Smart Locks
August Home
Retrofit smart lock with native Airbnb integration
Best for Small Hosts
The right smart lock when you can't modify the door exterior
From $149.99 • No free trial
Comparison
August Home vs Igloohome
Pricing, pros and cons, and buyer-fit side-by-side. Pick the one that matches your operation — or see why neither should.
Smart Locks
Igloohome
Offline smart locks with auto-generated PINs for remote rentals
Best for Small Hosts
Best offline smart lock for remote STR properties
From $129 • Free trial
✓Editorial verdict
Which Should You Pick: August Home or Igloohome?
Pick August Home if you can't modify the door exterior and want a reversible 10-minute retrofit install with native Airbnb code automation and broad smart-home ecosystem support. Pick Igloohome if your properties are remote or off-grid and you need access codes that work entirely without WiFi.
Editorial perspective from the August Home side; factual claims about Igloohome are drawn from its review.
Pricing Side-by-Side
August Home
Full pricing →From $149.99 • No free trial
August Smart Lock
$149.99 one-time
- Bluetooth keyless entry
- Auto-Lock and Auto-Unlock
- DoorSense for door open/closed detection
- Up to 6-month battery life on 2x AA
Smart Lock + Connect
$199.99 one-time
- All Smart Lock features
- Wi-Fi Bridge included for remote control
- Voice assistant integration (Alexa, Google, Siri)
Wi-Fi Smart Lock
$229.99 one-time
- Built-in Wi-Fi (no separate Bridge needed)
- Smaller form factor than Smart Lock + Connect
- Direct app and voice-assistant control
Igloohome
Full pricing →From $129 • Free trial
Hardware Only
$129-$209+ per lock
One-time hardware purchase; no subscription required
Any (per-lock pricing)
- Bluetooth smart lock with offline PIN generation
- Free basic app for PIN management
- algoPIN time-sensitive access codes
- No monthly fees for core functionality
iglooaccess API
$2/lock/mo
30-day free trial; billed per active lock
Any (per-lock subscription)
- API integration with PMS platforms
- Automated guest code delivery via booking workflows
- Programmatic lock management
- Hardware purchase still required
Connected Bridge (optional)
$75 per property
One-time hardware cost; layers on top of any tier above
1 bridge per property
- Remote monitoring and control via WiFi
- Real-time lock status notifications
- Online code generation without physical visit
- Optional enhancement to any igloohome deployment
What each tool does well — and where it falls short
What August Home does well
Non-invasive installation preserves original door appearance
August's retrofit design installs over an existing deadbolt without changing the exterior — SafeWise describes it as "perfect for rentals with HOA restrictions or landlord requirements" with a 10-minute install.
Native Airbnb integration automates guest access codes
Linking August and Airbnb accounts means the lock automatically generates a unique access code when a guest books, eliminating manual code management per The Connected Shop.
Works with every major smart home platform
August's official Works With page lists Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT, SimpliSafe, Control4, and ecobee among supported integrations.
Keeps physical key functionality as a backup
The retrofit-over-deadbolt design means the original key still works — useful for owner access, maintenance, or when batteries die unexpectedly.
What Igloohome does well
Offline PIN generation removes internet dependency entirely
Igloohome's algoPIN technology generates time-sensitive codes that work without WiFi, solving a real pain point for cabins and remote rentals where connectivity is unreliable or nonexistent.
Native Airbnb sync eliminates manual code management
Connecting your Airbnb account takes one click in the app, and the lock automatically creates guest PINs synced to your booking calendar — no manual code generation or messaging required.
No recurring subscription for core lock functionality
Basic app features, Bluetooth management, and PIN generation are included with the hardware purchase. The only ongoing cost is the optional $2/lock/month API fee for PMS integration.
Where August Home falls short
Shorter battery life increases maintenance burden
Smart Home Perfected notes CR123 batteries last 3-6 months versus 9-12 for Yale or Schlage — a notable drawback when managing multiple properties at distance.
Keypad for backup access sold separately
The external keypad is a separate accessory at around $59, adding 25-40% to the effective per-door cost before shipping or installation.
Less proven for high-volume commercial rentals
RedAwning notes Yale Assure Lock 2 is deployed across 50,000+ RedAwning-managed properties with a 99.7% uptime rate, and recommends Yale or Schlage Encode Plus for high-traffic rentals.
No comprehensive public API documentation
Integrations are available through official partners and supported platforms, but August does not publish a documented public API — limiting custom PMS/automation integrations.
Where Igloohome falls short
8-digit access codes create guest friction and lockout risk
Remotely generated codes are 8 digits long, which guests may struggle to remember or key in correctly — especially after a long travel day. Lockouts require host intervention.
No WiFi, Z-Wave, or Zigbee means no smart home ecosystem
The lock operates via Bluetooth only. It cannot participate in broader home automation, geofencing, or remote smartphone access without the separate WiFi bridge hardware.
Remote PIN management requires a $75 WiFi bridge per property
Without the bridge, hosts must be within Bluetooth range to manage codes. For remote properties — ironically the lock's strongest use case — the bridge becomes a near-mandatory add-on.
Which Should You Pick
Pick August Home if
Properties with HOA restrictions or landlord requirements prohibiting exterior door modifications, where a reversible 10-minute install matters.
Skip August Home if
You run high-volume commercial properties and need maximum battery life and the most proven track record for smart-lock reliability.
Pick Igloohome if
Hosts with remote properties, cabins, or rentals with unreliable internet who need keyless guest access that works offline without any connectivity requirements.
Skip Igloohome if
You need full smart home integration across Z-Wave or Zigbee devices, want short easy-to-remember PINs, or manage properties across multiple booking platforms beyond Airbnb.
Where August Home and Igloohome actually differ
- August installs over the existing deadbolt in ~10 minutes preserving the original exterior and physical key; igloohome is a full deadbolt replacement starting at $129 per lock.
- Igloohome's algoPIN technology generates time-sensitive codes that work entirely offline without WiFi; August requires Wi-Fi connectivity (built-in module on the $229.99 Wi-Fi Smart Lock or the Connect bridge bundled at $199.99) for remote code management and Airbnb automation.
- August integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT, and SimpliSafe; igloohome is Bluetooth-only with no Z-Wave, Zigbee, or smart-home ecosystem connectivity.
- August's CR123 batteries last 3-6 months; igloohome's Bluetooth-only design delivers significantly longer battery life across a portfolio.
- Both have native Airbnb integration with no monthly fees for core features, but igloohome generates 8-digit PINs guests find complex, while August's Airbnb codes flow through a separately-sold keypad accessory (~$59) without the same length complaint.
Common objections
- Igloohome works completely offline — isn't August's WiFi dependency a dealbreaker for any property with shaky internet?
- If your rentals are cabins or rural properties where WiFi is genuinely unreliable, igloohome's offline algoPIN system solves a problem August can't. But for the vast majority of vacation rentals with standard home WiFi, August's connectivity delivers real-time control, shorter code-entry through the keypad accessory, and a reversible install igloohome can't match. The split is honestly about your connectivity reality, not which lock is better in the abstract.
- Igloohome is cheaper upfront at $129 versus August's $149.99-$229.99 — why pay more?
- August's higher hardware cost buys a non-invasive retrofit that preserves your existing deadbolt and physical key — a real advantage if your HOA, landlord, or strata forbids modifying the door exterior. Igloohome requires replacing the entire deadbolt, which isn't an option in many leased or restricted properties. If you own the door and can replace it, igloohome's lower price holds up; if you can't, August solves a constraint igloohome doesn't address.
- Igloohome has no monthly fees — but August also has no subscription, so what's the real cost difference?
- Both are one-time hardware purchases for core functionality. Igloohome's practical add-ons are the $75 WiFi bridge per property and the $2/lock/month iglooaccess API for non-Airbnb PMS integration. August's practical add-on is the ~$59 external keypad for guest PIN entry. For a 5-unit Airbnb-only host, fully loaded igloohome lands cheaper long-term; for hosts who need door-exterior preservation or smart-home ecosystem integration, August's add-ons buy capabilities igloohome can't deliver at any price.
Keep Digging
August Home
The right smart lock when you can't modify the door exterior