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Smart Home · head to head

August Smart Lock vs Z-Wave Alliance

August Smart Lock logo

August Smart Lock

Smart Home

Smart locks that work with your existing deadbolt

From
$29.99/mo
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: August Smart Lock one-time purchase model with no recurring subscription fees; 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: August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, 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 August Smart Lock and Z-Wave Alliance actually diverge.

Attributes where August Smart Lock and Z-Wave Alliance differ
AttributeAugust Smart LockZ-Wave Alliance
Starting price$29.99/moFree
Pricing modelone-timeopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, Android, WebZ-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh
Founded20122001

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 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.

August Smart Lock

  • Keyless entrynot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Guest accessnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Remote unlocknot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Activity monitoringnot Z-Wave Alliance

Z-Wave Alliance

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

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

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

Z-Wave Alliance

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Mesh networking
    • Security
    • Interoperability

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 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 August Smart Lock or Z-Wave Alliance better?
Neither clearly leads. August Smart Lock starts at $29.99/mo and Z-Wave Alliance at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, August Smart Lock or Z-Wave Alliance?
Z-Wave Alliance has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29.99/mo for August Smart Lock and Free for Z-Wave Alliance.
Does August Smart Lock or Z-Wave Alliance run on more platforms?
August Smart Lock runs on IOS, Android, Web. 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. 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 Z-Wave Alliance is typically brought in for.
What can August Smart Lock do that Z-Wave Alliance cannot?
August Smart Lock covers Retrofit Design, Auto-Unlock, Guest Access, Activity Log. Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking, AES-128 Security, Low Power, Interoperable.

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
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
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
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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