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 • 14-day trial
Comparison
Igloohome vs RemoteLock
Pricing, pros and cons, and buyer-fit side-by-side. Pick the one that matches your operation — or see why neither should.
Smart Locks
RemoteLock
Cloud-based smart lock access control for vacation rentals
Solid Option
Solid access control platform held back by hardware reliability and support concerns
From $6/listing • No free trial
✓Editorial verdict
Which should you pick: Igloohome or RemoteLock?
Pick igloohome if you manage remote or off-grid properties where offline access is essential and you want to avoid monthly subscription fees. Pick RemoteLock if you need centralized multi-property lock management with PMS-driven automation across multiple booking channels and hardware brands.
Editorial perspective from the Igloohome side; factual claims about RemoteLock are drawn from its review.
Pricing side-by-side
Igloohome
Full pricing →From $129 • 14-day trial
Custom
Hardware purchase required ($129–$209+ per lock). No monthly fee for basic app and PIN generation. API access (iglooaccess) costs $2 per active lock/month after 30-day free trial. Optional WiFi bridge $75 per property.
RemoteLock
Full pricing →From $6/listing • No free trial
Per listing
Per-lock pricing at $6/lock/month (Premium, billed annually) or $12/lock/month (Enterprise). Hardware costs additional (~$279+ per compatible smart lock).
What each tool does well — and where it falls short
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.
What RemoteLock does well
Seamless PMS integration automates guest code workflows
Connects with Hostfully, Guesty, Track, and other PMSs to automatically generate and deliver access codes tied to reservations. Reduces manual key handoff entirely.
One dashboard to monitor and control all locks remotely
Cloud-based centralized console shows real-time access logs, sends alerts, and lets managers control devices across all properties from anywhere.
Broad hardware compatibility across major lock brands
Supports Yale, Schlage, Kwikset, and August locks, so operators can choose hardware that fits their property type and budget rather than being locked into one manufacturer.
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.
Where RemoteLock falls short
Lock hardware failures reported well before expected lifespan
Capterra reviewers report that despite significant investment, nearly every lock has required replacement, with many failing in under two years from moisture damage and sudden failures.
Customer support is hard to reach and slow to resolve issues
Users report difficulty contacting anyone, resolution processes stretching weeks or months, and no emergency services — a significant gap for a product that controls property access.
Monthly per-lock fees add up on top of upfront hardware costs
At $6/lock/month plus ~$279+ per lock in hardware, the total cost of ownership can be substantial for larger portfolios compared to simpler one-time-purchase solutions.
Which should you pick
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.
Pick RemoteLock if
Property managers with 5+ units who need centralized access control and automated code delivery through PMS integration.
Skip RemoteLock if
You're a single-property host on a tight budget — the required subscription on top of hardware costs may not justify the investment.
Where Igloohome and RemoteLock actually differ
- Igloohome has no monthly fee for core PIN generation and app features; RemoteLock charges $6/lock/month (Premium) or $12/lock/month (Enterprise) on top of hardware costs.
- Igloohome's algoPIN technology generates access codes that work entirely offline without WiFi; RemoteLock requires cloud connectivity and internet-connected locks for all code management.
- RemoteLock supports Yale, Schlage, Kwikset, and August hardware through one dashboard; igloohome only works with its own proprietary Bluetooth locks ($129–$209+ each).
- RemoteLock integrates with dozens of PMS platforms including Hostfully, Guesty, and Track; igloohome's only native integration is Airbnb calendar sync, with broader PMS access requiring the $2/lock/month iglooaccess API.
- Igloohome generates 8-digit PINs that guests find complex; RemoteLock delivers shorter codes through its PMS integrations with fewer reported guest friction issues.
Common objections
- RemoteLock's PMS integrations and multi-brand hardware support seem far more flexible — why would I choose igloohome?
- If your properties have reliable internet and you use a PMS, RemoteLock's flexibility is genuinely superior. But if any of your rentals are cabins, rural homes, or locations with spotty WiFi, igloohome solves a problem RemoteLock literally cannot — generating working access codes with zero internet dependency. No cloud platform helps when the cloud can't reach the lock.
- Igloohome has no monthly fees, but doesn't the WiFi bridge and API add up to similar costs?
- It depends on your setup. A host with 5 Airbnb-only properties using igloohome pays $0/month for basic PIN management. The same host on RemoteLock pays $30/month ($6 × 5 locks) indefinitely. The igloohome WiFi bridge ($75 one-time per property) and optional API ($2/lock/month) add cost, but even fully loaded igloohome is cheaper long-term for small Airbnb-focused portfolios.
- RemoteLock has reported hardware failures within two years — is igloohome hardware more reliable?
- RemoteLock's reliability complaints relate to third-party lock hardware (Yale, Schlage, etc.), not the RemoteLock platform itself. Igloohome controls its own hardware, but its Bluetooth-only design introduces different trade-offs: no remote management without the bridge, and battery-powered locks that need periodic replacement. Neither option is maintenance-free — the failure modes just differ.
Keep digging
RemoteLock
Solid access control platform held back by hardware reliability and support concerns