Compare Lockly Secure Plus Smart Lock vs Schlage Encode Smart Lock

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

Reviewers found the history/audit trail useful for seeing who entered and when, especially for family, guests, and rental-style access.

Alarm loudness was split: one review called the siren quiet, while a locksmith found it very loud and annoying.

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

Most reviewers found the Schlage Home or Key app easy, responsive, and useful, with some caveats about simplicity or setup complexity.

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

Auto-lock was widely useful for forgotten doors, though reviewers warned that timing and lack of door awareness can create practical issues.

A locksmith observed that repeated invalid codes temporarily disable the keypad, showing the lockout behavior works, though active alerts were missing.

A locksmith praised the adjustable backset as working with almost any door in normal installations.

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

Battery feedback was mixed: built-in Wi-Fi drains AA batteries faster, but warnings and at least one long-term experience were positive.

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

The only explicit Bluetooth judgment was positive, emphasizing encrypted Bluetooth in the lock.

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

Reviewers consistently described the lock as solid, sturdy, beefy, heavy, or secure-feeling.

Ring doorbell/live-view control was praised when supported, but Ring Alarm compatibility created a major limitation in one review.

The main door-sense evidence was negative: the lock can auto-lock without knowing whether the door is actually shut.

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

Reviewers generally found the lock fit existing deadbolt openings or aligned well after adjustment, with no structural door changes needed in tested installs.

One review treated hardware reuse as a drawback because Encode replaces the whole deadbolt instead of modifying the existing one.

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

One reviewer specifically wished the lock added fingerprint recognition, so the lack of it counted as a limitation.

Geofencing was repeatedly identified as missing, with reviewers noting the lack of hands-free auto-unlock as a meaningful convenience gap.

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

Guest access was a major strength, with praise for many codes, scheduling, temporary access, texts, and family/service-person use; single-use code absence was the main caveat.

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

Reviewers strongly agreed that built-in Wi-Fi and no hub, bridge, or adapter is one of the lock’s clearest advantages.

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

Exterior design earned praise for style and curb appeal, but interior hardware size and appearance drew criticism.

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

Installation was usually described as easy and quick, although programming, Wi-Fi setup, or third-party app setup could be confusing.

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

Reviewers valued the physical key backup, especially as protection against dead batteries or smart-function failures.

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

The keypad was generally praised as easy, bright, backlit, and accessible, with one reviewer noting a nighttime first-press annoyance.

A locksmith judged the cylinder well-made but not impossible to pick, making keyway quality respectable rather than exceptional.

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

Lock/unlock response was usually fast or instant, with one reviewer describing it as only somewhat more responsive than another lock.

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

Motor feedback was mixed: one reviewer found it quiet, another said it was strong, while others complained it was loud or grinding.

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

Locking reliability was one of the strongest areas, with reviewers reporting perfect tests, flawless keyless entry, smooth unlocking, and dependable performance.

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

Notifications were usually useful for lock status and user activity, but reviewers noted missed battery warnings and no active invalid-code alert.

Physical security was repeatedly praised through Grade 1/AAA ratings, reinforced hardware, and confidence against forced entry.

Only one review directly tied the lock’s construction to pick/key resistance, saying it would be difficult for a thief to duplicate the key.

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

Remote access was strongly praised for checking status, letting people in, locking from away, and fast reliable remote operation.

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

The only direct encryption evidence was positive, with the reviewer praising the lock’s encrypted Bluetooth.

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

Smart-home integration was useful with Alexa, Google, Ring, Amazon Key, and Home Assistant, but limited by HomeKit, IFTTT, SmartThings, Google unlock, and Ring Alarm gaps.

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

Touchscreen feedback was mostly positive for responsiveness and cold-use practicality, though one reviewer stressed it is not a true modern glass touchscreen.

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

User management was praised for quick code creation, schedules, granular options, and caregiver/parent use cases.

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

Value was mixed but leaned positive: several reviewers called it pricey, yet many found the security, reliability, and features worth the cost.

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

Voice control generally worked well, especially with Alexa, but Google unlocking limits lowered the overall score.

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

Warranty evidence was limited but positive, with one locksmith calling its electronics warranty the longest among reviewed locks.

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

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

Wi-Fi was strongly valued for direct remote control without extra hardware, though battery drain and one weak connection were caveats.