Nest Yale vs. August Smart Lock Pro

Keeping your house secure is an important part of feeling safe in your own home, and a large part of that security is the lock on the front door. Sure, security systems can help alert you of intruders and even alert the authorities, but your first line of defense is always a simple lock.

However, in the past few years there has been a surge of smart locks onto the market that offer increased security while making it more convenient than ever before to manage who can come and go from your home. With features ranging from keyless entry to automatic locking and unlocking, it’s now possible to keep your home safe and enjoy the best that smart technology has to offer.

In this article we take a look at the Nest Yale vs.August Smart Lock Pro in order to give you a sense of where these locks succeed and where they fall short. There’s a lot to go over, but after breaking down the differences there’s one thing that’s clear: not all smart locks are created equal. Read on below!

Nest Yale vs. August Smart Lock Pro — About

Nest and August represent two major smart manufacturers with a significant reputation in the industry and a history of producing top-notch products.

Nest is perhaps best known for their thermostats, security systems, and cameras, but they have also recently moved into smart locks to help homeowners better secure their front doors. Nest is now owned by Google, and back in 2015, security specialist Yale announced that they were going to work in collaboration with Nest on a brand new project named “Linus.” There was not much news on that front for quite a while, and the project was adjusted and delayed several times until it was subsequently released as the Nest x Yale Lock. The Nest Yale joins the rest of the company’s smart products that all work together in order to provide a more intelligent and connected home.

Nest is a trusted technology company, and their work with Yale — one of the most respected names in the security industry — represents the combination of smart features and quality locks. Together they have produced a tamper-proof deadbolt that connects with the Nest App, allowing you to lock and unlock your door from wherever you happen to be. With useful features like giving trusted guests a passcode instead of a key, it’s easy to control who comes and goes while ensuring that your friends and family are always welcome.

While Nest definitely produces an excellent lock, August certainly gives them a run for their money. The August Smart Lock Pro represents perhaps the most advanced WiFi smart lock on the market. With just your smartphone, you can lock and unlock your door, control access for a variety of guests, and keep track of who comes and goes. With excellent customer reviews and an incredible line up of features, it’s just difficult to beat.

August currently offers three different types of smart locks: the August Gen 2, August Gen 3, and August Pro. The Gen 3 line is perhaps the most advanced, and we recommend taking a look at our August Smart Lock vs. Pro vs. Gen 2 comparison in order to really get a sense at what sets these there locks apart.


Nest Yale vs. August Smart Lock Pro — Things in Common

August Smart Lock Pro - Extra - 01

There are a lot of differences between the Nest Yale vs. August Smart Lock Pro and we’ll go into detail on what sets these locks apart from one another below. However, there are also a number of features that they have in common. Whether you decide on Nest or August, you’ll get a certain lineup of perks that will keep your front door protected and access for your and your friends as convenient as possible.

The main reason that most people opt for a smart lock is the ability to use a smartphone as a key. Whether you’re prepping your door for entry on the way up from the car, or letting a friend in while you’re on vacation, you’ll have access to create passcodes and control all aspects of access from wherever you can get online.

Keyless access for yourself is an excellent perk in and of itself, but another big benefit of the Nest Yale and August Smart Lock Pro is the increased security that comes along with the ability to invite your friends. Sharing keys among your friend groups or with a housekeeper may work in most situations, but there’s always the possibility they will misplace the key. This locks them out of the home, and can also open up a host of security issues with a key to your door potentially floating around in public. With the ability to assign a virtual ley to each of your friends, you’ll never have to worry about your friends and family being locked out — as long as they can remember a passcode or have their smartphone on them, that is!

Giving a passcode to your friends, family, and trusted people like a housekeeper or babysitter can make your life a lot easier and give you more flexibility over when you’re at home. But what if you want to ensure that the codes can’t be used at all points in the day? When you’re home from a long day at work and getting ready for bed, you’ll likely want the assurance that no one can barge in on you unexpectedly. Fortunately, both the Nest yale and August Smart Lock Pro offer the ability to set a Guest Access Schedule.

The August Smart Lock Pro even takes it a step further with some pretty extensive customization features that will afford you the ultimate in control over when each person has access to your home. When you invite a guest to access your lock and assign them a code, you have three different access types. Always will allow guests to access the home at any time, with privileges revoked at the discretion of the homeowner. Recurring provides access on a recurring schedule — perfect for letting the dog walker in at a certain time each day and protecting your home otherwise. Lastly, Temporary gives guests limited access to your home for a one-time use that is limited to the date and time that you’ve selected.

Even the most careful homeowners are sometimes forgetful. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the assurance that your home will be protected even if you forget to lock the door? The Nest and August offer Auto-Lock functionality that will automatically secure your home once you’re safe inside. The Nest has the slight edge in this category, with the ability to choose how long your lock should wait before automatically locking as well as adding in the option to turn Auto_lock on all the time or only when no one is home.

While an electronic smart lock is an excellent option for keeping your home secure and making it easy to get inside whenever you desire, there are some inherent problems that come with a smart lock — namely the fact that they are battery powered. Both smart locks use standard batteries, and will provide a low battery warning to help prevent you from getting locked out.

On the Nest Yale, you’ll be notified on your phone when the batteries start to lose their charge, and there will also be a low battery status in the Nest App. If that’s not enough to keep your apprised of your smart doorbell’s power situation, there is also a red low battery light on the lock’s keypad and an audible warning upon each unlock that will make it difficult to ignore. However, if you do manage to lock yourself out, there’s no need to call a locksmith! Just hold a 9V alkaline battery to the terminals on the bottom of the lock in order to give it a temporary boost of juice — allowing you to enter the passcode and unlock the door. Just make sure you actually swap the batteries at that point!

The August Smart Lock Pro’s battery warnings are a little less in-your-face, but should still be pretty difficult to miss. A red flashing light on the August Smart Lock will make it immediately visible once you walk up, and you’ll also see a notification on the dedicated smartphone app.

Last but not least, both the Nest and August locks work well with the rest of their product lines — most notably their doorbells. Nest integrates quite well with the Nest Hello doorbell, and August works with the August Doorbell Cam Pro. While those products have their own benefits and drawbacks, they may be worth looking into if you’re trying to make your entire front door “smart” rather than just the lock.


Nest Yale vs. August Smart Lock Pro — Differences

Nest Yale Lock

  • Difference #1: Technology – One of the primary differences between the Nest Yale vs.August Smart Lock Pro is the underlying technology they use to communicate with the rest of your home.

    Nest products work very well with one another, largely because they use a proprietary communication technology called Weave.

    Weave was designed to match the dependability of a wired home while maintaining the flexibility and convenience of a wireless connection. Nest products have the ability to talk to one another and work together without relying on any sort of cloud — allowing communications to continue even if the internet goes down or there is a power outage.

    Weave products are extremely easy to set up, so if you find yourself adding in a Nest Yale to an existing Nest product line, adding in your smart lock to the rest of your home is as easy as scanning a QR Code. That simple scan will securely add the device to your device-to-device network, and your existing products will even be able to share your WiFi credentials to get your lock setup and online. Your devices will always be up to date with automatic downloads of bug fixes, security patches, and improvements, and Weave security independent of your home network keeps your systems free from hacking.

    Whether you’re an existing Nest user or you’re just starting on getting your smart home setup, Weave is a flexible technology that allows the company’s products to work together to provide you a more convenient and capable home.

    However, the usefulness of Weave comes with one major caveat: there’s basically zero integration with smart products outside of the Nest family. The Nest Yale is largely an island, and while it provides an excellent service in and of itself, it won’t play nice with other smart products.

    The August Smart Lock Pro, on the other hand, is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. The underlying technology supports Bluetooth, Apple HomeKit, and Z-Wave Plus connections, making it pretty easy to integrate your lock into the rest of your home.

    The Z-Wave Plus support is especially noteworthy, as it’s a new certification program that really drives home the technical capabilities of the August line. Some of the major benefits of Z-Wave Plus over traditional Z-Wave include an increased range of up to 150m, a 50% improvement in battery life, and 250% more bandwidth.

    Rest assured that your August Smart Lock Pro supports a wide range of technology and should play nice with pretty much any smart product that works off of one of the aforementioned frequencies.

    All in all, we have to give the technology edge to August. While Nest has some impressive technology that makes it work like a dream with other products in the company’s line, the lack of support for products outside of the ecosystem is a major detractor.

  • Difference #2: Remote Control – Continuing on the technology front, there are some significant differences in the way that the Nest yale and August Smart Lock Pro handle remote control.

    The Nest Yale connects to your WiFi and the Nest app through either the Nest Connect or Nest Guard. It’s important to keep in mind that you’ll need one or the other in order to lock and unlock your door remotely.

    If you happen to purchase the Nest Yale Lock from Amazon, you’ll get a Connect included in the box and you won’t have to purchase anything else. On the other hand, you can purchase the Nest Yale through store.nest.com and have the option to purchase the smart lock either with or without the Connect. This is probably the preferred method of purchase for those who already have a Nest Secure alarm system, as a Nest Connect would largely be redundant in that case. Whether you opt for the Nest Connect or use the Nest Guard, the hub will allow your locks to communicate with the Nest service in the cloud as well as the Nest app on your phone.

    One other thing to keep in mind when you’re considering hubs is that the range is wide, but also somewhat limited. If you have a large home and want to install your smart lock on multiple doors, you may need multiple Nest Connect systems in order to get everything running smoothly. For optimal conditions, consider installing your Connect about halfway between your router and lock.

    Ultimately, we can strongly recommend the Nest products if you’re an existing Nest user. Adding in a Nest Hello doorbell, for example, or perhaps a Nest Secure system will make it readily apparent how convenient the Nest ecosystem is as a whole.

    If you’re not a Nest user, however, it’s pretty easy to see where the August Smart Lock Pro might have the edge.

    Just like the Nest, you’ll need some sort of hub in order to control your August lock remotely. One simple way to get your August lock up and running is to buy the August Connect WiFi bridge. This hub will connect your new smart lock to your router, and unlock a number of features like the ability to remotely unlock/lock your door, check the real-time status of your deadbolt, and let guests in when you’re away from home.

    The Nest lock works exceptionally well within its own ecosystem, but that doesn’t mean the August can’t do the same! The Smart Lock Pro can connect to your August Doorbell Cam Pro — functioning basically identically to the WiFi bridge. If you’re willing to shell out a little extra to add another excellent smart product to your line, it’s much more useful than the bridge since it adds its own host of features. See who’s at your door and talk to them, greeting your friends and family as they walk up to your home or letting your UPS driver know to hide your package rather than leave it out in the open. It’s an excellent smart product in its own right, and the fact that it can serve as a hub makes it even more valuable for those looking to add a smart lock.

    However, when you do purchase the smart lock, it does come bundled with the WiFi bridge. This allows you to get things set up without any extra expense should you choose to forgo the doorbell.

    Since the August Smart Lock Pro does support Z-Wave technology, you’ll have the access to control it through an existing hub like the Wink or SmartThings — effectively rendering the Connect WiFi bridge useless. Fortunately, there’s now an option to purchase August Smart Lock Pro without a Connect should you decide on the doorbell or already have a Z-Wave hub.

  • Difference #3: Access Code Memory Capacity – Part of the convenience with the Nest Yale and August Smart Lock Pro is their ability to provide access codes to trusted guests and other visitors. However, there are some limitations with the Nest that are worth taking into account.

    With the Nest Yale, you can distribute up to 20 codes max. When you assign the code, you’ll also choose either Full Access or Home Entry only and choose a passcode between 4 to 8 digits long.

    With the August Smart Lock Pro, there are no restrictions. Give out an unlimited number of codes, and never worry about maxing out your system’s memory. It’s clear that August has the advantage.

  • Difference #4: DoorSense Technology – One other advantage that the August lock has over the Nest Yale is its DoorSense technology.

    While the Nest does generally pair well with other technology within its own ecosystem, there’s definitely a gap in its integration with sensors from the Nest Secure. The company really missed out on an opportunity to allow Nest Secure sensors to be able to accurately detect whether the door is shut and adjust the lock on the Yale accordingly. Unfortunately, users report that the Nest will sometimes lock automatically despite not actually being shut — clanging back at you as you shut the door instead of staying unlocked while ajar.

    When you get the notification that your door is locked, you want to actually be confident that the your home is secured rather than having the lock activate while the entryway is not actually patched. This is where the August Smart Lock Pro comes out ahead of the competition, with a small magnet that alerts you as to whether the door is actually shut.

    Only the August Smart Lock Pro and the August Smart Lock Gen 3 have this feature, and by sticking the magnet on the door frame you’ll be able to rest assured that you’ll be well aware if your door is open. If you’re planning on having your August Smart Lock installed for a while, however, we recommend drilling into the door and placing the magnet inside for a less conspicuous profile.

  • Sale
  • Difference #5: Auto-Unlock – Convenience is important to those buying a Smart Lock, and the August Lock is significantly more convenient than the Nest Yale due largely to one key feature: Auto-Unlock.

    Using Bluetooth Low Energy, WiFi, and GPS technologies, the August Smart Lock can actually build a “geo-fence” around your home. This field allows your phone and lock to communicate and unlock the door as you’re walking up, ensuring you’ll never have to fumble for your keys again.

    If there’s one key feature that makes the August Smart Lock Pro stand out, it would be this auto-unlocking feature. Being able to walk up to the door and easily go inside while being confident that your home will remain secured at all other times takes all of the hassle out of managing a lock. When you and your phone leave the geo-fence, it will automatically lock the door, and when you walk back in it will go back into “Home mode.” It’s as simple as that!

  • Difference #6: Privacy Mode – Both locks offer the ability to set schedules for different users, but what if you want to have some quiet time with the assurance that no one will walk in?

    Nest has a dedicated “Privacy Mode” that will lock the door for anyone currently outside the home. When they try to get inside with their code, they will be told to try again at another time.

    While the day-to-day management of your lock will probably be covered by scheduling, it’s always nice to have the ability to totally lock your door when you want some time to yourself. Just press the white button on the interior side of the lock to control this useful feature.

    Unfortunately, the August Smart Lock Pro offers no such feature.

  • Difference #7: Keypad – Both locks support a keypad for code entry, but while it comes included on the Nest Yale, it’s an optional accessory for August.

    While it’s definitely a little more inconvenient and costly to have to purchase a keypad separately, the August Keypad offers the flexibility of being able to install it wherever you please and create up to 220 different passcodes — ensuring you’ll be able to let as basically as many trusted people into your home as you can think of. This setup also keeps the exterior of the lock intact rather than replacing it entirely.

    When you install the Nest Yale, however, you’re replacing the entirety of the lock — both inside and out. The exterior of the lock looks much like you’d expect any Nest product to look, with a super sleek “all black when off” aesthetic. The keypad is built into the device, although it’s less flexible than the August lock in that there’s a maximum of 20 codes per lock. While the August lock offers far more codes than the average person will ever need, there’s a very real possibility that some homeowners could need more than 20 codes.

    To provide access to your friends and family, simply open up Nest Home and provide full access or home entry only. With the ability to choose any combination of 4 to 8 digits, you’ll be able to provide each guest with a code that is both secure and easy to remember.

  • Difference #8: Built-in Alarm – Both the August and Nest locks do a great job of securing your home, but there’s always the possibility that someone may try to bypass that security.

    One advantage that the Nest has over the August lock is in its ability to detect when someone is trying to tamper with the security and set off an alarm to alert homeowners and deter intruders. You’ll also receive a notification on your phone so that you can take quick action to protect your home even if you’re at work or on vacation.

    While the August Smart Lock has a lot going for it and is the better lock in many ways, it doesn’t have any sort of alarm system which is definitely a detractor.

  • Difference #9: Smart Home Integration – Smart Home Integration is one area where it becomes very apparent that the August Smart Lock Pro is the superior product.

    Since August locks run off of standard smart home technology rather than their own proprietary frequency, they are truly the perfect products for smart home integration. There’s a huge range of brands that August works well with, and you’ll be able to hook your lock up to any Z-Wave hub or Apple HomeKit.

    Voice control is possible through popular systems like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and you’ll also find support for Stringify and the Xfinity Home app. If you’re invested in smart Honeywell products, you can take advantage of Honeywell Total Connect iOS and iPad app in order to unlock and lock your smart lock. It’s a great way to take control of your lock and thermostat — all in one convenient place.

    Harmony Hub products that are running at least software version 4.5 can also now integrate with August locks, and those with SimpliSafe security systems will be able to control their locks with their existing technology and apps. As soon as you arm or disarm your secure system through the SimpliSafe Key Fob, Keypad, or mobile app, your August lock will lock or unlock according to the settings in your security app.

    It’s easy to see that the August Smart locks integrate with tons of different products, and there are so many ways that you’ll be able to integrate them for a more secure and convenient home. August has now partnered with Alarm.com to provide support for popular security panels like DSC, Interlogix, Nortek and Qolsys. Due to this integration, you’ll now be able to control your locks either through the August app or through the Alarm.com program.

    I’m addition to the various product families that the August lock works with, integration with IFTTT really rounds out the product and ensures you should be able to use your new purchase with pretty much any tech setup you already have. Do things like turn on your Philips Hue or LIFX lights immediately after the door unlocks — keeping your entryway lit up after a long day at work or adding an extra layer of security should someone manage to walk in.

    One other cool feature of the August Smart Lock Pro is it’s integration with HomeAway and AirBnB. It’s one of the best locks for those who are renting out their homes, as it can actually automatically generate a code that is valid from check in to check out. With the capacity to store hundreds of codes, you’ll be renting out your home for years before you have to worry about clearing memory. August takes the hassle out of access while still keeping your home secure — eschewing the need for physical keys and lock boxes with a fully-automated system.

    Nest, on the other hand, isn’t nearly as flexible when it comes to its smart support. It does integrate well with its own systems, however such featuring the ability to automatically disarm your Nest Secure alarm system when you unlock the door.

    The Nest Hello doorbell also works well with the Nest Yale, providing a video feed on the top of your Nest App alongside the unlocking features for the door. With the Nest Hello feed, Nest Yale controls and the status of your Nest Secure made plainly visible in one place, it’s easy to control all of the company’s smart products from one convenient place.

    However, outside of that there’s basically no smart home integration: your Nest Yale is basically an island that won’t work with other smart products. And when it comes to voice control, the lock is only compatible with Google Home.

    You’ll find that your Zigbee or Z-Wave hubs are pretty much useless for the Nest due to its utilization of its own Weave frequency. No HomeKit compatibility, no IFTTT — basically no type of smart home integration at all.

    Ironically, the August Smart Lock actually does a better job of integrating with Nest products than the company’s own Nest Yale does. The August lock will actually work with Nest cameras and thermostats through the mobile app, which generally makes it the superior lock even for those who have already invested in Nest products.

    Once you pair your Nest Cam or Nest Thermostat, you’ll see relevant Nest Cam motion detection events in your August Activity feed as well as information on the temperature of your home.

    To get the integration set up, you’ll need to be the owner of at least one August house and one lock within the home as well as a Nest Aware subscription for each Nest cam.

    Long story short, it’s pretty bad when Nest’s competitors do a better job of supporting their products than they do themselves. August wins integration by a landslide.

  • Difference #10: Goods Delivery – Making codes for regular household visitors can go a long way toward taking the effort out of managing your home, but what if you want to make the delivery of your favorite goods and services easier and more convenient than ever before.

    August Access is a service that allows you to select in-home delivery when shopping online with select retailers. When your package is out for delivery, your August Smart Lock will generate a one-time PIN to allow your delivery person access to your front door. It’s the perfect solution for those worried about package theft, and functions very similarly to Amazon Key Service.

    August Access isn’t available for every online delivery, but it’s a godsend for purchases where it’s supported. For information on retailer and delivery companies, take a look at the August website.

    Unfortunately, Nest does not offer any sort of equivalent service.

  • Difference #11: Installation – Last but not least, there are some pretty significant differences in terms of ease of installation. Simply put, the August lock is much easier to get set up because it isn’t completely replacing the lock, while the Nest can be a more involved process since you’re replacing both the interior and externals of your deadbolt.

    While August locks conveniently fit over your existing bolt, you’ll need to break out the drill for the Nest Yale. While the manufacturer does include a convenient step-by-step installation guide with the purchase of the lock, it’s definitely more challenging to work with than the August product by nearly every metric.

    The intervals of the Nest lock are also surprisingly low quality considering the pretty high price point — using a spring-loaded pin that lacks the sophistication and precision we’ve come to expect from Nest products.

    Long story short, the Nest Yale is more difficult to install and is generally constructed with a lower-quality design when compared to the August Smart Lock Pro.

Sale Google Nest x Yale Lock - Tamper-Proof Smart Lock for Keyless Entry - Keypad Deadbolt Lock for Front Door - Oil Rubbed Bronze
Sale August Home Silver Smart Lock Pro, 3rd Generation-Dark Gray, Apple Home Kit Compatible and Z-Wave Plus Enabled

Nest Yale vs. August Smart Lock Pro — Comparison Chart

Nest Yale August Smart Lock Pro
Technology Weave Bluetooth
Apple HomeKit
Z-Wave Plus
Remote Control via Nest Connect
or Nest Secure
via August Connect
or Doorbell Cam Pro
or Apple Home Hub
or Z-Wave Hub
Installation Exterior + interior Interior only
Built-in Alarm Yes No
Privacy Mode Yes No
Auto-Unlock No Yes
DoorSense™ Technology No Yes
In-Home Goods Delivery No Yes
Shared Access 20 codes max. Unlimited
Lock Grade Grade 2
Keypad Yes No
Keypad Type Touchscreen
Batteries 4 AA batteries 4 AA batteries
Amazon Alexa Compatible No Yes
HomeKit Compatible No Yes
Dimensions Exterior: 2.59″ x 4.59″ x 0.80″
Interior: 2.78″ x 7.03″ x 2.02″
3.39” x 3.39” x 2.22”

Nest Yale vs. August Smart Lock Pro — Accessories

Nest - WiFi Bridge

There are several accessories for both the Nest Yale and the August Smart Lock Pro — some of which are necessary, and others that are just nice to have.

Both locks will need some sort of bridge in order to connect, with that being either the Nest Connect or the August Connect Bridge. Alternatively, you can purchase the August Doorbell Cam Pro in order to get the same features plus the added benefits of a smart doorbell.

Last but not least, the functionality of the August Smart Lock Pro is significantly enhanced by the August Smart Keypad, which is sold separately. If you’d like to be able to manually key in a PIN on the lock itself, you’ll want to make sure to pick one up to be installed alongside your purchase. While the fact that it’s not included in the lock itself can be viewed as a detractor, it actually affords you a lot more flexibility since you can choose exactly where to install it. With the ability to store hundreds of codes and the flexibility to be put up wherever you please, it’s a worthwhile addition to your new smart lock.


Nest Yale vs. August Smart Lock Pro — Our Thoughts

August Smart Lock Pro with green light

Ultimately, while the Nest Yale has some cool features going for it like Privacy mode and a built-in alarm to ward off intruders, it pales in comparison that everything the August Smart Lock Pro has to offer.

To put it simply, the August model is the smarter device, and that intelligence is what you’re looking for when you’re shopping around for a smart lock. It’s incredibly flexible and will integrate seamlessly into your existing smart home setup, and it even does a better job of connecting Nest products than Nest does themselves!

Add to that features like geofencing that can unlock or lock your door for you as you come and go and even features that can provide a one-time PIN for your delivery driver, and it’s plain to see that August makes the superior product.

Nest’s big selling point with the Nest Yale that was supposed to set it apart from the competition is its ability to work well with other Nest products. For those who are already tied into the ecosystem with a thermostat or security system, it seems like a logical choice to buy a smart lock from the same brand. However, Nest has really disappointed with this particular model in that it just flat out doesn’t have the features it’s supposed to. The lock is supposed to interface with Nest Secure, but it doesn’t even support door sensors — leading to uncertainty when you’re trying to remember whether you locked your front door.

Even the base model August Smart Lock has more features than the Nest Yale, and the disparity between the two brands only becomes more apparent when you consider the Smart Lock Pro.

All in all, it’s difficult to recommend the Nest Yale over the August Smart Lock Pro. If you’re in the market for a new lock, August is definitely the way to go.


Last update on 2024-03-29 at 07:59 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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