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Yale Smart Locks vs Z-Wave Alliance

Yale Smart Locks logo

Yale Smart Locks

Smart Home

Trusted smart lock security for your home

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Z-Wave Alliance logo

Z-Wave Alliance

Smart Home

Wireless communication protocol for smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Z-Wave Alliance has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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.; Z-Wave Alliance manufacturers must hold a Manufacturer ID, which costs $7,500 per year for two MIDs and a further $7,500 per year for each additional MID
  • They diverge on capability: Yale Smart Locks covers Keypad entry, Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Yale Smart Locks and Z-Wave Alliance actually diverge.

Attributes where Yale Smart Locks and Z-Wave Alliance differ
AttributeYale Smart LocksZ-Wave Alliance
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timeopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, AndroidZ-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh
Founded18402001

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 Yale Smart Locks

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

Only in Z-Wave Alliance

  • Mesh Networking
  • AES-128 Security
  • Low Power
  • Interoperable
  • Smart home hubs
  • Home automation
  • Device integration
  • Standards compliant

What people use each for

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

Yale Smart Locks

  • Keyless entrynot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Guest accessnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Security monitoringnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Rental managementnot Z-Wave Alliance

Z-Wave Alliance

  • Sub-GHz mesh networking for smart home locks, sensors and lightingnot Yale Smart Locks
  • Long range low power device control in residential and commercial buildingsnot Yale Smart Locks
  • Building interoperable certified smart home productsnot Yale Smart Locks

Where each one falls short

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

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.

Z-Wave Alliance

  • Manufacturers must hold a Manufacturer ID, which costs $7,500 per year for two MIDs and a further $7,500 per year for each additional MID
  • The MID fee is waived only in year 3 for Accelerator members and applies in full from year 4
  • Certifying products and using the Z-Wave certification requires Z-Wave Alliance membership
  • Participation in specific working groups and committees depends on membership level
  • At most two Contributor Member representatives may sit on the Board, for one-year terms voted by the existing Board

Pricing, plan by plan

Yale Smart Locks

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

Z-Wave Alliance

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Mesh networking
    • Security
    • Interoperability

Which should you pick?

Choose Yale Smart Locks if

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

Choose Z-Wave Alliance if

  • You need mesh networking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh.
  • You also want aes-128 security.
Z-Wave Alliance review

Questions people ask

Is Yale Smart Locks or Z-Wave Alliance better?
Neither clearly leads. Yale Smart Locks starts at On request and Z-Wave Alliance at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Yale Smart Locks or Z-Wave Alliance?
Z-Wave Alliance has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Yale Smart Locks and Free for Z-Wave Alliance.
Does Yale Smart Locks or Z-Wave Alliance run on more platforms?
Yale Smart Locks runs on IOS, Android. Z-Wave Alliance runs on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh.
Can I use Z-Wave Alliance for free?
Yes. Z-Wave Alliance has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Yale Smart Locks starts at On request.
What is Yale Smart Locks best used for?
Yale Smart Locks is most often used for keyless entry, guest access, security monitoring, rental management. Of those, keyless entry and guest access are not what Z-Wave Alliance is typically brought in for.
What can Yale Smart Locks do that Z-Wave Alliance cannot?
Yale Smart Locks covers Keypad entry, App control, Guest codes, Auto-lock. Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking, AES-128 Security, Low Power, Interoperable.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Z-Wave Alliance: How many Z-Wave products are on the market?

With more than 4,500 products on the market today, Z-Wave is the world leader in wireless control for smart home devices.

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
Z-Wave Alliance: Can I join the Z-Wave Alliance?

Yes, the Z-Wave Alliance offers membership for companies interested in smart home and IoT technology. Members can participate in standards development and enjoy benefits from being part of a coalition dedicated to wireless smart home control technology.

Source
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