August and Schlage represent two fundamentally different approaches to smart locks. August installs over your existing deadbolt — your door looks exactly the same from outside. Schlage replaces your entire deadbolt with a new one. That single difference determines which one is right for you more than any feature comparison.
Quick answer
- Choose August if: You rent, want to keep your existing keys working, or don't want to change your door's exterior appearance
- Choose Schlage if: You own your home, want maximum security and build quality, or want Apple Home Key
- The security difference is real: Schlage is Grade 1 certified; August's security depends on your existing deadbolt
The core difference: retrofit vs replacement
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) mounts on the interior thumb-turn of your existing deadbolt. Your existing keyhole, deadbolt face, and strike plate all stay in place. From outside, your door looks exactly the same as before. Your existing keys still work. The August motor turns your existing deadbolt's mechanism.
This is the right design for:
- Renters who can't modify the exterior
- Doors where you want existing keys to keep working
- Quick installs with no tools beyond a screwdriver
Schlage Encode replaces your entire deadbolt — both the interior and exterior hardware. Your existing keyhole is replaced with either a keypad (touchscreen or capacitive) and a new bolt mechanism. Schlage includes key backup (2 physical keys), but the exterior hardware is entirely new.
This is the right design for:
- Homeowners who want permanent, higher-quality hardware
- Doors where the existing deadbolt is worn or low quality
- Anyone who wants a proper Grade 1 deadbolt
Security rating
Schlage deadbolts are ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 certified — the highest residential security standard, equivalent to commercial building locks. The deadbolt mechanism itself is robust, with anti-pick pins and anti-drill protection built into the cylinder.
August doesn't have its own security rating because it relies entirely on your existing deadbolt. If you have a Grade 3 deadbolt installed, adding August doesn't upgrade its physical security — you're adding smart features to whatever you already had. If you have a Grade 1 deadbolt, August preserves that rating.
Edge: Schlage — unambiguously higher physical security.
WiFi reliability
Both use 2.4GHz WiFi and require a separate 2.4GHz network (not a combined 2.4/5GHz band) for reliable pairing.
Schlage Encode has a built-in WiFi radio. It needs 2.4GHz but works without a hub. Pairing can require separating your router's bands if you use a combined network. Once connected, it's generally stable.
August 4th Gen also has built-in WiFi and supports Bluetooth as a fallback for local control when WiFi drops. The Bluetooth fallback is a meaningful advantage — you can still unlock via app even if your internet is down.
Edge: August for Bluetooth fallback. Schlage for simpler first-time setup.
→ Fix: Schlage Encode WiFi not connecting → Fix: August Smart Lock not locking or unlocking
Ecosystem support
August supports Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings. The broadest compatibility of the two.
Schlage Encode Plus supports Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home Key — which allows you to tap your iPhone or Apple Watch directly on the lock to unlock with no app required. This is the only consumer smart lock with Home Key support, and it's a significant feature for Apple households.
Schlage Encode (non-Plus) supports Alexa and Google Home but not Apple Home Key.
Edge: August for ecosystem breadth. Schlage Encode Plus for Apple Home Key.
Battery life
August uses 2x CR123A lithium batteries, rated for about 6 months. The built-in WiFi radio uses more power than Z-Wave locks, and battery drain accelerates if the lock has connectivity issues.
Schlage Encode uses 4x AA batteries, rated for 6–12 months. Lithium AA batteries (Energizer Ultimate Lithium) significantly outperform alkaline in cold weather and extend the cycle. The 4x AA form factor is more convenient to source than CR123A.
Edge: Schlage for longer runtime and easier battery sourcing.
→ Fix: August Smart Lock calibration failed or jammed
Rental-friendliness
August is the clear winner here. Because it mounts entirely on the interior and leaves the exterior untouched, most landlords won't object to it. You can install and uninstall without any visible change to the door.
Schlage replaces the exterior hardware, which most leases don't allow without landlord permission.
Edge: August — significantly. For renters, August is the only practical choice.
Installation
August installs in about 10 minutes with a screwdriver. The hardest part is choosing the correct thumb-turn adapter (the kit includes several). The most important setup step — calibration — must be done with the door open to avoid false jammed errors.
Schlage takes 20–30 minutes and requires removing your existing deadbolt hardware (drill not required if the hole is the standard 2-1/8" diameter). Most doors are pre-drilled to the right size.
Edge: August for speed. Schlage for a more permanent installation.
Our verdict
Get August if: You rent, want to keep existing keys, or need the broadest ecosystem compatibility without exterior changes.
Get Schlage Encode Plus if: You own your home, want the best physical security, or are in the Apple ecosystem and want Home Key.
Get Schlage Encode (non-Plus) if: You own your home, want Grade 1 security and built-in WiFi, and don't need Apple Home Key — it's the same deadbolt at a lower price.
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock 4th Gen on Amazon (paid link)
- Schlage Encode Plus on Amazon (paid link)
- Schlage Encode on Amazon (paid link)
→ See our full smart lock buying guide — Schlage, August, and Yale compared
FAQ
Can I have both August and Schlage on the same door? No. They both control the deadbolt — you can only have one. August installs over the existing deadbolt interior, while Schlage replaces it entirely.
Will August work with any deadbolt? August works with most standard single-cylinder deadbolts. Deadbolts with non-standard thumb-turn shapes, double-cylinder deadbolts (key on both sides), or very stiff springs may be incompatible.
Does Schlage have a free subscription? Yes — there's no required subscription for Schlage. Access codes, remote lock/unlock, activity history, and app control are all included at no cost.
Does August have a free subscription? August Connect (the WiFi bridge for older models) required a subscription, but the 4th Gen has built-in WiFi — no subscription needed for remote access or basic features.
Which is harder to break in through? Schlage is harder to pick, drill, or kick through due to its Grade 1 certified deadbolt mechanism and anti-manipulation features. The weakest point of any locked door is typically the strike plate and door frame — reinforcing those matters more than the lock brand for both options.