August vs Schlage Smart Locks: Which Is Better in 2026?
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August vs Schlage smart locks: we compare the key differences, pros and cons side by side so you can decide which one is right for you. Updated for 2026.
If you are weighing august vs schlage smart lock options for your front door, the quick answer comes down to one choice. Choose August if you rent, you want to keep your current keys, or your landlord or building rules limit hardware changes. Choose Schlage if you own your home, you want a keypad on the outside of the door, and you prefer to replace the whole deadbolt with one unit.
Both brands let you lock and unlock from a phone app, share access with family or guests, and see when the door was used. They differ in how they attach to the door, how guests get in, and what the installation asks of you. The comparison table below sums up those differences so you can match each approach to your door and your household.
August vs Schlage Smart Locks: Comparison Table
The table below uses brand level traits that apply across most current models in each line. Always confirm the exact model you are considering, because features such as built in WiFi, Apple HomeKit support, and battery type vary by version. The winner column names the stronger choice for a typical buyer in that row, not a winner for every home.
| Criterion | August | Schlage | Winner |
| How it fits your door | Attaches inside over your current deadbolt | Replaces your current deadbolt fully | Depends on your door |
| Your current keys | You keep and still use them | You get new keys with the new lock | August |
| Guest entry | App access or your current key | Keypad codes plus app access | Schlage |
| Look from the street | Exterior hardware stays unchanged | New exterior unit with keypad | August for a discreet look |
| Installation effort | Interior screws and setup only | Full deadbolt swap and alignment | August |
| Door position sensing | DoorSense sensor included on main models | Varies by model | August |
What Is August? What Is Schlage?
August overview
August built its name on the retrofit approach. Its main locks mount on the inside of your door and turn the thumb turn of the deadbolt you already own, so the outside of the door looks exactly as it did before. A small DoorSense sensor reports whether the door itself is closed, not just whether the bolt is thrown. In the app you can lock remotely, set auto unlock as you arrive home, and give time based access to a cleaner, a dog walker, or a family member.
Schlage overview
Schlage comes from traditional door hardware, and its smart locks reflect that background. Its main smart models are complete deadbolts that replace your current lock on both sides of the door, with a keypad or touchscreen on the outside and a thumb turn inside. Guests can enter with a code you create for them, so they do not need a phone or an app account. If you want detail on the HomeKit focused model, our schlage encode plus review covers that version in depth.
Key Differences
Five areas decide this matchup for most buyers: how the lock holds up in daily use, which smart home systems it joins, how much work fitting it takes, what it costs to run, and how it handles your data and your door security. Price and value follow after those five.
Reliability and Accuracy: August vs Schlage
Reliability starts with door alignment for both brands. An August unit turns your existing bolt, so it works smoothly when that bolt already moves freely, but it will strain and drain batteries if the bolt scrapes the strike plate. A Schlage unit brings its own bolt and latch, which can cure a worn or sticky old lock, yet it still needs careful alignment during fitting. For accuracy, the August DoorSense sensor adds one real advantage. It can warn you that the door stands ajar even when the bolt has turned.
Compatibility: August vs Schlage
August works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control, and its parent company ties it closely to the Yale Access app on many models. Apple HomeKit support depends on the model, so check the box before you count on Siri or Apple automations. Schlage smart deadbolts also work with Alexa and Google Assistant, and the Encode Plus line adds Apple HomeKit and support for Apple home keys. Matter support is still rolling out across the industry, so confirm the exact model and hub requirements rather than assuming either brand supports it today.
Installation: August vs Schlage
August is the easier install for most people. You remove the interior thumb turn, fit a mounting plate, attach the August unit, and keep your exterior cylinder and keys, often in about 15 minutes with a screwdriver. Schlage asks you to remove the whole deadbolt, fit the new latch and exterior keypad, route a cable through the door, and align the bolt with the frame. Allow about 30 to 45 minutes and test the bolt by hand before you close the door. Our schlage encode review walks through that full replacement process.
Subscription Costs: August vs Schlage
Neither brand needs a paid plan for the core job of locking, unlocking, and managing basic access from the app, and that keeps running costs low for both. Where costs can appear is in extras around the lock rather than in the lock itself. Video doorbell storage, professional monitoring, or a broader security system plan may carry a monthly fee if you add those services later. Budget instead for batteries, which you will replace a few times a year in a busy household, and for a strong WiFi signal at the door.
Privacy and Security: August vs Schlage
Both brands encrypt app traffic and let you protect your account with a strong password and two factor authentication, and you should turn both on during setup. The physical side differs. August leaves your current cylinder in place, so your security still depends on the quality of that older hardware. Schlage replaces the cylinder and bolt as one unit, and many of its deadbolts carry a high ANSI and BHMA residential grade, which rates resistance to forced entry and wear. In the app for either brand, review the activity log often and delete guest access as soon as it is no longer needed.
Price and Value
August retrofit locks and Schlage smart deadbolts often land in a similar band, roughly about $150 to $280 depending on the model and the season. Value depends on what you would otherwise have to buy. August saves you the cost and effort of new keys and new exterior hardware, which matters in a rental. Schlage includes the keypad and a fresh bolt in the price, which matters when your current deadbolt is worn or lacks a code option. Compare the total cost with batteries and any bridge or hub a specific model needs for remote access.
Which Should You Buy?
Match the lock to your living situation first and to your feature list second. The groups below cover the two patterns that show up most often in this august vs schlage smart lock decision.
Choose August If You Rent or Want a Discreet Upgrade
- You rent and must keep the exterior hardware and keys your landlord issued.
- Your current deadbolt works smoothly and you see no reason to replace it.
- You value auto unlock on arrival and a sensor that reports a door left ajar.
- You prefer the fastest install with the fewest changes to the door.
August also suits owners of historic homes or condos where association rules control how the outside of the door may look, because nothing about the street facing side changes.
Choose Schlage If You Want Keypad Entry for Everyone
- You own your home and can replace the deadbolt without asking permission.
- Kids, guests, or service providers need code entry without a smartphone.
- Your current deadbolt is old, sticky, or missing keys, so replacement solves two problems at once.
- You want one unit that combines the bolt, the keypad, and the app controls.
Schlage also suits households that hand out codes often, because you can create, time limit, and delete a code for each person instead of sharing one house key.
Other Options to Consider
If neither approach fits, the wider category offers locks that add a fingerprint reader, locks built for handlesets, and locks designed around Matter from the start. Start with our guide to the best smart lock to compare those styles in one place. One specific alternative worth a look is the Yale approach to full replacement deadbolts, and our yale assure lock 2 review explains how that model handles keypad and key free versions. Keep your shortlist short, and judge each option against your door, your guests, and your smart home system.
FAQs
Is August better than Schlage?
Neither brand is better for everyone. August is better when you must keep your current deadbolt, keys, and exterior look, or when you want the simplest install. Schlage is better when you want built in keypad entry and a fresh deadbolt in one unit. Think about who enters your home each week. A household with frequent guests using codes will feel the Schlage advantage daily, while a renter will feel the August advantage on day one and again on moving day.
What is the main difference between August and Schlage?
The main difference is what happens to your current deadbolt. August keeps it and adds a motor on the inside of the door that turns it for you. Schlage removes it and installs a complete new deadbolt with its own bolt, cylinder, and exterior keypad. That single design choice drives almost every other difference in this comparison, from installation time and guest entry to how your door looks from the street and whether your old keys still work.
Which is easier to clean, August or Schlage?
Schlage is slightly easier to clean because its exterior keypad is a sealed surface you can wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth to clear fingerprints and grime. An August unit sits indoors, so it gathers less dirt, but you must keep liquid and sprays away from its battery compartment and seams. For both brands, skip harsh cleaners and abrasive pads. They can cloud a touchscreen, damage a finish, and in time make daily wear look worse than plain dust ever would.
Which lasts longer, August or Schlage?
A Schlage deadbolt often has the edge in hardware life because the bolt, latch, and cylinder are new and built as one unit, while an August unit inherits the wear of the older deadbolt it turns. Battery life is a separate question and depends more on door alignment and WiFi strength than on brand. One point many buyers miss is that a misaligned door shortens the life of either lock. Fix the strike plate first and both brands will serve you longer.
Can August and Schlage smart locks work during a power cut?
Yes, both keep working during a power cut because they run on batteries inside the door unit rather than on house power. You can still turn the August unit by hand from inside, and your old key still works outside. A Schlage keypad may go dark once its batteries fade, but its physical key still opens the door. What you lose in a cut is remote app control if your router is down, not the ability to enter your own home.
The Bottom Line
There is no wrong choice here, only a better fit for your door. August respects the lock you already have and adds smart control with almost no visible change, while Schlage replaces the lock and adds the keypad entry many families use every day. Use the product table above to check your priorities once more, then pick the august vs schlage smart lock option that matches your tenure, your guests, and your tolerance for installation work. Either way, align the bolt carefully, set up alerts in the app, and your front door will feel simpler to manage within a week.
