August vs Schlage Smart Lock — Which Is Right for You in 2026?

The August SL05 (August Wi-Fi Smart Keyless Deadbolt) is August's complete replacement deadbolt—installing over the entire exterior hardware to replace the keyed lock with a touchpad/app-controlled system with built-in Wi-Fi. Unlike August's retrofit Smart Lock (interior install only), the SL05 changes the exterior hardware as well, providing a full deadbolt replacement without a separate keypad bridge device. The built-in Wi-Fi eliminates the August Connect bridge that older August Smart Locks required for remote access. Auto-lock engages the deadbolt when the door closes; auto-unlock detects the homeowner's phone via Bluetooth as they approach. Guest access via temporary digital keys enables vacation rental and visitor management from anywhere. Against Schlage Encode on this comparison page, August SL05 and Schlage Encode serve different installation philosophies—August maintains exterior appearance options and provides app-centric management; Schlage Encode is the complete deadbolt system with built-in keypad that doesn't require a phone for entry. The choice depends on whether keypad-free exterior aesthetics or keypad-always-available access is the priority.

The Schlage Encode Plus is Schlage's Apple Home Key-compatible smart lock—the NFC chip that allows iPhone and Apple Watch users to unlock the deadbolt with a tap of their device without opening an app. Apple Home Key authentication is the Encode Plus's headline feature for Apple household buyers who want the iPhone-native experience. At $250–280, the Encode Plus is the premium Schlage smart lock above the standard Encode Wi-Fi ($180). The built-in keypad handles guests and family members without phones; Apple Home Key handles the primary user seamlessly. Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice control enable hands-free locking commands. Against August SL05 and the standard Schlage Encode on this page, the Encode Plus is the Apple ecosystem choice—the Apple Home Key feature is the specific upgrade cost over the standard Encode. For Android households or non-Apple environments, the standard Encode provides the same Wi-Fi smart lock capability at lower cost. The Encode Plus justifies its premium only for households where Apple Home Key access will be used daily.

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) is August's retrofit interior deadbolt conversion—the device that replaces only the interior thumb-turn of an existing deadbolt, leaving the exterior hardware (and key compatibility) unchanged. This is August's signature installation approach: the exterior lock looks identical to a standard deadbolt while smart functionality lives inside. The 4th Gen includes built-in Wi-Fi (no bridge needed), auto-lock, auto-unlock, and the August app for guest key management. Installation takes approximately 15 minutes with a screwdriver; no wiring or locksmith required. The existing keyway remains functional with physical keys throughout. Against Schlage Encode and August SL05 on this page, the August 4th Gen retrofit is the option for renters who can't change exterior hardware, homeowners who prefer their existing exterior hardware aesthetics, and anyone who wants smart functionality without full hardware replacement. The trade-off is no exterior keypad—entry requires a phone app, August keypad (sold separately), or physical key.

The Schlage Encode is Schlage's standard Wi-Fi smart deadbolt—the built-in keypad without Apple Home Key (the Plus model adds NFC) at $170–200. Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Ring, and the dedicated access code management supports up to 100 unique codes for households with regular service providers, housecleaners, and family members. Schlage's Grade 1 ANSI residential security rating is the highest for residential deadbolts—the Encode's physical security construction matches the quality of non-smart Schlage deadbolts that locksmiths recommend as best-in-class for residential security. Smart locks that compromise physical security for technology features fail the primary function; Schlage's construction prioritizes the deadbolt first. Against August's retrofit approach on this page, the Schlage Encode is the full system replacement that provides keypad entry without a phone—appropriate for households with children, older family members, or frequent guests who benefit from the exterior keypad rather than app-only access.

The Yale Assure Lock 2 is a third-party smart lock on this August vs Schlage comparison—Yale's touchscreen deadbolt with built-in Wi-Fi and compatibility with August's app (Yale and August share technology through parent company ASSA ABLOY). The Assure Lock 2's touchscreen keypad is PIN-entry via full touchscreen rather than physical buttons—a distinct aesthetic that resists wear pattern visibility. At $180–220, the Yale Assure Lock 2 competes with Schlage Encode at the same price tier. Smart home compatibility includes Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings—broader than Schlage Encode's compatibility. The touchscreen distributes touch across all digits, preventing the wear patterns on frequently pressed numbers that physical keypads develop over time, which can reveal PIN codes. On an August vs Schlage comparison page, the Yale Assure Lock 2 bridges both ecosystems with August-connected app integration—worth considering for buyers who want August app convenience with a full deadbolt replacement and broader smart home compatibility than Schlage provides.