
- IPv6 Mesh
- Self-Healing
- Secure
- Low Power
- Matter
- Smart devices
- Smart home hubs
- Thread devices support
Only in August Smart Lock
- Retrofit Design
- Auto-Unlock
- Guest Access
- Activity Log
- Alexa
- Google Home
- SmartThings
- IOS support
Both cover
- HomeKit
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Thread
- Low power IPv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devicesnot August Smart Lock
- Interoperable device networking underneath Matternot August Smart Lock
- Certifying wireless products for network interoperabilitynot August Smart Lock
August Smart Lock
- Keyless entrynot Thread
- Guest accessnot Thread
- Remote unlocknot Thread
- Activity monitoringnot Thread
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Thread
- Thread Group publishes six membership levels with annual fees of $750, $7,500, $15,000 and $65,000, and a one-time initiation fee of $35,000 for the top tier
- Certifying a product and using the Thread certification logo requires Thread Group membership
- Free access to the Thread Test Harness is restricted to higher membership levels; lower levels only get the option to purchase it
- Voting in work groups, chairing committees and a board seat are reserved for the paid upper membership levels
- The Implementer level is described as being for white-label or rebranded certified products only
- Academic membership is open only to organizations with fewer than 50 employees
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
Thread
Free- Open ProtocolFree
- IPv6 mesh
- Secure
- Self-healing
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 Thread if
- You need ipv6 mesh.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs.
- You also want self-healing.
Choose August Smart Lock if
- You need retrofit design.
- You work on IOS, Android, Web.
- You also want auto-unlock.
Questions people ask
- Is Thread or August Smart Lock better?
- Neither clearly leads. Thread 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, Thread or August Smart Lock?
- Thread has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Thread and On request for August Smart Lock.
- Does Thread or August Smart Lock run on more platforms?
- Thread runs on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs. August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web.
- Can I use Thread for free?
- Yes. Thread has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. August Smart Lock starts at On request.
- What is Thread best used for?
- Thread is most often used for low power ipv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devices, interoperable device networking underneath matter, certifying wireless products for network interoperability. Of those, low power ipv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devices and interoperable device networking underneath matter are not what August Smart Lock is typically brought in for.
- What can Thread do that August Smart Lock cannot?
- Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, Self-Healing, Secure, Low Power. August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. Both handle HomeKit.