Compare Yale August Smart Lock vs Lockly Secure Plus Smart Lock

The activity log was useful in one review, but another reviewer reported a serious failure where an unlock event was not logged.

Reviewers who discussed logs liked the recordkeeping, citing accurate history entries and even a year of usable activity history.

The app was widely praised as intuitive, responsive, and feature-rich, though one reviewer had severe app freezing during setup.

The app was generally considered easy, clear, and responsive, though one review separated that from a difficult guest-code workflow.

Auto-lock was one of the strongest features, praised for flexibility and peace of mind, though one reviewer disabled it because it could lock them out.

Auto-lock has limited but strong evidence, with PCMag reporting that the feature worked very well in testing.

Battery life was the most consistent weakness, with repeated concern about CR123 batteries, shorter lifespan, replacement cost, and one six-to-eight-week real-world result.

Battery evidence is limited to one long-term review, but that reviewer called performance stellar after about a year of use.

Bluetooth-range control was described as responsive in one review, with the lock reacting nearly immediately when pressed.

Bluetooth evidence is positive, with stable connectivity and unusually quick app response over Bluetooth range.

Build quality drew praise where discussed, with reviewers calling out high-quality materials and a solidly built feel.

Build quality was repeatedly praised as sturdy, well-built, strong, and rock solid.

DoorSense was praised when it worked and was considered worth installing, but one reviewer reported repeated calibration failures and incorrect open/closed status.

Reviewers valued the retrofit deadbolt fit for renters and existing-door setups, though one installation was complicated by tight door trim.

Compatibility evidence is positive but limited, with reviewers noting standard-door fit and successful single-doorknob replacement.

Keeping the outside hardware and existing deadbolt was repeatedly praised, especially for renters, maintenance access, and preserving exterior appearance.

Fingerprint entry was treated as a missing keyless feature rather than a strength of this lock.

Fingerprint access is the strongest feature across reviews, described as fast, accurate, responsive, effective, and unusually good.

Geofencing and auto-unlock were the most mixed smart feature: some reviewers found it handy or excellent, while others found it slow, inconsistent, or stopped working.

Guest access was easy and useful, with virtual keys, sharing by text, and scheduled codes highlighted positively.

Guest access is mixed: several reviewers liked the flexible access options, while one found temporary-code delivery convoluted and buggy.

Reviewers liked that built-in Wi-Fi removes the need for an add-on bridge or Connect module.

The hub requirement is a drawback because remote and voice features require added hardware and cost.

Design opinions are mixed: reviewers liked the attractive, premium look, but several also called the lock large, bulky, or obvious.

Most reviewers found setup easy, quick, and well guided by the app, with one strong dissent reporting freezes, verification issues, and calibration trouble.

Installation is sharply mixed, ranging from simple, app-guided, and quick to unusually complicated and frustrating.

The retained physical key was useful as a fallback and for renters, but one long-term tester still ended up carrying keys because smart unlocking was not fast enough.

Key backup evidence is positive, with reviewers valuing physical-key and backup access as a practical fallback.

The optional keypad works and can be useful, but reviewers noted it is not included and may disappoint buyers who want a built-in keypad experience.

The keypad and PIN Genie concept were widely praised for security and usability, although one reviewer found the shifting layout disorienting.

App/manual locking was often described as instant, smooth, or quick, but one reviewer found physical keys faster than app, Siri, or watch workflows.

Lock and unlock speed was consistently positive, with instant app response or unlocks taking only a couple of seconds.

The motor was praised for quiet operation in PCMag testing.

Motor evidence is limited, but PCMag praised the lock for relatively quiet operation.

Locking reliability was excellent in most formal testing and one six-month review, but one reviewer reported serious state confusion and unreliable locking status.

Locking reliability is mixed: some testing found smooth, great performance, while Digital Trends encountered unresolved calibration errors.

Notifications were a clear strength, with reviewers praising flexible smart alerts, quick push alerts, and better door-status awareness.

Notifications are a weakness in the limited evidence, with PCMag specifically missing push notification support.

Physical security received strong praise from TechGearLab, which highlighted the ANSI Grade 1 strength rating and intruder resistance.

Remote access was praised as convenient for controlling the lock from elsewhere in the house or anywhere with a phone connection.

Remote access is a repeated limitation because the lock lacks built-in internet control and needs extra Wi-Fi hardware.

Security software features were reassuring in the CNET review, especially authentication and encryption protections around the app and account.

Security evidence is positive, with praise for hack resistance and unusually comprehensive account-security setup.

Smart-home integration was broad and often praised, but Alexa/Google setup hitches, HomeKit offline issues, and one severe HomeKit complaint made reliability mixed.

Smart-home integration is one of the clearest weaknesses, with repeated criticism of missing or limited platform support.

The lack of a built-in outside touchpad/touchscreen was a drawback for the reviewer who preferred that style of lock.

The touchscreen evidence is positive, with reviewers praising seamless operation and responsive keypad behavior.

User access management was praised for free virtual keys and scheduled access codes.

User access management is mixed, combining flexible access options with one strong complaint about difficult PIN assignment.

Value was mixed: several reviewers called it pricey but worthwhile, while others weighed the high price against batteries, keypad add-ons, and reliability frustrations.

Value is a common concern because reviewers repeatedly describe the lock, hub path, or overall package as expensive.

Voice control worked quickly in one test and was supported broadly, but other reviewers reported password recognition issues or slow/failing Siri and Google Assistant use.

Voice control is limited because it is not built in and depends on extra Wi-Fi hardware that reviewers criticized.

Support was viewed positively through a resolved battery-warning bug and confidence that August/Assa Abloy support would keep software maintained.

Warranty evidence is strongly positive, with Digital Trends calling it one of the best in the smart-lock market.

Weather resistance evidence is positive but limited to one review that judged the casing able to handle harsh conditions.

Built-in Wi-Fi was praised for freshness, range, and eliminating a bridge, but reviewers tied it to battery drain and one reported mesh/Wi-Fi frustration.

Wi-Fi is mixed: the lack of built-in Wi-Fi is criticized, but one review found hub-connected Wi-Fi response very fast.